English Lit and History A-Levels...
I'm considering these A-Levels, Alongside Drama and ICT. To continue to do at my 6th form in September. But I'm wondering what either of these actually lead onto in the future. I mean English can be applied to anything but I'm sure there is other subjects with more usefulness.
Same with History. Even more so I like the subject but I don't see what it could lead onto in the future? Has anyone else done these A-Levels and have moved onto anything with them?
Same with History. Even more so I like the subject but I don't see what it could lead onto in the future? Has anyone else done these A-Levels and have moved onto anything with them?
I'm going to be kinda harsh here, but English and History are going to be more useful generanlly than Drama and IT - they're more versatile into what you want to do, and universities will prefer them.
It depends what you wanna do though - if you want a career in IT, they wouldn't be bad, but it would make more sense to take a computer-related subjects. Drama, I believe you actually need English Lit. for Drama at university (or at least it's preferred or liked). If you haven't got a clue what you want to do, English and History will give you more options than your other A levels.
Also, what would you do if you didn't do these?
EDIT - read down the thread, sciences and humanities are on par with 'likeability' as a general rule, but again it depends which way you go at uni. It is mainly universities who look at A levels, employers look at degrees/equivalent qualifications. So picking your A levels won't directly affect what career you have. If you prefer English over Science, it's best to go with English imo, and vice versa.
It depends what you wanna do though - if you want a career in IT, they wouldn't be bad, but it would make more sense to take a computer-related subjects. Drama, I believe you actually need English Lit. for Drama at university (or at least it's preferred or liked). If you haven't got a clue what you want to do, English and History will give you more options than your other A levels.
Also, what would you do if you didn't do these?
EDIT - read down the thread, sciences and humanities are on par with 'likeability' as a general rule, but again it depends which way you go at uni. It is mainly universities who look at A levels, employers look at degrees/equivalent qualifications. So picking your A levels won't directly affect what career you have. If you prefer English over Science, it's best to go with English imo, and vice versa.
(edited 11 years ago)
I do History and English lit, and tbh aside from GCSE (which compared to A level in these subjects isn't tough) it rewards you with so many skills and I found I gained so much discipline to make myself do the work. It's a lot of reading, coursework, essay exams BUT if you plan to go to uni in the long run, these skills will be SO useful. I suggest you do take them, regardless how pointless the knowledge seems, the skills are rewarding and can lead to anything 
Original post by Pollypotion
I do History and English lit, and tbh aside from GCSE (which compared to A level in these subjects isn't tough) it rewards you with so many skills and I found I gained so much discipline to make myself do the work. It's a lot of reading, coursework, essay exams BUT if you plan to go to uni in the long run, these skills will be SO useful. I suggest you do take them, regardless how pointless the knowledge seems, the skills are rewarding and can lead to anything
Ahh, Its not so much the knowledge but will employers or future job prospects look at the sciences or maths or other subjects as much more important than History and English Lit?
Ah hell no, I went to a Lancaster scholarship thing on wednesday, and the lecturer gave us a quiz saying "which subject out of chemistry, maths, geography and drama do you think provided graduates with the most jobs at the end?" And guess what? The science and maths came last, drama was top! People like to see personality it seems, and skills, not so much what you know. I mean, they'll look at GCSEs, but if you're thinking about something in the creative sector (i.e drama) then they wont consider science. History and English can get you to more places than maths and science, b'cause it shows you can problem solve, you're dedicated and organised, more than knowing how to use a calculator
Original post by Pollypotion
Ah hell no, I went to a Lancaster scholarship thing on wednesday, and the lecturer gave us a quiz saying "which subject out of chemistry, maths, geography and drama do you think provided graduates with the most jobs at the end?" And guess what? The science and maths came last, drama was top! People like to see personality it seems, and skills, not so much what you know. I mean, they'll look at GCSEs, but if you're thinking about something in the creative sector (i.e drama) then they wont consider science. History and English can get you to more places than maths and science, b'cause it shows you can problem solve, you're dedicated and organised, more than knowing how to use a calculator
Number of jobs, or PROPORTION of people doing the respective subject at university getting a graduate job?
I imagine there are many more Drama students.
Original post by tehforum
Number of jobs, or PROPORTION of people doing the respective subject at university getting a graduate job?
I imagine there are many more Drama students.
I imagine there are many more Drama students.
That's not the point, the point is more graduates in drama than in maths/chemistry get jobs related to their subject.
Original post by Lixe
Ahh, Its not so much the knowledge but will employers or future job prospects look at the sciences or maths or other subjects as much more important than History and English Lit?
