A levels - crazy to do double history?!

[starlitnight]

My DS has started his A levels this September and is not enjoying geography at all. He is sure he won't do well in it which is possible as he struggles with the science side. He has asked to swap to do modern history but that means he will be doing English Lit, Ancient History and Modern History... His nice state school is worried this is too narrow. I think he should go with what he wants as long as it doesn't look wierd on a uni application. He is aiming quite high uni wise if he gets the grades. Outside of school he is playing the piano a lot and will take grade 8 soon so I'm hoping that shows a bit of variety....
Thanks so much for any thoughts!

What does he want to do at Uni? History i hope!

Can the school schedule both?

If he wants to do history at university then I'd say it's fine
But what happens if he hates ancient history?
Whats plan C?

Yeh hoping he plans to take history at uni? I cannot see it is an issue but it would be worth checking out possible uni courses to see what they say. Some will exclude certain subjects if there is considered to be too much of an overlap (for example IIRC LSE will not accept business and ? accountancy? I think as two of a set of three A levels).

Edit: this is from the LSE website: Examples of narrow subject combinations [which the uni says will “put you at a disadvantage” so I assume you are less likely to get an offer] might be Economics, Business Studies and one other or English Language, English Literature and one other.

I mean the LSE example is obvs irrelevant to someone studying history but as I say, worth a check. Uni admissions people are happy to respond to an email.

Is he certain he will love the new options? I assume he is a massive history fan?

Admittedly this was a.long, long time ago... But that is the exact combination that DH did. He studied English at university and had offers from Warwick, Birmingham, Reading and Southampton - or so he tells me, obviously I didn't know him in those days 😀

I think you could study all sorts of humanities degrees with those A levels, not just history.

I think this would be fine.

my son did psychology, modern history and classic civilisations so not vastly dissimilar. He's now studying history at UCL.

If he wants to go on to do a history degree it will not be an issue.

It’s presumably a lot of essay writing, but I did all essay subjects and it was fine

I know nothing about History, but can't see it being any narrower than maths, further maths and physics....
Are school OK with him switching at this point?

Thanks all, that's pretty reassuring. Luckily it does fit on the school's schedule. He would like to do history or English Lit or philosophy at uni. Would be good if it ends up being history!

Yes that sounds very similar and that's a good outcome! Hope he's enjoying it...

My goodness, this is such a first world problem.

I don't mean that to sound awful. But honestly, if that's that he wants to do, then let him go for it!?

How lovely to have a teenager who is so passionate about learning.

Ancient history is so interesting, I did classical civilization for GCSE. They stopped offering it not long after I left as the Professor passed away and they couldnt find a replacement/not enough student interest.

Similarly I did Modern History, Classical Civilisation and RE at a-level. I went on to do Classical Civilisation at university.

That's interesting re LSE... and a good idea to ask the admissions department. I'm surprised about Eng Lang and Eng Lit because I thought they cover different areas.

Thanks for all the info, very helpful. No subject is perfect but I think he definitely likes history better than the science needed for geography. So a bit of a fan...

Can he not do RE, or whatever it’s called nowadays? That’s effectively philosophy.

I agree about RS.

It's a good link, especially re ancient history.

It sounds like he has a really good head on him.

I personally think having the closer linked subjects will be an advantage, not a disadvantage. They will have cross overs and he will come out at the end being so equipped for a degree.

Is there nothing else he could do that’s a bit different….philosophy, politics, RS?
I doubt double history is too much of a problem if that’s all he really wants to do though

I mean, I don't think the LSE example is irrelevant at all - it's one of the best universities in the UK for history. Not worth the risk!

LSE is a great uni tho maybe history is not the first subject you think of. But yes, it is well rated for history – it's LSE and Political Science after all.

I originally posted about the business/econ crossover as I had seen it quoted before – which would be irrelevant as clearly the OP’s DC will not be planning to study economics at LSE. I then added the actual quote which also flags the Eng lit/lang crossover which is perhaps more relevant then forgot to edit. It's not clear from the website if two history A levels would be an issue there - hence the suggestion to email.

I did classical civilisations and history a levels. Loved it.

also did economics a level and that’s what I did at uni.

I speak as someone who teaches history at an “elite” university…we’d be delighted by those A-levels.

The issue with A-level range is that some A-levels are less traditionally academic than others (eg English Language; drama; etc., which are a little less good if you’re applying to Oxbridge/Russell Group than more traditionally academic subjects like history, English literature, etc.) So a combination of three academically rigorous A-levels like English, ancient history and modern history would be absolutely fine. Those ones would serve him very well for applying for courses or combinations of history, English, classical civilisation, classics ab initio, philosophy, and so on (even law).

I would always suggest students do the subjects they enjoy and are passionate about for A-level — if he wants to do those the double history A-levels, and is enthused by them, and this means he gets the best results possible, then why not!

The Grade 8 music is a nice thing to have, and it does technically come with UCAS points AFAIK; but at Oxbridge we ignore music exams. However, you’re right that it does show commitment and high learning potential, so it’s a good thing to put on the UCAS form nevertheless!

I then added the actual quote which also flags the Eng lit/lang crossover which is perhaps more relevant then forgot to edit. It's not clear from the website if two history A levels would be an issue there - hence the suggestion to email.

I’m not at LSE but at a department in Ox/Cam (vague so as not to be outing!) but the Eng lit/lang issue is specific to those subjects; and mainly not because there’s crossover in itself, but because Eng Lang is a less academically rigorous course than Eng Lit. (We also don’t advise potential applicants to take the combined English Lit/Lang A-level for the same reason.)

Two A-levels in different areas of history wouldn’t be a particular concern because both are equally rigorous courses.

Lots of students do Eng Lit, History and Class Civ. Lots of students do Maths, Further Maths and Physics. It doesn't seem s barrier to any. Do what interests you, and get good grades.

My parents always just told me to study what I loved / was interested in, which led me to do almost identical A levels to those your son is thinking of doing. My school did warn me it was a lot of essays, which it was and, in retrospect, it made A levels a bit of a slog… that said, I did a degree along similar lines and by then i was so used to knocking out essays that I did them pretty easily and quickly. So, there are pros and cons, but twenty five years into working life, I reckon my parents were right to say do what you love at A level and uni as it’s the one chance to read and study the things you are really interested in. (I do like my job, but it’s not the same as just reading texts you love.)

Just an update to all. After seeing all your comments I did support my son in changing to do two history A levels. A couple of weeks in and he's loving it! So it was absolutely the right thing to do. Thank you all very much for your advice...really appreciated it.