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.