percy049 Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Its that time in your life for me of which everyone is talking about sixth form/colleges. I am constantly being told different things by different people! I think that I am gonna choose the following subjects: ICT (only for AS) Law Maths Physics English Language (I found out that this is more important than Law at A level if you want to become a lawyer/barrister!) Any opinions or advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 If you are thinking law, I'd steer away from Maths and Physics, and go for more humanities based subjects.... Sociology is a good one, allows you to formulate arguments I had an A at A Level sociology (pre a* days ), my Mum said it was an A level in arguing, so no wonder I did so well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted October 17, 2011 Author Share Posted October 17, 2011 I am not exactly sure what I want to do yet, being a barrister is my latest choice! I might still choose something physics-based as a career, so Im trying to keep my opportunities open! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 I have always been told that it is not good to do Law at A level if you want to do Law at university. You could log on the The Student Room and ask your question there. You could also do things 'backwards' perhaps by looking at the universities that you are interested in and asking them what they prefer. Keep your options open too so choose subjects that would not close the door on other career paths. Don't forget that you need to enjoy the subjects that you take too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Looking at your choices,my first thought for you was Psychology. Also,maybe something fun,like Photography if you are able.....there is a lot if academia in your subjects,might be nice to have a bit of relief? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted October 17, 2011 Author Share Posted October 17, 2011 I wanted to do psychology, but do you think it would be too much to do 6 AS levels? I really wanted to choose the above 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizinsa Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 It is true, they say that you shouldn't do law at A-level if you want to do at uni. I know it seems a way off but look at some of the website you *might* apply to and see if they publish lists of A-levels they prefer. A friend of mine nearly got unstuck with hers because she did a subject they didn't 'respect' so had to get an A in it to count! I was also under the impression that it was English literature that law courses look for, can you do that instead? Having said that I always think that you should do what you enjoy, then when you have to put in the hard work and effort you're more willing to do so! Good Luck, I know how hard it is to choose. I even swapped AS courses (Geography for Economics) at Oct half term, didn't have any holiday because I had a lot to catch up but it ended as my favourite subject! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 I think your subjects sound like a good spread. Law is very oversubscribed at University and so I think you should stick to "academic" subjects to increase the chance of being selected. Physics and Maths may come in useful even at the bar..and will certainly keep your options open. A friend's son is currently studying Law at Southampton and definitely had A level law as one of his subjects. Quite a lot of unis like a mfl at A level to give you a bit of an edge? Good luck whatever you decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted October 17, 2011 Author Share Posted October 17, 2011 Do you know why they say its best not to do law as an A level if you want to do it at uni? I thought that law was about writing, so i assumed that it was language (actually, it just said 'English' on the website) Im currently doing french for my GCSEs, but Im learning swedish and german at home, but Im not sure it will count if i dont have a GCSE in it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 I wanted to do psychology, but do you think it would be too much to do 6 AS levels? I really wanted to choose the above 5. 6 is a lot, 5 is a lot, I had a hard time doing 3 for A2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 My ED did 4 AS levels and General Studies, she is currently doing 4 A2's . She has just applied for law at Oxford, Warwick, Bristol, Exeter & Aberwytswyth(sp) My OH is a solicitor and when he went for interview at Durham he asked if it was a disadvantage not having done law at A level (it wasn't an option at his school) he was told that they prefer people to come to them fresh with no previous knowledge of law, they felt that the A level just dabbled and wasn't able to go into enough depth. This was the best part of 30 years ago mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 I wouldn't totally fix yourself on law! I'd try to choose subjects that you could diversify with if the need be. Hows about all 3 Sciences & a 'relief' subject like Cinnamon suggested. I did Chemistry, Biology, Physics & Psychology. Have used the Science subjects greatly in the past, but god I wish I'd have gone to train as a chef instead! I think A levels are the hardest exams of your life, much more so than any degree! Good luck Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 I wouldn't totally fix yourself on law! I agree and as you can do law without taking law why not keep your options open by maybe doing a couple of sciences, maths perhaps and a humanities? That should keep the door open for many things. Many drop all bar 3 or 4 subjects after AS. It is important to demonstrate that you are a well rounded person rather that just an academic so remember to enjoy life too Hobbies and socialisation are also very important to demonstrate that you are well rounded and more importantly for your well being. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 there is a lot if academia in your subjects,might be nice to have a bit of relief? I see what Cinnamon is saying but.... I'm not sure the value of a non-academic A level. IF (and you need to check) Uni's don't want Law A level, then Physics, Maths and English would set you up for a lot of things. ICT would also be useful in itself (at AS level). Instead of a 4th non-academic A level, it might be better to do some 'formal' voluntary work (or similar) to show you're a well rounded individual as well as academically able ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 I did Law and English Language at A-Level, and actually when I applied for my A-Levels I had no idea exactly what I wanted to do, so I chose Graphic Design, Law, English Language and French - to keep my options open. I then dropped Graphic Design at A2 and took up a Classical Civilisation AS, and went on to do Ancient History and Archaeology. Now I'm studying law and criminology modules at the Open University - keep your options open, it makes it so much easier to specialise later (and you don't need to specialise until later!