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.

Oxbridge appear to like both an essay based subject and a logic based subject like maths. If general RG, Eng Lit seems to be a staple, plus history, politics type subjects. Would go for French, Eng Lit, Hist and Music if 4 is needed, but check on a few uni websites as they often specify ‘liked’ subjects.

I would advise against music, psychology or law from her list if she has Oxbridge or RG ambitions.

She could also look at this years results in each subject at the school or college she will be studying at.

As other posters have said, the university won't know she's bilingual so that won't matter at all. It makes sense to do French A level if she wants to study law with French at university.

In fact it would look strange if she didn't take it and she might not get a place based on an algorithm if they don't accept students who haven't taken French.

Bear in mind btw (French A level tutor here) that being bilingual is not on its own an easy pass to an A*. Not saying you think that OP, but I have come across some bilingual students who clearly thought it was and have come a bit of a cropper. There is still a good deal of work needed to get a top grade, and if and when she does get it, it will be just as valid and worthwhile as any top grade.

I disagree with the suggestion that she should do 4 A Levels. Three is sufficient (bilingual or not) and a fourth one would just add unnecessary extra work. If I was her I’d pick French, History and Music (or something similar). Always nice to have a broad range where possible.

DD is a barrister and did French and Italian at university. The best A levels for law are History, English Lit and French. Do not do 4. Maths is also great but she’s not suggesting that. The essay and heavy reading subjects are great prep. All lawyers read loads snd assimilate info really quickly.

The majority of lawyers have law degrees but a substantial majority do not. However with law, university matters. A lot. RGs are not all the same. There is a pecking order. Very favoured universities are Oxbridge, Durham and Bristol. Manchester if you want regional work in NW. DD does nothing with her French at all. However a friend of ours trained with a magic circle firm and spent time in France with them. So route into law matters too.

The main thing is grades. Then the main thing is getting all your ducks in a row for internships and mini pupillages. You have to decide which way to go very early. Then you do everything you can to stand out from the crowd! But do remember, university matters! 40% of barristers are Oxbridge.

If she plays an instrument, keep playing it. It’s always good for the soul. One of DDs barrister friends has a music degree from Oxford.

Not law or psychology; they are seen as less intellectually demanding and a cheap A grade.

I suspect that it’s not an option given the list you’ve posted, but we’re very keen on candidates demonstrating a strong competency in maths/physics/IT/economics. So many trainees with a humanities background come into the job happy to admit that “they’re not really a numbers person” or “don’t do excel” but that is half the job and enables them to connect with commercial clients.

History, English, French and Psychology (or music if she's really in to it, but I don't think it would help - nor hurt - her application). If her goal is to be a lawyer, she should consider doing something other than law at university too. My husband was a managing partner at a big law firm and said they wanted well rounded candidates. However, he himself did law at Oxford, so if she loves law should do it (but not at A level).

History, English Lit, French. She could add in an EPQ for example on some aspect of law in France. Music is a well regarded academic subject and degree but it does n’t sound as though it is top of her list of preferred A levels so it can be continued as an extracurricular.

they are seen as less intellectually demanding and a cheap A grade.

By whom? Neither appear on anyy official don't do them lists and psychology is listed as an acceptable science for eg medicine applications.

This is very dated information since the Ofqual reforms.

FWIW, I agree French, English Lit and history , mainly based on the skills they develop and her GCSE predicted grades.

But we teach law (and psychology ) A levels at my school and have sent plenty of students to RG unis to do law, including one currently at Nottingham studying law and French law.

Many lawyers ( solicitors and barristers) do not study law for their first degree.
Many study other subjects and then do a conversion course.
My first degree was a science subject. I then took a conversion course ( Postgraduate Diploma in Law) which covered the core subjects

I would avoid law or psychology, good unis aren't keen

Not law.
My BIL is a professor of law and frequently complains about students who were advised to do law by their schools.

I would have struggled doing my job (solicitor) without ongoing maths. I would suggest thinking about 3 A levels plus core maths.

There is literally no evidence of this in 2022!

WHY though?

If she's bilingual in French, I'd strongly suggest she takes 4 A levels as French may not be counted as a proper A level in her case.

My kids are bilingual too so am speaking from experience.

I probably also wouldn't do law at school

Why?

Many students find out they don’t like the subject because they experience it at A level

I did law at uni then went on to qualify as did most of my uni friendship group. It is only dull and boring if you're not lawyer material.

Because they like a wide breadth of knowledge and doing law at A level narrows the breadth of their education.

English, History and French

But they do 2 other A levels??

What d you assume the majority of the 50 students we have doing A level law go on to do their degrees in?

I mean , frankly, I think it's a dull A level, but then students are at least prepared for the reality that it can be a dull degree...

Definitely history. Thatis the best for Law. Then the next two she is most likely to get A* in.

Presumably because it doesn't result in an offer from a good uni for law

DS1 is in his 2nd year of studying Law. He did Law, History, and, Psychology A levels. He got offers to all his UCAS choices.