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A-level options advice

So far I have the definite choice of RS, sociology as an A-level but recently I have been debating between the three subjects history, media studies and politics as a third option.

I have been studying history for GCSEs, I would say i’m decent but I have grown to resent it a little bit which is bringing down my motivation for it.. I would say I am really interested and I really see myself doing it having looked at the A-level topics for history, however I am also worried that if I do pick it as an A-level it will become too difficult to manage as I would then be doing 3 heavy based A-level subjects. The positives however is that it complements my definite 2 options well and would help if I do decide that I want to get into law.

I have never studied politics before because but I have been interested in doing something in law or even International law which is where I think it would tie nicely with my options. However, I have seen that if you are doing politics it must be something you are passionate about doing.. I would not say that I am super passionate about the subject but I am quite interested since it complements my other options I have considered it.

With media studies I had decided to consider it as I feel like I have to since I don’t want to overload myself with so much essay subjects. I’m not saying that it isn’t hard but compared to my two essay based options, media would balance out my A-levels. I wouldn’t say i’m 100% passionate about it though, I feel like if a do decide to take it, it would be a waste of an A-level since it’s not something I would desire to take after A-levels. I also hear that it isn’t really a subject taken seriously to universities so i’m not sure.

If you have any advice please reply as I am in a massive dilemma.
Take whichever you think you’ll ENJOY the most. People take all manner of random combinations and whilst its helpful to have overlapping subjects its not the most important thing, especially if you’ll devote all your time to the subjects you like or dont like (either leave the one you hate due to lack of motivation or have to work harder at it because you dont enjoy it).
Reply 2
I would also like to say that i'm interested in the following careers: International law, criminal lawyer and maybe journalism?
Reply 3
Original post by DerDracologe
Take whichever you think you’ll ENJOY the most. People take all manner of random combinations and whilst its helpful to have overlapping subjects its not the most important thing, especially if you’ll devote all your time to the subjects you like or dont like (either leave the one you hate due to lack of motivation or have to work harder at it because you dont enjoy it).


Thank you, I will definitely take this into account while choosing !!
Original post by f4cultyf4ct
I would also like to say that i'm interested in the following careers: International law, criminal lawyer and maybe journalism?


Law degrees and journalism degrees don't have specific subject requirements. Just check for some unis you're interested in and see if they state any preferences. If not, you could pick anything.

I wouldn't worry about media being seen as a waste. The idea of 'strong' and 'weak' A levels is outdated and most unis couldn't care less. I got told the same thing about art A level and have 3 uni offers so far for economics 😅 (and clearly art has no relation to econ lol). The grade matters much more than the subject.
Reply 5
Original post by pagan-scimitar
Law degrees and journalism degrees don't have specific subject requirements. Just check for some unis you're interested in and see if they state any preferences. If not, you could pick anything.
I wouldn't worry about media being seen as a waste. The idea of 'strong' and 'weak' A levels is outdated and most unis couldn't care less. I got told the same thing about art A level and have 3 uni offers so far for economics 😅 (and clearly art has no relation to econ lol). The grade matters much more than the subject.


Thank you, this definitely has me relieved as I was leaning on more towards media studies as well, i was worried that it would seem out of place in my combinations.
Original post by f4cultyf4ct
I would also like to say that i'm interested in the following careers: International law, criminal lawyer and maybe journalism?

Again the advice is to take 3 subjects you will enjoy studying - Law does not require any specific A level subjects, and you could be taking 3 STEM subjects and still get a place. Most people find an essay based subject like Politics, History, Sociology etc is useful for essay skills, but it is not essential.

Most successful journalists took a conventional undergraduate degree in a very wide range of subjects, and then did a postgrad Journalism course such as - All Degree, Foundation & Short Courses City, University of London . This also allows for all the different career ideas you are likely to have once at Uni, ie. having an undergrad degree 'in journalism' makes your immediate career options very limited, a more general degree like Law, Politics etc would give you thousands of different career options.
Reply 7
Original post by McGinger
Again the advice is to take 3 subjects you will enjoy studying - Law does not require any specific A level subjects, and you could be taking 3 STEM subjects and still get a place. Most people find an essay based subject like Politics, History, Sociology etc is useful for essay skills, but it is not essential.
Most successful journalists took a conventional undergraduate degree in a very wide range of subjects, and then did a postgrad Journalism course such as - All Degree, Foundation & Short Courses City, University of London . This also allows for all the different career ideas you are likely to have once at Uni, ie. having an undergrad degree 'in journalism' makes your immediate career options very limited, a more general degree like Law, Politics etc would give you thousands of different career options.


Thanks for the advice, I’m probably going to go down the law career path as it has been something that has interested me for a while so I will definitely consider the subjects I enjoy the most when making my options.
Reply 8
Original post by f4cultyf4ct
Thanks for the advice, I’m probably going to go down the law career path as it has been something that has interested me for a while so I will definitely consider the subjects I enjoy the most when making my options.

Do A Level law
Original post by f4cultyf4ct
So far I have the definite choice of RS, sociology as an A-level but recently I have been debating between the three subjects history, media studies and politics as a third option.
I have been studying history for GCSEs, I would say i’m decent but I have grown to resent it a little bit which is bringing down my motivation for it.. I would say I am really interested and I really see myself doing it having looked at the A-level topics for history, however I am also worried that if I do pick it as an A-level it will become too difficult to manage as I would then be doing 3 heavy based A-level subjects. The positives however is that it complements my definite 2 options well and would help if I do decide that I want to get into law.
I have never studied politics before because but I have been interested in doing something in law or even International law which is where I think it would tie nicely with my options. However, I have seen that if you are doing politics it must be something you are passionate about doing.. I would not say that I am super passionate about the subject but I am quite interested since it complements my other options I have considered it.
With media studies I had decided to consider it as I feel like I have to since I don’t want to overload myself with so much essay subjects. I’m not saying that it isn’t hard but compared to my two essay based options, media would balance out my A-levels. I wouldn’t say i’m 100% passionate about it though, I feel like if a do decide to take it, it would be a waste of an A-level since it’s not something I would desire to take after A-levels. I also hear that it isn’t really a subject taken seriously to universities so i’m not sure.
If you have any advice please reply as I am in a massive dilemma.

Have a look at the specification for politics, to see what you are likely to be doing. You could choose either history or politics, then swap in the first few weeks if you decide you dont like the one you are doing and want to swap.
I did sociology at both gcse and a-level. I loved it. At a-level it was my easiest subject.

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