How many subjects do you need to do in GCSE??
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Re: How many subjects do you need to do in GCSE??Then how many do we need and what type of grades?(Original post by paddy__power)
You don't necessarily need any however you will almost always have to demonstrate a basic command of literacy and numeracy and this is most easily evidenced by GCSE qualifications.
No you don't. This is a requirement many apply as a matter of policy (and which they do deviate from) but it is not a broad requirement.
Not really. I have three and I was given offers from several "better" universities. You will often need English and maths, however.
Five is not in any way shape or form a blanket minimum.
You usually don't need five. -
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Re: How many subjects do you need to do in GCSE??This depends on how you are defining "need". Grade C in English and Maths will suffice in most cases to meet the general entry requirements of the university.(Original post by AS01)
Then how many do we need and what type of grades?
It's been a while since I applied or cared enough to check but I doubt this has changed. -
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Re: How many subjects do you need to do in GCSE??no you dont, my cousin goes to de montford and he doesnt have any, all he has is a key skills in english and maths and a btec(Original post by jelly1000)
You need a minimum of 5A*-C including English and Maths to be considered at most unis, however the better ones will expect you to have more, and its standard at most schools to take 8-10 GCSE's. -
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Re: How many subjects do you need to do in GCSE??Then I think it has changed!(Original post by paddy__power)
This depends on how you are defining "need". Grade C in English and Maths will suffice in most cases to meet the general entry requirements of the university.
It's been a while since I applied or cared enough to check but I doubt this has changed. -
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Re: How many subjects do you need to do in GCSE??Okay link me to the pages of at least 15 or 20 universities which state that you need 5 GCSEs and I shall believe you. I just quickly checked several of the "top" universities and no such requirement exist for general entry. I applied only two years ago: what I think is still the case.(Original post by AS01)
Then I think it has changed!
I accidentally repped you lol so you're welcome.Last edited by ByronicHero; 06-07-2012 at 23:08. -
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Re: How many subjects do you need to do in GCSE??Indeed.(Original post by jus2sik)
no you dont, my cousin goes to de montford and he doesnt have any, all he has is a key skills in english and maths and a btec -
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Re: How many subjects do you need to do in GCSE??(Original post by AS01)
you know what? I came to London in 2011 and joined A levels straight away. I don't even have GCSE/IGCSE and I think with people in here getting such great grades in GCSE I have really slim chance getting in at any unis. Yes I do have something that is kind of same to GCSE level but again I came to know that it is one less than GCSE qualification. So I dont know whats gonna happen with my life.
Bt I have great grades in A levels. I got all high As in first module exam and got a high B in physics just waiting for second module result now.
Well obviously you can manage it but not everyone could - I know so many people who really stuggled with A Levels.
With your grades at A Level, I reckon you have a pretty good chance of getting to uni - they tend not to look at GCSEs as much and will allow other qualifications too, although you probably need some sort of equivalent of a GCSE in english, maths, and any other relevant subjects.
Good luck with applying to uni if you decide to go
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Re: How many subjects do you need to do in GCSE??GCSE English Literature isn't compulsory; GCSE English Language is.(Original post by SillyEddy)
From what we did a few years ago, as compulsory you will do:
English (worth 2 GCSEs - English Literature and English Language)
Maths (worth 2 GCSEs IIRC - Maths and Statistics)
Science (worth 2 or 3 GCSEs depending on if you take the short course or the full course. I did the short course as the full course took up another GCSE timetable slot)
R.E (worth 1 GCSE, but the exam was optional and I did not do it)
Then 4 optional subjects:
I did IT, Spanish, Product Design Technology and Business Studies. The business one was a BTEC and was worth 2 GCSEs, but I did extra work and scored a 'First Diploma' which is worth 4 GCSEs.
If you have GCSE Maths at the grade of A*-C, no one will give a flying **** whether you have GCSE Statistics.
RE is not compulsory at GCSE level; it is sometimes considered to be an 'easy option', which is why many schools make you do it to at least short-course GCSE level.
OP: All in all, try and fit in as many GCSEs as you can, as they will only help you. Remember, though, it's quality, not quantity which is important - 7 A* grades always look better than 11 B grades.
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Re: How many subjects do you need to do in GCSE??I'd do as many as you think you can get A*'s or A's in. There's not much point in doing a GCSE if you think you'd get less than an A.
In terms of an actual quantity, it was always in my head that most people did 11 GCSEs. I did 10, but that's because I didn't take English literature and just did language (which are 2 separate subjects). -
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Re: How many subjects do you need to do in GCSE??I think they definitely consider your background. Depends on the university how much they consider it though. A levels are obviously very important, but I think if you're just missing their standard offer but go to a really bad school, they may make an exception and make you a lower offer. It really depends on the uni though.(Original post by AS01)
do they take those background much seriously than A levels? -
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Re: How many subjects do you need to do in GCSE??http://search.ucas.com/cgi-bin/hsrun...n=1127064#CSRA(Original post by paddy__power)
Okay link me to the pages of at least 15 or 20 universities which state that you need 5 GCSEs and I shall believe you. I just quickly checked several of the "top" universities and no such requirement exist for general entry. I applied only two years ago: what I think is still the case.
I accidentally repped you lol so you're welcome.
Look at GCSE section it says, "Normally, applicants must offer A* grades in each of English, Mathematics and Science/s. Overall GCSE performance will be considered."
