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'm interested in this too as my DC is choosing between History, Politics or German as a 4th subject along with Maths, Further Maths and Economics. I am worried that any of these 4th choices might be a lot of work.

Maths is his strong point really, but generally capable and predicted 9s. I like the sound of Philosophy, but his school doesn't teach it. Psychology is potentially another option (and I think has quite a lot of maths?).

@GoodNamesOnly German might give him more options at uni because unis are desperate for MFL students if he’s willing to add it into his degree. What degree might he want? An essay subject like History keeps doors open too: great for PPE.

@GoodNamesOnlywhen I did my year abroad at Hanover University (I studied History with German at Bristol) one of the others in my year abroad cohort had been studying Maths at Bristol, so was taking Maths modules in Hannover and really enjoying it. I can’t remember what level of German he was doing at Bristol - it might even have been ab initio.

@BotoxbolleauxPolitics might be a useful one to consider alongside History if DS is considering the civil service, especially social research. A background in research methods can be really useful.

DD did A-level English lit, Politics and History. So many times I helped her revised with her cards and hadn't a clue if this was for any of those subjects as they all interlinked so closely. DD loves writing but ultimately wanted to study Politcs and IR at Uni which she did. Her writing is still her strong point and post grad she got an internship with a media relations co and is now working for an MP in Parliament again heavily focused on her writing skills.

Ds did both at A level, originally with the intention of going on to do a history degree, however, he soon realised that it was the political element of history he really enjoyed. He prefers modern history (oh, the complaining we endured about having to study Anglo-Saxons!), and he’s ended up on a politics and international studies degree. I don’t think it matters too much in terms of degree choices, a lot of the politics students don’t do politics A level even, but it might be determined by what it is about history that he enjoys as well as coursework vs exam weighting

what does your DS think - even if vaguely - he wants to do at uni?
Out of the three, my DS has found politics most structured and easy to do well in, then history more creative/free thinking within the boundaries and philosophy more of a head scratcher as you have to learn v specific concepts and apply them.
He has enjoyed the combo and politics/history have some useful crossover or enrich each other