A Level Subjects?

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Hi, at the moment I am nearing the end of my first term in Year 11 (GCSEs) in the UK, and my school have decided that we should choose which A Level subjects we wish to take before next Friday. That isn't particulary fun seeing as we are being smothered with tests and revsion at the same time, and we haven't even taken our GCSEs yet, let alone received the results!

The problems I have are that, I don't exactly know where I want to head career wise, which means it's hard to plot out which subjects I should take to get me started. To try and solve this, I've been looking at the requirements for various university courses and have attempted to balance subjects out on my strengths and things I enjoy. Despite this, I am still finding it hard to choose only four subjects, because there are too many I want to take!

Here are a list of the subjects I am considering and the reasons why:

Media Studies - This is one of the subjects I am confident in taking; I am currently studying BTEC Media and I've been pretty successful in it. Also, if anything, I think that I'd enjoy a career in the media industry.

English Language & Literature (Hybrid) - I've always enjoyed writing, and this is another one I'm confident in taking. I think this would help me in any career, as I'm definitely aiming for something based around writing either analytically or creatively.

History - I enjoy History, and I'd like to learn more about the events taught at A Level. Also, it's been one of my most successful subjects this year so far along with English, but I don't know whether I would enjoy another subject more.

Drama - Although I was slightly apprehensive when choosing this for GCSE, I found that I was very successful in the improvisation unit; comedy improvisation in particular. However, as much as I have enjoyed it, and however much people tell me I should take it, I am unsure as to whether it would be of value to me as a qualification in the future. Of course, it may be valuable if I want to head into writing for Tv or stage, which I would probably enjoy.

Physics / Biology / Chemistry - Yes, I am quite the 'nerd'. I enjoy all the sciences most of the time, but I fear I can only pick one, if one at all, within my four subject slots. I have been told that a science may not be of value to me as a qualification in the future, because I seem to be heading for something arty. However, as stupid as it sounds, I feel guilty taking the more arty stuff and leaving science entirely behind me, so I would like to retain some essence of science in there.

Philosophy & Ethics - I've always enjoyed this sort of thing a hell of a lot (hence why I am on this forum) and I enjoyed the taster of the actual subject in much the same way, but, again, I do not know whether I should sacrifice the enjoyment for one of the other subjects that I might find more valuable.

I am not posting here in order to make my final decision, but I would like some feedback if possible from anyone who has made such a decision in the past, anyone who has any good careers advice, or anyone who is passionate about a particular subject or career. Also any opinions or details on universities and their courses are welcomed.

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@bk-thinkaboom,

Hey, I'm in my final year of sixth form just completing my A Level's and applying for University to study Philosophy (have an offer from Reading and a interview with Southampton so far).

Picking subject's which you wish to do at A level is a diffucult proposition. With hindsight I would have made rather different choice's of what I did. At AS Level I did Economics, Government and Politics, Geography and Biology which i have now dropped. Your are too be warned that the science's are a considerable step up from GSCE level and this can be noted that only one third of my orginal Biology class remain. Though if you are a science orintated person I would not let this put you off studying the science's, if your willing to work hard and are a keen student.

It is crucial that you Pick subjects that you are interested in, but will also allow you too proceed to the next step. For example if you wish to do Medicine at University you will need both Chemistry and Biology. Other University departments also look at thing's in much the same way and favour student's with particular subject's.

I would reccomend that you pick one of Drama or media studies and would recomend that you refrain from taking both. The others are all strong core subjects which will be valuable too both yourself (if you have a keen interest in them) and will also be valuable in the future.

Do you have anything that your particularly thinking about doing at University??
Hope that I have been a help too you

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@RDanneskjld,

If you aren't sure, then I reccomend taking a wide range. If you really enjoy philosophy, you must do it, as you will do best if you follow your interests. I would reccomend History, especially if you enjoy it, as its always useful to have a 'serious' subject that you are into as well. But make sure that you find out what you would be doing, as you may be more intrested by some periods of history than others. I woul also reccomend doing english, but you may only want to take one, of which I reccomend lit, as the sylabus does some very good texts. I would avoid the scinces, as they can be alot of hard work, and it is often best not to do just one, as it is not normally a good qaulification otherwise. Do drama or media studies instead.
So History+English Lit+Philosophy+ Drama/Media Studies
some serious but engaging subjects, as well as somthing more 'arty' make for a very good mix. Also it should be really fun:D
I'm taking History+English Lit+ Philosophy+ Geography so I may be biased. I can tell you what we do in them if it would be any help.
Btw with philosophy having clever people to debate with is vital, so if you are put in the 'stupid' class get yourself moved.

