1. Year 12 Options Evening 2016
‘Subject Choices at 16’

2. 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
To help students make an informed choice
Talk from Queens University
Special Careers Day
Subject Teacher Advice
Careers Service Advisors - Interview
New A-Level Subjects Talk
Special Careers Assembly

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

4. http://www. nidirect. gov

6. Is Higher Education still worthwhile?
‘Knowledge Economy’ requires highly skilled workers
50% of all new jobs require a degree course
41% of jobs advertised ask for graduates of any discipline

7. Vocational / Applied Subjects
Business Studies
Health and Social Care
ICT
Life and Health 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

8. Applied Science Nursing Art Music Forensic Science Dietetics
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

9. Applied Health and Social Care
Applied Subjects
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

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

11. 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

12. 2nd Factor to consider when choosing your subjects: University Course Specific Requirements
Look at university course specific requirements – remember that most universities make offers based on 3 A-levels
PHARMACY - usually - Chemistry and at least one subject from Biology, Mathematics and Physics (AS Biol preferred)
ENGINEERING - including Mathematics, and another science depending on the type of Engineering
PHYSIOTHERAPY – Sometimes two Sciences are asked for
ACTUARIAL SCIENCE – Maths required.
Need to update….

13. 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

14. 3rd Factor to consider when choosing your subjects:
A-level subjects and subject combinations – Russell Group – ‘Facilitating Subjects’

16. A-Level Subject Combinations
Many university courses do not require specific A-level subjects – offers are based on grades or points
Choose a broad range of subjects at A-level to develop as many transferable skills as possible and keep post A-level options open
Choose a degree from a good university and get the best degree classification possible
HAVE THE COURAGE TO PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS

17. 4th Factor to consider when choosing your subjects:
Labour Market Information

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

19. Green Economy Efficient Energy Use and Management Renewable Energies
Water and Waste – Water Treatment
Waste Management, Recovery & Recycling
Environmental Consultancy
Green ICT Applications/Software

20. IT
Financial Services
Communications
Creative Industries
All Sectors

21. Food Sector Shortages within the Sector Marketing Production
Distribution

22. WHICH DEGREE SUBJECTS DO
EMPLOYERS PREFER?

23. 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.”

24. How can parents help?

25. ENTRY TO HIGH DEMAND COURSES MAY INVOLVE:. Good GCSE profile
ENTRY TO HIGH DEMAND COURSES MAY INVOLVE: * Good GCSE profile * Additional tests– eg.BMAT, UKCAT & LNAT, HPAT.
* A* grades (GCSE) or impressive module results (AS) * Work Experience * Evidence of engagement outside A level specification

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

27. Get involved in extra-curricular activities ……

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

29. Year 12 Options Evening 2016
‘Subject Choices at 16’