Stuck for my A Levels and have to give my options in TOMORROW

Hi my A Level options are due tomorrow so as you can tell I am really panicking. Here's what I'm taking:
Maths
History
Economics
Politics/English/Further Maths

The school requires me to take a 4th A Level but Politics, English and Further Maths all excite me. The course content looks really interesting for all subjects but I've talked to many people and they're all telling me to take different things.

I am hoping to study PPE or History and Politics at University but I've read that Politics isn't necessary for a History and Politics degree. What are your thoughts?

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 1

McGinger

Whatever your school tells you, this isn't your final choice moment
There will be some wriggle room once you get your GCSE results - and even in the first few weeks of term.
So - don't panic too much. Pick your 'best' for the moment, and have a rethink later if you need to do.

How keen are you on Maths? FM is really only needed if you are heading for a STEM degree subject, or for Economics at specific mega-competitive Unis like Bath. If you are more likely to be heading for a degree in History and/or Politics then A level Politics gives you useful knowledge and it would also support themes within A level Econ and History. If you haven't done so already, find out which specific topics within A level History and Politics does your school teach - do these sound interesting / intriguing etc.

Reply 2

Divinebandit

Original post

by lifeisallgoodlol

Hi my A Level options are due tomorrow so as you can tell I am really panicking. Here's what I'm taking:
Maths
History
Economics
Politics/English/Further Maths
The school requires me to take a 4th A Level but Politics, English and Further Maths all excite me. The course content looks really interesting for all subjects but I've talked to many people and they're all telling me to take different things.
I am hoping to study PPE or History and Politics at University but I've read that Politics isn't necessary for a History and Politics degree. What are your thoughts?

It seems like you know already what you want to do. It's not clear that you know this but if you do Further Maths you must do A Level Maths too, I've never seen a person do FM without Maths; then you'll have 4 A Levels with Maths, FM, English and Politics.

Politics and English will allow you to do any courses where essay writing subjects are recommended such as Law, Politics, Philosophy, Economics and International Relations.

Maths and Further Maths will give you the opportunity to study Maths, Computer Science, Economics and Finance at uni amongst other subjects. I really enjoy A Level Maths and it's great you are considering it.

If you have any questions for me, I study A Level Maths, Economics and English Language so if you want to ask how those subjects are like feel free.

Best of luck.

Reply 3

nwar

Study Forum Helper

Original post

by lifeisallgoodlol

Hi my A Level options are due tomorrow so as you can tell I am really panicking. Here's what I'm taking:
Maths
History
Economics
Politics/English/Further Maths
The school requires me to take a 4th A Level but Politics, English and Further Maths all excite me. The course content looks really interesting for all subjects but I've talked to many people and they're all telling me to take different things.
I am hoping to study PPE or History and Politics at University but I've read that Politics isn't necessary for a History and Politics degree. What are your thoughts?

This is definitely not final! It’s common for people to change even within the first few weeks of sixth form, especially with subjects like psychology, economics, politics, further maths, etc. How do you know if you’ll enjoy a subject you’ve never even done before? Even if you’ve done the subject at GCSE, A level is very different and if you don’t enjoy it, that’s okay!

The best way to approach it is to think about what subject you’ll be most excited to see on your timetable. With maths and further maths, half of your life will be maths - are you fine with that? Good luck for GCSEs btw!

Reply 4

YSJstudents

Official Rep

Original post

by lifeisallgoodlol

Hi my A Level options are due tomorrow so as you can tell I am really panicking. Here's what I'm taking:
Maths
History
Economics
Politics/English/Further Maths
The school requires me to take a 4th A Level but Politics, English and Further Maths all excite me. The course content looks really interesting for all subjects but I've talked to many people and they're all telling me to take different things.
I am hoping to study PPE or History and Politics at University but I've read that Politics isn't necessary for a History and Politics degree. What are your thoughts?

Hi @lifeisallgoodlol,

4 A Levels? Damn, definitely looks good for any application and as long as you have good time management, definitely possible.

What I would say about further maths, as already mentioned in the thread, it is typically used for more maths heavy degrees as well as STEM. However, it is very good to bolster your maths A level as a lot of the content learned is also A level maths so it will help you to get a better grade. Especially if you just do it as an AS level (which depending on the exam board, is in some cases just an A level maths in one year).