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@bk-thinkaboom,

I'm just curious, what exactly is the grading and schooling level schedule like in the U.K.?

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@VideCorSpoon,

VideCorSpoon wrote:

I'm just curious, what exactly is the grading and schooling level schedule like in the U.K.?

the schedule? or just in general?

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@avatar6v7,

In general. In the states, we have levels like middle school, high school, university, graduate, etc. Testing into successive levels here is rare. For example, in order to qualify for college, you have to take the SAT, etc.

But I notice that you use letter classifications, like "A level." Is the letter system utilized in the graduation schedule, or more simply, is the letter system the thing that determines your level and whether or not you can pass on to the next grade?

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@bk-thinkaboom,

11-16 is generally Secondary this accumlates in GSCE exams in the last year which are normally taken in about 10 or 11 subjects. To reach the next non-vocational tier it is normal required that you get 5 A*-C's. After GSCE's your free to leave the education system, though this is being debated. There also plans to scrap GSCE's and replace this with a diploma, which is being introduced to the next batch of GSCE students but is only optional at this time.

16-18 is generally College or Sixth Form. This is generally where your subjects narrow down to about 4 or 5 or you will make a choice to take a more vocational course, though its completly optional at this point. A levels are the most widely undertaken qualification and is generally what people use to apply too University with. There are two years, with exams at the end both (AS and A2), with your AS grade making up 50% of your final A level grade. It also is required to get a succifent grade too carry an AS subject onto to the A2 stage, at my school a D was needed. Different University's will require different grades for example my offer requires I get 300 UCAS Points which equates to either BBB or ABC or AAD.

The system both determines your level and whether or not you can pass on to the next tier of education.

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@RDanneskjld,

Oh and the amount of regulation has become nightmarish thanks to New Labour

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@bk-thinkaboom,

A Level stands for Advanced Level by the way if anyone wanted to know.

Thanks for your input avatar6v7, it has definitely made me reconsider. A minute ago I was pretty sure I was going to take English Lang & Lit, Philosophy & Ethics, Media Studies and Physics. Philosophy & Ethics and Media Studies are now pretty much cemented, and the reason I want to do the Lang & Lit English hybrid is because I enjoy pretty much all aspects of reading and writing, whether it be analytical or creative. What you said about single science qualifications has definitely made me think, and the reason I want to do physics is because I still have a deep interest in this area of science. On the other hand, I also would love to explore history further, especially the Russian revolution and the Cold War, which are both studied on the course, so I really don't know what to do.

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@bk-thinkaboom,

bk-thinkaboom wrote:

A Level stands for Advanced Level by the way if anyone wanted to know.

Thanks for your input avatar6v7, it has definitely made me reconsider. A minute ago I was pretty sure I was going to take English Lang & Lit, Philosophy & Ethics, Media Studies and Physics. Philosophy & Ethics and Media Studies are now pretty much cemented, and the reason I want to do the Lang & Lit English hybrid is because I enjoy pretty much all aspects of reading and writing, whether it be analytical or creative. What you said about single science qualifications has definitely made me think, and the reason I want to do physics is because I still have a deep interest in this area of science. On the other hand, I also would love to explore history further, especially the Russian revolution and the Cold War, which are both studied on the course, so I really don't know what to do.

Well take physics if you want, its still a valuable qualification, but without any other scientific subjects it won't speccifically qualify you for anything. Also in the case of physics you would have to do a lot of maths, so be warned (or pleased for all I know:D) as for reading and writing I feel the same way, and I would probably do english language if I wasn't doing geography.

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@bk-thinkaboom,

Do you get to choose what you take and what you don't? In the states as an undergraduate in college you have to take a certain number of pre-requisites like english literature, intellectual heritage, pre-calculus, etc. There was no choice in taking them, you had too. But as I understand, a long time ago you could do pretty much whatever you wanted to as long as you fufilled your requirements for your degree.

When I did a philosophy degree, I had to do up to calculus II, two foreign languages, and a lot of history classes. Is that the same there? Based on what discipline you choos, do the classes or pre-requisites change.

