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I need help for A-level choices please!!!

Hi! I'm a year 11 student currently doing IGCSE's and I need help choosing a-level subjects for the 12 of december. I am one of the 'I don't know what I want to do in the future' people.
I am definitely taking Media Studies as a subject but after that I don't know. I am keen on taking drama as well, in fact I really want to, it's a passion of mine, however my parents said that they weren't sure if having two creative coursework subjects, especially drama, limits my university choices.
I am a french native speaker so I took the french GCSE in yr 10, and I am doing Spanish as a GCSE this year, as well as DT textiles, media studies, and art. --- I didn't do Drama GCSE but have been in many acting opportunities these past two years and the head of Drama said that from what he has seen, I can definitely take it for an A-Level, and other people have also done that.
I really don't know what subjects to take other than media and drama, or whether I should even take two coursework subjects?
Sorry if there isn't enough info in this post but I really need some help.

Reply 1

Well, it may limit your Uni choices to more creative/hums/essay subjects but if that's what your interested in anyway it shouldn't matter. Obvs you could't then do a science, engineering or med degree but by sounds of it you probably wouldn't want to anyways?? I would say do what you love doing is always a good option. And coursewoek should be fine if they are subjects you enjoy. Also for drama there will also be an exam element so not solely coursewoek. And then would suggest maybe, French as you are a native speaker - is the reading and written work also easyish for you? So would that make your third option a slightly easier one with potential for a good grade? I know A level more literature based so depends if that would put you off or not? But would say they go quite well together as a trio. Drama and French more recognised as academics for most Uni's. Some courses and Unis dont like anything with 'studies' in the name for some outdated reason but it really depends on where you apply to so might be worth checking out some of the course entrance requirements and Uni's that you might be interested in for the future, even if you don't know exactly what you want to do. Just so you make sure don't close any doorways at this stage, that you might want to keep open. Best of luck.

Reply 2

What other A level subjects actually interest you?
And do you have any ideas about an eventual career area - however vague?

Just be careful about taking subjects that are very similar - simply because two much overlap means you will just get bored. And be aware that Drama isn't just 'acting', and it will involve hefty textual study of plays as well.

Useful careers website with 100s of job / career profiles - and how you get there - Job profiles | Prospects.ac.uk
Apprenticeship search - Search apprenticeship Find an apprenticeship GOV.UK#

Reply 3

Original post
by McGinger
What other A level subjects actually interest you?
And do you have any ideas about an eventual career area - however vague?
Just be careful about taking subjects that are very similar - simply because two much overlap means you will just get bored. And be aware that Drama isn't just 'acting', and it will involve hefty textual study of plays as well.
Useful careers website with 100s of job / career profiles - and how you get there - Job profiles | Prospects.ac.uk
Apprenticeship search - Search apprenticeship Find an apprenticeship GOV.UK#

I do want a career in something creative, probably media production related, but I'm really not sure other than that. I've always loved acting, and I have enjoyed the Media course immensely. And yes, I talked to my teachers about what exactly is in the drama course, and the essay part is also interesting to me. Politics and english are other courses that interest me, as well as Spanish maybe?
(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 4

Original post
by surfergirls
Well, it may limit your Uni choices to more creative/hums/essay subjects but if that's what your interested in anyway it shouldn't matter. Obvs you could't then do a science, engineering or med degree but by sounds of it you probably wouldn't want to anyways?? I would say do what you love doing is always a good option. And coursewoek should be fine if they are subjects you enjoy. Also for drama there will also be an exam element so not solely coursewoek. And then would suggest maybe, French as you are a native speaker - is the reading and written work also easyish for you? So would that make your third option a slightly easier one with potential for a good grade? I know A level more literature based so depends if that would put you off or not? But would say they go quite well together as a trio. Drama and French more recognised as academics for most Uni's. Some courses and Unis dont like anything with 'studies' in the name for some outdated reason but it really depends on where you apply to so might be worth checking out some of the course entrance requirements and Uni's that you might be interested in for the future, even if you don't know exactly what you want to do. Just so you make sure don't close any doorways at this stage, that you might want to keep open. Best of luck.

Yes, the A-level curriculum would be easy-ish because of my french (I was in a french school for a while) so the literature part doesn't really put me off. Thank you so much, this is a lot of help.

Reply 5

Its worth having a look at the sort-of-subjects that might interest you at degree level to see what the required A level subjects actually are. There are lots of degree subjects that have no specific subject related requirements and will just be 3 grades in any A levels, or just 'an essay based subject' - everything from Anthropology to Sociology, Marketing to Law.

