a level combination advice, for wanting to go into law

hi, I just wanted to go onto here to get some advice as I am finding it hard to decide which a levels to do.
- for context, after a levels I would like to do a law degree at a prestigious university, then go on to work at a law firm.
I have definitely decided that I would like to do english literature and economics. however, for the third option I am unsure whether to do maths, or history.
as I am doing econ, I feel like I should maybe do maths as they work well together, and also if I change my mind and want to go into business, an econ degree would need a levels maths with it. the sixth form that I would like to go to is more of a science-maths school so I think that maybe this option would suit the place better.
although, I have heard that history is quite good for law due to the analytical skills necessary and how it is similar to dealing with a case. I am quite good at writing essays, and sort of feel that if I picked the former option, I would not be able to utilise my skills to get higher grades.
I am good at both subjects, and also enjoy both. I’m predicted an 8 in both subjects, which is lower than the other subjects which I do. I am not sure whether I need to get higher to do a level maths without struggling too much. I fear that it could be very hard.
- how hard is it to get a high grade in a level maths, and a level history?
- how different are a level maths and a level history from gcse?
thank you so much for any help/advice. 💗

Hey @a.xx09 I hope you are doing great, thank you for this, I understand totally where you are coming from, it is a sensible dilemma to have and I feel like you are thinking about it in the right way. As a law student myself, I will answer honestly and I hope this will help.
What I will say first of all is USUALLY, there is no required subject combination for Law. They tend to look at strong grades, essay-based ability and evidence of analytical thinking.
Both Maths and History are seen as facilitating subjects and are respected. You will not disadvantage yourself for law by choosing either.
So I would say this decision is about:

I will let you know that I did English Language, English Literature and History. I chose these because they are essay based and do require loads of critical and analytical thinking, which made me a strong applicant. So it does not hurt to want a law specific combination.
Maths vs History
A-Level Maths
I did not do A level Maths myself, but those that did do say that a high grade is achievable with consistency but it is very hard. You know with Maths, it is unforgiving because small mistakes do cost marks. Progress depends more on practice volume than understanding once.
I will say it is quite different from GCSE: Algebra complexity, pace, abstract thinking. Those that thrive in A-level Maths are people who enjoy repetitive practice, don't get emotionally discouraged by mistakes and are happy not using writing skills.
With a predicted 8, you can do it but it will not be easy.
A-Level History
How hard is it to get a high grade?

Rewards:

How different from GCSE?
Essays are:


As someone who did it at A level, I would say those who thrive are people who:

Given what you’ve said about your essay strengths, history would likely allow you to maximise grades.
Law-specific perspective
Top law applicants often have:

History is extremely law aligned:

My honest advice:
If your goal is law and you enjoy essays, you want the highest possible grades and you already have econ as your "numbers" subject then I would say English Literature, Economics and History is the safer and stronger option.
Choose Maths only if:

I hope this was helpful and I wish you all the best in your decision 🙂
Ru
BCU Student rep.

hi, I just wanted to go onto here to get some advice as I am finding it hard to decide which a levels to do.
- for context, after a levels I would like to do a law degree at a prestigious university, then go on to work at a law firm.
I have definitely decided that I would like to do english literature and economics. however, for the third option I am unsure whether to do maths, or history.
as I am doing econ, I feel like I should maybe do maths as they work well together, and also if I change my mind and want to go into business, an econ degree would need a levels maths with it. the sixth form that I would like to go to is more of a science-maths school so I think that maybe this option would suit the place better.
although, I have heard that history is quite good for law due to the analytical skills necessary and how it is similar to dealing with a case. I am quite good at writing essays, and sort of feel that if I picked the former option, I would not be able to utilise my skills to get higher grades.
I am good at both subjects, and also enjoy both. I’m predicted an 8 in both subjects, which is lower than the other subjects which I do. I am not sure whether I need to get higher to do a level maths without struggling too much. I fear that it could be very hard.
- how hard is it to get a high grade in a level maths, and a level history?
- how different are a level maths and a level history from gcse?
thank you so much for any help/advice. 💗

Hey @a.xx09 I hope you are doing great, thank you for this, I understand totally where you are coming from, it is a sensible dilemma to have and I feel like you are thinking about it in the right way. As a law student myself, I will answer honestly and I hope this will help.
What I will say first of all is USUALLY, there is no required subject combination for Law. They tend to look at strong grades, essay-based ability and evidence of analytical thinking.
Both Maths and History are seen as facilitating subjects and are respected. You will not disadvantage yourself for law by choosing either.
So I would say this decision is about:

I will let you know that I did English Language, English Literature and History. I chose these because they are essay based and do require loads of critical and analytical thinking, which made me a strong applicant. So it does not hurt to want a law specific combination.
Maths vs History
A-Level Maths
I did not do A level Maths myself, but those that did do say that a high grade is achievable with consistency but it is very hard. You know with Maths, it is unforgiving because small mistakes do cost marks. Progress depends more on practice volume than understanding once.
I will say it is quite different from GCSE: Algebra complexity, pace, abstract thinking. Those that thrive in A-level Maths are people who enjoy repetitive practice, don't get emotionally discouraged by mistakes and are happy not using writing skills.
With a predicted 8, you can do it but it will not be easy.
A-Level History
How hard is it to get a high grade?

Rewards:

How different from GCSE?
Essays are:


As someone who did it at A level, I would say those who thrive are people who:

Given what you’ve said about your essay strengths, history would likely allow you to maximise grades.
Law-specific perspective
Top law applicants often have:

History is extremely law aligned:

My honest advice:
If your goal is law and you enjoy essays, you want the highest possible grades and you already have econ as your "numbers" subject then I would say English Literature, Economics and History is the safer and stronger option.
Choose Maths only if:

I hope this was helpful and I wish you all the best in your decision 🙂
Ru
BCU Student rep.

Law does not require any specific A level subjects - many applicants find an essay-based subject useful for skills, not this is not essential or 'preferred'. Its more important that you take three subjects that you will enjoy studying and where you feel confident of good grades.
The only other thing to think about it what other Uni subject you would apply to if you went off the idea of Law - ie. Economics and related subjects at competitive subjects will require Maths.

thanks for the help @McGinger, I will have that in mind when I ultimately decided which a levels to do.
also I was wondering if I were to do english lit, maths and econ, would that be too ‘numbery’, not sure how many essay subjects would be ideal?

I do maths, econ, eng lit. A-Level maths in no way benefits A-Level economics, if you get like a 5 or 6 in gcse maths you’ll be fine. However, to do any econ related degree at a top uni you’ll need maths (pure econ requires further maths at top unis but so many different degree options that don’t). Maths is significantly harder than gcse if you don’t consistently revise, I’ve only do pure (of y12) which is the easy part and it’s manageable if you revise. I don’t really find it that hard myself but I’ve seen other people who got the same grade as me at gcse (8) and are struggling.
That doesn’t mean if you do history it’ll be easier. My friend does it and say that there is a lot of content and at times can get boring if you don’t like that topic. Many essays but relatively short amount of time (however you’ll get used to it over time). She actually dropped maths and history and does not regret, she also found it way easier to learn how to write essays for history than English. Keep in mind both English and history have coursework which may be time consuming and a lot of workload. However, as this is A-Level any subject you’ll do will find a way to steal your time regardless.
In terms which one is beneficial to law degree, both are very respected for law so it really wouldn’t matter. Maths would give you access to other courses but doing history will further prepare for the workload you’ll do in law. Just pick the one you enjoy more ngl.