How to choose
Look ahead. What could your course lead to?
You may already have an idea about your future, such as applying for higher education or a particular career. Some careers and university courses require you to have qualifications in particular subjects. Speak to an Adviser or check the individual courses. If you’re not sure, it’s usually best to go with subjects you are likely to do well at and enjoy. You will still need to check what you can do with these subjects and try to keep your options open.
Your Adviser will be able to discuss this with you in more detail, but you will need to find out some information yourself.
Courses available
Vocational courses
Levels 1, 2, 3
Vocational courses train you for specific jobs, such as catering, hairdressing, carpentry, bricklaying, motor mechanics and childcare. Vocational qualifications include those at Level 1, 2 and 3 and others such as City and Guilds qualifications. During a vocational course, you will be assessed on your practical skills and your ability to do the job.
Vocational qualifications are available from colleges, training providers, employers and some school sixth forms. They are best suited to people who know exactly what career they want to do and who are practical learners. Although vocational courses train you for a particular job, they can lead to a higher level job in your chosen area or to higher level study.
General vocational courses
General vocational courses cover broad vocational areas, such as health and social care, travel and tourism, engineering, and performing arts. They combine academic study with practical learning. The most common general vocational courses are BTEC or OCR qualifications. You may come across A levels that are vocational such as engineering.
Diplomas
Diplomas are available to 14-19 year-olds and cover areas such as engineering, creative and media and construction and the built environment. Diplomas may be combined with other qualifications, such as A levels and can lead to higher education or employment.
Academic courses
Level 3 courses
The most common academic qualifications are A levels.
With A levels, most people study four subjects in the first year (or year 12) and achieve an AS level in each subject (some may take fewer than four subjects or study five).
In the second year (or year 13), most students will continue with three subjects and achieve A2 level qualifications.
Adding the same subject AS to the A2 equals one complete A level.
You might be able to combine AS and A levels with other qualifications, such as Diplomas, BTECs or OCRs.
The International Baccalaureate (IB)
Students choose six subjects, three at higher level and three at standard level and combine this with a ‘Core’. This core consists of study and life skills and is taken by every IB student.
The AQA Baccalaureate
This is an additional qualification that you take alongside your A levels and helps you gain additional life skills. It includes an Extended Project for independent learning and opportunities for personal development to broaden your studies. You will also take an AS subject from general studies, critical thinking or citizenship studies.
Case History
Higher Education
I was interested in a Business Studies degree but there are so many courses to choose from! I spoke to my Adviser who advised me to think about what aspects of business I wanted to study and whether I wanted to do a sandwich course to get some experience of the business world. I wanted to continue with languages and perhaps work abroad in my sandwich year so wanted a course with an international focus.
I narrowed my course search down to International Business with Chinese as I think this could help my future career. I’ve looked at the courses but the next step is to go on some open days and get a good idea about what I’m letting myself in for. I really want to research what I will study and of course what sort of career I might get at the end as I don’t want to waste time and money.
Sam aged 17, A level student
Choosing your Level 3 subjects: Health Warning!
Your choice of subject, whether it’s an A level, IB, BTEC etc. could have some impact on which university courses will accept you so you need to plan carefully.
Some higher education courses require specific subjects, grades (at GCSE as well as at Level 3) plus relevant work experience, so you’ll need to do some research before making your final choice of subject.
For example, if you hope to go into medicine, most medical schools will ask for A/A* GCSEs especially in sciences and A/A* at A2 in chemistry and biology plus one other A2 and an AS in an additional subject.You will also need to take an admissions test (such as a BMAT) and they will expect you to have gained some relevant work experience during your A level studies.
Some popular degree courses, such as law and psychology, would prefer that you did not take those A level subjects for their degree courses.
To find out exactly what is needed, use the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website: www.ucas.com and then look for the initials EP by the side of the course. EP stands for entry profile and this will explain exactly what each course requires.
For further help, speak to your Head of Sixth at school, your Adviser or phone/ email university admissions department to ask their advice.