I forgot to quote you in my reply, but I've replied
Original post by Pollypotion
That's not the point, the point is more graduates in drama than in maths/chemistry get jobs related to their subject.
Your original post omitted vital details!
Also you seem to think that science graduates are not organised and dedicated. A degree in a science and organisational skills are not mutually exclusive. Your post is wrong and ignorant.
No, I'm saying academic subjects aren't the only subjects that get successful jobs like the common expectation is. My point was creative subjects are also today as competitive as these subjects and are equal job wise. Please, put your opinions away, they're pointless and are a way for you to obviously gain some sort of prestige by seeming 'clever' by putting others 'down'. It isn't ignorant, you clearly didn't understand the point I was making so don't argue something you yourself are clearly ignorant to- MY POINT.
Original post by Lixe
I'm considering these A-Levels, Alongside Drama and ICT. To continue to do at my 6th form in September. But I'm wondering what either of these actually lead onto in the future. I mean English can be applied to anything but I'm sure there is other subjects with more usefulness.
Same with History. Even more so I like the subject but I don't see what it could lead onto in the future? Has anyone else done these A-Levels and have moved onto anything with them?
Same with History. Even more so I like the subject but I don't see what it could lead onto in the future? Has anyone else done these A-Levels and have moved onto anything with them?
As others have said, both History and English Lit offer transferable skills that will enable you to take many different career paths. They're both challenging A-levels, and employers know that - it's just a different kind of challenge to that presented by Maths or Chemistry, so they can't really be compared. If you don't enjoy science, don't study it at A-level. I've seen too many intelligent people get mediocre grades because they chose the wrong subjects (usually Physics or Chemistry, but it happened in English Lit as well) and therefore weren't motivated enough.
Original post by Lixe
I mean English can be applied to anything but I'm sure there is other subjects with more usefulness.
No offence meant, but I think you try and improve your grammar if you're thinking about taking English Literature at A-Level
In terms of University acceptance only: (Cannot comment on whether it is an indicament of job opportunities as well.)
[Source]
http://www.policyexchange.org.uk/images/publications/the%20hard%20truth%20about%20soft%20subjects%20-%20dec%2008.pdf
[Source]
http://www.policyexchange.org.uk/images/publications/the%20hard%20truth%20about%20soft%20subjects%20-%20dec%2008.pdf
None of the other research-intensive universities publish an overall list of non-preferred subjects. However, our data on A-levels accepted in 2007-08 shows that the vast majority of research-intensive universities admit fewer ‘soft’ A-levels and more traditional A-levels in comparison with the national uptake of these subjects in schools.
At Oxford, more students were accepted in 2007-08 with Further Mathematics A-level (711) than Accounting, Art & Design, Business Studies, Communication Studies, Design & Technology, Drama/Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Home Economics, ICT, Law, Media Studies, Music Technology, Psychology, Sociology, Sports Studies/Physical Education and Travel & Tourism A-level combined (overall 494 of these subjects were accepted).
Biology, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Mathematics and Physics comprised close to half of all accepted Alevels for Bristol (49.8%) and UCL (46.9%).
More than three times as many Economics A-levels (640) were accepted at Nottingham University than Sociology (193) or Drama/Theatre Studies (165). These two subjects are both more popular than Economics at A-level in schools.
More than four times as many A-levels were accepted in French at Warwick University (331) as in Law (82). Law is more popular than French at A-level in schools.
More than four times as many A-levels were accepted in Physics at Manchester University (1875) than in Media and Film Studies combined (403).
More A-levels were accepted in Latin (272) at Oxford than Business Studies, Law, Psychology and Sociology combined (214).
In this table we examined the following popular ‘soft’ arts subjects: Art and Design, Drama Studies, Film Studies,
Media Studies. Together these subjects make up 10.6% of all A-levels taken by 16-18 year olds at school.
However, at research-intensive universities these subjects comprised an average of 5.2% of A-levels accepted, with 93% of all research-intensive universities falling below the 10.6% average uptake for schools. Uptake of these subjects combined was particularly low for Oxford (1.8%), Durham (2.9%) and Bristol (3.1%).
At Oxford, more students were accepted in 2007-08 with Further Mathematics A-level (711) than Accounting, Art & Design, Business Studies, Communication Studies, Design & Technology, Drama/Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Home Economics, ICT, Law, Media Studies, Music Technology, Psychology, Sociology, Sports Studies/Physical Education and Travel & Tourism A-level combined (overall 494 of these subjects were accepted).
