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YEAR 10 PARENTS INFORMATION EVENING
GCSE SUBJECT CHOICES
Programme
• 2 short talks.
• GCSE subject choices: the school’s perspective.
• The significance of GCSE subject choices for Higher Education : Anthony McGrath, QUB.
Careers Provision
• Since Nov: Weekly careers programme.
• Tbc : Careers Convention
• Jan & Feb: 2 Subject choice talks : DEL Careers advisors; careers teachers.
• 19th & 20th Feb : Individual careers guidance interviews.
• 24th Feb: Parent/teacher consultation.
Compulsory Subjects
• English
• Maths
• Religious Studies (half course)
• A Modern Foreign Language*
• Two Sciences/Technology*
• Physical Education – practical; non-exam.
Summary of Science Options
• 2 Science/Technology options• 3 or 4 Science/ Technology options for
strong and committed scientists.• Many scientific careers now require
linkage of knowledge across the Sciences.• 1 Science for those who are academically
strong in Arts/Humanities and want to have additional creative/expressive options.
Consultation
• Speak to me if:
• Considering taking only one science.
• Considering taking both Home Economics and Child Development.
• Any other concerns.
Optional Subjects
• Further Maths for A level Maths.
• English Literature for A level English Literature.
• Add. Maths & English Lit. : 10.5 GCSEs
• English Lit. and R.S. : 10 GCSEs.
• A level subjects must be taken at GCSE level.
Optional Subjects
• Journalism or Drama – breadth.
• Only one Technology option – breadth.
• P.E. or R.E. (can do both with English Lit.)
• ICT or Computer Science : breadth
Rationale
• Flexibility in terms of number of GCSEs taken.
• Retain breadth and balance.
• Keeping career options open.
• Exploit strengths.
• Timetabling and staffing constraints.
Why a compulsory language?
• Strong competition for graduate jobs.• Competing in a European or global market.• Many universities thus seek to develop an
international dimension to courses.• Undergraduates encouraged to build up
language skills, even if not a linguist.• GCSE language a basic entry requirement.
Why a compulsory language? (2)
• Employers (banks, law firms) require graduates who can apply their linguistic skills, eg.
• Engineering, Maths, International Business or Law with a language.
• Language competency is a vital ‘extra’ component of a graduate’s CV.
• 25% loss of business in NI through inability to communicate in a foreign language.
Why 2 Sciences/Technology?
• To keep career options open.• Sciences are required for a number of
careers. • Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science,
Optometry and Pharmacy (among others) : GCSE Chemistry, Physics, Biology.
• 2 Sciences for a range of careers.
Why 2 Sciences/Technology? (2)
• Chemical or Forensic Sciences : often 2 Sciences (Chemistry and Physics or Biology)and Maths required.
• Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Countryside Management: sometimes 2 Sciences; sometimes 2 STEM subjects; Geography often acceptable too.
Why 2 Sciences/Technology? (3)
• Biological Sciences, Biotechnology: often require 2 sciences at GCSE level and at A level too; sometimes A level requirement is for 2 STEM subjects.
• Chemical Engineering: often requires Chemistry, Maths and Physics.
• Health, Clinical Sciences & Therapies: 2 sciences at GCSE and often 2 at A level.
Why 2 Sciences/Technology? (4)
• Pharmacy & Pharmacology: often 2 Sciences, most importantly Chemistry.
• 2 STEM subjects: Environmental Science; Marine Sciences; Physical Sciences; some Sports Science courses; Biological Sciences; Geography & Geology (Geography acceptable too).
STEM Agenda
• Science, Technology (incl. ICT), Engineering & Maths.
• Government has set schools targets regarding the numbers in schools taking STEM subjects and on raising awareness of STEM career opportunities.
• Needs of NI and UK economies.• www.go4stemni.org.uk/
Maths &/or Physics
• Engineering: A level Maths and Physics or Technology (Physics preferred).
• Architecture : Maths and/or Physics, with Art & Design.
• Research careers in government, industry and universities.
• Finance-related careers: Maths and/or Physics are valued.
• Computer Science: Maths and/or Physics valued.• GCSE Physics for Engineering apprenticeships.
Degrees With No Subject Requirements
• Law, Criminology & Politics.
• Accountancy (Maths sometimes preferred).
• Business-related degrees.
• Film Studies.
• Hotel & Hospitality Management.
• Psychology (Sciences &/or Geography preferred).
Degrees With No Subject Requirements (2)
• Social Work, Sociology & Social Policy.
• Surveying, including Quantity Surveying.
• Theology.
How to choose subjects
• Subjects you are good at.
• Needed for Higher Education/Career.
• Interested in it, if all other factors apply.
• Combines well with other subject choices.
• Keeps A level options open.
How to choose subjects (2)
• Subjects offered at A level.
• Subjects you would like to study beyond GCSE level.
• Suitable forms of assessment : coursework vs exams and workload.
• Teaching methods which suit your learning style, eg. practical vs theory.
GCSE subjects not offered at A level
• Journalism.
• Child Development ( Health & Social Care)
• Manufacturing ( Design & Technology)
• Drama ( Theatre Studies)
• Learning for Life and Work
How to choose subjects (3)
• Check which A level subjects are accepted by universities.
• Russell Group: 25 research led universities• Facilitating subjects: 2 out of 3 A levels.• QUB accepts all A level subjects ( except
for medicine & dentistry)• ROI universities: general subjects not
applied A levels.
The Graduate Labour Market
• NI : traditional sectors, eg. medicine, engineering, dentistry, accountancy, law, construction.
• Innovation within traditional sectors.• Emerging Sectors in NI :• IT : NI centre of excellence for eg.
software development• Financial Services.
The Graduate Labour Market (2)
• Growth areas in NI (continued):
• Advanced materials, eg. polymers.
• ‘Green’economy; clean technology, sustainable energy.
• Creative industries : new theatres, Cathedral Arts Quarter, growing NI film industry.
• Agri-Food/Food & Drink Manufacturing.
The Graduate Labour Market (3)
• Emerging sectors in NI (cont’d):
• STEM : high % graduate employment in NI.
• Life Sciences and health care.
• Media and digital media.
• Hospitality and Tourism.
• Law : high demand outside NI.
Graduate Demand (UU)
• Built Environment: surveying, project management; engineering.
• Agri-food : supply chain management; food science, quality assurance; research.
Graduate Demand ( UU)
• IT & Technology : software engineering; web development; business analytics; consulting.
• Creative Arts : designers; media professionals; community arts; digital art and design.
The Graduate Labour Market (4)
• For approx. 50% of graduate careers, any degree is acceptable.
• Employing the person, not the degree: employability skills should be developed, eg. self reliance, people skills, general employment skills and specialist skills.
• Skills gained through work placements, extra-curricular activities and subjects.
Further Information
• www.ucas.com (incl. parents’ zone)• www.prospects.ac.uk : options with subjects
& graduate labour market information.• www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers : NI LMI info.• www.qub.ac.uk ; www.ulster.ac.uk• School intranet – careers folder• School careers staff
Higher Ideas & Heap Online
• www.careersoft.co.uk/
• Higher Ideas
• BHS licence : rbdkma38
• www.heaponline.co.uk
• BHS licence : IDNXVNBP
• Register – password sent
Conclusion
• Deadline : 3rd March
• Good GCSE results are vital for Higher Education and careers.
• Never too early to think about what these qualifications will be used for.
• Careers research is vital.