If you dont have a preference, or youre not sure what you want to do long-term, balance the humanities and science subjects to give yourself a broad range of knowledge and skills, as this will keep your options open. For friendly career guidance, we can book you in for a free chat with one of our course advisers. So to be a sports person, you might consider doing PE, however you can be very good at a sport and not do PE. If you can pick subjects that you enjoy and that will provide you skills with a career you want to pursue in the future then that would be ideal. One general piece of advice is: dont take courses that are too similar. 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. Youll still be wanting to get a balance of what youd most enjoy studying for two years and what will be most useful, though. Electronics 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. Its not very common, but students in some education establishments may also get the option to take a BTEC first extended science. Your school might decide that you have the potential to achieve more than five GCSEs. If youve made it this far into this article, you probably now have a better idea of the kind of subjects that capture your interest. You can do a fun test here to find out! Enol online now or call +44 1865 954800 to book your place. Biology The new English literature and English language courses wereintroduced inSeptember 2015. And always run your thoughts past the professionals in this case your teachers! It doesnt matter if youre not sure what type of work you desire, as long as you understand that certain subjects are pathways into certain industries. These includemusic,drama,art anddesign,andmediastudies. We are looking for people who would love to build a career in Operations within the Food Manufacturing Industry, who [], If you are looking for work, you might be asked to complete a work trial (also known as job trial, []. Languages are invariably a good thing to have on your CV employers love them so taking one at GCSE is strongly advised. What GCSE subjects are compulsory? Do universities care about which GCSE options you choose? Better marks?) You wont really appreciate the difference between the old GCSEs and the new ones, as you wont be able to compare the two, but its worth being aware of these changes from the point of view of being unable to rely on past papers, and so that you can mentally prepare yourself for the challenges that lie ahead! What this means is that GCSEs in English, Maths, the Sciences, Geography and History are going to get harder, with less coursework, and the majority of the exams taken right at the very end of the two-year course, rather than module by module. You dont have to make this decision on your own. There are plenty of options for more education further down the road if you feel you made a big mistake with your choices. Which subject do you dislike the most? Weve covered the most common degree courses below. 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. 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. If you cant find the information youre looking for in theCoronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about: If your query is about another topic, select Other from the drop-down menu above. Maths In England, most students will choose the GCSE subjects that they want to study in year 9 when theyre between 13-14 years old. 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. All these factors contribute to how easy this GCSE is, and is one of the best choices for you if you want an easy time during school. This is called choosingyour options, Everyone has to study maths, English and science, usually at GCSE-level, The other subjects you can take will depend on your school. So, whether the GCSEs you pick are popular or not, theywillhave a huge impact on your futureand your friends should have no influence on your decision. As students across the country gear up for their GCSEs, parents and schools prepare for a tougher grading system. I'm not sure what to pick for my GCSE subjects..??? Select the three types of neurons found in the nervous system A. Sensory neuron B. Thanks once more for a lot of things. 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. 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. Some GCSE subjects are chosen for you, as theyre compulsory. Careers advisors are extremely well-trained and prepared to help you with your careers and GCSE-related questions whatever your questions are, they will be able to offer support, resources and information to help you with your choices. History of Art Biology/Human Biology A-levels in Latin and Classical Greek are highly desirable if you want to study classics. If youre asking yourself what jobs pay well, its possible you havent got a set career goal and youre still open to options. 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. 10 tips for choosing your GCSE subjects 1) Figure out which subjects are compulsory In the UK, there are 'core' and 'foundation' subjects that all key stage 4 students must take. You can solve and calculate big equations in comparatively less time than your peers. A third wave of 9-1 graded GCSEs - including psychology, ancient history, business, ICT and media studies - will be taught from September 2017 with exams in 2019. When choosing subjects you enjoy, ask yourself two things: If youre worried about your final list of choices, look at the list and ask yourself: Is my final list of options a balanced one? While you probably wont have any choice in which exam board you use unless youre self-studying the subject in question, its worth looking up which exam board your school uses so you can be sure the kind of assessment youll receive will suit you. However, one size doesnt fit all when it comes to choosing subjects. Mathematics Science subjects such as Physics or Mathematics demonstrate logic and familiarity with scientific principles. Most university degrees ask that you have. Exploring what subjects you may need in future is well worth the effort now. geography, history, RS) Modern foreign languages (e.g. When you apply to university youll have your AS grades, but your complete A-level grades are only a prediction. This will give you the greatest choice when it comes to applying for university. These are the subjects that are most often required by top universities. The rest are subjects that complement the course with transferrable skills or useful background knowledge, and are suggestions based on ideas offered by a selection of university admissions pages. Sometimes you can also choose new subjects, such as law or sociology 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. History Everyone has their favourite teachers but theres no guarantee of who youll get for your GCSEs. Swimming B. If your school doesnt offer A-level music, some universities will accept ABRSM Grade 8 Music Theory instead (note that A-level Music Technology is unlikely to be considered a suitable alternative to A-level Music). Some Architecture courses are more Art-orientated and others are more Maths or Physics-orientated, so bear this in mind when choosing your A-levels if you prefer a particular course or a particular university. We hope our guide to choosing GCSE subjects helped you figure out what courses are right for you. Or is it a fair mix of useful stuff and fun stuff? If you have anything like dyslexia or dyspraxia, make sure the school knows and can accommodate your needs in periodsand GCSE exams. electronics, food and nutrition) Humanities (e.g. Biology If thats enough to make your head spin, why not put your knowledge to the test to see how you would fare under the new system? And what GCSEs would be helpful for these A-levels? 