[lovetosmile]

So I've just finished my gcse's and have applied to a couple of sixth forms/colleges and I want to know whether the subjects I've picked are well regarded and strong subjects, I've picked:

Economics,
History,
English literature
I originally picked maths but then swapped it for politics because I don't think I've done well enough in my last exam.....

Also I've contacted most of mysixth forms and asked to redo maths gcse because i would really like an A overall.

What do we think about them !???
I'm really confused and scared because I dont want to make the wrong decision and have to go through 2years of pain....

Thank you !!



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[eimmas]

They look like well regarded subjects. I picked maths over politics, but I was at one point (being the crazy person I am) going to do the opposite.

History is a good A level as well, I enjoyed it in terms of learning the content. It's considered an essay subject, alongside English Lit, which are well-regarded (as far as I'm aware) if you're looking at courses such as Law for university (as well as the obvious of History and English, haha).

Politics looked like an interesting subject, unfortunately I couldn't take it with the way timetabling worked out at my sixth form, but seeing the experience history classmates have had who've taken politics, it really helps understand history even more. Both history and politics seem to go hand-in-hand

[lovetosmile]

Yeah I thought history and politics go well....... Do you think they will look good on paper for university's though ?
What do those subjects say about me themselves ?


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[Tpx]

What degree do you think you want to do?

Its pretty much a perfect combination for history, english, politics, or law.
Good for economics and business (maths would be helpful), philosophy, or sociology.
Not good for maths, science, medicine, or engineering.

[lovetosmile]

(Original post by Tpx)
What degree do you think you want to do?

Its pretty much a perfect combination for history, english, politics, or law.
Good for economics and business (maths would be helpful), philosophy, or sociology.
Not good for maths, science, medicine, or engineering.

I've always said i wanted to study economics but realised I need maths, I'm going to resit my maths gcse, either I study economics or go on to study political sciences.


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[Tpx]

Well I just had a quick look around:

Cambridge and Warwick require A-level maths (but economics, politics, and international studies @ Warwick doesn't)
Nottingham and Sheffield don't require it for the BA but they do for the Bsc.

So whether you should do A-level maths seems to depend on what universities you are aiming at.

[*Hakz*]

OP some top universities don't require you having a maths A'level in order to do economics, but most will probably put you on the BA program instead which is less mathematical.

[isp]

(Original post by *Hakz*)
OP some top universities don't require you having a maths A'level in order to do economics, but most will probably put you on the BA program instead which is less mathematical.

False

All top universities require Maths and Further Maths is highly recommended

[*Hakz*]

(Original post by isp)
False

All top universities require Maths and Further Maths is highly recommended

A quick example - St Andrews and also Nottingham don't ask for it.

[isp]

(Original post by *Hakz*)
A quick example - St Andrews and also Nottingham don't ask for it.

Then again those aren't the top universities for Economics

[*Hakz*]

(Original post by isp)
Then again those aren't the top universities for Economics

Well we all know the top 5 institutions for economics are Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, UCL and Warwick but that doesn't mean St Andrews and Nottingham aren't top universities for economics also.

[CharliePhillips]

Okay so top universities (Normally only the likes of Oxbridge, LSE etc) generally have listed subjects for A level on which are most practical for an academic standard. All of the A level subjects are split into Soft, Medium and Hard subjects or A,B and C with A being split into A1 and A2, So the different groups are A1, A2, B and C,

The A's are ones that are 'preferred' by Uni's (hard), The B's are ones that aren't great to have but will still be accepted (medium), The C's are the ones you want to avoid, these are regarded as next to 'useless' (I use this word with much emphasis) A levels to have (soft). Here's the official List...


LIST A1
Generally Suitable Science A-levels
Biology
Chemistry
Mathematics
Further Mathematics
Physics

LIST A2
Generally Suitable Arts A-levels
Art History
Chinese
Classical Civilisation
Economics
English Literature
French
Geography
German
Greek
History
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Latin
Music
Philosophy
Religious Studies
Russian
Spanish
Welsh

LIST B - Try to avoid these
Archaeology (Arch & Anth)
Art & Design (Architecture/History of Art)
Business Studies (Economics)
Design & Technology (Architecture)
Drama/Theatre Studies (Arts)
Electronics (Engineering)
English Language (Arts)
Film Studies (Arts)
Government & Politics (Arts)
Law (Law)
Media Studies (Arts)
Psychology (Arts)
Sociology (Arts)

LIST C AVOID at all costs - Unsuitable A-levels
Accounting
Citizenship
Communication Studies
Critical Thinking
Dance
General Studies
Health & Social Care
Home Economics
ICT
Leisure Studies
Music Technology
Performance Studies
Performing Arts
Photography
Physical Education
Sports Studies
Travel & Tourism

Now as you can see all your original subjects are in group 'A' however you are changing Maths to Politics which is in group 'B', University's sometimes say however, that it is okay to have ONLY 1 'medium' subject as long as the others are 'hard' subjects. Also the fact that Politics will go with History will be helpful.

