What A levels should I take for law

I want to pursue a career in law and possibly get into one of the top Uni's such as Durham or my second choice Manchester. I am at a point where I am able to choose my A levels I have picked. English literature-Psychology-Biology-Economics or Business studies.........can you guys tell me any tips or point me in the right direction, thank you.

Reply 1

Emma_Student32

Hi, I am also in the same position and it has come to the point where I am picking my a-level options. I want to study law at a redbrick university like Birmingham or Leeds and continue my studies to become a fully trained solicitor. I got advice that subjects like History, economics and psychology are very useful because they show critical understanding and evaluating skills which the universities look out for. Also, because law in itself involves creating contracts, you need good English skills, so either English literature or English language would be great choices. Although many people say that English literature is better than English language, it isn't true. The English language a-level studies transcripts and the linguistics/formation of texts, so it is very different to the GCSE in English language, although in one controlled assessment you have to write a narrative and a descriptive story. I would say that you should pick the English which you think you're better at. Academic subjects like Maths or any of the sciences are also greatly appreciated as well.

I think that you should pick three academic subjects like English, psychology/biology and economics and choose an AS subject that is purely for your enjoyment, like art, drama or music. This shows the universities that there is something diverse to your personality, which sets you aside from the other candidates.

I hope this helped :smile:

Reply 2

CEKTOP

Focus on essay-based subjects which are considered to be "strong" with up to 1 subject that does not fit the aforementioned criteria. I would also add that you should avoid taking up law and that eng lit and history are a must.

Reply 3

username1098248

I'm also planning to do Law, probably and King's College or Surrey and I've chosen Modern History, Politics, French and Law A levels. Even though I was advised not to take Law, I'm still doing it purely because I think I would enjoy learning about Law and I'm thinking it may give me some advantage at university (I know people say it's completely different though). I would say the ones you've picked are pretty academic, and as long as you do well in them, you'll be fine :smile:

Reply 4

ellen_l

I'm kinda in the same place of you.. I'd like to pursue a career in law, but I'm taking the International Baccalaureate... here are my subjects: English (higher), French (higher or standard), Psychology or History (Higher or standard), Maths (standard), Physics (standard), and Chemistry (higher). If I took a-levels I'd do all of them apart from Chemistry, and I'd only do maths to AS (I did some AS levels early)...
hope this helps... Universities just like essay writing subjects, and ones that show you know how to argue well, as someone stated above- History, Philosophy, and Psychology are all good. It also depends on whether you'd like to specialise in anything; I'd like to specialise in Medical Law, and therefore am taking two sciences (I have to take one anyway haha), and Maths (also have to take this:L).

Reply 5

nulli tertius

Original post by CEKTOP

No they are not.

Reply 6

CEKTOP

Original post by nulli tertius

No they are not.

I know they are not, but they are the most impressive ones when it comes to humanities and are thus looked favourably upon by admissions staff.

Reply 7

nulli tertius

Original post by CEKTOP

I know they are not, but they are the most impressive ones when it comes to humanities and are thus looked favourably upon by admissions staff.

Firstly that isn't what you said and secondly can you point to any evidence whatsoever from a reliable source supporting your statement. A statement that a university doesn't think much of pottery and home economics is not the same as a statement saying that history and English lit is favoured over chemistry or Latin.

Reply 8

Theflyingbarney

Having just started my second term at Cambridge for Law, I feel well placed to give advice here. I think the main thing is simply to pick 'strong' subjects - as someone else said above no more than one 'weaker' one. Essay subjects are good, but don't go for a subject because it sounds like it involves 'skills linked to law', e.g. the person above who suggested english language as you do a lot of contracts - law will be completely different to anything else you've studied and so these skills don't transfer as well as you might think.

Similarly, don't be put off studying A-level Law - I did, and it hasn't been any detriment to my degree. The only word of warning I would give if you do take it is not to then get to your degree and think you know everything about the law - yes, you'll cover a lot of the same material but the level of depth is far greater.

For reference my A-level subjects were: Geography (A*), Economics (A), Chemistry (A), Law (A), Maths (C, took a year early) and General Studies (A*, college made it compulsory but it was a waste of time!)

Good luck!

Reply 9

`Jts

What do you enjoy? Because Law doesn't require set subjects as you're not expected to know much about Law until you're in university. There are people with all sciences that get into Law schools.

Do what you're best at and make sure that the subjects are respected. Examples of respected subjects are Maths, History, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Economics, Geography, English Lit., Further Maths and since you want to do Law then picking Law wouldn't be a bad option.

You can do subjects like Sociology, psychology and Business Studies but they are considered "soft" so I'd recommend only doing 1 of them if you want to.

Reply 10

JackTaylorHughes

Thanks for all of your advice guys, I'm strong in my English and my expression skills have been complemented. I have had a thorough rethink and decided that I may not do Biology and do Government and Politics instead, this will support my Economics and Literature, Psychology will stand alone but its a possibility that I will drop that at A2 anyway, I enjoy writing, I am gifted in expressing my points verbally and when written, the subjects I have chosen I believe are strong and not based on arbitrary decisions. If there is anything else I should consider please don't hesitate to leave a comment, thanks again.