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@VideCorSpoon,

I don't really know anything about foreign education systems, so this is quite interesting. In answer, at GCSE level (the level I am currently at for 15-16 year olds) there are some obligatory lessons: ICT, Citizenship (which is basically the governments excuse for combatting racism but it lacks any substance or depth and no-one seems to learn anything), Maths, English, R.S. and at least foundation Science. However, at A Level a student may go to any A Level college to study and take any subjects that they teach, although obviously only a certain amount. At my school, where a Sixth Form A Level college is adjoined, most people are expected to take four subjects for the first year of their A Levels (their AS Levels) and then drop a subject and continue three for their second year (their A2 Levels). Despite this, I do not think I would like to drop a subject that could be valuable to me as a qualification after only a year for the sake of a slightly lengthier time for a social life, however nerdy that may sound, hehe.

I think most of that is right anyhow, please someone correct me if that is not so.

At the moment I am pretty sure that I want to do Philosophy & Ethics, Media Studies and English. Now I just want some more feedback for choosing my final subject, which will either be:

Drama,

Physics,

Biology,

Psychology

or

History.

I would particularly like to hear what people have to say about psychology, because, although I am very interested in this sort of thing and I feel it would work along with my other subjects, I have been disuaded by many people telling me that I am too clever to take something like psychology, which seems widely regarded as an easy, last-resort type of subject.

Also I don't mind if anyone wants to recommend a completely different subject that isn't within my considerations if they have a valid argument.

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@bk-thinkaboom,

In your question regarding your question surrounding degree's. I'm taking a Philosophy degree next year at University and having both offer's from Leeds and Reading. In the first year of degree at Reading and Leed's you are required to take the core modules in Philosophy and you are required too take modules from outside the Philosophy department, but your able to pick the modules which you do. This also happens in a lot of other subjects my sister who is doing English, is taking units in Politics.For example I'm considering to take some in maybe Politics or in Psychology. In years 2 and 3 of the degree you can undertake all your modules within the Philosophy department, with there only being two compulsory modules in Year 2 of the course at Reading.

Thinkaboom, If you are interested in Psychology i would reccomend that you take it. Though it is not considered one of the hardest A Levels subject's, it is still a very valued subject too have on your UCAS form. I'm not sure how much University's look at your actual subject's, but rather the results that you gain from them. My current girlfriend is doing psychology and it's not as easy as many people seem to make out that it is. If your worried that will hold you back when applying to University I would tell you that your not too worry at all. The most important thing is that you take subject's that are of interest too you as it makes it much easier too put in the work that way.

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@RDanneskjld,

R.Danneskjöld wrote:

In your question regarding your question surrounding degree's. I'm taking a Philosophy degree next year at University and having both offer's from Leeds and Reading. In the first year of degree at Reading and Leed's you are required to take the core modules in Philosophy and you are required too take modules from outside the Philosophy department, but your able to pick the modules which you do. This also happens in a lot of other subjects my sister who is doing English, is taking units in Politics.For example I'm considering to take some in maybe Politics or in Psychology. In years 2 and 3 of the degree you can undertake all your modules within the Philosophy department, with there only being two compulsory modules in Year 2 of the course at Reading.

Thinkaboom, If you are interested in Psychology i would reccomend that you take it. Though it is not considered one of the hardest A Levels subject's, it is still a very valued subject too have on your UCAS form. I'm not sure how much University's look at your actual subject's, but rather the results that you gain from them. My current girlfriend is doing psychology and it's not as easy as many people seem to make out that it is. If your worried that will hold you back when applying to University I would tell you that your not too worry at all. The most important thing is that you take subject's that are of interest too you as it makes it much easier too put in the work that way.

Thanks a lot! I also have a friend who is unsure about psychology, so I'll pass on what you've said. The reason I am most interested in psychology is because my older sister took it at A Level, and I used enjoy looking at all the revision notes that she stuck around the house. The ones regarding scizophrenia (I am unsure if that is the correct spelling) were particulalry interesting.

A decision I am still unsure of is whether to take History or Physics or not, as I think I would enjoy them and I know I am interested, but I do not know whether other subjects would work better.

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@bk-thinkaboom,

If you are thinking of majoring in Philosophy at some time in the future, and are not interested in the philosophy of science as a specialisation, then history would be an outstanding subject.

First, much of philosophy is taught from the perspective of the history of philosophy, as philosophers and schools generally take into account prior thinking. And, since philosophizing does not exist in a vacuum (even though sometimes it seems to), having a general idea of the events, trends, and personalities of historical periods can help understand its argument.

"History is philosophy teaching by examples." The study of history can provide additional perspectives on a philosophy, as well as provide, in many cases, evidence for accepting one opinion over another by providing real examples or counter-examples.

