Choosing your GCSE options is a great opportunity to think about what you'd like to do in the future. Watch the video below for five things you need to know when you choose your options in England and Wales.
Helen: Choosing your options is a great opportunity to think about what you would love to do in the future.
Helen: In England and Wales, you usually take your GCSEs in year 10 and 11; so you’ll need to choose the options you want to take in Year 9, and maybe earlier.
T'Challa: Normally you can expect to take around 9 subjects, and for most schools in the UK there are some subjects that you have to take like Maths, English and Science. You have to take English Language but the vast majority of schools in England require that you take English Literature as well. If you’re in Wales, you’ll do Welsh too. Science can be done either as two combined science GCSEs or as three separate sciences. Some schools do make other subjects compulsory, such as a foreign language or humanity, so remember to check.
Helen: You can have fun choosing your other subjects, and the choices are different in every school. You might pick an art based subject like Drama, a humanities subject like Geography or a Modern Foreign Language. Your school might also offer courses that are work-related by nature, like Health and Social Care.
T'Challa: If you change your mind, it’s sometimes possible to change courses, if it works with your timetable.
Helen: Once you've chosen your options you'll usually have two years working towards your exams and assessments. The more GCSEs you pass, the more pathways are available to you to shape your future, which makes the hard work really worthwhile. You'll have more decisions to make when your results arrive. If you don't get the results you need, there may be the possibility to resit exams. Be true to yourself and choose what’s right for you.
When do I need to choose my GCSE options?
In England and Wales, you usually take your GCSEs in Year 10 and 11, so you'll need to choose the subjects you want to study for GCSE in Year 9 – but in some schools this might happen in Year 8, so even if you're in Year 7 it's not too early to start thinking about your options!
Different schools will ask students to pick their GCSE options at different times, but you'll get plenty of notice and information from your teachers.
What GCSEs do I have to take?
Normally you can expect to take around 9 subjects at GCSE. Maths, English and Science are the core subjects everyone must take at GCSE in England and Wales. English Language is compulsory in all schools and so is English Literature in the majority of schools in England, but there are exceptions, so do make sure you check. If you are in Wales you will have to study Welsh.
Science may be split into the three separate sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) or into two Combined Science GCSEs.
Some schools may make other subjects compulsory, so check with your teachers to find out what rules your school has.
What are the optional subjects?
You can have fun choosing your other subjects, the choices are different in every school, but you may have the option to choose:
- A modern foreign language. The most commonly taught are French, German and Spanish, but some schools also offer languages like Mandarin and Japanese. Some schools require you to take a modern foreign language, so check with your teachers whether these are part of your Options or compulsory.
- A humanity subject like History, Geography, or Religious Studies.
- An arts subject like Music, Drama, Art and Design, or Media Studies.
- A technical subject such as Design and Technology, Food Technology, or Computer Science.
- All students have to do PE in years 10 and 11, but you can also take it as a GCSE option.
To help you make up your mind, ask your teachers about subjects that you might be interested in but haven’t taken yet, so they can explain what will be taught on the course. You can also check out GCSE Bitesize to find out more about each subject.
What if I'm unhappy with my choices once I start?
If you're unhappy, you might be able to change subjects, but it’s likely to depend on whether changing will cause subjects clashes on your personal timetable. Remember: choosing your GCSE subjects is also choosing your timetable, so think hard and ask your teachers about the planned schedule for the subjects you are keen on.
What happens after I've picked my GCSE options?
Once you've chosen your options, you'll usually have two years to work toward your exams and assessments. The more GCSEs you pass, the more pathways are available to you to shape your future – this makes your hard work really worthwhile. You'll have more decisions to make once your results arrive. If you don't get the results you need, there may be the possibility to resit your exams.
If you need support
You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.
If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are more links to helpful organisations on BBC Action Line.
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