Good A Levels for Law?
I'm a Year 11 student picking my A Level options this year with aspirations to go to Oxford / Cambridge.
I have mainly A* / A grades (though I will try get more A*'s than A's but I don't know if I can)
These are my current A Level options:
Law WJEC
English Literature & Language WJEC
Mathematics WJEC
Economics WJEC
We get to drop Welsh Bacc if we do a 4th A Level but I don't if it's worth it.
I have mainly A* / A grades (though I will try get more A*'s than A's but I don't know if I can)
These are my current A Level options:
Law WJEC
English Literature & Language WJEC
Mathematics WJEC
Economics WJEC
We get to drop Welsh Bacc if we do a 4th A Level but I don't if it's worth it.
Scroll to see replies
Reply 1
20
There are no required A level subjects for Law.
Most people find an essay-based subject is useful for skills - Politics, History, Eng Lit etc - but this is not essential. What top Unis want for Law is 3 top grades, so pick the subjects that you will enjoy studying and where you feel confident of high grades.
Don't worry about what 'looks good '. For instance, no Uni wants or prefers applicants who have taken A level Law. And no Uni prefers 4 A levels - all the advice its 'don't do it' - so pick 3 subjects + WB, as this will mean you are far more likely to get 3 top grades in your A level subjects.
Its also worth thinking about what you might do if you change your mind about Law.
For example, Econ and Maths would be a good combination if you eventually consider degree subjects like Economics, Management, International Development etc.
Most people find an essay-based subject is useful for skills - Politics, History, Eng Lit etc - but this is not essential. What top Unis want for Law is 3 top grades, so pick the subjects that you will enjoy studying and where you feel confident of high grades.
Don't worry about what 'looks good '. For instance, no Uni wants or prefers applicants who have taken A level Law. And no Uni prefers 4 A levels - all the advice its 'don't do it' - so pick 3 subjects + WB, as this will mean you are far more likely to get 3 top grades in your A level subjects.
Its also worth thinking about what you might do if you change your mind about Law.
For example, Econ and Maths would be a good combination if you eventually consider degree subjects like Economics, Management, International Development etc.
Reply 2
Original post
by PangrrrI'm a Year 11 student picking my A Level options this year with aspirations to go to Oxford / Cambridge.
I have mainly A* / A grades (though I will try get more A*'s than A's but I don't know if I can)
These are my current A Level options:
Law WJEC
English Literature & Language WJEC
Mathematics WJEC
Economics WJEC
We get to drop Welsh Bacc if we do a 4th A Level but I don't if it's worth it.
I have mainly A* / A grades (though I will try get more A*'s than A's but I don't know if I can)
These are my current A Level options:
Law WJEC
English Literature & Language WJEC
Mathematics WJEC
Economics WJEC
We get to drop Welsh Bacc if we do a 4th A Level but I don't if it's worth it.
You only need three A levels. I would not bother with A level law. It is superficial and adds nothing to what you will study later. Do something that interests you.
Reply 3
Pangrrr
OP
6
Original post
by Stiffy ByngYou only need three A levels. I would not bother with A level law. It is superficial and adds nothing to what you will study later. Do something that interests you.
I want to do A Level law; it seems fun and they also do LNAT preparation there!
Original post
by PangrrrI'm a Year 11 student picking my A Level options this year with aspirations to go to Oxford / Cambridge.
I have mainly A* / A grades (though I will try get more A*'s than A's but I don't know if I can)
These are my current A Level options:
Law WJEC
English Literature & Language WJEC
Mathematics WJEC
Economics WJEC
We get to drop Welsh Bacc if we do a 4th A Level but I don't if it's worth it.
I have mainly A* / A grades (though I will try get more A*'s than A's but I don't know if I can)
These are my current A Level options:
Law WJEC
English Literature & Language WJEC
Mathematics WJEC
Economics WJEC
We get to drop Welsh Bacc if we do a 4th A Level but I don't if it's worth it.
There are no specific subject requirements for law. So pick the subjects that you will enjoy the most and get the best grades in.
Reply 5
20
Original post
by PangrrrI want to do A Level law; it seems fun and they also do LNAT preparation there!
LNAT requires no knowledge of Law.
Reply 6
Pangrrr
OP
6
Original post
by McGingerLNAT requires no knowledge of Law.
Yes, I've seen sample materials. However, they have told us that we will 'practice' for it and prepare.
Reply 7
20
PS. Swansea's upcoming online Taster Lectures includes
Privacy vs. Public Interest: Protecting Celebrities’ Private Lives with the law
Masterclass Series Registration - Swansea University
Privacy vs. Public Interest: Protecting Celebrities’ Private Lives with the law
Masterclass Series Registration - Swansea University
Reply 8
Pangrrr
OP
6
Original post
by McGingerPS. Swansea's upcoming online Taster Lectures includes
Privacy vs. Public Interest: Protecting Celebrities’ Private Lives with the law
Masterclass Series Registration - Swansea University
Privacy vs. Public Interest: Protecting Celebrities’ Private Lives with the law
Masterclass Series Registration - Swansea University
Reply 9
Pangrrr
OP
6
Original post
by McGingerPS. Swansea's upcoming online Taster Lectures includes
Privacy vs. Public Interest: Protecting Celebrities’ Private Lives with the law
Masterclass Series Registration - Swansea University
Privacy vs. Public Interest: Protecting Celebrities’ Private Lives with the law
Masterclass Series Registration - Swansea University
Thanks!
Reply 10
17
Stick with English for sure.
Cambridge also likes History and Modern Languages. They require at least 3 subjects in total. If you don't like those subjects, I'm sure Philosophy, Politics, Classics, Economics would be seen similarly.
