Plus, theres a chance youll make additional new friends in the subject you choose, too. But whilst school is a social environment, classrooms are for learning! Being in a lower set can affect your grades if, for example, youre put in alower set formaths, and entered for a GCSE paper where the highest grade that can be achieved is a 4-5. GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education and chosen subjects are studied over two years with final exams taking place in Year 11. The same goes for those of you who tend more towards the humanities naturally, more humanities subjects will stand you in good stead for a degree on the arts side of things. To apply to certain university courses, youll need certain A-levels. Average C. Below average D. Clueless 4. You should be able to choose at least one course from each of the following areas: arts (such as music and drama), design and technology; humanities (such as history and geography); and modern foreign languages. A minority of Architecture courses also require Maths. Double award science is made up of two GCSEs which are GCSE science and additional science. Other than music, its up to you what else you study; essay-based subjects are useful, and its often said that musicians make good mathematicians (and vice versa)! However, many law admissions tutors dont look favourably on Law as a GCSE or A-level subject and end up having to reteach it, so contrary to what you might expect, its not necessarily a good subject to have on your CV if youre aiming to do a law degree (it shouldnt harm your chances, but it wont necessarily actively help them). And what GCSEs would be helpful for these A-levels? If your query is about another benefit, select Other from the drop-down menu above. UKRegisteredCompanyNo. I could pass those in my sleep". You can do a fun test here to find out! Physics Universities and colleges only accept 9-4 GCSE pass grades for most courses. A. Maths B. For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk, Application and payment queries can be emailed toema_ni@slc.co.uk. Confirmation email has been re-sent to your email address. Before you make the decision as to which of the non-compulsory options youre going to choose, there are a few things to think about to help you approach this process logically. Examples of soft A-levels include PE and sport, art & design, business studies, accounting and performing arts. Music You can take these non-GCSE subjects if youre especially interested, or if youve been advised to by your teachers. If you ask around, youll find many people wish theyd not taken a certainGCSE, or with theyd had a bash at taking another GCSE. Languages (Classical and Modern) However, if you also did First Certificate qualifications in this area, you would (A) feel more confident about the area of physiotherapy and (B) be able to show any uni your dedication and willingness to learn more. 1. Sign up to our newsletter Report, You may hear your teachers talking about The English Baccalaureate (EBacc). We know, we know. Although being in the same classes as your friends has its advantages, you should bear in mind that everybody is different and everyone has subjects that theyre better at than others. These are known as core GCSE subjects and include: The core science GCSE subjects arebiology, physicsand chemistry. We collect this because sometimes we send information and opportunities that are relevant to a particular region or school/college type. I actually wanted to jot down a remark to be able to thank you for all the superb tactics you are giving out at this site. Hopefully the advice youve found here will help some of your choices become a bit clearer. English Literature Self Belief | Communication | Teamwork | Problem Solving | Self Management. Or is it a fair mix of useful stuff and fun stuff? For example, in order to become a doctor, youll also need to have A-levels and then go on to study medicine at university. This guide to choosing GCSE subjects will give you the most relevant advice for ambitious students like you! Further Mathematics is also essential at some universities, though most will offer catch-up classes if your school doesnt offer it. Biology Mathematics To help make your final decision, talk to your teachers and read the syllabus for each of the courses youre potentially interested in. Now, whilst wejust saidyou shouldpick the subjects you like,itsalso important to strike a balance between soft and hard subjects, so that universities can see how varied your abilities are. You can solve and calculate big equations in comparatively less time than your peers. Whilstitsmore important to considerthiswhenyourechoosing yourA-levelsubjects because hard subjects are compulsoryfor GCSEs anyway,itsgood to have that pathway in mind when selecting your optional courses. When do I have to choose my GCSEs? The Design and Technology umbrella covers a number of individual topics, each of which constitutes a GCSE in its own right. Your teachers are there to help you choose the most appropriate subjects for you. What GCSE subjects are compulsory? A Modern Language at GCSE may be compulsory at your school, though its not officially a compulsory subject. If you do end up regretting GCSEs, its more a case of not winning as much as you wanted than actually losing out. For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by emailgro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk. Before you go, let your teacher or careers advisor