Struggling to choose A Levels

[HerderofDragons]

DS (16) is struggling with A level choices. The advice from everyone is do a subject you enjoy but he only really enjoys History. He would like to go on to study History and is currently aiming very high in terms of Uni (Durham, Exeter, Bristol type of thing).

His best subject other than history is maths (currently on target for an 8 with some hope of a 9) but he really doesn't enjoy it and can't stand the thought of taking it for A level.

At the moment his applications have History, Psychology and Maths/Economics. He's worried he will hate Psychology and is not sure at all about Economics as an alternative to Maths. I am trying to get him to focus on his GCSE's and not fret too much about it now figuring that a subject might rise to the surface when he gets his marks (assuming we can switch that late in the day but has big sixth forms down so quite likely) but he is really getting stressed about it. Only other subject he likes a bit is Chemistry but he is currently only on target for a 6 and, having done A level chemistry myself I think he would struggle with this.

He used to be strong at English but has had a dire teacher for the last couple of years and his grades have tanked (currently OT for a 6).

I'm trying to talk him through it but he's just getting into a bit of a negative spiral and convinced he is going to hate whatever he chooses! Anyone else been through something similar?

History, economics ans psychology is quite a nice balance of subjects.

If he doesn't enjoy maths then good idea to swerve. Chemistry A level is hard and probably the biggest step up from GCSE's compared to other subjects.
I find the students really enjoy psychology on the whole even when not expecting to. Rarely hear complaints about economics, but it might be because they really like the teachers.
I know you shouldn't base it on that, but maybe seeing what teachers are teaching the subject if he is really undecided. Lots of lessons for one subject so can make all the difference if you like/ don't like a teacher.

Also, quite a few students swap subjects in first few weeks of A level. It's ok as long as fits in timetable and class isn't full. Just don't leave it too late.

He can always swap A Levels after a term if he decides he really doesn’t like it, I’d encourage him to not think these choices are the be all & end all, they can be changed, others can be taken at college before uni if he wants to, it’s not all totally as set in stone as he/you might be thinking.

History
English
Sociology
Law??

Most of these require A's at A level unless contextual.
Maths the issue is you need an A for the higher entry universities. A GCSE 8 is most likely to be a A level Grade B unless he works consistently and has good understanding when an A can gained. I agree Chemistry GCSE 6 also won't turn into a A at A level. Of my dc one did Maths and one Economics. Economics was easier but you have to pick what your dc is interested in.

Have you looked at the results in each subject at the 6th form he will attend. What percentage A/A*?

What is it about History translates into other subjects he may like? Economics does link as does English, Politics, Languages, RE/Philosophy. Maths shows problem solving skills that link to critical analysis in History degree.
Really you want to choose what he will likely achieve high grades in at A level if he works back from the entry requirements.

Does he enjoy English? It goes well with History if he is likely to have a change of teacher, is prepared to work hard and likes the subject.

Psychology could be a good option and/or Sociology. Does the Sixth Form offer Classics as that might be another complementary subject. Geography doesn't always need a GCSE depending on the college. If he is concerned about Economics is Business Studies an alternative option?

Agree that Chemistry as a 'stand alone' science isn't a great choice.

Hi OP, you have not mentioned Geog or RE. Is he not taking those or not particularly enamoured with them? Has he considered Politics, if offered? All are humanities subjects with a mix of content and analysis, like History.

Economics at A level is not particularly quantitative (probably less so than Psychology). Worth looking at the spec online and/or buying one of those course guides that matches to the particular syllabus. That might reassure him and it would be a good compliment to History.

Thanks for all these really helpful contributions. He is not taking geography or RE at GCSE. He's really interested in Philosophy but but none of the 6th forms he's applied to do it as an A level. Classics is a no as he's taken that at GCSE and I think he's dine with it. He's much more interested in modern history and the syllabus that most interests him for A level is the one with Maos China and Russia from 1917.

As I am old (did my A Levels early 90s) I am a bit unsure about how Sociology, RE, Politics are viewed? They were definitely not seen as academicly rigorous in my day but I know a lot had changed!

I think most schools only allow swaps up until the October half term as the absolute limit. Many it's only within the first month. My DD swapped one at half term and had to catch up a huge amount of work.

The most common A level taken with History at our school is Politics. If you can write essays and remember facts it's a good choice.

Sociology, RE, Politics are all fine to choose. Psychology would be good, as would Economics. My DD went to one of the unis you mention and she had A levels in Sociology, Media Studies and Photography.

I was going to suggest politics and sociology as they blend so well into history.
politics is definitely a ‘strong’ subject now. I guess sociology less so, what are the unis you mentioned asking for?

He should only do maths a level if he is really interested in it. It's a big step up from gcse and it does not really add anything to what is clearly a humanities focus.

Classical civilisations is the obvious choice but you say he is sick of that.

