Alevels for social work degree?

(Original post by spyter)
Sociology is not particularly needed for a social work degree, but neither is History or Criminology. An A-Level in Psychology and some evidence of work experience in the industry would be more than enough for universities to accept you.

Sociology would be better if you wish to learn the subject in an institution and if you wish to have a background around social issues.

History would be better if you are not 100% sure about the degree you want to pursue. This is because it will act as a safety net, providing you with one facilitating subject (those being subjects which open more degree options). As History is a highly analytical essay subject, it will allow you to pursue most humanities degrees (such as Law, Journalism, History, Politics and International Relations, etc). Moreover, History would not stop you from pursuing the degree you currently wish to pursue. Also, if you decide you wish to study Sociology at University, you can still do that without having an A Level in it.

As such, the issue is not which subject you best NEED for your degree, but which subject you would enjoy more. I suggest you email the Colleges/Sixth Forms you wish to apply to, and ask what you will specifically study. Neither the colleges nor the teachers will mind answering those questions.

I suggest this because History is a very wide A Level. I studied the Cold War and Britain Change and Transformation 1851-1964 (both which I found very dull). Some of my friends at another college studies the Tudors and Nazi Germany, others did the War of Roses and the French Revolution.

Similarly, Sociology, depending on the exam board differs in teaching. I did the study of Education and Media (as two of our sections). Other students did Crime, Family, Religion or the Workplace.