Choosing A Levels

Chives · 17 Feb 2011 at 21:52

Just had my options form for this, I want to do history, sociology, ICT , British Gov and politics. Thoughts on these? Also it looks like I will not be able to take Ict and British gov and politics together, so which is the best out of the two? Even though my heart is set on the British gov one, I fear the Ict A level will be of far more use when i'm older.

OP UPDATED 5/3/11
Right then, came back from the Sixth Form evening and spoken to my teachers, they all have absolute confidence in me which is nice

My "final" List of subjects is now looking like this.
Sociology
Geography -(Anyone doing this care to share what it is like?)
History - (This is a definite)
British Government & Politics.
Thoughts on this list people? I want as many opinions on this as I can get

Chives · 17 Feb 2011 at 21:54

Yes just introduced this year here in Wales, it's something I have always been highly interested in.

Chives · 17 Feb 2011 at 21:58

[FnG]magnolia;18492394 said:
What's Ict?

Information and communication technologies, basically computers.

mattjd said:
Politics A level is classed as useless if your going into Law at University so if this is one of the options to drop then I would drop this one.

Not doing law at uni, feared it would be the one to drop though.

explicit4u said:
What do you want to do after A-Levels?

University.

Chives · 17 Feb 2011 at 22:07

Mason- said:
ICT is how to use software,
Computing goes into how software is made.

So that's why I chose computing.

And yes Chives okay you want to go to university but what degree?

I'm honestly not sure. I have a gift when it comes to writing speeches, newspaper articles and letters and such. Was thinking of taking English language at A level but my teacher said I wouldn't like it so wrote that one off, Is there any sort of English degree that ties in with the writing that I am very good at? If not then probably a history degree, I love the subject and find it very interesting.

Chives · 17 Feb 2011 at 22:15

Makhaira said:
At the risk of sounding like an utter killjoy, that is not a good basis to select a degree on. You're talking about a £15-20k investment, 3 years of your life, to enable you to open up a specific career path or area that isn't open to you without a degree. If you don't have an aspiration along those lines, and a plan to achieve that aspiration, then this might not be the route for you. Please do not fall in to the trap of feeling that you need to go to uni, that is an absolute lie.

This crossed my mind, I mean there are very few jobs a history degree will unlock. I aspire to be a journalist but I don't think that will ever happen. I have messed up my education far to much.

Chives · 17 Feb 2011 at 22:17

.Lethal said:
Ask the teacher why they believe you wouldn't like it.

Everyone has their own opinion, yours may be different.

She said it was lots of analysing and the like, not writing speeches, letters ect which I am very good at and enjoy.

Chives · 17 Feb 2011 at 22:19

Double post

Chives · 17 Feb 2011 at 22:24

AGD said:
So do english literature instead.

Hated it at gcse, lucky to get a C

Chives · 17 Feb 2011 at 22:31

As a result of this thread I have taken another look at the options form and thought about these 4. History, sociology, geography, British gov and politics. Thoughts?

Chives · 17 Feb 2011 at 22:35

J-FRO said:
History and Geography. Ooooo conflict...................

If you feel most comfortable with them, then go for it.

when's your application deadline?

I do the two of them now and enjoy it. Application deadline is end of march

Chives · 18 Feb 2011 at 13:25

IceBus said:
dreaded focus on historiography

Could you elaborate on this? Not really sure what you mean.

Chives · 18 Feb 2011 at 17:43

IceBus said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historiography

It's basically learning about the way in which history itself is studied, i.e. the theories and approaches that historians apply. To give a politics comparison, it was like us reading Marx, Plato, Realism, Constructivism etc. to give us a background on how the study of politics has evolved.

Wow I really don't fancy that, what a horrible sounding course!

Theophany said:
British Government & Politics is one I did. Encompasses a history of British politics, government and how it works. We also did supranational bodies (i.e. the EU, it's workings etc) the USA (it's workings etc).