Moreover, history texts have PICTURES!

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@jgweed,

I wouldn't reccomend doing Philosophy at university, unless you do it in Europe, because in the US and Britian philosophy departments are pretty well dominated by a form of philosophy known as analytical philosophy. In short they believe that Philosophy can only answer the small questions, as opposed to discovering great truths about the universe. Thousands of students apply to do philosophy thinking they are going to have exciting debates on the nature of the cosmos, only to discover they will be discussing some mind numbing minutiae in hideous detail. Many quit. If you like the big phisolophical questions, do Theology, or maybe History.

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@avatar6v7,

Hmm. Very interesting, thanks again for all of this information and these valuable opinions!

I really do not know whether, for my final subject, to take History, Physics or Psychology. It doesn't exactly help that they aren't incredibly similar either, at least not from my perspective. The one thing that puts me off of taking History is that then I would have what I see is four subjects in which the working patterns and basic skills are quite similar; English, Media Stuides, Philosophy & Ethics, and History. I would much prefer to have something a bit more scientific or numeric in there somewhere, because I don't want to feel like I am abandoning science.

The other option seems to be making a choice between Philosophy & Ethics and History. Would anyone suggest that I take History rather than Philosohpy & Ethics?

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@bk-thinkaboom,

No, not I, since philosophy can encompass a lot of what one considers history (or at least history of ideas at a minimum).

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@bk-thinkaboom,

bk-thinkaboom wrote:

The other option seems to be making a choice between Philosophy & Ethics and History. Would anyone suggest that I take History rather than Philosohpy & Ethics?

I wouldnt reccomend that you take History over Philosophy & Ethics. If your a fan of Philosophy now, I think you would enjoy the Philosophy & Ethics course from what I've heard from those who have taken it. I didnt take Philosophy & Ethics at A level and that is a descion I regret. In regards to History I would ask, what modules they do at your sixth form, I got the impression that the A level history course at my sixth form was rather narrow in the range of subjects that where covered in the AS course. Find out from a History teacher what is covered at AS & A level, though I wouldnt let you put this off studying History.

What's the range of subjects that are offered? How comes your reluctant to abandon Science?

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@RDanneskjld,

From a sheet I've picked up detailing some aspects of the History course, it seems to cover The Tudor State; 1485-1603, Votes for Women; c.1880-1918, Russia in Revolution, Civil Rights in the USA, and The Origins and Early Development or the Cold War; 1945-62.

That all sounds interesting, and appeals to me, and that's the biggest problem I face; the fact that most of the subjects appeal to me equally, and I am achieving As, Bs and Distinctions in all of my subjects currently, so there are no obvious ones to drop.

I think I'm reluctant to drop science for a few reasons. Firstly, I enjoy it. It's one of those subjects which highly promotes logical and numeric thinking, as well as attempting to understand and record the way in which the universe and matter functions. I realise it's not all fun and games, and there is a lot of maths involved, but I don't want to head completely into the 'artsy' side of things, and I recall someone stating earlier on in the thread that it is easier to go from something scientific to something involved in arts, so taking physics seems a sensible option seeing as I enjoy it.

Secondly, there seems to be a lack of people willing to take science onto a higher level, and even less to pursue a career in science. I don't think I am going to be pursuing a career in science, but I would feel strangely guilty in not taking a science. This could be because the various 'SCIENCE & MATHS' campaigns have got to me, but I think it is more likely caused by the fact that I have always stressed the requirement of science and its importance in this world in any philosophical debate, and I feel like a hypocrite abandoning it.

Thirdly, I simply want to learn more on the scientific side of things. I have also considered both Chemistry and Biology, however Chemistry doesn't appeal to me as much as the other two, and Biology, despite appealing massively to me, seems to consist mainly of simply learning the names and functions of lots of stuff, for want of a better phrase. Physics, however, appeals to me both because of the way it teaches us to regard matter and energy within the universe, and also because it seems to be a good subject which combines science with alot of logical numeric thinking.

Also, as a point to everyone, something quite strange has occured, and I now have some more days to make my decision. There has been an outbreak of Viral Gastroenteritis (a.k.a. Norovirus), which has caused many staff and student absences. Luckily I remain disease-free, and, like many others, I welcome the free time to get up to date with any tedious peices of work that linger somewhere under the pile sliced tree corpses on my desk. Unfortunately, this also means that I cannot talk to any teachers until the day I actually have to hand the application form in on Tuesday. So yeah, all opinions and suggestions are still welcome.

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