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A Levels Blacklisted
There was an article in today's Daily Express newspaper which said
'Pupils should avoid "soft" A levels if they want a place at a top university. Leading British universities are drawing up a blacklist of subjects that could prevent students gaining a place on their preferred degree courses.'
It goes on to say 'Cambridge identified 25 courses which they say are inadequate preparation for degree study. These subjects include: Accounting, Buisness Studies, IT. London School of Economics list 10 subjects, including Law and other universities may follow suit.
I am lucky in the fact that the subjects I love and am best at are not on the list. But I was wondering would you still choose to study the subject you were most passionate about if it was included on a university blacklist.
'Pupils should avoid "soft" A levels if they want a place at a top university. Leading British universities are drawing up a blacklist of subjects that could prevent students gaining a place on their preferred degree courses.'
It goes on to say 'Cambridge identified 25 courses which they say are inadequate preparation for degree study. These subjects include: Accounting, Buisness Studies, IT. London School of Economics list 10 subjects, including Law and other universities may follow suit.
I am lucky in the fact that the subjects I love and am best at are not on the list. But I was wondering would you still choose to study the subject you were most passionate about if it was included on a university blacklist.
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I still think it's a stupid idea, tbh.
Fair's fair, some courses simply aren't as academically rigorous as others. The universities have no interests other than getting their decision on applicants right, and they wouldn't have such lists if they didn't believe they helped them get the applicants they want.
Is it only Oxbridge and LSE that does this?
JonathanH
Fair's fair, some courses simply aren't as academically rigorous as others. The universities have no interests other than getting their decision on applicants right, and they wouldn't have such lists if they didn't believe they helped them get the applicants they want.
Right in what sense? I doubt UK unis select just on academic ability these days, dice and personal statements come into it these days.
Yes - I agree. Why not? Some subjects are academically more rigorous than others, and it's better for universities to publish these lists (and give people a little help) rather than to leave us all floundering about in the big, dark sea of A-level choices.
Jurisprude
I largely agree with the idea of a blacklist. But am slightly peeved at the LSE's putting LAw on there.
Meh, i think they are probably right to stick Law on it. I am more than peeved about ICT being on the list...
Let's face it, advanced basket-weaving and media studies aren't as rigorous an intellectual workout as French, Maths or Chemistry.
Btw, this news is older than my grandmother.
Btw, this news is older than my grandmother.
englishstudent
Let's face it, advanced basket-weaving and media studies aren't as rigorous an intellectual workout as French, Maths or Chemistry.
Btw, this news is older than my grandmother.
Btw, this news is older than my grandmother.
The maths alevel is so piss nower days it must be close to making the list...
Jurisprude
Definitly not! The Law A Level is just as hard/easy as Gov't and Politics etc
In ICT we had to produce a document that broke nearly every printer in school when we had finished (I chopped it up and sent it to every printer at once, it was that big).
Hopping Mad Kangaroo
In ICT we had to produce a document that broke nearly every printer in school when we had finished (I chopped it up and sent it to every printer at once, it was that big).
Quantity isn't necessarily quality, though. Having to do a massive coursework just shows effort, not intellect.
FyreFight
Quantity isn't necessarily quality, though. Having to do a massive coursework just shows effort, not intellect.
True, though ICT is one of the hardest A-levels to get a high grade on, nevertheless.
Hopping Mad Kangaroo
True, though ICT is one of the hardest A-levels to get a high grade on, nevertheless.
This may differ exam board to exam board, though.
I know people that... well, let's just say, I can't believe it's that hard on whichever board my school does it on (I have no idea).
The Macabre Vincent Price...
This may differ exam board to exam board, though.
I know people that... well, let's just say, I can't believe it's that hard on whichever board my school does it on (I have no idea).
I know people that... well, let's just say, I can't believe it's that hard on whichever board my school does it on (I have no idea).
What makes it difficult is that the people marking it are often as nearly as thick as one of the lower grade students who take it, and only give marks for whatever dumb answer shows up on the mark scheme
Jurisprude
In my experience Philosphy AQA is very hard too. They (apparently) still have a system close to if not exaclty like negative marking!
In ICT its postive marking, if u can fit the whole lot into the space. My solution was to go wasted to think up the dumb answers, and write really really small.
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