Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Which is better A level choice?

26 replies

NorhamGardens · 01/02/2011 07:14

A friend's DC has decided on film studies, spanish and politics as A level subjects.

The choice is now between english and history as a fourth subject. Which is the better choice?

They are not as interested in history as other subjects but are concerned that english may mean there is a high, 'heavy', essay/writing element?

Which are the 'best' choices in terms of how these subjects are regarded by potential universities etc?

Thanks

OP posts:
barmbrack · 01/02/2011 07:23

DOes he/she have a course in mind? Would be worth having a look at courses they might be interested in and seeing what is needed.

If they don't like essays, both history and English may not be good choices as both have a fairly high expectation in terms of extended writing.

SnapFrakkleAndPop · 01/02/2011 07:23

For what degree?

Both English and History are better than Film or Politics though. I don't think there's a distinction between the two of them but one may ultimately be more relevant than the other.

herbietea · 01/02/2011 07:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
NorhamGardens · 01/02/2011 07:36

Not sure re: course/degree have asked and will let you know. Am not sure they know as yet but are choosing A'levels based on interests/passions.

Film is an absolute driving passion, spends hours on it outside of school etc, therefore their DC is very keen to do it for A'level.

Which would be the best choices in terms of keeping options open?

I think it might be they feel english, history and politics will be heavy going in terms of essay writing in combination together.

I felt english was much easier than history when I took it, but that was back in the dark ages :). There seemed to be far more to remember for history, didn't help the period studied was deathly dull. In english you could rely on intelligence and good writing skills to see you through rather than memory.

OP posts:
Original poster
NorhamGardens · 01/02/2011 07:38

I took history and politics and felt they didn't link in at all, just so much to remember, which left me feeling overwhelmed.

Modern British politics and ancient French kings didn't overlap v much. Depends on period and am sure things have changed.

OP posts:
SnapFrakkleAndPop · 01/02/2011 07:49

Well if Spanish was the degree of choice then either would have their good points but probably English, unless history covered a period with a particularly Hispanic focus. If politics was the goal, then history. Film one could argue on behalf of either - literature vs historical adaptations.

Maybe it's worth looking at the respective syllabi to see which sparks more interest? There are some historical periods which are more exciting than others!

Original poster
NorhamGardens · 01/02/2011 09:01

Ok, heard back now. At the moment not sure on courses but career ideas include, working for home office, film industry, politician, law & advertising. Quite a creative DC. Guess wants to keep options open with subjects which will be well regarded. Which are best options?:

Film Studies - v keen
Politics - v keen
English
History
Spanish - v keen

OP posts:
cory · 01/02/2011 09:07

History and English Literature both highly regarded by universities afaik- precisely because of the very strong essay writing, "heavy" element.

Basically, you can't have your cake and eat it: you have to choose between "not heavy" and "well regarded by universities". There is no such thing as "fluffy and well regarded by universities".

If I were looking at fairly ambitious career paths like home office, politician and law, I would go for English, History, Spanish and Politics. I would not do Film Studies.

But before I made up my mind, I would think about possible higher education. Look up the well regarded universities that teach e.g. Law and try to find out what they want.

Bucharest · 01/02/2011 09:08

History IMO would certainly go better with the politics.

I did French, German and History, History because I was kind of pushed by the teachers. I had the same dilemma, English or History (both chock full of essays and academic writing) Opted for History as I felt "reading story books" was something I could do on my own.

I regret it now, as would have definitely got a higher grade in English.

Of the subjects mentioned though, the most logical (and probably fruitful) combo IMO would be Spanish, History and English. Grin

Bucharest · 01/02/2011 09:08

(agrees yet again with Cory) I went into the Home Office with my combination!

Original poster
NorhamGardens · 01/02/2011 09:37

Is an A star in film studies better received than a C in politics for example, just wondering how grades might come into play?

Also how would you rank these subjects in terms of difficulty? Many thanks

OP posts:
Talkinpeace · 01/02/2011 09:40

If Film is a passion, do not kill it with the A level.
Do A levels in normal subjects and be in a film club / society : then show four good grades at A level and a five minute film done in own time : will make DC stand out from the crowd much more.