know how awesome Success at School is: Sign up to receive careers advice and info about apprenticeships & school leaver jobs. 17. The new literature course will focus on "classic" literature and unseen texts will also be added to the exam. Note that a GCSE in a particular subject isnt always necessary to take that subject on at A-level. Secret State. Nevertheless, the skills youll learn will be invaluable should you wish to take on History in the long-term. Well consider the best A-levels to take for a variety of popular university subjects, and then give some more general advice if youre not sure what it is you want to study. Science. Its also worth thinking about the transferrable skills demonstrated by different subject choices. Sign in as a Young Professional to get automatically enrolled. Government and Politics In some cases, if you really want to study a subject that your school doesnt offer, you may be able to take the subject elsewhere like at college or in another school. Picking hard or facilitating GCSE subjects (like history, geography, foreign languages or the sciences rather than e.g. Statistics, With Chemistry and Mathematics generally seen as essential for the study of Chemistry at undergraduate level, its advisable to have at least one other science and Further Mathematics. for the best of School House. Studies have shown that we often use one side of the brain more than the other, and those considered left-brained tend to be more logical. Some subjects may be restricted, whereas others may not be offered at all. The last concrete evidence of your academic ability comes in the form of your GCSE grades, so they are important. GCSE options have also become more "linear", with more focus on the exams themselves rather than ongoing coursework. Find out more about our wide range of GCSEs and A-levels on our website, or you can give our dedicated team a call on 0121 630 3000. This new course will focus on encouraging students to read a wide variety of high-quality literature and non-fiction texts from a range of genres from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. The new grades, which are being phased in, are numerical and count down from 9to1, with a 9 being roughly equivalent to, if not slightly higher than, a traditional A*. Never forget that theres the opportunity to get good pay in most walks of life if you make the most of what youve got and fortune is on your side. All rights reserved. Therefore, remember, nothing is final, and whilst the GCSEs you choose are important, theyre not your only chance at success. Youll also have to do an exam that involves creating a piece of artwork in timed exam conditions. Plan a timetablethat isnt too overwhelming but realistic to achieve therecommendedstudy hours per course. Although you do get to choose most your GCSE options, there are some subjects that are compulsory. A. Specialised cell B. Hi. Its really tempting to look up the average salaries of a whole bunch of jobs to see what GCSEs could lead you to a job that pays well. Biology/Human Biology Your email address will not be published. GCSEs have long been lauded as too easy, but now you can find out for yourself how tough the questions really are. Tactics for making decisions, Choosing A-level subjects: five points to consider, In year 9, you can selectsome of the subjects you would like to study in years 10 and 11. If youre trying to choose between two subjects, think about how each option fits with your other GCSEs. They're both pretty good and fun GCSEs imo, but it all comes down to what you personally enjoy! Psychology Quiz: What Will I Look Like When I'm Older. We collect this because sometimes we send information and opportunities that are relevant to a particular gender. Whilst people who are right-brained are more creative. Its worth noting that GCSEs are looked at by universities as secondary indications of your knowledge, academic talent and so on. This interesting subject covers earth processes and human interactions with the planet. Business Studies You can check the entry requirements of your local college and sixth form to help you understand exactly what you should be aiming for to continue the next stage of your studies. If you understand why you were placed in a lower set, dont feel like a doors been slammed in your face. If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section. (Not forgetting that useful stuff can be fun too!). Physics What university degree do you think you might want to do? I can't say if this applies to geography, but history has a rather high amount of content to learn so take that into account. An apprenticeship is the perfect option for you, you want to learn and better yourself but are also desperate to get on Its not very common, but students in some education establishments may also get the option to take a BTEC first extended science. useful skills for the workplace while also earning money. Please check your inbox and click the link in the message from Success at School so we know we have the right details. So, if you can, try to start by thinking long-term and then work backwards. You are great with numbers. French or Italian Taking double award science (core + additional) or triple award science (physics, chemistry and biology) at GCSE will help to keep your future options open. However, if you want to see what other young people think, online forum advice can sometimes be even more useful than advice from a friend who knows you well (and