Advice please about A Level choices

[Diesque]

DD is in year 11 and considering her options for sixth form (either at her present school or the sixth form of another school).

The subjects she is considering are: English, History, Politics/Government and Psychology (if she moves school - her preferred option), or English, History, Sociology and Psychology (if she stays put).

These all seem quite reasonable to me but during a sixth form opening evening at her present school the careers teacher said that sociology and psychology are considered as a bit lightweight by some universities. Would others agree with this?

DD isn't 100% sure about what she wants to study at uni but the subjects that apppeal to her are law, american studies, and criminology.

As a linguist myself I don't have any experience of pathways in other subject areas so would appreciate the advice of others. Thanks :)

The careers teacher was probably thinking of advice given by some of the top universities such as the list produced by Trinity College Cambridge. So, according to that list, one of Sociology/Psychology/Government & Politics would be acceptable at A2 but not two.
But it rather depends on what sort of results she is likely to get and the type of university she might be aiming at.

Fraid some universities won't love Psychology or Sociology. If your dd wants to be safe she should choose a more old-fashioned subject even than politics, such as a science or a language.

Thanks so much for the advice - that list is so useful! Another subject DD had been considering was RE or philosphy and ethics (depending where she ends up going), so perhaps that could be a way forward.

Lilymaid it's hard to say at this stage re: grades (unlikely to be all As tbh) but the degree courses that she has said appeal to her are at Warwick, UEA, and Essex, among others.

I would say the first combination is the best. Is A level Law an option - this could be a good choice.
History and English are OK but need another more traditional option to back it up if your dd is aiming for Law. My brother read Law with A levels in History, Geography and Economics.

Hope that helps

English, History, Philosophy and Politics would probably be fine. In fact it would go down rather well for law...

I agree with psychology/sociology et al aren't that well regarded. I've heard tutors for those subjects say they have to unteach the A-level before they can start. It might familiarise you with the subject but not in much depth and they don't develop the ways of thinking needed at degree level, relying too much on what got them through the A-level.

Gosh that last paragraph is hideously constructed. Mustn't try to MN and cook simultaneously.

English, History and Politics are strong subject choices if she is interested in studying Law or American Studies.

Sociology will be much more well regarded than Law at A Level, i can tell you that much. Psychology can be seen as a bit lightweight, yes. Is Biology an option? or Philosophy?
And will she continue with all four subjects at A2, or drop one at AS?

I've heard several times that the unis don't want Law A-level for studying law. Am not sure how reliable this is but it seems to be consistent.

Oh, no; not Law. Lots of unis don't like that either, and lots I fear don't like RS at all, or Philosophy. I mean, some places will tolerate anything, even Media Studies, but others really won't

Thanks very much all - I've told her about the list but have to say she's still keen to keep the original lineup, ie including politics/government and psychology, if she moves schoool but do philosophy instead of sociology if she stays at the same school . Law A level isn't on offer at either school.

Anyway at least she's aware of the list now (whether that's relevant to her situation or not) so can hopefully talk more to career advisers etc at school!

She'll most probably drop one of the four after AS.

Diesque, has she thought of talking to an admissions tutor at one or more of the unis or colleges she is considering? :)

is she likely to get into a very top uni?

i'd say either are fine...

i'm not a parent btw i just found this forum whilst looking for something on google...
i'm at uni (studying diet and health) and i took sociology, psychology and biology at uni and know plently of people who are now at various uni's (some very good ones as well) who did similar combos...
so as you can tell i'm not actually studing much to do with my a levels (other than bio loosly but i din't need that)
hope that helps
x

My suggestion of Law A level was that it may help your daughter decide if this is what she wants to study but as this is not available then it isn't an option anyway.

Perhaps the information you need will be on university websites or current prospectus. The school may have these available.

Another thing to remember is that getting into university is only part of the training. There is also a year at Law college (2 years for a non law degree) and a placement with a law firm called articles after graduation so it is 5 years before you are qualified as a solicitor. There is a different system for barristers.

Hope that helps!

I would carefully check out the kind of grades that the universities you have quoted are expecting for the courses. You say that the expectation is that your daughter will not get all A grades but I suspect that some of these unis will be expecting As.
Better to be sure now and pick unis that will match expectations on courses and A level results that be frustrated later.