A levels?!

I'm going into sixth form next year :biggrin:

I'm taking English Lit, French and History but I don't know what to take as my fourth option. I don't really know what I want to do in terms of a career, but my favourite subjects are History and Languages. Does anybody know of a career that is based around history/language that is not translation or teaching? And could you let me know what fourth option i should take to help me pursue that career? Thanks :smile:

Reply 1

EloiseStar

18

Hi I took English Literature, History, Biology and Maths at AS and dropped the latter for year 13. I kept a mix of arts and sciences because I didn't know what degree to do, or any career options. While having this mix kept my options open, I was way better at the two essay subjects and I dropped considerable grades in Biology and Maths. I do emphasise this is just my experience!

I'm doing a degree in History and the great thing about it is that the analytical and time management skills are sought by employers. It's good for graduate schemes and jobs that involve a lot of managment. As for languages, my sister went into managing but a lot of her friends went into teaching and one who did joint honours with two subjects works at the UN.

I recommend taking another 'essay' subject.

Reply 2

Changing Skies

22

Original post by EloiseStar

Hi I took English Literature, History, Biology and Maths at AS and dropped the latter for year 13. I kept a mix of arts and sciences because I didn't know what degree to do, or any career options. While having this mix kept my options open, I was way better at the two essay subjects and I dropped considerable grades in Biology and Maths. I do emphasise this is just my experience!

I'm doing a degree in History and the great thing about it is that the analytical and time management skills are sought by employers. It's good for graduate schemes and jobs that involve a lot of managment. As for languages, my sister went into managing but a lot of her friends went into teaching and one who did joint honours with two subjects works at the UN.

I recommend taking another 'essay' subject.

I'll have the same A levels as you, good to know I won't be the only one with a more unusual combination :tongue:

Reply 3

Lori-Mae

OP

1

Thanks, you've helped me a lot :smile:

Reply 4

Ben Smithwell

1

Original post by Lucy96

I'll have the same A levels as you, good to know I won't be the only one with a more unusual combination :tongue:

As an employer, I can tell you now that those are very strong choices.

Reply 5

Ben Smithwell

1

Original post by Lori-Mae

I'm going into sixth form next year :biggrin:

I'm taking English Lit, French and History but I don't know what to take as my fourth option. I don't really know what I want to do in terms of a career, but my favourite subjects are History and Languages. Does anybody know of a career that is based around history/language that is not translation or teaching? And could you let me know what fourth option i should take to help me pursue that career? Thanks :smile:

Make sure you keep up with the French, multi-lingualism is on the decline in the country, so you can set yourself up with a real differentiator there when you get to your career

Reply 6

Lori-Mae

OP

1

I was thinking of taking another language, German, but I don't know if that would make my options too language based?

Reply 7

marple

15

What about economics as a 4th? It goes well with your other choices (although if you found you loved it and wanted to study it at university you would find it hard without Maths A level).

Reply 8

Saurus95

13

Original post by Lori-Mae

I'm going into sixth form next year :biggrin:

I'm taking English Lit, French and History but I don't know what to take as my fourth option. I don't really know what I want to do in terms of a career, but my favourite subjects are History and Languages. Does anybody know of a career that is based around history/language that is not translation or teaching? And could you let me know what fourth option i should take to help me pursue that career? Thanks :smile:

I think that very few people can actually be certain at this age as to which career path they will end up pursuing. However, most have a vague if idea of what they intend to study, if they choose to go to university. From your current subject choices, a history degree or perhaps a combined language and history degree seems a good idea. A degree such as history does not mean that you will be a historian or a teacher of history. For a fourth subject, keep your options open and take Maths (only if you are probably going to get A* at GCSE) because its... well... Maths or perhaps Psychology or Biology - none of these are easy and the latter two require a very good memory. If you feel that taking a science subject is not a good idea, then take another language. Best to keep your options open though.

Reply 9

Changing Skies

22

Original post by Ben Smithwell

As an employer, I can tell you now that those are very strong choices.

How come?

Reply 10

Lori-Mae

OP

1

I have looked into taking a science, do you think a science would fit in well with my other subjects? Or do complimentary subjects not really matter that much?

Reply 11

Lori-Mae

OP

1

Original post by marple

What about economics as a 4th? It goes well with your other choices (although if you found you loved it and wanted to study it at university you would find it hard without Maths A level).

I hadn't thought of economics... Thankyou :smile:

Reply 12

IShootLikeAGirl

8

I took English lit, History and Latin which is similar to what you've already chosen and i also took Classical Civilisation. I found it went well with English lit and History as there is 1 history and 1 literature paper and it's easier than English and History but still a 'good essay subject'. I have friends who did similar options to me and they did Government and Politics, Economics or Philosophy and Ethics instead of Clas Civ so those 3 are also decent options :smile:

Reply 13

beccaxheapes

10

English Language! It's really useful for English Lit, and people who take a language often find the two help each other (this was the case in my class, I couldn't even grasp Year 9 German so I can't speak for myself...) It also comes in useful for most subjects you take :smile:

Reply 14