Very comprehensive subject and something of a misnomer. Thoroughly enjoyable subject - much more than the garbage they teach at University which has rarely ever felt like more than Philosophy 101.

Really like the sound of this, on my final list of subjects now.

Saetia said:
Just to re-iterate what I've already said, please do sensible subjects such as maths and science. No matter what field you choose to go into you will be using these skills frequently.

If you're interested in computing or economics, A level maths is going to be far more of a help than the actual A level course in that subject will be. When you get to university they will assume no previous knowledge of the subject, but will expect familiarity with mathematics.

I am poor at maths and will be lucky to get a C at GCSE, in addition I am not doing GCSE Sciences. I am however thinking of taking an English Course of some sort, will decide on this after speaking further with my teacher on the matter.

My final list of subject at the moment is :
Sociology
Geography/English Language (Subject to teacher feedback)
History
British Government & Politics
Thoughts please.

Chives · 18 Feb 2011 at 18:11

billysielu said:
I would suggest dropping history or ICT in favour of Economics - assuming your goal is to pursure a political career through studying PPE (which most successful politicians do).
http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/unde...itics_and_economics/philosophy_politic_4.html

My school (Best State school in the city) doesn't have economics as a course.

Chives · 18 Feb 2011 at 20:48

Saetia said:
But you're going to encounter maths throughout your entire life and almost any degree will require some maths for research. Avoiding it now is an easy option but you'll regret it later (In my opinion)

I am terrible at it though.

Chives · 18 Feb 2011 at 21:59

IceBus said:
http://www.mathtutordvd.com/

I honestly can't see how it is the right thing for me to do, I am struggling to get a C at GCSE let alone A level, it is by far my weakest subject.

Chives · 19 Feb 2011 at 11:03

rossiboy001 said:
They all a waist of time and money,get earning.Get earning n look to self employment gain some wealth and skills then get the hell out of this country before you have a family...Good luck

lol.

D.P. said:
I think you will want to add at least 1 of maths, chemistry, biology or physics.

At my school it was obligatory to do Maths + a science

I can't do any sciences due to not doing GCSE Sciences, Maths well.. it's just not happening. I am just so poor that doing it at A Level would be suicide.

Chives · 19 Feb 2011 at 12:49

semi-pro waster said:
Is this the total list of subjects you can do? Excluding those that are impossible due to not taking the precursor at GCSE (such as the sciences*) or is this just a list of the ones you are interested in? Also how many A-Levels do you need/want to do? Apologies if you've already explained it but it isn't totally clear to me from a skim through.

*nb with some subjects it's not the impossibility you may think, I didn't do accountancy at Standard Grade but I was allowed to do a Higher in it. Oddly enough it's my job for the moment but that was never a conscious plan.

They are the ones that I'm interested in, you can do as 1 to 4 A levels, I am going to take 4
Thought the options form may be of interest to you guys to.

Chives · 19 Feb 2011 at 15:35

dowie said:
History and geography are both solid subjects - I guess if you're into politics and think you might study it later at uni then you might as well get a head start now.... perhaps change sociology to a economics?

Only issue with that is I would have to travel to another school, will have to find about the specific arrangement with that.

Chives · 19 Feb 2011 at 21:38

IceBus said:
Sociology is a very good A-level and should introduce you to a lot of the issues you'll face on a politics degree. It's also on the list of recommended Russell Group courses for politics/IR.

Hmm, Cardiff Uni is in the Russell group and within commuting distance. Looks like I'll be headed there in the future..
My decision on the English A-Level will be decided after further discussion with my teacher, also Geography is in question due to my poor attendance in Year 10, my teacher said she will have to consult head of department on the matter. Will update this thread when I know more, cheers for the advice guys very helpful.

Chives · 19 Feb 2011 at 23:03

Moses said:
Why restrict yourself to universities which are within a commutable distance?

I am not, just would be good if I could go there as I could save a lot of money.