which a levels should i pick?

i’m currently in year 11 applying to colleges. i definitely want to do history and philosophy, however for my final option i’m torn between classical civilisation, psychology and sociology (and criminology, for the one college that offers it). Would classical civilisation along with these two options be too draining due to all three being essay-based and fairly similar?

I have no idea what career i want to go into, however a major option for me is detective specialising in major crime and so psychology or criminology would likely be useful. Does it particularly matter which a levels i pick, and will i be able to change them before i start college if i change my mind?

also, for criminology; it’s a level 3 diploma, is this unappealing for universities? (i am aiming for Edinburgh or Cambridge).

(edited 5 months ago)

Reply 1

BoyIsAWand

3

If aiming for Cambridge then id definitely take a look at potential course options (even though your not sure just a general idea) and check their mandatory subjects, just in case you absolutely need to take one of your final options. My biggest regret was not doing this, not taking further maths and hindering my Cambridge application as its the only uni that requires it.

Reply 2

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post by ofunsoundmind

i’m currently in year 11 applying to colleges. i definitely want to do history and philosophy, however for my final option i’m torn between classical civilisation, psychology and sociology (and criminology, for the one college that offers it). Would classical civilisation along with these two options be too draining due to all three being essay-based and fairly similar?

I have no idea what career i want to go into, however a major option for me is detective specialising in major crime and so psychology or criminology would likely be useful. Does it particularly matter which a levels i pick, and will i be able to change them before i start college if i change my mind?

also, for criminology; it’s a level 3 diploma, is this unappealing for universities? (i am aiming for Edinburgh or Cambridge).

Note that the criminology course is not an A-level, it's a WJEC certificate and not all universities accept it as equivalent to an A-level. I would only suggest considering taking this as a fourth subject (which is generally not advisable in of itself anyway).

Classical civ is not that similar to philosophy or history at A-level really I think, and psychology and sociology are both essay based subjects as well.

Your A-level subjects are going to be completely irrelevant by the time you begin your career. I think the "insights" A-level Psychology might give you in that field would probably be a liability rather than a benefit in fact...

Reply 3

Dragonfly28

5

I don't think that most universities for psychology necessarily require you to do psychology although they sometimes ask for a science, in which psych counts. If you are aiming for the top universities, doing psych would probably help you.

I do class civ and I really love it, but then I enjoy psych too. One of my friends does English, History and class civ and finds that it is a bit heavy and they always have to write essays but if this is your strong point then you might as well go for it!

Reply 4

Trinculo

21

Original post by ofunsoundmind

i’m currently in year 11 applying to colleges. i definitely want to do history and philosophy, however for my final option i’m torn between classical civilisation, psychology and sociology (and criminology, for the one college that offers it). Would classical civilisation along with these two options be too draining due to all three being essay-based and fairly similar?

I have no idea what career i want to go into, however a major option for me is detective specialising in major crime and so psychology or criminology would likely be useful. Does it particularly matter which a levels i pick, and will i be able to change them before i start college if i change my mind?

also, for criminology; it’s a level 3 diploma, is this unappealing for universities? (i am aiming for Edinburgh or Cambridge).

If you want to be a detective, psychology and criminology are a waste of time and of no direct use whatsoever.

The only degree subject that is directly useful is law, and its not even that useful.

Any degree with a lot of writing like English or History is going to sort of help prepare you for things, but only in an incidental manner.

If you are set on a career as a detective, either do something that you find interesting, or something that gives you other options (in case you change your mind) as there's no actual benefit in trying to fit a degree to that career path.

which a levels should i pick?

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