hi i am considering politics joint honours with economics. i did not do either a level. how much do you need to know before start the degree? is it very difficult? is there much difference between ability in 1st year classes?
No you don't need the A-level. You don't really need to know anything before you start (just have an interest in politics). It's taught at beginners level. Difficulty is relative, I'd say not at all (not first year). Second year is obviously more challenging. Yes there is a slight difference between ability amongst student, but probably no more than in other degrees. I'd say people are still of pretty much the same ability.
Like the previous poster said you do not need it, however, you're going to commit to a degree in something you know little to nothing about. See I went into A-levels thinking I wanted to do economics at university, read a bit about it and thought I was sure. Then I did econ a level and it definitely made me rethink doing it and I doubt I will. Grab a textbook and check it out... maybe it isnt for you.
To be honest, you don't really need to have any formal knowledge of Politics as it is not widely available to learn in the British curriculum and the universities know this. I believe the first year at uni will just be slightly more advanced than what a-level is, but I don't believe it's by far and away a huge leap. They will teach you everything you need to know from scratch basically.
Just go for it. I got accepted into Warwick and Newcastle, and I had never even read a book on Politics.
Grab a textbook and check it out... maybe it isnt for you.
'Tis true, but if you have an interest in politics and choose your course carefully you should be OK. OP, if you want some reading I could suggest some general reading. Just remember that he reading won't necessarily be applicable to all degrees. It could still give a general idea.
I did a smattering of entirely irrelevant A levels (biology, history, chemistry and english lit) and got a comfortable first in the first year of my politics degree. I really don't think it's any disadvantage at all.
From my experience the people who'd done the A level had a slight leg-up in terms of background knowledge of British politics, but their analytical skills were certainly no more honed. More to the point, in a few cases the prior knowledge led people to become complacent and do worse than the beginners, whose panic was causing them to take the degree more seriously.
So if he is applying to Uni (to do what he said) what A levels would be required for that?
Politics? In the vast majority of cases, whatever you like.
I found that history was useful, but sciences (particularly physical sciences) are also a good background, as is philosophy.
For economics, A level maths is usually a pre-requisite, although not everywhere. However if you don't have economics, maths or further maths - and in some cases at least two of the three - some of the more quantitative courses (Warwick, LSE, Cambridge etc) won't consider the application.
Politics? In the vast majority of cases, whatever you like.
I found that history was useful, but sciences (particularly physical sciences) are also a good background, as is philosophy.
For economics, A level maths is usually a pre-requisite, although not everywhere. However if you don't have economics, maths or further maths - and in some cases at least two of the three - some of the more quantitative courses (Warwick, LSE, Cambridge etc) won't consider the application.
Thanks- so would say to the OP without economics A level, those uni's might not accept him if he chose them to apply to? Or is Maths and Further Maths sometimes enough (like you said at least 2 of the 3 )
So if he is applying to Uni (to do what he said) what A levels would be required for that?
There are no formal requirements. Many degrees (including philosophy, politics, sociology, law etc) don't require specific A-levels (or A-levels in the subject as they are often not taught in schools and colleges).
A range of subjects including arts, social sciences and sciences. But even doing all arts or all social sciences wouldn't put someone at any real disadvantage. One or two rigorous essay based subjects would be ideal.
English lit, Theology and geography were my A-levels (2 arts, 1 social science). That said, I didn't apply for a politics course originally. Whatever the studet is comfortable with, really.
Thanks- so would say to the OP without economics A level, those uni's might not accept him if he chose them to apply to? Or is Maths and Further Maths sometimes enough (like you said at least 2 of the 3 )
Maths and further maths would be more than enough as far as I know, and in the majority of cases far preferable to A level economics.
Some universities will take economics undergraduates without a quantitative background at A level (Birmingham being one), but they are rare.
There are no formal requirements. Many degrees (including philosophy, politics, sociology, law etc) don't require specific A-levels (or A-levels in the subject as they are often not taught in schools and colleges).
A range of subjects including arts, social sciences and sciences. But even doing all arts or all social sciences wouldn't put someone at any real disadvantage. One or two rigorous essay based subjects would be ideal.
English lit, Theology and geography were my A-levels (2 arts, 1 social science). That said, I didn't apply for a politics course originally. Whatever the studet is comfortable with, really.
The only problem I had was that I literally had not done anything like politics or history since year 9. I had done all creative courses through high school like English Lit etc, so I found it hard writing essays because I just didn't have any experience of writing those types of essays. I got a really bad first year mark but I don't think it was because I didn't do politics it was because I did hardly any work all year and handed in all of my essays late.
Politics at degree they teach from ground up, I think, yes it does get alot harder in 2nd year, for me I did not enjoy 1st year as much since it was mainly building blocks for the later years. 2nd year onwards looks alot more interesting. Agree with Ilex, just because you have the A level does not mean your analytical/critical skills will be as good as someone minus the A level. Though for British Politics it did seem to help most people.
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