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. But as with any decision, approaching it fully-informed will reassure you that youre making the most sensible choices. When picking your GCSE subjects, you should: Which problem did you find on this page? 0 Like A BTEC first extended science would lead to a Level 2 qualification which is the same as two GCSEs. You'll have many options in Year 10, but there are some subjects so important that everyone has to take them. Maths. From there, most students will choose three or four optional courses based on their personal interests and further education plans. Its a tricky one, because a great teacher can inspire you to do your best in a subject. Geology. However, most students prefer subjects that have a mix of graded coursework and exams, so they can spend longer working on their assignments. This interesting subject covers earth processes and human interactions with the planet. Not only is this GCSE easy, but it can also be really fun, too. Although these are the main compulsory subjects, some schools do make other GCSE subjects compulsory, so you should double check with your school if there are any other subjects that you need to take in addition to the ones above. Choose subjects in which you are predicted to get good GCSE grades chances are youll do well in these subjects at A-level, too, earning you better grades and therefore more university options. Before we end this article, theres one more thing you should be aware of. Choose subjects that you find interesting youll do better at them if youre genuinely curious about them. 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. 9622558 | UKRegisteredLearningProviderNo. With their advice and support you can choose GCSE options which are a good fit for you. 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. 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. Geography Further Mathematics is also essential at some universities, though most will offer catch-up classes if your school doesnt offer it. General studies this is compulsory at a lot of schools and colleges. 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. You would be best suited to going to university. If youre the type of person that performs better under pressure, a subject marked solely under exam conditions would be fine. I feel very much fortunate to have seen your website page and look forward to really more brilliant times reading here. Home > For example: You will not receive a reply. For example, universities often value students who study A-level languages, such as French, but youd needFrenchGCSEfirst that's if the subject is not your first language. 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? drama, music, art) Design and technology (e.g. Business Studies arguably isnt viewed as one of the more serious GCSE subjects, but its nevertheless an interesting introduction to the world of business, and one thats likely to stand you in good stead come the start of your career. 3. Physics To confirm your account please take the following steps. 6. In addition, students have to study three 'foundation subjects . 0 Like 2023 School House Magazine. 1. Britannia House, 29 Station Road, Kettering NN15 7HJ. 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. Some top universities out there consider certain A-level subjects a bit too soft. In a previous article, we talked about how to choose the right A-levels for you. But whilst school is a social environment, classrooms are for learning! Tempting though it may be, dont select a particular subject just because you like the person who teaches it. GCSE Music is an enjoyable subject that develops a range of skills, both practical and analytical. They're both pretty good and fun GCSEs imo, but it all comes down to what you personally enjoy! 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. 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. Your GCSE choices should be based on whats best for your future, rather than the short-term enjoyment of a particular teachers company! Its fine to consider choosing subjects you like at GCSE level. General Studies is a compulsory fifth AS or even A2 subject at many schools, but will not usually count towards university admissions. Just because your friends are taking a certain subject, that doesnt mean that you should take it too. All the best! Sociology, You dont normally need to know any programming in order to take a Computer Science degree, but Mathematics is essential and Further Mathematics desirable. you can choose to continue with or not - such as Art, History or PE 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). Government and Politics The Design and Technology umbrella covers a number of individual topics, each of which constitutes a GCSE in its own right. If you think youre in the wrong set, talk to your teacher to find out what theyd need to see from you (work attitude? The GCSE provides an opportunity to embark on our career on the subject we like the most. Want to explore degree ideas? Common examples include French and Spanish, maths and computer science or politics and international relations. For instance, Biology is very similar to Human Biology. 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? Get FREE skills training when you sign up. 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)! 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. Do you want to work in a practical environment? What do want to do after year 11? 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. Image credits: banner; Romeo and Juliet; Pembroke College; design and technology; Vietnam protest; globe; violin; church; microscope; exam room. Some degree courses allow students to create bespoke programmes incorporating both arts and sciences subjects. 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. Physics, Most universities have no specific entrance requirements for Geography not even A-level Geography! 4. GCSE options have also become more "linear", with more focus on the exams themselves rather than ongoing coursework. Theres no point doing a subject just to impress your favourite teacher, either. What is a neuron? An apprenticeship is the perfect option for you, you want to learn and better yourself but are also desperate to get on the career ladder. Looking for jobs and opportunities near you? These kinds of options offer students a range and depth of knowledge with greater control over their own learning. Study for an apprenticeship. Taking double (or triple) science could work well for you too, but you have to mainly consider subjects you enjoy and subjects youre good at when choosing GCSE options. Look at the topics youll be studying to get a flavour of the course. Whichever GCSE courses you opt for, be it History or Geography, Stonebridge Associated Colleges can help you in your studies. Can this help you decide which subjects to choose? Foreign Language ), which include: Ultimately, of course, the decision should be yours; your instincts should lead you to the choices that are right for you. Your teachers are there to help you. Physics GCSE: Trivia Quiz On Human Skeletal System! 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. Just bear in mind that its very unlikely to count towards your minimum three A-levels required for university admissions. Just For Fun option. How will the GCSE options available to you affect your future? In contrast, hard subjects also known as traditional or facilitating subjects are seen by both universities and employers as very useful subjects to study because they show how hard you can work and also teach skills that will be useful in all kind of further education courses and careers. There are still loads of options left open to you in the future, from apprenticeships to uni courses which allow 4-5 grades as requirements. GCSE Foundation Maths Diagnostic Test! There are lots of GCSE options and most students will be able to choose from some of the following: . If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads. What is your favorite subject? 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. 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. Sign in as a Young Professional to get automatically enrolled. Social studies C. History D. Physics 3. Mathematics 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. 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. You could even pop to the library and take a look at some of the texts and course books youd be expected to study. Sports - Though it is compulsory to do PE in year 10 and 11, students can also choose to take the subject as a GCSE subject. 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