Choosing A'levels - what to do for law degree

[Okki]

DD is currently choosing a 6th form/ college. She currently wants to study law with French at Uni, but we know this could change.

Her preferred A levels are

French
English literature
Music
History
Law
Psychology

Obviously she can't do 6. French she has to do, but she's bilingual so we have been advised by uni admissions she should do 4 A'levels as French will be regarded as the easy option for her.

She hadn't previously considered doing Music as an A'level but is now wondering if it would give her an edge over another humanities subject as it would show a different skill set.

I haven't a clue. I didn't go to university and don't really know how to advise her. DH went to uni in France where its all different.

She's predicted 8/9 for her GCSE Literature, history and Music. She has a 9 for French. She's also on the Oxbridge pathway at school, but we know the chances are slim to non existent for her to get in, but she would like an RG uni.

Can anyone give me any tips for how to advise her. I will ask school/ colleges as well, but some real life experiences would be good too. Thank you.

I think history is always good for budding lawyers (evaluating sources, forming evidence based views)

Of the others I'd choose psychology and then whichever she liked best of Eng Lit and music

I think she should do french, history and English literature.

It won't make any difference if she's bilingual. It's the grade that counts not how easy you find the A level.

I did history, psychology, English, and a compulsory general studies and then did law. The skills of analysis, drafting etc were really useful.

English history plus French or psychology. Law not particularly helpful

English history and french

not law

Most lawyers did a different degree and then a law conversion course - I gather that law at uni is really really really dull and churns out thousands of graduates, most of whom won't get a training contract.

Sorry missed music, that could also be the 3rd.

Law is competitive so ideally those she picks will be those she can do best in

I gather from other threads that law A level is not only not needed but actually a bad idea for law degree courses - many unis are not keen.

I cannot imagine music will of itself give any benefit, but if she would enjoy it and do well then it would not be a negative. How about Eng lit and history with music and French? What sort of level is her music?

Don't do Law A-level.

Do do at least one essay-writing subject.

Apart from that it doesn't much matter, so choose something she'll enjoy studying for two years.

You don't need Law or Psychology to study either at uni. Any combination of the others is fine.

History gives a very good grounding in examining source material and juggling large amounts of information, all good skills for a legal career.

I think looking at some of the career paths of young lawyers with decent training contracts might be worthwhile. See what they have studied and where.

You don't need A-level Law or Psychology to study them at university. I don't know about Music but I suspect that A-level English Lit and History is a good idea if they might be studied at university.
If you check university websites, you can see what subjects are suggested. I'm guessing that History and/or English Lit would be encouraged as it's about explaining things would using evidence and analysing.

French, English , History

Agree , don’t do Law

My daughter is currently in Year 13 and sitting her A Level exams in the summer. She is planning to go to law school next. She chose Psychology, Sociology and Government & Politics. She absolutely loves her choices and has just received her predicted grades of A A A*! Is there an option for any of these subjects? Ones that have overlap and link in some areas. I’d recommend looking at a few university preferences and see what you can find out regarding entry requirements and any online info from students who can give you some inside advice 😉

Not Law or Psychology.
The fact that she is bilingual will not be a factor when they are looking at the results.

They won't generally thibk an a in French is worth much if you are fluent in it (though how would they know)

Law a level not worth doing if then going to do law. Politics would be handy if available but whatever she gets good grades at really.

I remember reading on here that a surprising amount of lawyers had a music degree. So I would choose that as a nice contrast to History and French.

I would do French, English literature, History and law to start with, if she wants to start with four, then can always drop one a term or a year in.
I don't see how admissions would know she spoke French as a bilingual, so I don't think you'd need to worry about that.
I know people will say law isn't a facilitating subject, but all the others are so it doesn't matter if one isn't. Plus, it will give your dd a good idea if she wants to continue the subject into university.

I’m a senior lawyer. The subjects to do are those she will get the highest grades in since academics are everything.

history and English will be the most useful though in terms of skills

How will the unis know she's bilingual and that French is therefore easy? Just don't tell them

French, History and English Lit - music as a fourth if she can cope with the workload

I did law at a RG Uni. I did Eng Lit, History, Sociology and RE.

I really wouldn’t advise your dd to do four A levels unless she was doing something like Maths and Further Maths

I did history, sociology, psychology and English. They got me to my law degree and were a good base for my studies and the subjects I chose to study within law. But she should choose subjects that interest her too. Two years is a long time to do something you don't enjoy. Good luck to your daughter.

Choose subjects she has the best chance of getting good grades in.