Biology, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Mathematics and Physics comprised close to half of all accepted Alevels for Bristol (49.8%) and UCL (46.9%).
More than three times as many Economics A-levels (640) were accepted at Nottingham University than Sociology (193) or Drama/Theatre Studies (165). These two subjects are both more popular than Economics at A-level in schools.
More than four times as many A-levels were accepted in French at Warwick University (331) as in Law (82). Law is more popular than French at A-level in schools.
More than four times as many A-levels were accepted in Physics at Manchester University (1875) than in Media and Film Studies combined (403).
More A-levels were accepted in Latin (272) at Oxford than Business Studies, Law, Psychology and Sociology combined (214).
In this table we examined the following popular ‘soft’ arts subjects: Art and Design, Drama Studies, Film Studies,
Media Studies. Together these subjects make up 10.6% of all A-levels taken by 16-18 year olds at school.
However, at research-intensive universities these subjects comprised an average of 5.2% of A-levels accepted, with 93% of all research-intensive universities falling below the 10.6% average uptake for schools. Uptake of these subjects combined was particularly low for Oxford (1.8%), Durham (2.9%) and Bristol (3.1%).
Original post by cherrybombbb
No offence meant, but I think you try and improve your grammar if you're thinking about taking English Literature at A-Level
Ahhh I make mistakes but I don't pay much attention to my grammar on an internet forum. Apologies
i would say that since these a-levels are really diverse, youa re opening yourself up to many possibilities as far as your career goes.
since it sounds like you havent started sixth form yet, i would advice you to look through the websites for some universities and look at the preferred a-level courses for some of the uni courses. i found this really helpful when choosing my a-level subjects. because while i know what course i want to do at uni, just incase i change my mind during the next 2years, i know that there are other courses that will accept my a-levels as relevant to the course. so i know my option are open.
http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/courses/index.html
http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/
http://www2.lse.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/degreeProgrammes2013/degreeProgrammes2013.aspx
this site shows you what you can do with a-level options that you have chosen
http://www.bris.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/2013/applying/which-course.html#sociology
since it sounds like you havent started sixth form yet, i would advice you to look through the websites for some universities and look at the preferred a-level courses for some of the uni courses. i found this really helpful when choosing my a-level subjects. because while i know what course i want to do at uni, just incase i change my mind during the next 2years, i know that there are other courses that will accept my a-levels as relevant to the course. so i know my option are open.
http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/courses/index.html
http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/
http://www2.lse.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/degreeProgrammes2013/degreeProgrammes2013.aspx
this site shows you what you can do with a-level options that you have chosen
http://www.bris.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/2013/applying/which-course.html#sociology
English lit and history are going to be more helpful than ICT and Drama
English and history help writing skills, communication when writing and also to apply knowledge and facts in a logic. Uni's love these subjects
ICT an ok subject, would look good on CV
Drama get rid of drama, no use unless your aiming to be an actor in which case you should be in drama school not doing A Level Drama. Replace it with maths
If you want A levels that lead in most directions take:
English literature
Maths
History
Biology/Chemistry/Physics
English and history help writing skills, communication when writing and also to apply knowledge and facts in a logic. Uni's love these subjects
ICT an ok subject, would look good on CV
Drama get rid of drama, no use unless your aiming to be an actor in which case you should be in drama school not doing A Level Drama. Replace it with maths
If you want A levels that lead in most directions take:
English literature
Maths
History
Biology/Chemistry/Physics
Original post by Oaktree
English lit and history are going to be more helpful than ICT and Drama
English and history help writing skills, communication when writing and also to apply knowledge and facts in a logic. Uni's love these subjects
ICT an ok subject, would look good on CV
Drama get rid of drama, no use unless your aiming to be an actor in which case you should be in drama school not doing A Level Drama. Replace it with maths
If you want A levels that lead in most directions take:
English literature
Maths
History
Biology/Chemistry/Physics
English and history help writing skills, communication when writing and also to apply knowledge and facts in a logic. Uni's love these subjects
ICT an ok subject, would look good on CV
Drama get rid of drama, no use unless your aiming to be an actor in which case you should be in drama school not doing A Level Drama. Replace it with maths
If you want A levels that lead in most directions take:
English literature
Maths
History
Biology/Chemistry/Physics
As much as I have considered the sciences, Drama is something I am passionate about. Due to my schools subjects I was unable to take this at GCSE and therefore have no experience. Wasn't able to afford private drama schooling either. So there is no experience for any drama school to accept me. Though I feel A-Level drama may at least be a platform for me to get further in that field. I do aspire to be an actor. Though lets be honest. Its a minuscule chance.