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 there is a lot if academia in your subjects,might be nice to have a bit of relief? I see what Cinnamon is saying but.... I'm not sure the value of a non-academic A level. I didn't necessarily mean at A level standard,but as an enrichment subject,if the college has an enrichment programme? My eldest did 4 very academic A levels, & Trampolining for her Enrichment. My youngest is doing Media,Psychology, Photography & Ancient History,then Latin as her enrichment,which will also count as an A level. You really need to look into what is required of you for the course & Uni you would like to go to,if you can. My daughter needed an A or above in English,then 2 B's in any other subject,be they academic or not,to get into her course for English Literature,but of course different places may have different requirements. Some work on points,regardless of the subject. So a non academic subject is of value in some cases. There is a LOT to think about,& having been through it twice in recent years,I don't envy you. My girls both only had vague ideas of what they wanted to do long term,so played to their strengths subject wise rather than working towards a future plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 My daughter is taking Fine Art at A2, there is a lot of work involved not just artistic but written too, but she is doing this for pleasure. One of the reasons that she is continuing with 4 A2's is to keep 3 academic subjects and her art will be pretty much done by February so she can concentrate more on the other subjects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy chickens! Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Unfortunately not all 'A' levels have the same standing by many universities see http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/index.php?pageid=604 for Cambridge's list (they are one of the few that are up front about this issue, but many 'discriminate' against subjects without telling students/schools) Having older DS just started A levels, it is a huge jump in amount of work, and all our 'research' shows unis would prefer you to have 3 good results, than 4 or 5 poorer ones, even if that is the same amount of points. Talk to your teachers, ex-students, look at uni websites, and when you are thoroughly confused/fed up remember: you don't have to finally choose until you have your GCSE results, bear in mind what you really enjoy and go with your gut feeling! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Unfortunately not all 'A' levels have the same standing by many universities see http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/index.php?pageid=604 for Cambridge's list (they are one of the few that are up front about this issue, but many 'discriminate' against subjects without telling students/schools) Having older DS just started A levels, it is a huge jump in amount of work, and all our 'research' shows unis would prefer you to have 3 good results, than 4 or 5 poorer ones, even if that is the same amount of points. Talk to your teachers, ex-students, look at uni websites, and when you are thoroughly confused/fed up remember: you don't have to finally choose until you have your GCSE results, bear in mind what you really enjoy and go with your gut feeling! I think you are absoulutely right - 3 good A level results in 'proper' subjects would be a sound base for a Uni application. 3 usually leave some spare time and evidence of some charity work (eg. right to read (reading to school kids), helping at old peoples home ) would enhance an application - something for the benefit of others. Many/most(?) uni's run open days for students the year BEFORE they apply (with no commitment whatsoever) - I would suggest going to some 'local' ones (even if you would n't consider applying to them) just to get a feel of them, talk to staff, students and other students/parents in the same position as yourselves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted October 18, 2011 Author Share Posted October 18, 2011 Thank you all for the advice! I have facebooked a neighbour who is currently studying law at uni who helped a lot. I contacted cambridge about requirements for physics, who replied I need 2 academic subjects (maths, further maths, physics, biology or chemistry A*A) for A2, and an A in one of them at AS.I really dont want to do further maths or biology, and I dislike chemistry so Im a bit stuck there! Well, they said most people have the above requirements, some only have 2, but it will be difficult to get in. I havent recieved a reply yet about law. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfer_chicken Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 I'm currently studying Art, Biology, Chemistry and Physics at A2 and just sent off my application for veterinary medicine. My advice with picking A levels is just pick the subjects you enjoy at GCSE! Don't think ahead too much (unless you're certain)- most of my friends changed their minds loads in the last two years. Plus the universities change their entry requirements yearly, so it's very difficult to plan ahead anyway. Also, if you are serious about doing physics at university, you will NEED maths at A level, not necessarily as part of the uni's entry requirements, but definitely to understand and cope with the content of the courses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted October 18, 2011 Author Share Posted October 18, 2011 Im deffo gonna do maths to A2, my maths teacher said I must! Ive got 2 As for my past 2 exams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 I'm currently studying Art, Biology, Chemistry and Physics at A2 and just sent off my application for veterinary medicine. Good luck, where have you applied? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 Just to add to this thread, DS2 is at the moment applying for Law at Uni - he has had 2 offers so far from Leeds and Manchester (both require AAA), so doing Law at A level doesn't seem to have hindered him. He is taking English Language, History, Law and General Studies (doesn't count towards Uni) and also did Spanish at AS. He is now waiting to hear from Oxford, York (both AAA) and Reading (insurance at AAB). Hope that helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfer_chicken Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 I'm currently studying Art, Biology, Chemistry and Physics at A2 and just sent off my application for veterinary medicine. Good luck, where have you applied? Sorry I only just noticed this I applied to Nottingham, Royal Veterinary College and Bristol and I also applied to RVC and Glasgow for bioveterinary science. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
