Law - which alevels?

[makemineadecaf]

Interested to hear what alevels kids chose to pursue the LLB. Particularly at Russell Group universities. Dd is year 10 and was firm on medicine but has now dropped in that she may like to do law. She needs to pick alevels by February and obviously medicine related alevels would be quite different so she needs to be sure!

History is always a good one as it's analytical and essay based. She really does need an essay based one, English would be ok, but History probably better. Maybe a language if she likes one? Philosophy might be a bit out there but could work, or RE. Maybe Economics?
Law a level really isn't needed.

I did french geography economics and general studies.

Suggest one esssy based subject but what she needs to do is subjects that she enjoys and is good at.

Chemistry, biology and an essay subject would potentially keep both options open. But if they are any good at maths, then potentially do 1 year of AS maths as well if they are allowed to.

No sciences are fine too. Indeed they can do any A levels they want. There are a few unis that look for one essay based A level for law degrees.

She could maximise medicine and law chances by doing Biology, Chemistry and History (or English).

My DH had 3 science A levels.

My friend did a Biochemistry degree then a law conversion.

I did History, English Lit, Maths and General Studies. I would echo, do what she enjoys and is good at. I’m head of sixth form … we’ve had students doing Chemistry Biology Maths get into Oxford to study law. But most do some combination that includes history, psychology, sociology, criminology and one of the englishes. Some come at it from Business Economics angle, most do A level law (it’s a good way of finding out if you like the subject). Just steer clear of more than one ‘practical’ subject … art, PE, drama, dance etc as they will not be the best preparation.

Drama is a good subject for getting onto Law degrees (research from 2013), which makes sense if you think about it.

https://cfey.org/2013/09/what-a-level-subjects-do-russell-group-universities-prefer/

Classics.

If she wants to have both options open until when she HAS to apply for courses at end of year 12, she should pick more science/maths based as Medicine will require those and law isn’t picky as long as you get good grades and don’t pick “washy” subjects such as double award IT or media studies without other more robust subjects. (Speaking of Russell only)

It's more important she does well than does a particular set of subjects.

It's also not necessary to do an LLB- barristers in particular often do something else first and then a law conversion, as chambers like people who come to it a little later.

Three she will get highest grades in. Some unis specify one essay subject. If she’s science minded she could still do maths or science A levels.
Other option is science first degree and law conversion. STEM background lawyers can be in demand. But it’s additional cost and extra year of study.

LNAT which several top unis require (law aptitude exam) is multiple choice and an essay so an essay subject A level can also help with that (mine used content from her Religious Studies/Philosophy/Ethics for her lnat essay)

If Medicine is the strong preference and she wants to go for Oxbridge then Chemistry, Biology and Maths/ Physics and History as a fourth. Keeps every option open for either subject.

Obviously keeps doors wide open for both subjects at other RG unis too.

I did A Levels in English literature, English language, History and General Studies. I also did an AS level in Philosophy and Ethics. I went to a RG uni and when I was applying the advice was to just choose subjects that you enjoy and can do well in. I think that at least one essay based subject will stand them in good stead.

Thank you everyone! Great to hear sciences would keep both options open. I was going to suggest to her biology, chemistry and psychology. Or biology, chemistry and English Lit / History (she’s very good at them but doesn’t love them so would need some swaying for an essay based subject )

As a solicitor, and a parent who’s got quite into the weeds of A level course specs, history would be by far and away the best preparation for law (the study and practise of) ahead of psychology and eng lit.

To be more specific - the requirement in history exams to take a particular stand point and argue for and against it backed up by specific facts and evidence.

History also has the advantage of coursework think it’s 20% so potentially decent marks in bag going into exams.

Interesting… biology, chemistry and history just seem, well, a mixed bag. But maybe that’s not a bad thing?

Do what she is good at to get the grades and then 1 essay-based subject.

Since she is good at English Lit/History, she won't find legal reasoning difficult to grasp. I did Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Economics as my essay-based subject.

I found Law pretty easy, so easy that I was wondering what the big deal was.

Sounds good to me

Definitely history. It teaches you to construct an argument. By far the most relevant subject I did.

@makemineadecaf…. Is law the degree for her if she hates essay based subjects? Depending on her specialism, it’s not ALL the same, but having been a paralegal and done training, practice, moved in-house and also doing DPO now - we read/interpret/write a lot so really she needs to think if she prefers number analysis/people or language analysis/people.

work experience and speaking to people working in both professions will help! History is great for a law degree but maths/ science subjects only may help her compete on university applications. She’s still young and has time! I’ve had a year 11 reach out for advice about the same issue and said to her she has loads of time still!

Agree with other posters that history is a very good option. I did history, plus chemistry, music and English Lit. It was a good mix, that helped with me getting the grades as they balanced each other out well. I had no issues with getting offers for LLB at RG unis

It's not as random as it sounds when you think about what lawyers actually do and how they need to think etc

Law A level is a hindrance not a help and should be avoided if going for a good university