Politics and /or history A-levels

[Botoxbolleaux]

Ds is unsure which to pick. Posting here as those with university age dc may have experience and advice. He doesn't know at all what he wants to do at uni yet. He's also doing Chemistry but not interested in studying anything science related later, he's just good at it and enjoys. His third subject will be English Lit. So, what are pros and cons of politics vs history? He's getting good grades so far in history and has never done politics. There is also a possibility that might chose both history and politics and ditch English Lit.

I have dt one currently doing history, the other politics. They are both doing them along side two sciences (they are both looking at science based courses at uni).
So the thing that put dt1 off history was they enjoyed gcse but didn't like the curriculum areas at alevel. So chose politics. Has always liked politics, enjoys most of the curriculum however doesn't like one specific topic (I pointed out we're never going to enjoy all of it). Dt1 is very sociable and says you need to be be vocal in class, have opinions and be ready to argue the point. There's also lots of keeping up with current politics.
Dt2 is enjoying history, both dt have found alevels a step up but managing well. Dt2 says some have dropped history because its lots of essay writing, reading around and much more work than gcse. Dt2 got a 9 at gcse and is predicted an a star but still finding it a lot of work.
So I think they need to really look into the curriculum specifics and see which they prefer.
Im not sure about uni as mine are looking at science based degrees. Could you pop the details into a uni course finder and look at what options are possible with the different alevels (although I suspect they'll come back with similar courses). Can they try taster sessions that helped my dt make descions. Also our school offered taking 4 till October and dropping one is that an option?

I think either history of politics is fine. If he wants to study humanities at uni either is good (eg politics, sociology, philosophy). If he might want to study history at uni, many unis do require it but by no means all (eg Leeds does not so there are good unis that are OK with not having history). I would say he should look carefully at the specs and which topics/periods are studied at his school –as this may make quite a difference to his enjoyment of it.

Overall it’s a good idea to take subjects where you will do well and get a good grade. Equally politics and history is a good combo tho obvs closes the door on Eng lit degree (that A level is required by unis).

I would just add, chemistry on its own is a bit of an outlier. Most students who take it also add bio/maths/physics/psych. I think it might be challenging as a standalone science. DS took bio and maths and was only saying tonight the maths really supported the bio at A level and into the first year of his bio degree.

Maybe ask his teachers what they think about taking just one science. Somehow just one humanity as per @Thewardrobehashangersin's DC is less of an issue (and in fact is approved of by med courses).

I agree with others that he should look at exactly what periods of study are included in the history A level and if they appeal. There’s a NEA (coursework style essay) as well as three exam papers in history. Whereas politics has no NEA. I personally think the NEA is tough but that may appeal to him. DD2 did history A level and loved it. DD3 is doing both history & politics and loves both. Politics has two varieties - UK with USA or UK with Global; the former option seems to be regularly available but your school / college may offer both. Apparently, to achieve the higher grades in politics a student needs to be able to relate current issues to the taught syllabus. So following news etc is important.

I’d also query the chemistry on its own. Not to put him off but to check with his teacher that a good grade is likely even as a stand alone. Would he consider maths alongside chemistry? I’d also recommend starting with 4 subjects as really helps decide - All three of my DC have started with 4.

DS took History, Poltics & English Lit A levels last year, so a lot of reading and essays as well as reading around the subjects. Both English lit & History had course work components which were 20% of the grade and intense from a time perspective. Politics didn’t but had 3 papers. He loved class room discussion and debate, so enjoyed that aspect. He much preferred History to Politics in the end, even though he found one period difficult, because of how to you can build your answers.

Thank you

He much preferred History to Politics in the end, even though he found one period difficult, because of how to you can build your answers.

Is there a less structured approach to building answers in politics? Ds prefers clear, structured approaches, which is why he feel generally stressed about NEAs.

I would just add, chemistry on its own is a bit of an outlier. Most students who take it also add bio/maths/physics/psych. I think it might be challenging as a standalone science. DS took bio and maths and was only saying tonight the maths really supported the bio at A level and into the first year of his bio degree.

I tend to agree with this. It's the A-Level that my DC found hardest by a long shot and that was alongside maths, FM and physics. It does also seem to be very competitive in terms of top grades as tends to be taken by the medicine, dentistry and vet-med students who are academically very capable in general.

