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help! i’m in my final GCSE year and i’m deciding my sixth form options

so i need to pick 3 courses for my a-levels. i’m very interested in art and i’m definately going to pick that, but i’m unsure about the other two. i’m thinking maybe history and sociology. i’m wanting to go to uni, and i’m currently looking at the glasgow school of art and edinburgh university. what courses do they look for in combination with art, does anyone know? thank you

Reply 1

Original post
by louisaniles
so i need to pick 3 courses for my a-levels. i’m very interested in art and i’m definately going to pick that, but i’m unsure about the other two. i’m thinking maybe history and sociology. i’m wanting to go to uni, and i’m currently looking at the glasgow school of art and edinburgh university. what courses do they look for in combination with art, does anyone know? thank you
English, History and Art would be 'ideal' and Sociology involves a lot of exam techniques practice.

Reply 2

Original post
by louisaniles
so i need to pick 3 courses for my a-levels. i’m very interested in art and i’m definately going to pick that, but i’m unsure about the other two. i’m thinking maybe history and sociology. i’m wanting to go to uni, and i’m currently looking at the glasgow school of art and edinburgh university. what courses do they look for in combination with art, does anyone know? thank you

There is no certain A-Level you should pick unless you are going into the architectural or product design branches of the Glasgow school of arts. Based on the information which you have given, including your interest for Fine Art, it is advisable for you to pick these subjects for the following reasons:

English Literature (and/or Language) - This will enhance your writing and analytical skills, helping you better explain concepts within your art coursework. This is particularly valuable as written work, alongside your ability to draw in detail, contributes to your final grade for Art A-Level. English also includes a coursework component, alongside two exams, which allows you to delve deeper into critical analysis and creative exploration, complementing the creative demands of Art.

History - This offers similar benefits to English, enabling you to explore past events that continue to shape the present. It provides both a broad understanding of different time periods and an in-depth examination of specific themes, such as society, culture, and politics. Depending on the units chosen by the school, themes like art, film, media, or propaganda may be explored in detail, enhancing your ability to connect historical ideas with your artwork. The course typically includes three exams and a coursework component, allowing you to research and analyse varying interpretations of key historical events or phenomena.

Sociology - This provides a unique opportunity to examine how individuals and groups interact within society, exploring forces that influence behaviour, identity, and social change. It encourages critical analysis of themes such as power, inequality, and cultural diversity which are all concepts often reflected in Art A-Level as well as History or English. Topics like education, crime, and family structures challenge you to think deeply about the dynamics shaping modern society, offering inspiration for your creative work. The course typically involves three exams, equipping you with the analytical and evaluative skills essential for your artwork and your understanding and creating meaningful art.


The subjects clearly complement each other. You would need to check the exam board website and any course information available on your potential sixth form's website. It would be better if you chose all of them. However, if you are only able to choose three, after your own extensive research of the exam board and topics your school select, I believe you should choose A-Levels Art, English, and Sociology because it is unlikely that History will do much review towards the arts.

Reply 3

Original post
by louisaniles
so i need to pick 3 courses for my a-levels. i’m very interested in art and i’m definately going to pick that, but i’m unsure about the other two. i’m thinking maybe history and sociology. i’m wanting to go to uni, and i’m currently looking at the glasgow school of art and edinburgh university. what courses do they look for in combination with art, does anyone know? thank you

Some degree ideas to think about
Undergraduate degree programmes | School of Social and Political Science (Edinburgh)
Arts & Social Sciences MA | University of Dundee, UK
BA Creative and Cultural Industries - full details (2025 entry) | The University of Manchester
Look under 'entry requirements' for the subjects and grades required for each individual course.

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