A. Specialised cell B. What GCSE subjects are compulsory? However, one size doesnt fit all when it comes to choosing subjects. Why does this matter? Check your inbox for an email with the subject "Action Required: Please Confirm Your Success at School Account" from the email address team@successatschool.org and click on the confirmation link. 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. Design and Technology Confirmation email has been re-sent to your email address. Hopefully the advice youve found here will help some of your choices become a bit clearer. 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. Knowing what GCSE subjects to take in Year 9 can be tough. In the UK, there are core and foundation subjects that all key stage 4 students must take. 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)! Decisions you make now may limit your choices later so look ahead. GCSE Foundation Maths Diagnostic Test! For example, if you find that you really enjoy languages, then you might consider a career in tourism, or if you find that you love geography, you might want a career that allows you to travel. Doing different GCSEs shouldnt have any effect on your friendships it will just mean you have lots to talk about when youre together at other times. Although, some academically advanced and ambitious students may take eleven or twelve GCSEs at a time. History Optional GCSE subjects vary from school to school. 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. Questions and Answers 1. 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. These includemusic,drama,art anddesign,andmediastudies. Everyone has different abilities, strengths and learning patterns. There are a range of subjects, so what exactly are your options? How will the GCSE options available to you affect your future? For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service. A balance between technical, academic, and practical subjectsdemonstratesthatyoureawell-roundedlearner. 3. Students can take up to five A Levels but you generally choose three A Levels to study for a two-year course. As a general rule, the more qualifications you gain throughout your life, the less important your GCSE options become. Examples of soft A-levels include PE and sport, art & design, business studies, accounting and performing arts. You can think about how you perform well, and if there are any marking formats you find particularly challenging. Taking at least one other science subject would also be useful. Sometimes you can also choose new subjects, such as law or sociology, Alongside GCSEs, you can study forwork-related qualifications, also calledvocational qualifications orTechnical Awards. 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. Youll be studying the subjects you choose for the next two years, and its no fun being stuck with ones you dont really like. I could pass those in my sleep". Statistics University of California, Berkeley (ages 15-18), How to Choose the Right A-levels: a Guide for GCSE Students. 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. Its also worth remembering that exam boards differ. Note that a GCSE in a particular subject isnt always necessary to take that subject on at A-level. 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 This could bedesign andtechnology,foodtechnology, andcomputerscience. before getting you moved up into a higher set. For instance, OCR is reputed to be harder for Maths than AQA or Edexcel. English Literature GCSE Music Just outside of the top 5 on my list of the top 10 easiest GCSEs comes GCSE Music. Its worth looking into A-level subjects you might want to do straightaway, so you can check what the requirements are. Required fields are marked *. Physics In a previous article, we talked about how to choose the right A-levels for you. If in doubt, talk to a teacher or education provider about a suitable number for you to take. Although it can be tempting to choose your subjects based on what teacher you might get, we suggest that you resist. 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. 4. If you can take Further Mathematics, you certainly should; a third science subject will strengthen your skills in related areas. Ideal for the more creative among you, GCSE Art allows you to unleash your imagination in a variety of artistic mediums, including things like painting, drawing, sculpture and photography. If however, like most students in Year 9, you still dont know what career youd like to have, then you may want to consider keeping your options open. 2023 School House Magazine. Some A-levels, like science, may no longer be open to you if you choose a single science at GCSE. For one thing, you could have the opportunity to retake your GCSEs; you can talk to your teacher about that after your GCSE exams. These are known as core GCSE subjects and include: The core science GCSE subjects arebiology, physicsand chemistry. Whats more, if youre not passionate about the subject, chances are, youre not going to follow that path in the future. The aim of this guide is to help you see things more clearly and get a good impression of the possible options, whether you have your heart set on a particular career path or not. 3. Music They wont be in your life forever. If youre asking yourself what jobs pay well, its possible you havent got a set career goal and youre still open to options. You can take these non-GCSE subjects if youre especially interested, or if youve been advised to by your teachers. A BTEC first extended science would lead to a Level 2 qualification which is the same as two GCSEs. If youre not sure how good you are at a subject, you can talk to your teacher and ask for advice. Its worth including this as a factor when choosing your GCSEs. Maths , English, and science are the core subjects, and IT/computing, physical education, and citizenship are the foundations. In practice, the