Other a levels that work well with history, particularly modern history are politics and sociology,

Psychology at a level doesn't link up very well with history, a lot of it is about research experiments people have done and learning some stats.

It's also worth considering a language if he does one at gcse.

FWIW the list of "facilitating subjects" otherwise known as the a levels that uni's like is here,

successatschool.org/advice/subjects/what-are-facilitating-subjects/204

However even here the advice is you should do one of these.

If he likes history, how about something like sociology, politics, philosophy or law?

Politics is a rigorous A level, is often taught by the History Dept at a school or college, focuses on C19, C20 and C21 (ie 'modern' history). It is not about party politics as such but more constitutions, political systems and political movements and so should appeal to a historian. Download past exam papers for the relevant board to get a better feel of what is covered and how it is assessed.

I had similar interests to your son and did a history degree. I would suggest something like politics or the other humanities but that might make his studies too narrow. I did double maths and economics with history at A-Level.

I would really recommend doing a language if he is at all open to it, as this will really broaden and deepen university study of history (being able to read and understand original sources etc).

Also maybe think about what his ultimate aim is? A history degree would perhaps lead onto law, archivism, museum curation, teaching, or some sort of job involving a lot of research or fluent writing e.g. policy formation. Some of those areas are harder to get into than others, so it would pay to plan ahead to try and get relevant work experience.

I forgot to mention, the statistics I did as part of the maths was useful for some aspects of my degree (sometimes tables will be the primary source you're using).

Most of my children did history A level (as did I). So at least he know that is one he is doing. My twins who did not want English lit (usually a good combination with history) did geography but the sum here has given that up before GCSEs. One of my twins did economics (as did my daughters) and found it really interesting - in fact one of the more useful A levels (4 of the children are now lawyers) and although it is not a traditional subject it is highly regarded by universities. So as I think the boy here as a bit of a maths/science interest as well as history economics might bridge the arts/science divide a bit here. So that is two. I would go for a traditional hard one for his third one as it looks better - 2 of the traditional "facilitating subjects" never does any harm.

If he wants to go history at university then if he really won't do English lit and geography is not an option then in addition to economics perhaps it would have to be maths then but that is either you get high grades or very low or so my sons' school said when far too many boys took it because of parental pressure and then found A level a massive step up. If he is sure he can do really well in A level maths do that. If not then may be a language? I did History, German and English lit and then did a law degree.

He's much more interested in modern history and the syllabus that most interests him for A level is the one with Maos China and Russia from 1917

Politics and Sociology would be ideal then I'd have thought. Btw not what you asked but make sure his chosen colleges/school actually do that syllabus.

@titchy's point is incredibly important; checking the detail of the History syllabus at the prospective colleges will matter if DS has an aversion to earlier periods. Two years of the Tudors may not appeal. On that note, DS needs to think ahead to what a history degree at a competitive entry uni might actually entail; possibly compulsory modules focusing on less favoured periods.

Coupling up History A level with Economics and/or Politics would open the way nicely (as in giving exposure at A level before deciding on degree subject) to 'history-adjacent' degrees like Politics, International Relations and BA Economics, all of which have a focus on modern times.

With regards to other rigorous A levels like Maths and MFL, these are fantastic choices for the student able to secure good grades with confidence. Astar in History, B in MFL and C in Maths would close the door, most probably, to competitive entry history courses; whereas Astar, A, A in a combination of History, Economics and Politics, for example, would keep those doors firmly open.

Lots of good points here @HerderofDragons

@titchy and @PerpetualOptimist make a very good point about checking which period is studied in history A level.

I agree with others, how about politics, sociology, a modern language (if he does one at GCSE)? A lot of the study in MFL A level is about politics and recent history - for example the fall of the Berlin wall and the results of it for German.

Hard agree with @PerpetualOptimist that he is much better to gain AAA in history politics and sociology than ABC in history, maths and French. The facilitating subjects list is really only relevant in that it shows which subjects are needed for specific degrees (so sociology is not needed for any degree, but history is needed for a history degree). But all the subjects mentioned on this thread are totally fine for the unis you mention. It's about grades.

Btw I would question the idea of thinking of switching after a term. Way too mate IMHO. A couple of weeks or half a term if prepared to work very hard.

Politics seems an obvious one to me!

If he does like contemporary history then sociology would be a good fit.

My DS is doing a history degree and he did history, economics and sociology. He uses lots of is sociology knowledge in his degree.

Just to add, a benefit of having Economics or Psychology in the mix is that you still have an A level with a quantitative element. Whilst not essential by any means, a point worth considering. Equally History, Politics and Sociology could be augmented a core maths qualification, if offered, and thought worthwhile.

Btw,no uni has an issue with sociology A level, and certainly not for a history degree. DS got an interview at Cambridge so no one seemed perturbed there!

Thanks so much. Finding this very helpful. I definitely don't feel he'd get an A in a MFL unfortunately.

Politics is something worth looking into further given what's been said as I can definitely see him enjoying this.