Subject Choices for AS and A Level Information Evening Highlights
Providing valuable insight for parents and pupils, the information evening covers topics such as parental influence on career decisions, advice on choosing A-level subjects, key dates to remember, and support available for pupils. It emphasizes the importance of GCSE results and introduces the Entitlement Framework aimed at offering a wide range of courses. Additionally, it introduces new subjects not offered at the GCSE level and explains the process of choosing subjects for AS and A2 levels.
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Presentation Transcript
SUBJECT CHOICES FOR AS AND A LEVEL INFORMATION EVENING FOR PARENTS AND PUPILS 6th February 2020
Parental Influence Parents are main influence on pupils career decisions. 78% of influence comes from parents.
Programme Advice on choosing A level subjects & on post-16 & post-18 options. Questions: Mrs Richardson (Head of Careers BHS) & Mary Coleman (Careers Service Careers Adviser)
Key Dates 28th January : Mock results day Individual careers guidance interviews. 30th January : Careers Convention 4th Dec. : consultation with subject teachers. 6th February : subject choice information evening. 3rdMarch : return of subject choice form. 20th August : GCSE results and advice day.
Support for pupils Careers programme once per week since early October. 4 careers talks from choice of 12. Careers convention. Individual careers guidance interview. Mock results day interviews. Careers teacher attached to each form class. Mock interviews : March/April.
Importance of GCSE Results A growing number of institutions are using the results that children achieve at 16 as a crude preliminary filter as competition for higher education places hits unprecedented levels
The Entitlement Framework Aim: to offer a wide range of courses to all post-primary pupils. Delivered through Area Learning Communities. 25 A level courses on offer in BHS.
New Subjects Subjects not offered at GCSE level : Health and Social Care*, Moving Image Art, Accounting*, and Politics. * depending on student numbers, some classes may run in Ballyclare Secondary School. Timetabling constraints may preclude students from studying both MIA & Accounting.
Choosing Subjects Select 4 subjects at AS level. Most reduce to 3 at A2 level. GCSE in subject needed for AS level.
Choosing subjects Free choice, subject to constraints of timetable. Possibility of change in August, depending on timetable.
Choosing Subjects Less flexibility than in past. Budget cuts staffing limited places. Best possible grades competition for places entrance criteria may be enhanced.
Entry requirements Minimum 11 point average to return to sixth form. Record of good conduct. Subject entry requirements: At least a B or a 6 at GCSE in subjects chosen for AS level. For new subjects, B or 6 in a related subject see booklet. See booklet regarding Drama, PE, Modern Languages, Music
Science Entry Requirements To study even ONE science at AS level you need: An A in that science at GCSE. An average point score of 12 or above. If you wish to study >1 science: Entry may also be determined by your rank in the year group based on your average GCSE score.
Choosing Subjects Subjects you are good at most important factor. Subjects you enjoy. Check workloads: not too many coursework heavy subjects ( unless needed for career/university). Subjects needed for H.E. course or career or to keep your options open.
Subjects for H.E. or Career Russell Group Universities (24) have a list of facilitating subjects , but accept one other subject out of your 3 A level subjects. (Bath, Sheffield, Edinburgh lists) QUB accepts all A levels, for all courses, except Medicine and Dentistry where only one applied A/AS level is acceptable. The 7 top ROI universities don t accept applied A levels. Since May 2017 they do accept Digital Technology, MIA and Software Systems Development.
Choosing Subjects At least 2 facilitating subjects for Russell Group universities, plus max. of one other (24/165 H.E. Institutions in UK). QUB exception: all A levels accepted. Medicine and Dentistry only 1 Applied AS/A level.
Choosing Subjects Subjects which combine well. Preferred forms of assessment, eg. coursework vs exams. Teaching methods which suited to your learning styles, eg. practical vs theory. A manageable workload, eg. coursework.
Which? University https://www.theuniguide.co.uk/advice/ucas- application Six things you need to know before making your A level choices: 1. A levels are a lot tougher than GCSEs.
6 Guidelines for A level choices 2. Many universities and courses will consider you whatever subjects you choose. 3. Know myth from reality.
6 Guidelines for A level choices 4. Certain university courses will be looking for specific A levels. Some examples : Pharmacy : chemistry + 1 from biology, maths and physics. Economics : maths ( sometimes) English : English Literature.
6 guidelines for A level choices 5. Taking certain A levels will open up more course options Russell Group list of facilitating subjects 6. Some courses and universities have lists of subjects they don t accept. Examples : Edinburgh, Sheffield, L.S.E.