vast majority of applicants will have three or more science subjects, which will put them at an advantage over someone with only two sciences. Another source you might want to take into account when choosing your A-levels is the Russell Groups list of so-called facilitating subjects particularly if youre thinking of applying to a Russell Group university. If you understand why you were placed in a lower set, dont feel like a doors been slammed in your face. Check your inbox for the email and click on the confirmation link and login to Success at School. If theres one thing we know as an online college, its that learning is lifelong! If you enjoy a subject, youre more likely to do your best and perform better in it. https://icould.com/stories/choosing-your-gcse-options/. Studio 2, Chelsea Gate Studios, 115 Harwood Road, London, Sw6 4QL Built by: Series Eight, School House This list will be bad news to you if you were hoping to be able to drop maths! Just because your friends are taking a certain subject, that doesnt mean that you should take it too. Gaining a qualification in a subject that you dont enjoy is no use to you if it means your grades suffer as a result. If youre at the stage where you need to look at your GCSE options then this blog post is for you. GCSEs are assessed by exams taken at the end of the two year course. Design and Technology Messing about on the river might not sound like schoolwork. School House is published twice a year in February and September to provide the UK's most affluent parents with school profiles, educational reports and comment, as well as a regional directory comprising hundreds of schools. If youre taking lots of essay-based subjects, it can be nice to include one choice with a more practical focus, Ask your subject teachers, form tutor, or careers teachersfor advice, Talk to your parents, carers or relatives, Look out for special options assemblies or evenings at school, Read any information or handouts you are given, Speak to a careers adviser for free on the phone or online at the. Choosing your GCSE options (video) Get FREE skills training when you sign up. Typcially, science, technology, finance and business careers pay really well. Universities typically differentiate between subjects that are essential for studying a particular course and subjects that are merely useful. Physics Chemistry 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. Although you do get to choose most your GCSE options, there are some subjects that are compulsory. So to be a sports person, you might consider doing PE, however you can be very good at a sport and not do PE. 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. And know that however impossible it might feel to make this big decision, youre not alone. For some degrees, or careers, their requirements for GCSE and A-level subjects arent too limiting. In some cases, youll need specific A-levels (and therefore the GCSEs you need to be able to do those A-levels) to get on certain university courses (e.g. With some A-levels, while you dont need to do the subject at GCSE, but it would certainly give you a headstart over someone who hadnt done it before; for other A-levels, doing the GCSE is essential. Students have to stay in education or training till they're 18, although training could be an apprenticeship course takenas part of a paid job. These kinds of options offer students a range and depth of knowledge with greater control over their own learning. You can still apply to uni if youre taking BTECs instead of A-levels. 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. Your email address will not be published. Sign up to our newsletter Chemistry What motivates you? What ideas and concepts are you fascinated by? When youre choosing your GCSE options, you may find your school is offering a whole range of non-GCSE subjects like BTEC first certificates in sport, health, business or social care. You'll have many options in Year 10, but there are some subjects so important that everyone has to take them. You should base your decisions on the subject itself rather than the teacher who will be teaching you. In other words, those subjects are considered less likely to push the skills and knowledge of their students. Taking double award science (core + additional) or triple award science (physics, chemistry and biology) at GCSE will help to keep your future options open. Looking for jobs and opportunities near you? GCSE: Trivia Quiz on Human Skeletal System. Image credits: banner; Romeo and Juliet; Pembroke College; design and technology; Vietnam protest; globe; violin; church; microscope; exam room. The last concrete evidence of your academic ability comes in the form of your GCSE grades, so they are important. Common examples include French and Spanish, maths and computer science or politics and international relations. (Tick all that apply), dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk, customerservice.unit@communities-ni.gov.uk, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea, Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland, Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service, contact the relevant government organisation directly, Travel advice (including self-isolation), Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations contact the, Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing. You could even pop to the library and take a look at some of the texts and course books youd be expected to study. Foreign Language History Whats more, learning more about a subject you have natural ability in might be useful when making career choices later down the line. There are plenty of options for more education further down the road if you feel you made a big mistake with your choices. 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. 