In regards to university's if you were ever going to apply to Oxford you could do a subject call PPE.. Philosophy, Politics and Economics. If you are intersted in Politics this would be a great subject for you as it doesn't require any subjects by law but says a helpful subject is History which you have, Also having politics and economics may put you at some advantage. Also this course does not require mathematics but only says it would be useful but with just history you should be okay. However it will require AAA at A-level and I'm not sure on your A level capabilities...

In regards to Maths for economics courses, I'm afraid any top uni for economics does require a mathematics A-level, So if your are passionate about doing economics at a top university for economics or on a general academic standard Mathematics is essential, With top uni's asking for an A minimum and lower ones asking for a B minimum.

I hope this has helped you and aid your decisions! And please do not take my word for law but I believe I acquire a considerable amount of reliable advice.



EDIT: Oh and also btw Warwick University does require an A* in Maths GCSE for economics,politics and international studies if you don't take it at A-level, or have it as an As level (though I'm not sure on that last bit)

Also to clear things up St Andrews and Nottingham are rated 8th and 9th in the UK univeristy tables for economics However I am unsure if they require an A in maths, I would of thought they do though I am not sure..

[UnderPost]

The list above is fair however I question 2 that are in A2 and one that is B2 that should swap.

A2: Philosophy (like Law) is seen as a bad A level to take.
A2: Classical civilisation - I've never even heard of it! doesn't sound like an academic challenging one.

B2: ICT- surely this is seen as a good A-level to take. Or do you think there should be a distinction: Computers is a good one (all the coding etc) however IT (software side) isn't?

[Tortious]

(Original post by UnderPost)
The list above is fair however I question 2 that are in A2 and one that is B2 that should swap.

A2: Philosophy (like Law) is seen as a bad A level to take.
A2: Classical civilisation - I've never even heard of it! doesn't sound like an academic challenging one.

B2: ICT- surely this is seen as a good A-level to take. Or do you think there should be a distinction: Computers is a good one (all the coding etc) however IT (software side) isn't?

Three things:

1) The notion that "universities don't like A Level Law" is a myth.

2) Ignore CharliePhillips - he's clearly taken the Trinity College (Cambridge) blacklist and made it his own. I've seen him on a few Law threads and he doesn't know what he's talking about.

3) For what it's worth, the Trinity College page says that for the third A Level, anything from lists A1/A2 ("Generally Suitable" Science/Arts A Levels) and B ("More Limited Suitability"). As you can see, ICT is only acceptable as a fourth (List C), but Computing is in B - I'm not quite sure why this is, but it's been like this for a while!

[Joinedup]

(Original post by CharliePhillips)
Okay so top universities (Normally only the likes of Oxbridge, LSE etc) generally have listed subjects for A level on which are most practical for an academic standard. All of the A level subjects are split into Soft, Medium and Hard subjects or A,B and C with A being split into A1 and A2, So the different groups are A1, A2, B and C,

The A's are ones that are 'preferred' by Uni's (hard), The B's are ones that aren't great to have but will still be accepted (medium), The C's are the ones you want to avoid, these are regarded as next to 'useless' (I use this word with much emphasis) A levels to have (soft). Here's the official List...


LIST A1
Generally Suitable Science A-levels
Biology
Chemistry
Mathematics
Further Mathematics
Physics

LIST A2
Generally Suitable Arts A-levels
Art History
Chinese
Classical Civilisation
Economics
English Literature
French
Geography
German
Greek
History
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Latin
Music
Philosophy
Religious Studies
Russian
Spanish
Welsh

LIST B - Try to avoid these
Archaeology (Arch & Anth)
Art & Design (Architecture/History of Art)
Business Studies (Economics)
Design & Technology (Architecture)
Drama/Theatre Studies (Arts)
Electronics (Engineering)
English Language (Arts)
Film Studies (Arts)
Government & Politics (Arts)
Law (Law)
Media Studies (Arts)
Psychology (Arts)
Sociology (Arts)

LIST C AVOID at all costs - Unsuitable A-levels
Accounting
Citizenship
Communication Studies
Critical Thinking
Dance
General Studies
Health & Social Care
Home Economics
ICT
Leisure Studies
Music Technology
Performance Studies
Performing Arts
Photography
Physical Education
Sports Studies
Travel & Tourism

Now as you can see all your original subjects are in group 'A' however you are changing Maths to Politics which is in group 'B', University's sometimes say however, that it is okay to have ONLY 1 'medium' subject as long as the others are 'hard' subjects. Also the fact that Politics will go with History will be helpful.

