I'm going mad about A Level options and I have a week to go and I don't know what to do!

I have it down to 5 and have to choose 4 so what does everyone think

- Japanese
- French
- Music
- Drama and Theatre Studies
- Maths

I want to do european law at uni (law with french law) and I would ideally like to go to one of the top unis. My ideal would probably be not to take maths but the other four however would unis take it seriously given I would then be doing two creative subjects? I would not be doing music or drama as I would think they would be the easy option as I don't believe they would be easy (if that makes sense) but am too confused

Any advice welcome pleeeeeeeeeeease!

Oh take Maths! It's good! (Honest!) Plus it looks quite good to have because it's a semi-Science subject. Having an art, a language and Maths would be a really nice diverse choice to have on your uni apps.

Is Japanese a GCSE or an AS/A2 level? I know a lot of places offer it at GCSE but I didn't realise places actually offered it as a full A2. If it's a GCSE surely you could get away with doing all your subjects? I know of quite a few people doing 5 subjects, even as full AS/A2s.

It's an AS/A2 in answer to your question! I'm tempted but unsure :S

Ooh makes it harder. :S

Will your college/sixth form allow you to do all 5 options? I realise it would be a heavy workload but it could be an idea to start out doing that and then drop one during the year if it gets too much and you dislike one more than the others? I know it's not the best of situations but if you really can't come to a decision it might be something worth considering.

My college is fairly flexible and people were dropping/switching/picking up subjects for the first half term or so of the year.

Highly unlikely I think but something I may look into it! Does anyone know how universities regard someone who has music and drama (or a similar combination with 2 creative subjects) xoxox

I was wondering that: with how the system works now, it's possible isn't it to do 5 AS levels and then drop one (or two) which would mean by the time you were doing A2 you would have a better idea...

Music is definitely considered an academic option by unis as far as I know... it was one of the ones that I got into uni (Durham) with. I don't know about the drama... try checking it out with a couple of the unis you're interested in and see what their response is.

ps: Durham asked me for 3 Bs or the equivalent points level (it was 24 then! different system... *feels old!*)

They specified that they wanted at least a B in English and in French (I was applying for French & Russian) but didn't specify that the other had to be music - and my 4th subject was art! Which is definitely non-academic. I got offers from all the other unis I saw bar Cambridge, and they gave me an interview, so I don't think that having 2 "artsy" subjects necessarily disqualifies you from a chance at top unis. I know other people with similar combinations who got to Nottingham and other good universities. It probably depends on the course too, but look into it properly before you assume those subjects will be discounted, because you might be surprised

It annoys me when people assume that "creative" subjects should be taken less seriously than others. I did Art, which actually took a lot of "academic" work and a ###### of a lot of motivation and application: in fact, it was the toughest (in terms of workload and expectation) of the 3 subjects I took.

It could be argued that maths is a creative subject, anyway, though this is a different matter...

If it was me I would do Japanese, French, Drama and Maths, keeping music going with orchestras and lessons and stuff. French you'll need for the course, I presume; Japanese is an additional (rare) language that would be of benefit to you when working, perhaps; maths shows analytical/logical ability and drama shows confidence in yourself which would be an asset in a court room situation!

Just my thoughts. Best of luck in your decision.

Do please ask around at the kind of unis you wish to apply to. Some of them can be funny about A Levels, ie I can totally see why you might want to do Maths as a sort of "I'm not just into arts!" - but I remember clearly being told that some places don't actually like you to mix and match arts and sciences and prefer you to be more single minded. So write to the places you'd like to go to and see what they say

I would say do English or a related humanity (history, politics) to do law. Then with your current options, I think French, Maths and Music would look very impressive.

just re-read your original post and have modified my suggestions by saying: do what you feel happiest with. Sounds like it'll be French, Japanese, Music and Drama. Great - and unusual - combination! Go for it. I don't think any law schools anywhere actually specify maths for entry - as long as you've a decent GCSE in it...

benjaminja

Hi, I am currently choosing A-levels and the most bit of helpful piece of advice was: to pick subjects you'll enjoy the most.

I am afraid I can'r offer more advice,as I can't choose my A-levels!

Singer,

do whichever ones you enjoy - in 5 years' time, no-one will care what you did for A Level - only the degree will count, and after that the only important thing will be that you have a degree, not what it is in or where it was from.


Tatman

I've been looking at Uni couses etc - my daughter is choosing her A levels just now.
Law courses most definitely seemed to be asking for A level English. It seemed to be the only A level that everyone asked for!!
If you are serious about studying law maybe think again.

Do not take up law at A level if you wish to take it up at university. Many universities prefer those who haven't done law at all although there are odd exceptions. I am a lawyer and many years ago (it may still hold true today) I was told by many universities that they normally do not take A level law students but as I had done it on my own without going to school which is unusual and also seem to have a knack for it by getting a distinction, they let me in. English, History, Latin, French, German or Maths are the preferable ones. English and History are particularly good!

PS.
I LOVE studying the Law. There were so many funny and unforgettable cases! It's practising it that was a pain - all that drafting stifles creativity and imagination! Luckily for me, I found out about international legal consultancy later which was mind-blowingly creative and such fun!

thanks for all the advice i'm getting there having got in touch with a couple of universities...I know everyone is encouraging english but I was looking at a lot of unis and they really don't seem to mind...which I guess is good for me thanks for all the encouragement and advice and keep it coming! xoxoxxoxoxo

I agree!!!

The careers advisors at my school said that if you wanted to do law at uni, the worst option you could take at A-level was... law!

Keep the Music and French, but be happy only taking Music to A/S
If you are serious about Law, then English, Maths and History are a good combination.

You can always study the Japanese later. By that time Mandarin may be more important for international business Law.

Alternatively, have you thought about doing an International Baccalaureate instead?

They don't seem to mind, but may disregard one of them when it comes to offers... A friend of mine applied to do law with Biology, Maths, Drama and Media Studies. They all offered him AAB, but specified the As had to be in the Bio and Maths.

If it was me I'd drop french. It would be alot more exciting to learn japanese I think. The only thing is Japanese dialect is very different to English, therefore making it difficult to learn. They all sound very good options.

...whereas it is Media Studies that requires you to be the most analytical linguistically and both drama and media that require you to be more articulate - essential qualities for a law student - yet still they are perceived as inferior subjects. Grrr...

Anyway, how's the decision coming along?

Singer, by way of reminder, English at A level is not English "language" as such. It is the critical analysis of English Literature which is similar to the kind of critical thinking that the study of History/Law/Politics will involve. That's why you are pretty much FREE to take ANY subject provided you bear in mind that being chosen by top/good univs - and believe me/Daily Telegraph's educational adviser that there's such a thing as a bad univ - will mean that you choose different types of subjects. Not two that are traditionally regarded as "creative" therefore making music plus media studies an unwise choice. On the other hand, Music plus English lite/History and Maths/Biology may be ideal but you might hate it!

So, how's the decision-making thus far?

That depends... occasionally schools offer English Language at A Level, though more usually it's English Lit.

Mine offered both, along with a combined course comprising of half of each.

I have until monday now and my current thinking is

-French
-Japanese
-Music
-Drama

Maybe if I don't want to do the other subjects I am not so suited to a career in law anyway!? But you never know things coudl still change by Monday!!!!

To be honest, Drama isn't much of a qualification in terms of "kudos", it's seen as a bit of a joke subject unless you're actually going to do drama stuff. Maths would be way better, as it adds variety and shows that you can do well at other things too. However, if you enjoy it, then you may as well take it!