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. As above, weve included the most well-respected subjects here. Home Economics. Choosing abalance of subjects can help tokeep your options open. Mathematics That inspirational teacher might leave school, after all. 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. 0 Like You build up a portfolio throughout the course, which will be submitted for assessment at the end. 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. Wellington College, Tychay, Ralph andJenny, Great Disclaimer: This is just for fun Finally, good luck you have an exciting time ahead of you and we hope this guide has helped you! Take this quiz to find out what option you are best suited to. 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. And, for many subjects, the distinction between foundation and higher tier papers will be a thing of the past, meaning that all candidates sit the same exam. This guide to choosing GCSE subjects will give you the most relevant advice for ambitious students like you! Essay-based subjects such as English Literature or History demonstrate analytical skills and critical thinking. If you ask around, youll find many people wish theyd not taken a certainGCSE, or with theyd had a bash at taking another GCSE. Youll cover how to set up and grow a business, as well as aspects of business such as finance, manufacturing and marketing. 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. Which subject do you dislike the most? What is your favorite subject? ), which include: Ultimately, of course, the decision should be yours; your instincts should lead you to the choices that are right for you. Further Mathematics, Further Mathematics, while not usually part of offers, is in reality something that most students will struggle without when it comes to studying physics as an undergraduate. The advice often comes from young people who have already chosen their GCSE options and gone on to A-levels or uni, and their advice is often firm but fair the kind of thing a teacher would say, but from a young persons perspective! GCSE History tends to cover the World Wars and other 20th century events, so if your historical interests lie further back in time you may be slightly disappointed by this syllabus. 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. 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. When you apply to university youll have your AS grades, but your complete A-level grades are only a prediction. Physics If youre more of a scientific person, and you think you might end up doing a degree in a scientific subject, more science subjects will better prepare you for this. You can study We collect this because sometimes we send information and opportunities that are relevant to a particular gender. They're both pretty good and fun GCSEs imo, but it all comes down to what you personally enjoy! Environmental Science The new literature course will focus on "classic" literature and unseen texts will also be added to the exam. A Lower Sixth pupil at The Leys School, Edward, has won gold in the first round of the UK Linguistics Olympiad Advanced Paper. However, it'simpossible to know what the future holds so it'simportant to work towardsthe best GCSE results you can achieve. Youll have to wait until A-level to be able to dispense with these subjects if theyre not your cup of tea. Choose subjects that you find interesting youll do better at them if youre genuinely curious about them. Life will take you on many unexpected journeys, but education will only ever propel you forward. It combines elements of performance, composition and listening with the study of the history of music and various different genres of music, from the 17th century to the present day. Geography 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! Call 0800 587 0912 Home > Maths. These are known as core GCSE subjects and include: Maths English Language English Literature Welsh (if you live in Wales) History of Art Physics Youth Friendly Places in the UK Find Jobs Near You, Home Education UK Free Skills and Careers Resources, Build Your Skills with FREE Young Professional Training, Find Local Jobs & Training with #CreateYourFuture, This list of degree subjects and typical A-level requirements, Operations Degree Apprentice with Greencore Bristol #CreateYourFuture, Work Trials For Jobs: What You Need To Know. Government and Politics 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). 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. Math Practice Test, GCSE: Trivia Quiz on Textile Technology! Well, it depends on what career you have in mind. Swimming B. Law This is a useful foundation for the A-level course, though not compulsory. General Studies is a compulsory fifth AS or even A2 subject at many schools, but will not usually count towards university admissions. > What are my GCSE options? You might be looking at some of these subjects and thinking, "No way! Computer Science If you still don't see the email, click on the re-send confirmation email button below. But whilst school is a social environment, classrooms are for learning! 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. The 12 hardest A-Level subjects are Mathematics, Further Mathematics, History, Chemistry, Biology and Physics. If you have anything like dyslexia or dyspraxia, make sure the school knows and can accommodate your needs in periodsand GCSE exams. Required fields are marked *. Some subjects will clash on a school timetable, so you need to check if you can make all the classes for the subjects youve chosen. Therefore, remember, nothing is final, and whilst the GCSEs you choose are important, theyre not your only chance at success. Quiz: Are You A Lion, A Tiger, Or A Bear? (Not forgetting that useful stuff can be fun too!). If you dont like exams, you may prefer some subjects which include coursework, such as art or drama. 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