In regards to university's if you were ever going to apply to Oxford you could do a subject call PPE.. Philosophy, Politics and Economics. If you are intersted in Politics this would be a great subject for you as it doesn't require any subjects by law but says a helpful subject is History which you have, Also having politics and economics may put you at some advantage. Also this course does not require mathematics but only says it would be useful but with just history you should be okay. However it will require AAA at A-level and I'm not sure on your A level capabilities...

In regards to Maths for economics courses, I'm afraid any top uni for economics does require a mathematics A-level, So if your are passionate about doing economics at a top university for economics or on a general academic standard Mathematics is essential, With top uni's asking for an A minimum and lower ones asking for a B minimum.

I hope this has helped you and aid your decisions! And please do not take my word for law but I believe I acquire a considerable amount of reliable advice.



EDIT: Oh and also btw Warwick University does require an A* in Maths GCSE for economics,politics and international studies if you don't take it at A-level, or have it as an As level (though I'm not sure on that last bit)

Also to clear things up St Andrews and Nottingham are rated 8th and 9th in the UK univeristy tables for economics However I am unsure if they require an A in maths, I would of thought they do though I am not sure..

knock it off charlie... List c isn't 'unsuitable - avoid at all costs' it's 'suitable only as a 4th subject' which is an enormous difference... We can safely assume the trinity admissions people thought long and hard about that list and chose their words with care.

More use than the trinity list imo is the russell group guide 'informed choices' on their website which is a more discursive treatment of the problem of a level selection.

[laughylolly]

(Original post by lovetosmile)
Yeah I thought history and politics go well....... Do you think they will look good on paper for university's though ?
What do those subjects say about me themselves ?


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

I would say because you have chosen three other well regarded subjects that universities won't care too much that you've taken politics alongside them. And by the way, what are you planning to study at university? Maths can be useful (even if you only do AS level) for some subjects.

Edit: Just read that you want to do Economics. Yeah a lot of universities do require/recommend it because some modules will require a higher level of maths. I think some only ask for AS level but I would look into what sort of universities you want to apply to and see what they ask for.

[CharliePhillips]

(Original post by Joinedup)
knock it off charlie... List c isn't 'unsuitable - avoid at all costs' it's 'suitable only as a 4th subject' which is an enormous difference... We can safely assume the trinity admissions people thought long and hard about that list and chose their words with care.

More use than the trinity list imo is the russell group guide 'informed choices' on their website which is a more discursive treatment of the problem of a level selection.

Actually on the Trinity website it says 'unsuitable subjects'! I don't make the rules! Also many other articles and books regarding Oxbridge such as 'Getting into oxbridge' by Katy Blatt State that these are seen as (and I quote) "unacceptable A-levels to have"

[Tortious]

(Original post by CharliePhillips)
Actually on the Trinity website it says 'unsuitable subjects'! I don't make the rules! Also many other articles and books regarding Oxbridge such as 'Getting into oxbridge' by Katy Blatt State that these are seen as (and I quote) "unacceptable A-levels to have"

No it doesn't. Now please stop posting drivel.

[CharliePhillips]

(Original post by Tortious)
No it doesn't. Now please stop posting drivel.

It does in the book, if your calling me a liar about this you need to get your facts staright

[Wa 007]

(Original post by Joinedup)
knock it off charlie... List c isn't 'unsuitable - avoid at all costs' it's 'suitable only as a 4th subject' which is an enormous difference... We can safely assume the trinity admissions people thought long and hard about that list and chose their words with care.

More use than the trinity list imo is the russell group guide 'informed choices' on their website which is a more discursive treatment of the problem of a level selection.

You're such an idiot ahah of course those are unsuitable a levels, and cambridge specifically say that list c is unsuitable, so get YOUR facts straight.

In regards to this thread, you defo need maths to do economics at uni and some even prefer Further Maths, so you wont get in without at leat maths let alone not having an a* in maths at GCSE