English literature: Studying literature will no longer be compulsory at GCSE level but studying English language will. There are three 'core subjects' that children have to study in KS4, with the vast majority going on to take GCSEs in these subjects. Although every job is different, most companies will expect you to have at least 5 GCSEs including English, Mathsand Sciencefrom levels A to C. In some cases, students leave secondary school with 10 GCSEs or more. If you choose this option, youll may be required to attend a summer school or get your Latin and Greek up to a minimum standard in some other way during the summer preceding the start of your university course. Find the Countries of Europe - No Outlines Minefield. 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. I was just wondering which GCSE subjects i should pursue for the job of maxillofacial surgeon, (I would prefer to become Sign in 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. You always have been. For example I want to become a sports person in the future and it said that you'll need to take IT and achieve an A-C in your GCSE to go further on, however I've not done IT before so what shall I do? Whats more, learning more about a subject you have natural ability in might be useful when making career choices later down the line. (Not forgetting that useful stuff can be fun too!). Psychology When picking your GCSE subjects, you should: Which problem did you find on this page? Chemistry The company contracts with institutions, including the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Yale, for the use of their facilities, and also contracts with tutors from those institutions, but does not operate under the aegis of the University of Oxford or those other institutions. Youll still be wanting to get a balance of what youd most enjoy studying for two years and what will be most useful, though. Theres a shake-up of GCSEs in the offing that you should know about, as its going to affect the qualifications from 2015 onwards. 10053252 | OxbridgeLtd2023, Which GCSEs should you take? Plan a timetablethat isnt too overwhelming but realistic to achieve therecommendedstudy hours per course. It is an academic qualification and is the main qualification that you as a young person will undertake in key stage 4 (usually year 10 and year 11 of your school career). To confirm your account please take the following steps. The last concrete evidence of your academic ability comes in the form of your GCSE grades, so they are important. Your GCSE choices should be based on whats best for your future, rather than the short-term enjoyment of a particular teachers company! If you ask around, youll find many people wish theyd not taken a certainGCSE, or with theyd had a bash at taking another GCSE. > What are my GCSE options? Sociology GCSE: Trivia Quiz on Human Skeletal System. These are the subjects that are most often required by top universities. Geography These kinds of options offer students a range and depth of knowledge with greater control over their own learning. From there, most students will choose three or four optional courses based on their personal interests and further education plans. But if youre aiming for an academic subject at a Russell Group university or a non-Russell Group university with a similar position in the league tables youll need to take at least two subjects from the list above to give yourself a good chance of getting in. Geography is quite a wide-ranging subject and can focus on aspects to do with people (populations, demographics and so on) or on Earth processes. 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. 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. Triple award science is made up of three GCSEs, and students get separate GCSEs in biology, chemistry and physics at the end of their two-year study. 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. Some GCSE subjects are chosen for you, as theyre compulsory. Finally, good luck you have an exciting time ahead of you and we hope this guide has helped you! Complete them your own pace and get a certificate for your CV! However, most students prefer subjects that have a mix of graded coursework and exams, so they can spend longer working on their assignments. Note that even though Geography A-level isnt usually a requirement, in practice most applicants will have it, and if nothing else, studying it at A-level will at least help you make sure its what you want to study at university. Can this help you decide which subjects to choose? Most universities need you to have English and maths GCSEs which is handy, because youll be studying them as core GCSE subjects anyway. Your parents can also help they may not understand clever new point systems and things that werent around in their day, but they should have your best interests at heart. A. Maths B. You can ask them if theres an oral test or if theres laboratory or fieldwork involved, and you can also ask them what percentage of marks is given for coursework. All you need to do is get in touch with Course Executives on 0121 392 8288 or enrol online. 0 Like Whats more, if youre not passionate about the subject, chances are, youre not going to follow that path in the future. Youll be studying the subjects you choose for the next two years, and its no fun being stuck with ones you dont really like. Looking for jobs and opportunities near you? Plus, theres a chance youll make additional new friends in the subject you choose, too. 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. My long internet look up has now been rewarded with useful concept to talk about with my friends and classmates. Check your inbox for the email and click on the confirmation link and login to Success at School. Economics Biology The GCSE provides an opportunity to embark on our career on the subject we like the most. Mathematics, While there are usually no set requirements for studying Philosophy at university, a mix of arts and science subjects will prove useful an arts-based subject will give you essay-writing skills, while science subjects help develop your logic and reason. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Oxford Royale Academy is a part of Oxford Programs Limited, a company registered in England as company number 6045196, registered office at 264 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7DY. But a lot of the time, these are not life-changing regrets theyre more wishes that the two-year experience of taking GCSEs had been even more useful, or even more enjoyable. Psychology is the study of human behaviour, with a bit of biology mixed in (for example, gaining an overview of how the brain works and the effect that certain chemicals in the brain can have on behaviour). Although, some academically advanced and ambitious students may take eleven or twelve GCSEs at a time. Hopefully, after reading this post, youll have a better idea of what GCSE options are available to you. What motivates you? Quiz: What Will I Look Like When I'm Older. Weve put together this guide to help you choose GCSE subjects that will help you in your future career. Mathematics What options do I have after taking my GCSE exams? Most further education courses and jobs require you to have grades between 9 and 4 (or A* and C, if youre used to the old grading system) in a minimum of five subjects. BTECs are more vocational qualifications which are geared towards teaching you skills and getting you a job rather than pushing you in an academic direction. In addition, students have to study three 'foundation subjects . Chemistry Edward, The Laura Whitwood, Head of Junior School at St Dunstans College, says we should use World Book Day to inspire a lifelong love of reading. Our natural waterways are a magical educational resource for some lucky students, says Alice Smellie 17. If this is the case, youll want to have the best GCSE qualifications you can getin subjects that are most relevant to what you want to do. We collect this because sometimes we send information and opportunities that are relevant to a particular region or school/college type. As a minimum, students will usually choose four AS-level subjects, one of which will be dropped at A2. The style of the exams is changing, with harder, essay-style questions replacing many of the simpler questions on current papers. Check that the email isn't in your junk/spam folder. English Literature University of California, Berkeley (ages 15-18), How to Choose the Right A-levels: a Guide for GCSE Students. General studies this is compulsory at a lot of schools and colleges. Just For Fun option. Students can only be take exam resits in English and maths. Human Biology Or does a subject provide a welcome change? If youve got your heart set on something like Music, Drama or Art, those subjects are more likely to form part of your A-level choices, even at top universities. Please let us know if you agree to these cookies. The best thing would be to read our Sport and Fitness career zone and speak to your careers advisor, who will be able to give you some more direct advice. If you want to focus on Human Biology in your degree but your school doesnt offer Human Biology A-level, you shouldnt be at any disadvantage. Youll cover how to set up and grow a business, as well as aspects of business such as finance, manufacturing and marketing. Government and Politics However, not all schools offer these subjects at A-level, and many universities also offer ab initio courses for those who havent studied the classical languages before. If in doubt, talk to a teacher or education provider about a suitable number for you to take. Summer School 2023 is filling up fast. Mathematics From 2017, maths, English literature and English language have been graded 9 to 1 instead of A*-G: These gradeswere extended to other subjectsin 2018 and 2019. you can choose to continue with or not - such as Art, History or PE Questions and Answers 1. You can still apply to uni if youre taking BTECs instead of A-levels. If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads. Quality is more important than quantity, so choose a number that youre confident you can manage to juggle. However, its good to know your options so you can get a feel for the kind of work you might be interested in. Why does this matter? You always loved maths. A minority of Architecture courses also require Maths. Starting work may seem a long way off, but the subjects you study now can make a real difference to your future. After choosing their GCSE options and completing their qualifications, school students are then able to decide whether they want to leave school education or continue studying towards A-level qualifications. an apprenticeship in pretty much any subject so you'll be spoilt for choice! When it comes to finding a job, most employers will look at your GCSE qualifications to see if the subjects that you studied are relevant to the type of work that they do. Home Articles & News Choosing GCSE options 19 questions to ask yourself. On top of that, dont let your parents tell you what courses to study either. On the other hand, you can start some subjects from scratch, at both A-level and university. To help make your final decision, talk to your teachers and read the syllabus for each of the courses youre potentially interested in. It is made up of five academic subjects: English, maths, history or geography, the sciences and a language. Trivia Quiz. You might have never considered working in accounting, marketing, or recruitment before, simply because you never knew what they involved. Everyone has their favourite teachers but theres no guarantee of who youll get for your GCSEs. The idea of GCSEs is to give you a broad general knowledge, from which you can then become increasingly specialised through A-levels and then your undergraduate degree (or, more specialised still, a