Hi,I'm doing GCE Double Applied Business and Applied ICT - should get AAA. Assuming I went to a fairly respectable business school (MBS, NBS, Birmingham, Lancaster, Aston etc) and achieved a 2:1 / 1st in a degree containing Economics would the A-Level subjects still put me in a significantly bad position when trying to get a grad role/internship with consulting firms such as the Big 4, PA, Capgemini Accenture, etc?

Those aren't particularly soft A-levels. Easy, yes, but at least they're relevant. Soft A-levels are things that have no practical purpose as a qualficiation, like Modern Languages, Psychology, Sociology, Art, Drama, PE, etc. I always think it's a cop out when you see some Greek guy taking a degree in Greek at an English university. It would be like us going to China and taking a degree in English.So... you'll be fine. In fact, there is something quite appealing about that nice practical set of A-levels you are doing.

I went the other way and did hard subjects such as Maths, Chemistry, even history involved a lot of work. Only IT and GS were easyI will admit that I wasn't an Oxbridge candidate anyway but the initial application to uni's it seems the only thing that matters is the grades not the subjects behind them (except for specific courses)Again when applying to jobs its the quality of your degree that will matter (as well as extra-curricular activities) and IMO in general again any A-level will do as long as you meet the minimum application criteriaThere has been discussions on how more academically rigorous subjects can be rewarded both at A-level and at degree level and I feel something needs to be done as it seems everyone is now encouraged to go to uni rather than just the elite students.As above said your subjects are relevant

Experienced consultant - given you consider modern languages as a 'soft' A-level I assume you are eitheri) A multi-lingual geniusii) Resolute in speaking English as your sole languageiii) Someone who should think before they speak.I'm veering somewhere towards ii) and iii) at the moment.

Well, put it this way. I don't think that being able to speak another language pretty well but not as well as a 'native' is worth dedicating a degree towards. For several reasons:1. Let's say you study Spanish. Well, you're a bit stuffed if you end up working in either Germany, France, USA, Australia, Finland, Norway, Austria, etc. It kinda renders the qualification useless.2. English is the language of international business. It's a bit arrogant to say it, but basically it's the most useful language you can have in this corner of the world. You're better off knowing one language and knowing it extremely well.3. Why would you want to spend 3 years learning how to speak with the vocabulary of a 14 year old foreigner? Sure you might be able to hold a conversation, but unless you're really, really good, people will nonetheless know that they have to talk 'down' to you.4. As useful as it is, being able to speak another language isn't in itself sufficient to help you do the work. You still need the core skills. For which 'hard' subjects such as maths or a business degree are arguably more useful.

@experienced consultant.I'll take your word for it that you are an experienced consultant, and some of what you say is partly true, but your lack of understanding of what is involved in a languages degree is astonishing and undermines the rest of your arguementI think you will find that languages degrees require more than just a vocab test at the end of them, and anyone coming out of a three year course with the only the vocab of "a 14 year old foreigner" will be coming out without a degree to show for it (or if pushed a real sh1t one).Most languages degress require idiomatic mastery of the language (often two combined), a higher understanding of grammer than you probably have in english (just how strong is your future subjuntive?), critical understanding of the literature of the country (ever read Balzac in French or Goethe in German?), and usually an extended stay working in a host country where the language is native.Yes, if you want to do Six Sigma or be a quants guru, it would be better to do a maths degree, but being a successful BusinessChange Manager (for example) is mainly about understanding people and effective communication - so lingo and psychology might just be useful after all.

Oh, and since your thought processes were so anglo-centric...which would you rather have on your project? A first class honours business or maths grad who only speaks German (cos he's German)?Or a German national who has a first class honours degree in English? The first is like Pete Docherty - he MIGHT be a genius, but I'd need to work out what the hell he was saying to really know...The second might need a bit more training, but at least he could communicate with the client and the rest of the team.

"a higher understanding of grammer than you probably have in english (just how strong is your future subjuntive?)"I take it you're a bit of a grammar expert, but not so hot on spelling?

"I take it you're a bit of a grammar expert, but not so hot on spelling?"Christ, if that is the best rebuttal you can come up I very much hope I do not have to work with you in the future. FWIW, I'd be more concerned about the (very) valid points that Mr Cool picked up on. And if you think that someone studying foreign languages for 3 years will come out with the vocabulary equivalent to that of "a 14 year old foreigner", again, cause for concern.

anyhow, after that heated little emotional exchange, i agree with Experienced Consultant's main point in the second post in that the original poster will do fine with those A-levels.

crap typist! Alway have been...80 words a minute with two fingers and almost 70% of them mis-spelled