However, what I would say is that if you are interested in doing PPE or History and Politics, definitely do a politics A level. If you are wanting to hit the top universities they will be more inclined to look at subjects that relate to the course, especially from a personal statement perspective. Not to mention going into the course you will have more of an idea of the content learned as you will have covered some of it already. Especially for a joint honours course, you will get political modules as well as history ones, so best to have both early on already.

As a recommendation as a politics student, I would definitely do A level politics as your 4th choice. A lot of universities vary a lot when it comes to their history modules. So when it comes to subjects like Philosophy and Politics, they typically diverge a lot (while also related) in the content they teach.

If you want to know more from the politics course side of things, do let me know. More than happy to give you an insight.
Koen.

Reply 5

lifeisallgoodlol

Original post

by Divinebandit

It seems like you know already what you want to do. It's not clear that you know this but if you do Further Maths you must do A Level Maths too, I've never seen a person do FM without Maths; then you'll have 4 A Levels with Maths, FM, English and Politics.
Politics and English will allow you to do any courses where essay writing subjects are recommended such as Law, Politics, Philosophy, Economics and International Relations.
Maths and Further Maths will give you the opportunity to study Maths, Computer Science, Economics and Finance at uni amongst other subjects. I really enjoy A Level Maths and it's great you are considering it.
If you have any questions for me, I study A Level Maths, Economics and English Language so if you want to ask how those subjects are like feel free.
Best of luck.

Thank you so much for this. Yes I did know that Further Maths and Maths must be taken together but how are you finding Economics?

Reply 6

lifeisallgoodlol

Original post

by nwar

This is definitely not final! It’s common for people to change even within the first few weeks of sixth form, especially with subjects like psychology, economics, politics, further maths, etc. How do you know if you’ll enjoy a subject you’ve never even done before? Even if you’ve done the subject at GCSE, A level is very different and if you don’t enjoy it, that’s okay!
The best way to approach it is to think about what subject you’ll be most excited to see on your timetable. With maths and further maths, half of your life will be maths - are you fine with that? Good luck for GCSEs btw!

That's a really good point you've raised. Honestly I really do love maths but I think doing so much maths in a week does seem like a lot. I'm also just slightly worried that if I don't take further maths will that hurt my chances of getting a PPE degree?

Reply 7

lifeisallgoodlol

Original post

by YSJstudents

Hi @lifeisallgoodlol,
4 A Levels? Damn, definitely looks good for any application and as long as you have good time management, definitely possible.
What I would say about further maths, as already mentioned in the thread, it is typically used for more maths heavy degrees as well as STEM. However, it is very good to bolster your maths A level as a lot of the content learned is also A level maths so it will help you to get a better grade. Especially if you just do it as an AS level (which depending on the exam board, is in some cases just an A level maths in one year).
However, what I would say is that if you are interested in doing PPE or History and Politics, definitely do a politics A level. If you are wanting to hit the top universities they will be more inclined to look at subjects that relate to the course, especially from a personal statement perspective. Not to mention going into the course you will have more of an idea of the content learned as you will have covered some of it already. Especially for a joint honours course, you will get political modules as well as history ones, so best to have both early on already.
As a recommendation as a politics student, I would definitely do A level politics as your 4th choice. A lot of universities vary a lot when it comes to their history modules. So when it comes to subjects like Philosophy and Politics, they typically diverge a lot (while also related) in the content they teach.
If you want to know more from the politics course side of things, do let me know. More than happy to give you an insight.
Koen.

Okay this is really helpful thank you so much. So do you think that Politics would be more useful than Further Maths for PPE? Because I was kind of worried as I was under the impression that most people who do some kind of economics for uni generally take further maths for a level. I wanted to know how you're finding Politics so far because I know a lot of people like it but I've also heard the other side where it's really difficult (of course I understand that all A Levels are difficult) but I would really love to know how you feel about it!

Reply 8

Divinebandit

Original post

by lifeisallgoodlol

Thank you so much for this. Yes I did know that Further Maths and Maths must be taken together but how are you finding Economics?

Economics is great, it requires that you have a strong ability to write essays with strong analysis and evaluation into economic concepts. It is not as mathematical at A Level as people assume but it does get more mathematical in uni. It is challenging and requires a lot of time and dedication but everything you learn is relevant to everyday life from the functions of money to understanding what a natural monopoly is. It's a challenging subject so it may be a good choice if your brain works in a scientific manner but you're still able to question and critique things. I would highly recommend it.

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