Examples :
Course Index A-Z Bath Spa University - scroll down for courses
Course Search | University of Leeds

Reply 6

Original post
by McGinger
Its worth having a look at the sort-of-subjects that might interest you at degree level to see what the required A level subjects actually are. There are lots of degree subjects that have no specific subject related requirements and will just be 3 grades in any A levels, or just 'an essay based subject' - everything from Anthropology to Sociology, Marketing to Law.
Examples :
Course Index A-Z Bath Spa University - scroll down for courses
Course Search | University of Leeds

I did a lot of research with my parents, and to take Media as a course later, one the best A-levels was business studies. I didn't take business studies at GCSE, do you know if its fine to take it for A-level?

Reply 7

Original post
by théa
Hi! I'm a year 11 student currently doing IGCSE's and I need help choosing a-level subjects for the 12 of december. I am one of the 'I don't know what I want to do in the future' people.
I am definitely taking Media Studies as a subject but after that I don't know. I am keen on taking drama as well, in fact I really want to, it's a passion of mine, however my parents said that they weren't sure if having two creative coursework subjects, especially drama, limits my university choices.
I am a french native speaker so I took the french GCSE in yr 10, and I am doing Spanish as a GCSE this year, as well as DT textiles, media studies, and art. --- I didn't do Drama GCSE but have been in many acting opportunities these past two years and the head of Drama said that from what he has seen, I can definitely take it for an A-Level, and other people have also done that.
I really don't know what subjects to take other than media and drama, or whether I should even take two coursework subjects?
Sorry if there isn't enough info in this post but I really need some help.

You seem really passionate about media and drama so taking those is a great idea! I cant see your options being limited by those choices 🙂
Some unis can take issue with native language a levels, so this will be worth researching if you have a specific uni in mind or you might consider local options
Coursework will have its pros and cons- you need to look at exactly what the coursework involves and see if you think it will suit you as a learner. Typically coursework will fit you better if you have a strong aptitude for the subject rather than just a strong memory but this vary depending on if your coursework is open or closed book or if it’s something like producing a short film even…
A language would work well and is good to have on your cv but if you already speak french as a native speaker this could be a 4th a level or you could just state you are a native speaker when applying for a job in the future. English would be a strong option too for media or drama related careers if those interest you 🙂

Reply 8

Original post
by théa
I did a lot of research with my parents, and to take Media as a course later, one the best A-levels was business studies. I didn't take business studies at GCSE, do you know if its fine to take it for A-level?

You don't need an A level in Business for any Media course - its not 'required' or 'preferred'.
Taking it wont make it any more likely that you will get an offer, or eventually get a job on this area.
That's so cool you're doing 2 creative subjects! and also it's so cool cause they are the same 2/3 subjects I took as well for A-level! Personally id say it depends on how much workload you think you can handle, because if you think you can take on a more written heavy subject such as English literature, then I'd definitely recommend it, but if you'd like something a little less intense then I'd recommend something like Design and technology, its such a good subject and it really helps you with your creativity as well!

Reply 10

Original post
by théa
Hi! I'm a year 11 student currently doing IGCSE's and I need help choosing a-level subjects for the 12 of december. I am one of the 'I don't know what I want to do in the future' people.
I am definitely taking Media Studies as a subject but after that I don't know. I am keen on taking drama as well, in fact I really want to, it's a passion of mine, however my parents said that they weren't sure if having two creative coursework subjects, especially drama, limits my university choices.
I am a french native speaker so I took the french GCSE in yr 10, and I am doing Spanish as a GCSE this year, as well as DT textiles, media studies, and art. --- I didn't do Drama GCSE but have been in many acting opportunities these past two years and the head of Drama said that from what he has seen, I can definitely take it for an A-Level, and other people have also done that.
I really don't know what subjects to take other than media and drama, or whether I should even take two coursework subjects?
Sorry if there isn't enough info in this post but I really need some help.

i did dt textiles and art for gcse, MAN the coursework was heavy towards the end of y11 so gd luck 🙂 . I've heard media studies is a pretty useless alevel, universities don't really respect it and if you want to study it at uni they prefer academic humanities like literature (i don't study it though so i don't really know, i would just recommend checking). Languages will take you far in life, so if you enjoy them, why not do two? I had an aunt who did russian, french and history at alevel, then went on to do russian at cambridge and has a cool job now.

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