Russell Group Facilitating Subjects Biology; chemistry; physics. Maths Modern & classical languages English Geography History.
Entry Requirements for H.E. Vary from institution to institution for the same course booklet gives guidelines. Need to look at both grades and subjects which are desirable or essential.
Entry Requirements for H.E. Look at GCSE requirements as well as A level. A level grades and/or UCAS or CAO tariff points. Entry profiles list other entry requirements. Very competitive situation for many courses
Degrees with no Subject Requirements Law, Criminology & Politics. Accountancy (sometimes Maths). Business-related degrees (sometimes Maths Film Studies. Hotel & Hospitality Management. Psychology (Sciences &/or Geography preferred).
Degrees with no Subject Requirements Social Work, Sociology & Social Policy. Surveying, including Quantity Surveying. Theology. About 50% of graduate careers are open to graduates from any discipline.
UCAS Tariff Points From September 2017 entry. Lower numbers eg. 56 points for A* not 140. AS points worth 40% (not 50%) of A level. Reformed A levels : AS worth 40%.
New UCAS Tariff Points A level Grade A* A B C D E Tariff Points 56 48 40 32 24 16 AS level Grade Tariff Points A B C D E 20 16 12 10 6
Subjects for Careers What can I do with a degree in ? See www.prospects.ac.uk : careers for which your degree is essential, careers for which your degree is useful; careers which will accept any degree. www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers : careers with subjects
Are A levels just for university entry? No! Also useful for HNCs, HNDs and foundation degrees offered at Colleges of Further and Higher Education (L4 & 5 courses) And Higher Level and Degree Apprenticeships (L4, 5& 6).
Useful Information School careers intranet site for pupils. School website: this presentation. Subject choice booklet careers information.
Useful websites www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers : NI LMI www.ucas.com : all UK H.E. Courses www.cao.ie: all ROI H.E. and F.E. Courses www.ulster.ac.uk www.qub.ac.uk
Higher Ideas www.careersoft.co.uk/ Higher Ideas BHS access code in subject choice booklet. Shows pathways from AS level subjects.
NI Skills Barometer Launched in November 2015. Updated annually. Predicts areas of over- and under-supply in labour market 2018-2028.
Subjects in Demand in NI STEM-related subjects will be most in demand. Why? Anticipated growth in ICT, professional services and advanced sectors. Also a wide range of other sectors will need STEM qualifications.
More people will be needed with degrees in 1. Engineering & Technology 2. Maths & Computer science. 3. Physical & Environmental Science 4. Historical & Philosophical Studies. 5. Languages. 6. Creative arts & design. 7. Business & Financial Studies 8 Mass communication & Documentation. 9. Agricultural Science. 10. Biological Sciences.
More people will be needed with foundation degrees/higher level apprenticeships in 1. Engineering & manufacturing technologies. 2. Science & maths. 3. Health, public services & care. 4. Arts, media & publishing. 5. Business, administration, finance & law. 6. History, philosophy & theology. 7. Agriculture, horticulture & animal care. 8. Social Sciences. 9. Information & communication technology. 10. Languages, literature & culture.
Top 10 Growth Sectors 2018-2028 1. Professional, scientific and technical. 2. Information and Communication. 3. Manufacturing. 4. Administration and support services. 5. Restaurants & hotels. 6. Construction. 7. Restaurants & hotels. 8. Finance & insurance. 9. Education 10. Arts & Entertainment. Transport & storage.
Graduate Demand ( UU) Engineering: manufacturing, environmental, mechanical electrical, process engineering. Business & professional services: business development, finance, investment, trading, HR & marketing.
Graduate Demand ( UU) IT & Technology : software engineering; web development; data analytics; solutions consulting; cyber security. Creative Arts : designers; media professionals; community arts; digital art and design.
The Graduate Labour Market For approx. 50% of graduate careers, any degree is acceptable. Employing the person, not the degree: employability skills should be developed. Skills gained through work placements, extra-curricular activities and subjects.
Routes Other Than A level Is sixth form for you? If borderline in terms of points score, need to plan an alternative to BHS now. Alternatives can be competitive too.
Alternatives to BHS Another school. Colleges of FE Apprenticeships Armed forces Employment Information sheet available.
Work+ A new, centralised application system for some apprenticeships. 120 apprenticeships on offer across 28 companies in areas like civil engineering, quantity surveying, software engineering, accounting, carpentry, building service engineering...any many more! https://www.workplus.app/ Applications close 13:00 on Friday 28 February.
Conclusion Importance of good GCSE results. Importance of good AS level results. Make an informed decision based on thorough research into both Higher Education courses and careers.