Not to put him off if it's a subject he loves but might be worth a conversation with his chemistry teacher about the step from GCSE to A-Level. A-Level maths could fit better alongside his other choices if he's expecting a strong GCSE grade and enjoys it.

Yes agree re A level maths. I mean that's a big step up too, but is certainly more commonly taken by non-scientists. (I almost took it haha 1,564years ago obvs, and I am a linguist all day). I gather anecdotally that yes, chem is a tough science A level and is less often taken by non scientists than bio and maths. Maths might really support the stats side of politics (if there is one? I am not an expert) and anyway maths A level is always going to be a good thing to have. I mean so is chem but YGWIM.

Maths is an option too.

@Botoxbolleaux Look at the Cambridge guide to choosing A level subjects. They don’t see all subjects as the same. They see core subjects and supporting subjects. Yes, I know you will say dc not interested in Cambridge but the advice is still good!

For what it’s worth, they divide degrees into two sections, Stem and not Stem. For not Stem, they recommend English lit, History, MFLs or maths. Two from these is seen as excellent prep for their degrees. Then add a third from their long list. I would suggest maths and not Chemistry. More versatile.

Thank you that's very helpful @OhDear111

DS was told Chemistry is the subject that generally requires the highest marks to get the highest grades. He got 85% in his A level which gave him an A.
Lower marks in his other (STEM) subjects gave him an Astar. He was glad he’d done maths alongside Chemistry. I would think maths is a better choice as a standalone STEM subject tbh.

I would agree in general that an A star in physics and biology requires a lower nark than chemistry, but what board was this where 85% was an A? I just checked edexcel, OCR and AQA and all would award an A star for that %.

The general point I have noted before is true tho. Also at GCSE (certainly for physics, if not bio).

Can’t remember the exam board. It was 2023 and he said he was 5 marks off an Astar.

English and history both involve coursework (c.20%)whilst politics is 100% exam. That could have an impact…

There isn’t the counterpoint argument in Politics answers and the breadth of curriculum is broader. The scaffold for the NEA is fairly straightforward.

ooh yes apologies just looked properly at OCR and it is a very high GB for chemistry – 86% in 2023 and in fact 90% in 2024 and 2025. Blimey. Tbf the GB is not as high for other boards – AQA has been about 79% last two years and in 2019 and 2023 it was about 82%. But still a lot higher than AQA biology.

Chemistry, English literature and maths, or English literature, maths and history/politics would be more traditional combinations

Not helpful but I don’t think it matters much if he chooses history or politics, he should look at the syllabus for both and decide which he would like to learn about most.

The chemistry is pointless if he knows he's not interested in science. As others have said it's hard to do as the only science without maths.
I think he should consider not taking chemistry and doing something else instead, maybe maths as others have suggested.

DS did both. He went on to study both at University. He really loved the combination and the crossover between the two

My DDs both did politics and history a levels. One with history, one with drama. They both went on to study at uni, one history, one drama.

They both enjoyed politics and got good grades. I think it's an interesting essay subject thatceiris particularly well with history. (most history at A level seems to me to still be largely political history)

Mine did both. History was coursework I think 20% of final mark, obviously if do well in that it helps with overall result. Obviously check periods studied, my dc did American and British which included 90s! Was overlap with Politics. For Politics she was in a lively engaged class with a passionate teacher which helped.

Ds' teacher nudged him towards history today. She said that politics exam answers are very defined / rigid and a bit 'uncreative'. She teaches both but prefers history. He's reconsidering all his choices.

How about doing history alongside philosophy? Are they doable together?

Yes for sure you can take history and phil. Is it A level phil tho - or the more commonly offered phil and ethics (which is RE more or less)? If it’s P&E btw that's fine too, just it's a different subject. Both are good prep for a humanities degree. Tho remember that no Eng lit A level = no Eng lit degree (someone will come and dispute that now! but liberal arts is not an Eng lit degree). Philosophy A level not specifically needed for any degree.

It's AQA philosophy

Yeah history and philosophy sounds great, alongside English lit or maths give a lot of options for uni courses