might want you to take the same GCSE options as them). Does it look like its got a good general spread of subjects (so not pure science and maths, and not pure artor sport)? Report, If you want a career that involves your interests and you need to take subjects that you have never studied before should you still take those subjects or not? The GCSE provides an opportunity to embark on our career on the subject we like the most. Choosing GCSE options 19 questions to ask yourself. The majority of students will study nine or ten GCSEs, which is a credible number of qualifications for colleges, universities, and employers. Physics We are masters of some subjects and Jack of some. Your email address will not be published. Further Mathematics However, the decisions you make now will set you on a course that can be difficult to change, so its important to make the right subject choices at this early stage. Mathematics and Further Mathematics You are likely to study between 7 and 9 GCSE subjects depending on your school. For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net. Further Maths This will give you the greatest choice when it comes to applying for university. Chemistry Swimming B. Mathematics We don't have access to information about you. Weve marked them as essential below, as they are a requirement for many Classics courses. Such subjects provide useful knowledge for those wishing to go into business or manufacturing, but are largely less relevant to traditional academic subjects that you might be aiming to study at university. Most employers look for 5 GCSEs, grades A to C Although you do get to choose most your GCSE options, there are some subjects that are compulsory. the career ladder. Choosing your GCSE options (or preferences) What are GCSEs and why do I have options (or preferences) A GCSE is a General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). Physics Talk to a range of people to get different views. Its better not to just choose a GCSE option because your friends are taking it. As above, weve included the most well-respected subjects here. Register with Success at School to save your favourite jobs, careers advice and courses, build your CV, record your work experience and talk to employers and unis in our forums. NB: Dont worry if you have no idea what you want to do long-term yet. Click here to viewAtkins apprenticeship opportunities GCSEs are qualifications that school children in the UK study towards when theyre 14 years old or in Year 10. Starting work may seem a long way off, but the subjects you study now can make a real difference to your future. 0 Like If youre considering staying on at school to study A-levels, then you should also think about what subjects youll want to study then, as some schools require you to have taken a subject at GCSE level if you want to study it later at A-level. Make sure its doableandachievable; you dont want to be feelingstressed because you took on too many subjectsor youre having to catch up with missed classes. For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service. You'll have many options in Year 10, but there are some subjects so important that everyone has to take them. Contacts for common benefits are listed below. Mathematics 6. Critical Thinking Media Studies unless youre applying for a degree in media or film studies, of course! The government judges the school's performance on how many students ach Your teachers should be able to comment on whether your proposed GCSE subjects would give you a manageable workload. You can also swap GCSEs if you change your mind early on speak to your teachers, but do consider if youve fully given your chosen subjects a chance. Maths , English, and science are the core subjects, and IT/computing, physical education, and citizenship are the foundations. drama, music, art) Design and technology (e.g. Geology Aquick chat with uswill help to point you in the right direction. Soft subjects aregenerally morehands-on, practical, or vocational, for example, photography, media studies, art and design, drama,and thesocial sciences. Knowing what GCSE subjects to take in Year 9 can be tough. If youre aiming for a top university like Oxford or Bristol, you might find getting in a struggle if youve picked A-levels like these. Choosing your GCSE options (or preferences) What are GCSEs and why do I have options (or preferences) A GCSE is a General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). University of California, Berkeley (ages 15-18), How to Choose Your GCSEs: An Expert Guide to Finding the Right Subject Choices for You, Science (Core Science, Double Science or Triple Science). Geography Tell your teacher or careers advisor about Success at School. With the possible exception of the occasional Oxbridge college, you wont be at a disadvantage for only taking three; indeed, its better to take three and get brilliant results in all three than it is to take on more than you can handle and get worse results because of it. The following are some of the most common non-compulsory subjects, which youll almost certainly be able to choose if you want to, along with a few that arent quite as widely taught. You need to choose at least one core science subject as part of your options but you also have the opportunity to choose all 3. Languages or the sciences rather than ongoing coursework its worth noting that GCSEs are looked at by universities as indications. 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