I want to do a Law degree at Uni but i don't know what subjects to take at A level.?

Question

I've just finished doing my GCSE's - results day is this thursday - and for my A levels i have decided to do history, drama, pschology for definite but as a forth option i don't know whether to take English lit or English lang. Which is the better one to have and which will help me the most in getting in to a university to study law?

Answer 1

I would drop Drama and take History, Psychology, English Language and then either English Lit, Philosophy or Political Science all of which will stand you in good stead for a diverse education and success in law school.  

Answer 2

English Literature, simply because most university websites say they view it better. Don't worry about dropping drama as if you've picked it for definite then you clearly enjoy it. History and Eng Lit are viewed very well and are helpful for applying for Law, I'd assume Psychology offers some variation and Drama involves essay-writing and would be something you'd really enjoy.  

Answer 3

I would do English lang.  Being able to express yourself well is important in all areas - not just law.  English lit will help with that as well - but English lang deals mostly with non fiction works which is more in line with law.

Thanks

Bill

Answer 4

I suggest when picking your choice of A-Level subjects, you play to your strengths as Law degrees (depending on which university you choose) usually demand high A-Level grades. If you go to a 'red brick' university they usually ask for AAA, AAB or ABB. Post 1992 Universities (former polytechnics) ask for BBB or BBC (like Leeds Met, London Met, Manchester Met etc)

Have a look at some university prospectuses. They state the requirement of grades using a UCAS point system, i.e. BBB is 300 (A = 120 points, B = 100, C = 80 ) You can obtain this from the UCAS website.

Good A-Level subjects are English, Business Studies for example. You can take Law at A-Level if you want but this NOT a prerequisite.

I have not heard of any university who want certain A-Level choices. However considering you’re going to study quite an academic subject then try to go for a mixture of academic A-Levels and maybe one 'creative' subject i.e. Music, Art or Drama if you have to at all.

I studied Business Studies, Economics and Law. My friends on the LLB course studied such subjects as Science, Psychology, English Lit or Lang. So you can see a pattern emerging. Your prospective choices of A-Levels sounds encouraging, however I would reconsider drama, as psychology has a tradition of been snubbed by universities as it not considered a 'traditional' A-Level. So loose drama and keep psychology so this can be the one untraditional A-Level. This will keep you in better stead rather then having two snubbed A-Levels, it will make you a stronger candidate. English Literature or English Language are both excellent A-Levels. Choose the one which you think you will get the better grade in (see above).

Good luck

Answer 5

I suggest English Lit will help you exercise your understanding of complex documents better - both are good though. I'd actually suggest dropping drama and taking both language and literature.