Oxford just requires 1 essay subject, which is covered by English, plus at least 2 other subjects.
Cambridge also likes History and Modern Languages. They require at least 3 subjects in total. If you don't like those subjects, I'm sure Philosophy, Politics, Classics, Economics would be seen similarly.
Oxford just requires 1 essay subject, which is covered by English, plus at least 2 other subjects.
Reply 11
Pangrrr
OP
6
I am most likely doing an A Level in Greek so I'm fluent (on top of the other 3)
Reply 12
Original post
by PicniclStick with English for sure.
Cambridge also likes History and Modern Languages. They require at least 3 subjects in total. If you don't like those subjects, I'm sure Philosophy, Politics, Classics, Economics would be seen similarly.
Oxford just requires 1 essay subject, which is covered by English, plus at least 2 other subjects.
Cambridge also likes History and Modern Languages. They require at least 3 subjects in total. If you don't like those subjects, I'm sure Philosophy, Politics, Classics, Economics would be seen similarly.
Oxford just requires 1 essay subject, which is covered by English, plus at least 2 other subjects.
Not all colleges within Cambridge have a preference for history/modern languages/essay-subjects! Doing all STEM, for example, is also perfectly fine. You don't have to do any of the subjects listed above, do what you like best : )
Reply 13
Original post
by PangrrrI'm a Year 11 student picking my A Level options this year with aspirations to go to Oxford / Cambridge.
I have mainly A* / A grades (though I will try get more A*'s than A's but I don't know if I can)
These are my current A Level options:
Law WJEC
English Literature & Language WJEC
Mathematics WJEC
Economics WJEC
We get to drop Welsh Bacc if we do a 4th A Level but I don't if it's worth it.
I have mainly A* / A grades (though I will try get more A*'s than A's but I don't know if I can)
These are my current A Level options:
Law WJEC
English Literature & Language WJEC
Mathematics WJEC
Economics WJEC
We get to drop Welsh Bacc if we do a 4th A Level but I don't if it's worth it.
hii! i’m in year 12 and i started of with criminology, law & english lit & lang but i ended up dropping english lit & lang for sociology. i just found it very boring but it was super easy! i really recommend law but it is a lot of effort and alot of remembering and essay writing though
Reply 14
Original post
by izzybfchii! i’m in year 12 and i started of with criminology, law & english lit & lang but i ended up dropping english lit & lang for sociology. i just found it very boring but it was super easy! i really recommend law but it is a lot of effort and alot of remembering and essay writing though
If OP is reading this, keep in mind that certain colleges at Cambridge do prefer more traditionally academic A levels. Some are completely neutral towards A level law, some have a slight dislike towards it, I felt. One of the tutors at Magdalene college mentioned that applicants who did A level law actually performed worse in interviews in his experience and found it harder to shake pre-existing notions and focus on the questions asked - but of course, no idea if this is simply correlation or causation!
Reply 15
Original post
by nwarIf OP is reading this, keep in mind that certain colleges at Cambridge do prefer more traditionally academic A levels. Some are completely neutral towards A level law, some have a slight dislike towards it, I felt. One of the tutors at Magdalene college mentioned that applicants who did A level law actually performed worse in interviews in his experience and found it harder to shake pre-existing notions and focus on the questions asked - but of course, no idea if this is simply correlation or causation!
yeah i wanted to do law further on but now im thinking of only doing law if i can get a law degree apprenticeship, obviously still going to go university but yeah
Reply 16
Pangrrr
OP
6
Original post
by izzybfchii! i’m in year 12 and i started of with criminology, law & english lit & lang but i ended up dropping english lit & lang for sociology. i just found it very boring but it was super easy! i really recommend law but it is a lot of effort and alot of remembering and essay writing though
Ty for the response! I've always found English literature slightly easy and interesting that's why I'm picking it! As for law, I've spoken to the teachers at the sixth form college I plan to go to and around 60% achieve A* - A! im also participating in the Oxford (I think?) essay competition for law this year
Reply 17
Pangrrr
OP
6
Original post
by nwarIf OP is reading this, keep in mind that certain colleges at Cambridge do prefer more traditionally academic A levels. Some are completely neutral towards A level law, some have a slight dislike towards it, I felt. One of the tutors at Magdalene college mentioned that applicants who did A level law actually performed worse in interviews in his experience and found it harder to shake pre-existing notions and focus on the questions asked - but of course, no idea if this is simply correlation or causation!
hmm that's interesting, maybe they're just too keen to showcase they're knowledge that they're side tracking?
Reply 18
Original post
by Pangrrrhmm that's interesting, maybe they're just too keen to showcase they're knowledge that they're side tracking?
That’s what I was thinking too. When you don’t have any pre-existing notions, you’re forced to think about the question whereas I guess if you’ve studied the A level, you might be spooked by the unfamiliarity? Also, seeing as law is a course that is taught from scratch, maybe they aren’t too keen on teaching people who have picked up a lot of oversimplified information from the A level? Regardless, it sounds quite fun if I’m being honest.
(Also just out of curiosity, what essay competition are you doing? Feel free to ignore this, I’m just being nosy).
(edited 10 months ago)
Reply 19
Original post
by izzybfcyeah i wanted to do law further on but now im thinking of only doing law if i can get a law degree apprenticeship, obviously still going to go university but yeah
One of my friends applied to universities for a different degree (i.e. not law) whilst applying for degree apprenticeships with commercial law firms. Have you considered if there are any particular degrees you want to study? It might be helpful to think about why you want to study law and whether the academic aspect of law sounds like something you’d love to study for the next 3 years : )
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