Anything with "studies" in the title rings alarm bells.

Ponders · 01/02/2011 09:58

Film Studies is an acceptable A Level to \link{http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate-study/application-and-entry/alevel-qualifications\UCL} for one! As are all 4 other possibilities. It's only the Trinity Cambridge list which is snotty about many subjects - including Politics Hmm. UCL seems to find most "Studies" OK (except Media)

But afaik (not very far!) Film Studies is kind of like Eng Lit, in that they analyse & write essays on the films studied. So if he doesn't want to write essays he might want to rethink that one. Have they checked out the syllabus?

If he's still happy to do Film Studies it would mean some overlap with English, so maybe History would be the better choice & would fit well with Politics. Both heavy on essays though. (But Modern History is fascinating - DS2 is doing it atm)

Original poster
NorhamGardens · 01/02/2011 09:59

Thanks apparently ship broking, banking and TV presenting also have appeal.

If you study 3 'serious' subjects can the 4th not be lighter?

OP posts:
Bramshott · 01/02/2011 10:02

I'd go for English, History, Spanish and EITHER Film Studies or Politics.

Bonsoir · 01/02/2011 10:07

History, Spanish, Politics and Film Studies - in that order of priority.

lenak · 01/02/2011 10:11

Whether film studies is a good idea or not depends on the syllabus. Theoretical is great - practical is a massive waste of time.

Although as with politics it is one of those subjects that probably works better at Degree level than A-Level.

I'd suggest English, History and Spanish and either politics or film studies for 'fun'.

babylann · 01/02/2011 10:16

History and English will both be very essay based, there's probably not much distinction between the two.

But I would try and dissuade him from Film Studies, like everyone else.

I think people pick "fun" subjects thinking, "That'll give me a break from my other serious subjects" but it's not really the case.

ElsieR · 01/02/2011 10:32

If DC is academic, he should definitely scrap Film Studies and favour a more "traditional" (read challenging) subject.
I am always suspicious of A Level subjects that can be started from scratch at AS.
It's also worth remembering that if DC wants to apply to a good university to study a subject like law (or psychology, politics...) for example, he does NOT need an A level in it to apply for the course. That should be a good indication of how valuable and useful these subject can be.

Bramshott · 01/02/2011 10:38

The trouble is I think that both Film Studies and Politics are percieved as quite 'alternative' A levels.

Ponders · 01/02/2011 11:00

but it's OK for a subject to be started from scratch at degree level, Elsie? Wink

ElsieR · 01/02/2011 11:03

well yes, because then the requirements are "solid" A Levels (ie: English, History...)
But you got me, I am old fashioned!

Renniehorta · 01/02/2011 11:12

Ponders as a rule of thumb the later you start to study a 'vocational' subject the more credibility it has. The extreme of that being law which you can study as a GCSEm but the top lawyers actually start to study as postgraduates having studied something else as a first degree.

Ponders · 01/02/2011 11:20

I'm teasing of course Smile but you're right - I'd never looked at it like that before (never thought of eg politics as 'vocational' I suppose, but I do see what you both mean)

squeezedatbothends · 01/02/2011 16:28

Even for Oxbridge, only three a levels are required and Film Studies is acceptable as one of the three. English and History are equally well regarded - my son is doing both and they're pretty equal in terms of work too so no 'easier' option. I suspect the English would sit very well with Film Studies and certainly the critical theory in Film Studies ( which is a demanding and academic A Level by the way), such as post modernism, post structuralism and so on. There would be overlap here. Politics is highly regarded for law courses - it covers constitutional law so acts as a good introduction. It is vitally important that he likes his subjects - the step up to A Level from GCSE is huge and it is important that interest is there. At the end of the day, it's his choice though. I really regret pushing my son towards Maths as a fourth subject. He hated it, wished he'd done Politics instead and dropped it at the end of the first year.