Good A Level Combination for Law

2

Hi am thinking about whether my A level subjects will be good combinations for Law, especially at top universities like Oxford and Cambridge.
I'm thinking of doing English Lit, Geography, Chemistry and Maths or Art. I'm stuck between maths and art, I know it would be more sensible to take maths but I'd much rather take art, would it look worse if I applied with Art rather than Maths at AS level.

Any help will be appreciated. :smile:

Reply 1

Leto

10

Maths would be a stronger choice certainly because it's respected for EVERYTHING. If you can do well in it then I'd say definitely choose Maths.

History is always a good choice for Law as well, if you'd consider it- they're quite similar.

Reply 2

moomin_love

15

beccabooksartmusic

Hi am thinking about whether my A level subjects will be good combinations for Law, especially at top universities like Oxford and Cambridge.
I'm thinking of doing English Lit, Geography, Chemistry and Maths or Art. I'm stuck between maths and art, I know it would be more sensible to take maths but I'd much rather take art, would it look worse if I applied with Art rather than Maths at AS level.

Any help will be appreciated. :smile:

English Lit and Chemistry are definitely good. Geography is reasonably respected, however History would probably be a better humanity for Law. Maths would also be a good subject. Is there any possibility of doing Math AS level in the first year and Art AS level in the second year? Or other way round. If you think you'll do better at Art then I think you should go for it. I would say possibly take all 5 subjects, but Art has such a massive work load that your other subjects would most likely suffer.

Reply 3

ian.slater

12

If you look at the Cambridge website, you will see that Law applicants are advised to choose an analytical subject like Maths and a discursive one like History.

Reply 4

Jakko247

2

ian.slater

If you look at the Cambridge website, you will see that Law applicants are advised to choose an analytical subject like Maths and a discursive one like History.

I had a teacher called Ian Slater last year!

And yes, maths would definately be better than art for law.

Reply 5

doivid

17

ian.slater

If you look at the Cambridge website, you will see that Law applicants are advised to choose an analytical subject like Maths and a discursive one like History.

No they don't!

http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/law/requirements.html

The website says that:

'applicants with backgrounds in Mathematics and science subjects perform as well as those whose background is in humanities subjects'

This is the case with most law departments. They don't require/encourage you to take any discursive/essay based subjects at all.

However, I would recommend the OP take maths as art is not seen as a good 'academic' A-level.

Reply 6

IchiCC

12

If you can bear it, you should definitely take Maths. It will show you have an analytical and logical mind and is a subject well respected by all.

Also, I don't know how much you'd like to do Geography, but if it isn't a subject you care much for I hear that History is a much better option for Law.

Reply 7

beccabooksartmusic

OP

2

moomin_love

English Lit and Chemistry are definitely good. Geography is reasonably respected, however History would probably be a better humanity for Law. Maths would also be a good subject. Is there any possibility of doing Math AS level in the first year and Art AS level in the second year? Or other way round. If you think you'll do better at Art then I think you should go for it. I would say possibly take all 5 subjects, but Art has such a massive work load that your other subjects would most likely suffer.

I've never thought about doing both at AS over the two years, i did consider taking 5 AS and dropping 2 for the final year but I'd get no frees to do work and Art work load is pretty heavy.

Thanks for all the replies everyone else.
& Yes I've considered taking History but I didn't take it for GCSE, the teachers have said I'd be able to manage it at A level but I can say I'd definitely do better with Geography as a subject i enjoy. Would English lit be enough to show essay writing skills etc without history?

Reply 8

DJkG.1

17

Your subject combination is definitely sound for law at Oxbridge, however I would recommend taking maths over art - the former being an academic analytic subject and the latter being one that Cambridge regards as 'specialist'. Seeing as art shares no direct relevance with undergraduate law, it is rather pointless for your application. Other than that, your combination of English Lit., Geography, Chemistry and Maths is nicely varied and you have one solid essay-based subject in there too so you should be absolutely fine. Some may suggest history but only take a subject if you like it and think you can do well - which matters! The good thing with law is that you don't have to take anything specific really, just a good mix of humanities and sciences / maths is the best option.

