Explore Your Future… Life after Year 8 and Why GCSEs Matter

Welcome Today you’ll learn lots about different universities and the variety things you could study there. Need photo of UOB and Aston

Do you know where you’re going 36% of Year 9, 10 and 11 students have no idea what career they want to follow 29% have a rough career idea, but don’t know which qualifications they need to make it happen 14% think they have a firm career plan but don’t know what level of qualifications they would need 21% Only 21% know what they want to do and how to get there! So you’re not alone ! * 7 schools and 918 students

What does the perfect career look like Keep this in mind, but don’t worry, because things can and do change little chance … Happy but poor Result! Could do with lightening up the venn diagram colours ? Rich but bored

Things can, and do change ….. The subjects you “love” may change What you feel you’re good at may change too The secure, well-paid jobs of today might not exist in 5 years….. …….and many jobs of the future haven’t even been invented yet. Example of a job that didn’t exist 5 years ago ….. Cloud Services Specialist Social Media Managers only introduced within last 7 years CD manufacturing is now pretty much something of the past. Stay flexible and adaptable and open to new things.

Doing well at GCSE will … Make you more attractive to employers Help to keep your options open Allow you to meet entry requirements for university Allow you to meet entry requirements for college or sixth form

Introduce LEVELS, as will talk about them later. Ladders to Success ONS November 2013 Only 3% unemployed Average wage £ 31,000 a yr Next year you will be here Introduce idea of educational progression and how that influences wage and employability Introduce LEVELS, as will talk about them later. 8% unemployed Average wage £17,899 a yr 16% unemployed Average wage £ 13,000 a yr

How important are GCSE choices Your career may seem a long way off, but your GCSE option choices in Year 9 are not. They can directly affect the paths that are open to you later in life. Your GCSE choices matter… Entry requirements of most university courses (alongside the A-level or other level three quals you need) will probably include specific GCSEs Don’t panic! Maths and English are the GCSEs mentioned most often – and you won’t have the option to drop these. But sometimes science features too. Whatever you choose, you’ll still have a broad range of careers and university options (if you get the right GCSE grades, that is). Please explain – not ALL unis look at GCSE results, but most do. Some concentrate on the level 3 grades. A level/ Btec results or wider experience. Eg: UCB look at level three grades for many of their courses…….And most Universities make allowances for mature students returning to study – so Uni may always be an option. Many people come back to university in later years.

Making smart GCSE choices DO choose your optional subjects because you think you’ll be good at them, and that they will interest you. You are likely to be more willing to learn, therefore get better grades   Your friendship may not last, the teacher may leave   Don’t choose subjects because you want to be with a best friend or favourite teacher. If you enjoy it you are likely to be more willing to learn and get better grades

The GCSE science challenge… GCSE science is compulsory in your ‘options’, but you can choose to study it in different ways Get it wrong and you might limit your A-level, university and career options later on Nursing, for example, at university may require or prefer you to have a science A-level in chemistry, biology or physics But choosing a single science GCSE (core, not additional), could affect your chances of being able to take a science at A-level or equivalent

The GCSE science challenge………continued Some universities don’t consider the BTEC Applied Science First Certificate as equivalent to a double or triple science GCSE – be careful how you choose. So……keep in mind Taking GCSE double award science (core / additional) or triple award science (biology, chemistry physics) will help keep your options for further study open. Would the green be an issue for students with colour blindness ?

Hints and tips If you’re not sure what to do, pick a good mix of GCSE subjects the English Baccalaureate model (English, maths, double science, history or geography and a modern or ancient language) is a good balance If you are interested in a science-related career later on, choose at least double award (core and additional) science – as discussed If you’re already thinking about a particular career look at the entry requirements for the Apprenticeships or university courses that are needed, and work back from there.

So what GCSE grades do I need Universities may ask for specific grades or a specific number of GCSEs. Teaching medicine A* in maths, English and science Maths, English & science Grade C or above Economics A in maths Nursing Business Some unis are very specific and will not look at your application unless you meet their entry requirements – including you GCSE results. 5 GCSE’s grade C or above, including English and science B in maths Physiotherapy 8 GCSEs at A8 - B

Can I still study something if I didn’t take it at GCSE Yes, sometimes you can do an A-level without having studied the subject at GCSE – in the same way as you don’t need to take some subjects at A-level to study them at degree level. Examples include: Law Media studies Economics Psychology Religious studies. Opt for these subjects if you’re interested in them and think you’ll do well – but you won’t limit your options if you don’t universities understand that not all schools offer these.

Next steps …… Enjoy ! Start to think about what’s important for YOUR future Today, jump in with a positive mind, look for opportunities to speak with people about careers and university – and take them ! Enjoy !

So what’s in store for you today ?