Masters or PhD beyond that). What kind of student are you? Required fields are marked *. We're currently advertising apprenticeships at every level - from advanced and higher right up to degree and even master's, which gives you a postgraduate qualification as part of your apprenticeship. If you think you might struggle to achieve these higher pass grades, ask for support from teachers in choosing a set of GCSE options that will help you focus on your strengths and what you most enjoy. With their advice and support you can choose GCSE options which are a good fit for you. The possible downside is that it will involve field trips, so if youre not one for donning a waterproof and wellies and getting out into the countryside, it might not be the right subject for you! Some students choose to take on additional AS or full A-level subjects, giving them a total of four or five A-levels with which to apply to university. Your email address will not be published. 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 start of your career may seem a long way off and therefore not particularly relevant right now, but such considerations should have a bearing on your GCSE choices because you need the right foundation on which to build relevant skills and experience. Physics You can choose to take more than the average amount, though this is down to you, your preferences and academic ability. Sign in as a Young Professional to get automatically enrolled. These changes have more or less been phased in now (2020),and for a timeline of the changes, you can check out the information provided on the AQA website. Examples of soft A-levels include PE and sport, art & design, business studies, accounting and performing arts. 9. Thats not to mention the fact that that teacher might leave and be replaced by one you dont like so much. If you pick a range of subjects across these fields, youll have more than enough to show your capabilities in different areas. You'll usually need at least five GCSEs (or equivalent Level 2 qualifications) at grade 4/C or above, including Maths, English Language and Science. If youre not sure how good you are at a subject, you can talk to your teacher and ask for advice. 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). English and Maths are the subjects most often required for courses and careers.. Therefore in the subject lists that follow, those in bold are generally deemed essential for studying the subject, while those in italics are often seen as useful but not necessarily required. Biology business studies, home economics, ICT or media studies) could place you in a better position to go on to pick A-level subjects that universities place a lot of value in. Thismeans students taking GCSEs in England will receive a mixture of number and letter grades when they receive their results, until the system is fully adopted. I could pass those in my sleep". Some degree courses allow students to create bespoke programmes incorporating both arts and sciences subjects. Although it may seem like a long way away, you might want to consider what qualifications youll need to get into university (if thats your plan) because the subjects you take at GCSE level could have an impact. A Modern Language at GCSE may be compulsory at your school, though its not officially a compulsory subject. Its worth being clear its not an exhaustive list of hard subjects, but instead its the case that picking options from this list will keep your options open. English Language and Literature You might be looking at some of these subjects and thinking, "No way! 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. Forgot password or resend verification email. Teachers at your school are really well-placed to offer you advice and support; do talk to your teachers if you have any questions about your GCSEs and how it all works. Science. Mathematics 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. We are masters of some subjects and Jack of some. Its worth looking into A-level subjects you might want to do straightaway, so you can check what the requirements are. Developed by Bidvine, this GCSE test is based on previous papers from exam boards AQA and Edexcel, which 15 and 16-year-olds sit every year in maths, English, history and science. The Student Room forum features lots of online advice threads on which GCSE options to pick. People in work reflect on making their GCSE choices and how they shaped their future pathways. Sometimes, studying a range of different subjects can be a good way for you to decide what sort of career youd like when you leave school. As above, weve included the most well-respected subjects here. But as with any decision, approaching it fully-informed will reassure you that youre making the most sensible choices. Biology For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service. Take a look at the articles below if you needmore help. Chemistry for the best of School House. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. 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. When you choose your subjects, youre shaping the beginning of your education, but also the direction of your life. Your teachers appreciate your performance in the subject. UKRegisteredCompanyNo. It is an academic qualification and is the main qualification that you as a young person will undertake in key stage 4 (usually year 10 and year 11 of your school career). Requirements are potentially interested in on whats best for your GCSEs let your parents tell you what courses study! Some of these subjects and Jack of some subjects and thinking, & quot ; no!... Smellie 17 syllabus for each of the simpler questions on current papers the GCSE provides an opportunity embark. Bespoke programmes incorporating both arts and sciences subjects contact DfI Roads spoilt for choice by one what gcse options should i take quiz dont like much. 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