I would like to do a science, But I struggled with them enough at GCSE to the point where I think that I'd drop them simply because they are something I am not passionate about and I wouldn't do as well as I would with a subject I am passionate about. I'm considering a possible language instead of Drama because apparently Universities love that?
Original post by jfranks
i would say that since these a-levels are really diverse, youa re opening yourself up to many possibilities as far as your career goes.
since it sounds like you havent started sixth form yet, i would advice you to look through the websites for some universities and look at the preferred a-level courses for some of the uni courses. i found this really helpful when choosing my a-level subjects. because while i know what course i want to do at uni, just incase i change my mind during the next 2years, i know that there are other courses that will accept my a-levels as relevant to the course. so i know my option are open.
http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/courses/index.html
http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/
http://www2.lse.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/degreeProgrammes2013/degreeProgrammes2013.aspx
this site shows you what you can do with a-level options that you have chosen
http://www.bris.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/2013/applying/which-course.html#sociology
since it sounds like you havent started sixth form yet, i would advice you to look through the websites for some universities and look at the preferred a-level courses for some of the uni courses. i found this really helpful when choosing my a-level subjects. because while i know what course i want to do at uni, just incase i change my mind during the next 2years, i know that there are other courses that will accept my a-levels as relevant to the course. so i know my option are open.
http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/courses/index.html
http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/
http://www2.lse.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/degreeProgrammes2013/degreeProgrammes2013.aspx
this site shows you what you can do with a-level options that you have chosen
http://www.bris.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/2013/applying/which-course.html#sociology
Would it be better for me to decide what I want to do in life before I do my A-Levels? I think the reason they are so diverse is because I have no idea haha, I think that diverse is good but would I be better off specialising on the one thing I'd like to do?
Tbh, im going into year 13 now, in year 11 I chose subjects I enjoyed because I didn't know what I wanted to do and still don't. You want to do something you enjoy, so take subjects you enjoy rather than what universities want. If you don't do good at science then the clever thing to do is not take it. All of my subjects are considered 'creative' rather than 'academic' but I dont think it'd stop me getting far in the future. I say take drama if you want to, I did it at GCSE and regret not going further with it because I enjoyed it so much. The skills from drama are really helpful for people skills etc. I wouldnt worry too much about jobs yet, I hate doing it cause I feel like I'm wasting my life away, im just going with the moment- sensible or not
Original post by Lixe
Would it be better for me to decide what I want to do in life before I do my A-Levels?
yes and no
if u have always known what u want to do at uni then specailising makes it easier to get in BUT there is only a month + a bit left before u have to finalise ur options + u shouldnt feel under pressure to decide the rest of ur life like NOW! + if u do ur likely gonna make the wrong choices, so keep ur options open + take ur time to figure it out + decide ur future
good luck!!!Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Is English Literature A-Level worth it?
- Should I take a History or English Lit A-Level?
- English Language vs. English Literature
- What did you take for your gcse's
- A-Level Choices
- Classical Civilisation or English A-Level for law
- I can’t choose my A-levels!!!!!
- A level History or Psychology
- Help me with my choice for A Level (aspiring law student)
- a-level subjects
- A level choices
- A-level options
- Is it worth me swapping to A-Level Biology?
- A Level English Lit - is it worth it?
- A level options
- Worried about a level English lit compared to gcse
- A level Spanish, History and what?
- a level economics
- will i die if i do these a-levels
- Is it worth taking A Level English Lit/History with Biology and Chemistry
Latest
Last reply 1 minute ago
Official University of Strathclyde Applicant Thread for 2024Last reply 1 minute ago
Official London School of Economics and Political Science 2024 Applicant ThreadLast reply 3 minutes ago
Amazon Project management apprenticeship 2024Last reply 7 minutes ago
Official Cambridge Postgraduate Applicants 2024 ThreadLast reply 7 minutes ago
So I made the worst decision of my life. I chose Biochemistry as my degree.Last reply 8 minutes ago
Official University of Bristol Applicant Thread for 2024Last reply 8 minutes ago
psychology or human geography at university??Last reply 10 minutes ago
Official Lancaster University Offer Holders Thread for 2024 entryLast reply 15 minutes ago
Please Help! Seek input on University selection for FinancePosted 16 minutes ago
English Exam for Queen Mary University of LondonLast reply 18 minutes ago
Official: King's College London A101 EMDP 2024 Entry ApplicantsMedical Schools
1008
