Choosing GCSE Subjects or Other Courses

 

Moving into years 11 and12

Important decisions have to be made by the end of Year 10 at school which will influence what you may do in the future. You are probably starting to think about the route you hope to follow after you complete your GCSEs. There are subjects you must study, which are designed to provide a broad and balanced curriculum and there are also some subject choices that you can make for yourself.

Curriculum

The curriculum in Northern Ireland is made up of Religious Education and eight Areas of Learning:–

- Language and Literacy

- Mathematics and Numeracy

- Modern Languages

- The Arts

- Environment and Society

- Science and Technology

- Learning for Life and Work

- Physical Education 

The eight Areas of Learning are made up of groups of subjects covering broad portions of the curriculum.You will follow subjects selected from each Area of Learning during your compulsory school years. While there is no actual requirement to study English, mathematics and science it is almost certain that schools will meet requirements of learning areas by compulsory study of (at least) English language and maths. All pupils should do PE as it is one of the compulsory Areas of Learning for Key Stage 4.


Be careful about selecting the most appropriate science course. There are three possibilities:–

• single award balanced science

• double award balanced science

• all three of physics, chemistry and biology.

If you are considering following a science pathway then you will need at least double award science. By taking a single award GCSE in science, you may not be able to follow the path you want.

Double Award GCSEs are available in some schools. These are vocationally related qualifications. A Double Award GCSE is equal to two GCSEs grades A* - G. These are available in Leisure and Tourism, Manufacturing, Applied Art and Design, Applied ICT, Applied Science, Engineering and Health and Social Care.

A small number of schools are offering other GCSEs with a work focus. These courses are being offered only by the local examinations body, CCEA (see contact details at the end of this leaflet). The courses are as follows: - GCSE Hospitality, GCSE Journalism, GCSE Learning for Life and Work, GCSE Construction and GCSE Financial Services. 

Another new course by CCEA is called Occupational Studies. There are 14 work areas represented in the suite of courses. They are offered jointly by schools with their local college of further and higher education. Examples include Construction, Engineering, Design, Digital Technology and Hospitality. Young people are awarded a result for what they actually produce and not through an examination. If you enjoy practically based courses then these are for you.

Making Choices

When you have included all the compulsory subjects there will be room for other choices within the timetable. Before you choose you should:–

• make sure that you have accurate and up-to-date information

• talk to those who can give you good reliable advice e.g. Careers Teacher/Adviser

• discuss the options with your parents and teachers

• take time to visit the careers library.

Your school may have a computer with a careers database which lists further and higher education courses. It may be useful to check this. Your form teacher who knows you well will be able to discuss your strengths and aptitudes with you.


There are a number of factors to be considered when making subject choices, some decisions are more important than others.

• Choose subjects which you need

For example choosing which science at GCSE means deciding between three different options (see above). If the right choice of subjects is not made at this stage, it may be difficult to put things right later on when specific subjects will become necessary. See 'How Do I Choose my Subjects for A/AS Levels and GCEs in Applied Subjects' in this series.

• Choose subjects you like and are good at

Nearly everyone performs better when they are doing something they enjoy and are good at. You should take this into account, but always keep in mind your preferred course or career when you leave school.

• Interests and Aptitude

You may already know what you hope to do after completing your GCSEs. Whilst it may be too early to make final career decisions you may have an idea of the broad area which interests you e.g. clerical, active, social, practical, scientific or artistic. Some subjects will be more relevant to each area.

• Routes after 16

Even at this early stage it is helpful to have thought about the options available after your GCSEs. You may decide to remain in education either in school or in a college of further and higher education.

Some schools offer mainly GCE Advanced/Advanced Subsidiary (A/AS) courses while others offer a mixture of A/AS and GCEs in Applied Subjects.

Colleges of further and higher education offer a much broader range of vocational or work-related courses including those which lead to National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and many others.

GCE Advanced/Advanced Subsidiary (A/AS) levels and GCEs in Applied Subjects.

Many young people, after the age of sixteen, choose to follow GCE A/AS levels or in what are often described as academic subjects or GCEs in what are now referred to as Applied Subjects or a mixture of these.The Applied Subjects are said to be more work related and relate to certain occupational sectors.

You may select a number of subjects to study to AS Level in year one of a two-year programme. At the end of year one you may drop one or two subjects and carry on the remainder to A-Level and/or GCE in Applied Subjects level. In addition, many of you will also add to your qualifications by taking up to three Key Skills (Communication, Application of Number and ICT).

The subjects you do well in at GCSE or other courses will influence your choice of advanced study. While it is possible to undertake new subjects, in some instances it may be difficult to cope with the advanced study in a particular subject or area if you have not studied the subject for GCSE eg. languages and sciences.  

When choosing your GCSEs think about the A levels you might want to study.

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)

NVQs are usually taken by young people in the workplace although some NVQs such as hospitality and catering may be obtained in colleges of further and higher education.

Get a job

Going directly into employment at age 16 is possible but only a small number do so.

Join a Training Scheme

The Department for Employment and Learning’s training programme offers training and qualifications, which prepare people for full-time employment.

Further Information

Department of Education, Rathgael House, Balloo Road, Bangor, Co Down BT19 7PR Tel: 028 9127 9279 Website: www.deni.gov.uk

Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), Clarendon Dock, 29 Clarendon Road, Belfast BT1 3BG Tel: 028 9026 1200 Website: www.ccea.org.uk