Good luck! Let me know if you have any other questions. :smile:

Reply 9

beccabooksartmusic

OP

2

DJkG.1

Your subject combination is definitely sound for law at Oxbridge, however I would recommend taking maths over art - the former being an academic analytic subject and the latter being one that Cambridge regards as 'specialist'. Seeing as art shares no direct relevance with undergraduate law, it is rather pointless for your application. Other than that, your combination of English Lit., Geography, Chemistry and Maths is nicely varied and you have one solid essay-based subject in there too so you should be absolutely fine. Some may suggest history but only take a subject if you like it and think you can do well - which matters! The good thing with law is that you don't have to take anything specific really, just a good mix of humanities and sciences / maths is the best option.

Good luck! Let me know if you have any other questions. :smile:

Thanks, that does really help to clarify things. :smile:

Reply 10

username381250

16

Maths would be a stronger choice.

Reply 11

Pearson73

2

beccabooksartmusic

Hi am thinking about whether my A level subjects will be good combinations for Law, especially at top universities like Oxford and Cambridge.
I'm thinking of doing English Lit, Geography, Chemistry and Maths or Art. I'm stuck between maths and art, I know it would be more sensible to take maths but I'd much rather take art, would it look worse if I applied with Art rather than Maths at AS level.

Any help will be appreciated. :smile:

Your subject choices are good. However, I would take Maths and not Art. I would also take a language if you think you can do well - Latin (pops up a lot in Law at university) or French/German/Spanish. Having a modern language could open up the option of studying abroad for a year if you wish. History is also recommended; however, Geography is as good.

Reply 12

Jakko247

2

Pearson73

History is also recommended; however, Geography is as good.

I wouldn't go as far as that! Geography may be fine, but it certainly isn't as good as history, when preparing for law at university!
:smile:

Reply 13

The Young Economist

Maths-maths is just amazing for anything

Geog/History-Essay subject helps

English-Every law person i know has taken english. Just a well respected subject

Chem-Traditional subject but how will it help?

Language-Helps immensely, focus point of possible interview

TAKE MATHS OVER ART!!!

Reply 14

Meitnerium

Maths
English Lit
History
Chemistry

Four very well respected subjects.

Maybe change Chemistry to a language.

Reply 15

random-ravenclaw

3

I'm also thinking of reading law at Oxbridge, and my A Levels are Biology, Chemistry, English Literature and German. I switched from Maths to English because Maths really doesn't interest me, though I know it's a well-respected subject in many fields other than law. What do you guys think? Would taking two sciences and two languages limit my chances?

Reply 16

iamreanna

1

You won’t be able to study law without an essay-based subject, probably, especially at Oxford/Cambridge. So definitely keep with English Lit. Law is pretty open when it comes to subjects though, so it’s mostly down to good grades :smile:

Reply 17

Tavi.

1

Would it be okay then if I take Maths, Biology and Chemistry a level and do law at uni? I am not particularly good at writing essays and at English in general, do you think this would hinder me? @iamreanna

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 18

username4353408

12

Is History, Government and politics, economics and maths good subject combination for law at oxbridge or UCL? I could take English instead of economics but i'm better at economics.

Reply 19

Joshua/dfm

3

Original post

by username4353408

Is History, Government and politics, economics and maths good subject combination for law at oxbridge or UCL? I could take English instead of economics but i'm better at economics.

I think some universities, especially Oxbridge/UCL would consider economics and maths quite similar (particularly if you are applying for law, as oppose to mathematical sciences), and so of course English would ideally be more helpful, as an essay subject and more distinct than economics. However, securing successful grades is of utmost importance, and so if you fear you would struggle - I don't mean that additional effort would be required, but that youy would have to work significantly to the potential detriment of your other A-level subjects - with English, then economics is the more reasonable option. If you drop at AS, I would advise you do so with economics or G+P, as they are generally less traditional A-levels than history or maths. But, the choice is yours!

Good A Level Combination for Law

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