So english, maths, physics, chem and bio = 5 subjects
But as the competition level is so high people get 8A*/A or 12A* and with only 5 subjects in GCSE I think its gonna be pretty hard to get in at unis like oxbridge.
Also have a look at this
http://search.ucas.com/cgi-bin/hsrun...n=1142184#CSRALast edited by AS01; 08-07-2012 at 19:50. -
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Re: How many subjects do you need to do in GCSE??ya dats true!(Original post by dragonkeeper999)
I think they definitely consider your background. Depends on the university how much they consider it though. A levels are obviously very important, but I think if you're just missing their standard offer but go to a really bad school, they may make an exception and make you a lower offer. It really depends on the uni though. -
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Re: How many subjects do you need to do in GCSE??how many GCSEs does he have then?(Original post by jus2sik)
no you dont, my cousin goes to de montford and he doesnt have any, all he has is a key skills in english and maths and a btec -
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Re: How many subjects do you need to do in GCSE??I came to know dat the exm I did in Nepal is equivalent to GCSE, so a bit relieved now. and thnx a lot.(Original post by Butterfly9595)
Well obviously you can manage it but not everyone could - I know so many people who really stuggled with A Levels.
With your grades at A Level, I reckon you have a pretty good chance of getting to uni - they tend not to look at GCSEs as much and will allow other qualifications too, although you probably need some sort of equivalent of a GCSE in english, maths, and any other relevant subjects.
Good luck with applying to uni if you decide to go
Last edited by AS01; 08-07-2012 at 19:54. -
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Re: How many subjects do you need to do in GCSE??Medicine is a very different beast to most other degree choices and there are forums for that if you wish to apply for it. Linking me to one course at one university proves nothing. For the record I had an interview at Cambridge with three GCSEs and know others who ended up attending who also had fewer than five. I also had offers from Warwick, Exeter and York.(Original post by AS01)
http://search.ucas.com/cgi-bin/hsrun...n=1127064#CSRA
Look at GCSE section it says, "Normally, applicants must offer A* grades in each of English, Mathematics and Science/s. Overall GCSE performance will be considered."
So english, maths, physics, chem and bio = 5 subjects
But as the competition level is so high people get 8A*/A or 12A* and with only 5 subjects in GCSE I think its gonna be pretty hard to get in at unis like oxbridge.
You are of course free to believe whatever you want but a lot of what is posted in this thread is misinformation. Frankly, though, anyone who turns up to their GCSEs having been to school at least some of the time should easily get 5. -
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Re: How many subjects do you need to do in GCSE??Oh great. YOU HAD ONLY 3 GCSEs!!! why did you not say dat before? I would obviously believe the one who faced it rather than those entry requirements. How come you got opportunity for interview then? did you mention dat why you have only 3 GCSEs or did they just called you for interview? I think you will be the right person who can help me(Original post by paddy__power)
Medicine is a very different beast to most other degree choices and there are forums for that if you wish to apply for it. Linking me to one course at one university proves nothing. For the record I had an interview at Cambridge with three GCSEs and know others who ended up attending who also had fewer than five. I also had offers from Warwick, Exeter and York.
You are of course free to believe whatever you want but a lot of what is posted in this thread is misinformation. Frankly, though, anyone who turns up to their GCSEs having been to school at least some of the time should easily get 5.
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Re: How many subjects do you need to do in GCSE??My written work etc was reasonable I assume. Most places really don't care a great deal about GCSEs as long as you can show an upwards progression with what you do next. I do, however, have English and maths and they are the important ones.(Original post by AS01)
Oh great. YOU HAD ONLY 3 GCSEs!!! why did you not say dat before? I would obviously believe the one who faced it rather than those entry requirements. How come you got opportunity for interview then? did you mention dat why you have only 3 GCSEs or did they just called you for interview? I think you will be the right person who can help me
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Re: How many subjects do you need to do in GCSE??The thing is I did not even do GCSE/IGCSE but did something equivalent to it. But in Nepal people are so careless when the check your paper dat sometime they dont even check your paper and just give you a mark randomly and I am one of the victim so I dont have dat great marks and I want to apply to cambridge for medicine, which I think is gonna be really hard for me.(Original post by paddy__power)
My written work etc was reasonable I assume. Most places really don't care a great deal about GCSEs as long as you can show an upwards progression with what you do next. I do, however, have English and maths and they are the important ones.
Do you think that if I make my personal statement really impressive and show my passion for medicine along with a lot of work experiences will I get chance to at least called for an interview or will they reject me in first place?
Btw which uni are you studying at? -
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Re: How many subjects do you need to do in GCSE??They will probably just reject you. There will be so many people who have everything you have and everything you don't. It is just one choice of 4 though so if it is a dream or whatever then go for it.(Original post by AS01)
The thing is I did not even do GCSE/IGCSE but did something equivalent to it. But in Nepal people are so careless when the check your paper dat sometime they dont even check your paper and just give you a mark randomly and I am one of the victim so I dont have dat great marks and I want to apply to cambridge for medicine, which I think is gonna be really hard for me.
Do you think that if I make my personal statement really impressive and show my passion for medicine along with a lot of work experiences will I get chance to at least called for an interview or will they reject me in first place?
Btw which uni are you studying at?
I'm currently at Reading.
