I study sociology, media, English language and maths: a mix of "soft" and traditional subjects. I find the "soft" subjects are interesting and useful in my daily life – so why do elite universities prefer more traditional A-levels?
The Russell Group publishes a guide called Informed Choices, which lets students know the most common subject requirements for different degree courses at those universities.
It features a list of "facilitating subjects" and advises pupils to pick two of them as part of their A-level mix. The subjects are mathematics and further mathematics, English literature, physics, biology, chemistry, geography, history and languages.
In an advice piece for the Guardian, Louise Banahene, education outreach manager at the University of Leeds, says: "If you study at least two of the facilitating subjects – ones you're interested in and good at – then [your] options are as wide as possible."
Trinity College Cambridge, which teaches a broad range of courses including politics, English, psychology and sociology even has a list of A-levels that they say have "limited suitability", including psychology, sociology, media and English language.
Why is it that so many people still see "soft subjects" as easier than more traditional subjects? Many people think that a C in biology is more worthy than an A* in media, and that if you are a student who chooses subjects from the "soft" list then you're less intelligent than your coursemates doing science of maths.
This view is outdated, and just isn't true. Most people who choose drama or media do so simply because that's where their interests lie.
"Soft" subjects teach unique skills, and might even be viewed as more difficult in some respects – there tends to be more coursework and arts and drama students put in hours in practical work.
When I told one of my friends about the subjects I'm studying they said: "Those subjects sound interesting, but I wouldn't take even one soft subject – top universities always prefer students with science subjects."
But should the subjects you choose at A-level be chosen purely based on where you want to go to university, or is there a case for doing what you enjoy too?
One of the A-levels I take is media studies – it may be seen as a mickey mouse course, but I've found it practical and useful in my every day life.
The only traditional subject I take is maths. The answers you give are either right or wrong, and as a result I find it is more straight-forward in many ways. I spend only half an hour a day out of school on revising maths, but find I need to dedicate four to five hours on my other subjects. They require a lot of dedication, and aren't as simple as people think.
I chose these courses at the beginning of the year not because I am lazy, but because I was curious and passionate about the subjects. It's a shame if I will be held back because of antiquated opinions about these subjects.
Ultimately it's up to universities which subjects they choose to favour. But I wish top universities would be more open to giving students like me a chance. Just because I'm interested in "soft" subjects, it doesn't mean that I'm less intelligent or a lazy student.
