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Choosing Your GCSE OptionsLoading...
Ousedale Careers Department
Introduction
This book will help you make your GCSE option choices if you are not sure what you would like to do.
In September 2022 you will be embarking on your Key Stage 4 Level 2 courses leading to GCSE and vocational qualifications.
A General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is a qualification that takes two years and you take the final exams when you’re 16. A Level 2 vocational qualification is the equivalent to a GCSE that will take you two years and will contain course work and an exam.
In September 2022 you will be embarking on your Key Stage 4 Level 2 courses leading to GCSE and vocational qualifications.
A General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is a qualification that takes two years and you take the final exams when you’re 16. A Level 2 vocational qualification is the equivalent to a GCSE that will take you two years and will contain course work and an exam.
This is an interactive booklet so you can click on some of the images to be taken to different websites.
Compulsory GCSEs
In Year 10 all students will study a compulsory core of GCSEs. This means everyone has to study them. The core GCSEs you will be studying are:
- English Language/English Literature
- Mathematics
- Science
- Physical Education and Religious Studies
- History and/or Geography
You will then get a choice from a range of different subjects which you will find in your GCSE option booklet.
- English Language/English Literature
- Mathematics
- Science
- Physical Education and Religious Studies
- History and/or Geography
You will then get a choice from a range of different subjects which you will find in your GCSE option booklet.
Tips
for choosing your options
1. Find out about the course first from the option booklet. Talk to your subject teacher and parent/guardian as this may help you decide if the subject is for you or not.
2. If you know what job you want to do find out what qualifications you will need to support you in achieving this.
3. Research what you would like to do after your GCSEs. Do you want to go Sixth Form, College or be an apprentice. Find out what GCSEs or vocational qualifications you need to get on that course or to apply for that apprenticeship.
4. If you are not sure what you want to do think about what your favourite subjects are and what subjects you are good at.
5. If there is something that you would like to study after your GCSEs such as art, textiles, music or drama. Make sure that you select GCSEs that will get you on to that course.
6. If you are still unsure just make sure you keep your options open by choosing a range of subjects.
2. If you know what job you want to do find out what qualifications you will need to support you in achieving this.
3. Research what you would like to do after your GCSEs. Do you want to go Sixth Form, College or be an apprentice. Find out what GCSEs or vocational qualifications you need to get on that course or to apply for that apprenticeship.
4. If you are not sure what you want to do think about what your favourite subjects are and what subjects you are good at.
5. If there is something that you would like to study after your GCSEs such as art, textiles, music or drama. Make sure that you select GCSEs that will get you on to that course.
6. If you are still unsure just make sure you keep your options open by choosing a range of subjects.
How not to make your decisions
It is is important that you do not make your decisions:-
- Based on what teachers you think you will have (as you may have a different teacher).
- What your friends are choosing (they may be in another class).
- Because you think some subjects are just for boys or girls (they are not!).
- Because you think it will be easy (no subject is ‘easy’).
- Based on what teachers you think you will have (as you may have a different teacher).
- What your friends are choosing (they may be in another class).
- Because you think some subjects are just for boys or girls (they are not!).
- Because you think it will be easy (no subject is ‘easy’).
Watch the What I wish I'd known video to find out about what other students recommend about choosing your options.
Researching courses after your GCSEs
Below is the link to Ousedale's College and Sixth Form Padlet. This is an online list of local colleges and sixth forms, just click on the picture to access it. There is also a copy of the Ousedale Sixth Form prospectus for 2022/4, that shows all the courses you can do there.
You can use both these resources to look at the courses that you can study at college or sixth form after you complete your GCSEs. Make sure to take a look at the entry requirements for the course that you are interested in, as this will tell you what GCSEs or vocational qualifications that you need to get onto that college or sixth form course.
You can use both these resources to look at the courses that you can study at college or sixth form after you complete your GCSEs. Make sure to take a look at the entry requirements for the course that you are interested in, as this will tell you what GCSEs or vocational qualifications that you need to get onto that college or sixth form course.
