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.

www.informedchoices.ac.uk/

Lets you try selections

I would suggest whatever she's good at end enjoys. But agree with PPs - not law a-level - too superficial and a bit of a waste. Double check but I don't think there are any specific facilitating subjects for Law.

My firm (large, international but not quite magic circle) doesn't really care on a-level subjects (as long as they're rigorous ones and not like general studies etc) as long as the grades are right (A stars and As).

A dd of a friend of mine wants to do law and is doing French and two sciences at a-level.

The EPQ would be a good bet along with extra-curriculars like debating.

I heard unis disliked law A level as it is pointless. Other undergrads won;t have done it, so they end up covering similar 101 stuff in first year. May as well get qualifiaction in another language or History or Eng Lit both of which are excellent at getting you to analyse and scrutinise texts and back up your arguments thoroughly.

General Studies hasn't existed for years. I honestly think the problem sometimes lies in the dated knowledge of law firms..

I heard unis disliked law A level as it is pointless is a fairly typical comment. Where was this 'heard'??

Facilitating subjects were scrapped about 6 years ago.

It definitely can be true that content gets repeated - this happens with a lot of A level subjects transferring to university, though. DS is finding this currently with economics as is his friend at Warwick. It can't be new to everyone all of the time. The same happens with virtually all degrees.

I have no axe to grind with law A level as I think the OP's DD has others she can choose from, and French is the most vital to do. But some of the advice on here is dubious.

If you're wanting to study Law or Economics at University, it's much better to get a good broad education in History, English (for Law) and Maths (Economics) rather than get a 'taster' of the Uni subjects.

Many academic Sixth Forms don't even offer Law - I didn't even know it exists as an A level.

I did History, English Lit, Music and Chemistry at A-Levels, plus general studies but not sure that meant anything really!!

Got me into law at a Russell university and a training contract at a national firm. Now a Partner and would say mix of academic subjects and something extra, I would definitely avoid law or psychology etc, but overall aim for subjects she will like and get highest grades in as there’s no set subjects like for other degrees which is an advantage

Wish I had a pound for every time someone wrongly asserts this on MN. It should be called-out every time. Have a look at the LSE list of preferred and non-preferred subjects. Law and Psychology both on their 'traditional academic' preferred list. And Sociology and Music, just in case someone was thinking about dissing them too!

Obviously that was not aimed at Piggy! They have current knowledge of what actually happens. Lots of people seem to have terribly dated ideas about what is acceptable. Psychology in particular is acceptable anywhere (obviously specific course requirements need to be met). The Tiffin schools teach it, they wouldn't it it was dubious.

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.

In what way would it mot be counted as a proper A level in her case?

My niece has made all her own clothes since she was eight. She's absolutely amazing at design and she's doing textiles at A level. So be she's been exposed to something and has become better and better at it over the years it's 'not a proper A level'.

My brother is a history lecture. His children have been all over the world being exposed to all sorts of history as that's what their family is interested in. I'm sure that his dd will take history and they will have an unfair advantage due to the lives they they have lived.

Is there a box to rock in the UCAS form? I found this easy as my parents exposed me to the world. Like the opposite of a contextual offer,

@Piggywaspushed
They might not be called “facilitating subjects” but it’s naive to think all subjects are equal. For example, Cambridge and Sheffield list subjects that are good preparation for their courses. Not all subjects have the same level of desirability. At the best universities, law is competitive. Law A level is certainly acceptable. You might be slightly better off studying History, English and French because they give better skills. However Law A level is acceptable and should be taken if a better result would be achieved. Ditto the other subjects. However History is a clear winner for the second A level In this case. English is third but substitutes possible!

it also vital to know that those recruiting might recruit in the image of themselves! Yes, not really acceptable, but law is traditional. They like traditional subjects. You might want to call them out but it’s not you recruiting. Oxford and Cambridge like essay subjects. Cambridge lists the subjects they consider best prep for humanities subjects. I would always say, if you are bright, stick to the tried and tested if you can. Law A level won’t necessarily attract the high flyers but aiming for at least AAA is vital. Also passing LNAT is vital!

Nobody is 'dissing' them 🙄

But all other things being equal (ie you enjoy and are likely to get a good grade in all the subjects) you may narrow your choice of uni a bit if you choose law or psychology over history. That doesn't mean you absolutely won't get a place at your chosen uni, but unless you especially love law or psychology for a level, I think history is safer as it is a broader subject. Also, if you change your mind and want to do another subject, it gives you another option

Sorry, this is rubbish. Many students are still exploring at A level. How do they know if they like economics and law? Many many students THINK they like a subject until they do it at A level. God I wish education was broader here

Loads of people take degrees in languages they already speak and read. In fact some are actively coached by parents who are French/German etc and of course no one notices! It just makes it harder for others who haven’t been immersed to get a high score or first. The spoken exams are of course easier for bilingual DC who have learnt a MFL from birth. If you are taught expressly for an exam as opposed to merely travelling, you have an advantage. But no one cares.

Lots of defensive responses about psychology and law A levels.

I have had a senior role in graduate recruitment in a city law firm. I know how our interviewing panel thinks, having interviewed candidates who’ve done law A level and tested their knowledge. I have met with contemporaries involved in a graduate recruitment at other city firms and discussed the thinking around A levels in these subjects.

Right or wrong, the perception is that they are lesser qualifications. If the OP’s daughter wants to maximise her chances, she’d be well advised to demonstrate a competency in subjects which are respected and suggests a rounded education and balanced skill set.

Yes you need to remember that it is more about what the law firms think than about what the universities think.

Law firms are full of traditional, academic, demanding, lawyer types..

Oddly a lot of universities don't like law students to have done a law A level. History is universally considered a great subject for lawyers because of the analysis, constructing arguments etc.

Cambridge very clear that Law and Psychology are good subjects for arts/hums courses. Yes, they like History and English, of course they do, and they suggest taking at least one very trad choice. Business, photography and Media are separately mentioned as 'may not be appropriate '.

History, English Lit are definite. A level Law is not necessary.

Surely by the time they are being recruited they have actual degrees , and have got through various recruitment phases?

Well they have actual degrees - along with the hundreds of others who have law degrees. Way too many for the number of training contracts available..

@Piggywaspushed no, they don't have actual degrees because they are typically recruited during their 2nd year at uni so their A-level results are still very relevant.

Well, third year for non-law students, but A-level results are still very relevant.

Religious studies (which is philosophy and ethics really), history, politics, economics would all be useful

English, French, History (with the caveat that what matters most is the grades).

I'm with the "three good better than four pretty good" school of experience.

Re Music - how strong is she in the subject? Music is a bit like Further Maths in the sense that the top participants tend to be those who are really good at the subject. If she is high scoring Grade VIII in theory and practical, regularly playing with local junior orchestras then it might be a good complement but otherwise think carefully.