Year 12 Options Evening 2014 ‘Making your choices at 16’

Key Stage 4 – Careers Support To help students make an informed choice 18 lessons in Term 1 of Year 12 8 lessons in Term 2 of Year 12 Special Careers Day Talk from Queens University New A-Level Subjects Talk Special Careers Assembly Careers Service Advisors - Interview Subject Teacher Advice

Key Stage 4 – Careers Lessons To help students make an informed choice Raise self- awareness Identify skills and talents Which subjects do you really enjoy? What are the options post-16? Researching careers and jobs What are the jobs of the future? Which subjects are you good at? Researching university courses What A-Level subjects are on offer? Do I need certain A-level subjects for a particular degree?

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 ‘Knowledge Economy’ requires highly skilled workers  50% of all new jobs require a degree course  40% of jobs advertised ask for graduates of any discipline  Value of degree in terms of earnings ‘premium’ has increased especially for women. Is Higher Education still worthwhile?

Vocational / Applied Subjects 1)Business Studies 2)Health and Social Care 3)ICT 4)Science  Two thirds of the marks for Applied Subjects are awarded through portfolio units – coursework. One third of the marks are awarded through examined units – tests  Applied Subjects could be worth either: One A-Level = Single Award or Two A-Levels = Double Award

Applied Science Nursing Building Surveying Environmental Science Occupational Therapy Food Technology Youth Work Primary Teaching Music Irish Forensic Science Architecture Early Childhood Studies Marine Biology Art Dietetics Physiotherapy

Applied Health & Social Care Applied Health and Social Care Midwifery Geography Teaching Social Work Business IT Social Policy Youth Work Primary Teaching Nursing Irish Counselling Criminology Early Childhood Studies Multi Media Human Resources Psychology Speech Therapy

Factors to consider when choosing your subjects: 1.Look at the list of subjects available and choose subjects you enjoy 2.Look at university course specific requirements – remember that most universities make offers based on 3 A-levels 3.A-level subjects and subject combinations – Russell Group – ‘Facilitating Subjects’ 4.Labour Market Information

Advice from Year 13 students Choose what you are good at Listen to what your subject teacher is advising Don’t choose what your friends are choosing unless you really want to do the subject Speak to Year 13 students to hear what they think Don’t choose a subject because you like the teacher Find out what the subject involves before you sign up to it Make sure you know the entry requirements for the subject

2. University Course Specific Requirements PHARMACY at Queen’s University Belfast Grades AAB – including Chemistry and at least one subject from Biology, Mathematics and Physics (AS Biol preferred) SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPY at The University of Ulster Grades BBB – One of the required 'A' level passes must be in English (or modern foreign language), Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, Geography, Double/Single Award Applied Science, Double/Single Award Health and Social Care, Geography or Psychology + satisfactory performance in the HPAT Ulster Admissions Test CIVIL ENGINEERING at Cardiff University Grades ABB – including Mathematics

Specific GCSE Requirements at Queens University Business Subjects - Maths Grade B Nursing: - Maths & Science Grade C Midwifery – Maths & Science Grade B High Demand Courses –offers based around outstanding GCSE results

HAVE THE COURAGE TO PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS Specific A-levels not required *Courses may express a preference Specific A-levels required *AS-level also acceptable

 Students applying to one of the Russell Group of Universities (Leading 24 universities in the UK) should choose their A-Level subject combination very carefully.  Many of our students will choose vocational courses which may not be offered by the more traditional universities – these students also need to consider carefully because there may be subject specific requirements. 3. Choosing A-level Subjects Combinations

Subject Combinations Architecture – Applied Science (Double Award) & ICT Quantity Surveying – Art & Design, Psychology and Religion Accountancy – Business Studies, Mathematics & ICT Nursing – Applied Health & Social Care (Double Award) & Religion Primary Education – Applied Business Studies, Irish & Religion Social Work – Business Studies, Politics & Religion Film and Drama – Art, History and English Criminology – Business Studies, Irish & Psychology

4. Labour Market Information

Job opportunities expected to expand – (STEM areas) Green Economy IT Food Healthcare

Green Economy Efficient Energy Use and Management Renewable Energies Water and Waste – Water Treatment Waste Management, Recovery & Recycling Environmental Consultancy Green ICT Applications/Software Source Future Skills Needs of Enterprise within the Green Economy in Ireland, EGFSN, 2010

IT Financial Services Communications Creative Industries All Sectors

Food Sector Shortages within the Sector Marketing Production Distribution

Price Check – Cost of Living Area of Institution Accommodation Weekly Living Costs* Tuition FeesTotal Annual Cost Northern Ireland University £76 - £100£159.80£3,575£9,967 English University £67 - £130£167.80£9,000£15,712 Scottish University £148 - £185£191.50£9,000£16,660 London University£90 - £150£247.90£9,000£18,916 *Halifax Student Spend Survey

WHICH DEGREE SUBJECTS DO EMPLOYERS PREFER?

Miles Cowdry, Director, Global Corporate Development, Rolls Royce: “We are looking for graduates who can be our future leaders and can demonstrate qualities of courage, judgement and breadth; typically linguists or arts graduates fare better in this regard.”

How can parents help?

ENTRY TO HIGH DEMAND COURSES MAY INVOLVE: * Excellent GCSE profile * Additional tests– e.g. BMAT, UKCAT & LNAT, HPAT, HPAT Ireland * A* grades or impressive module results at AS level * Work Experience * Evidence of engagement outside A-level specification

What the selectors are looking for: Transferable Skills Personal Qualities Motivation Enthusiasm Depth of knowledge of course Brains are not enough!

Get involved in extra-curricular activities ……

Stand Out from the Crowd Awards and Achievements Work / Voluntary Experience Extra-Curricular Activities Positions of Responsibility Ability to work on your own Teamwork

Key Stage 4 – What happens now? Choosing A-Level Subjects Students will soon be asked to submit their AS subject choices after seeking help from: Subject teacher Form teacher Careers teacher Careers Service Advisors ‘ A-Level Subject Choices’ booklet UCAS website Family, Friends etc

Year 12 Options Evening 2012 ‘Making your choices at 16’