should I do geography or design technology (not textiles)

Hi,

So for gcses, I'm taking (for now):

Physics
chem
biology
english lit
english language
maths
spanish
music (gr 8. violin)
computer science

and for the last one I'm stuck on either geography or design technology..

Reply 1

ArtisticEagle

4

Have you got much of an idea what you want to do in the future? Prehaps choose the subject that feels most relevant. Otherwise choose which one you enjoy more and get the best grades in. Hope this was helpful. I'm about to choose my GCSEs myself, and am debating the same; dt or geography, as both would be relevant as I would like to go into architecture... Also grade 8 violin in year 9? That's amazing!

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 2

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post by stressed_person

Hi,

So for gcses, I'm taking (for now):

Physics
chem
biology
english lit
english language
maths
spanish
music (gr 8. violin)
computer science

and for the last one I'm stuck on either geography or design technology..

I feel like I am parroting what @ArtisticEagle has said, but I want to add a few more points.

I agree that it depends on:

•

What you want to do in the future (particularly it's helpful if you check what the entry requirements are for specific A Level subjects for the college that you want to go to) - not that A Level exam boards require you to have certain subjects or grades at GCSE, but colleges mandate them (I don't know why either)

•

You should pick the subjects you enjoy the most and have the highest grades in - you would only be doing GCSEs once, unless you want to take on extra GCSEs after 16 (can be useful for foreign languages or if you don't have English Language or Maths)

However, in the grand scheme of things:

•

Your specific GCSE grades won't matter for work, and the key ones for degree applications and work are English Language and Maths

•

Most colleges and Level 3 courses/apprenticeships are asking for 5 GCSES at grades 5-9

•

The only time where all your GCSEs would matter would be for very competitive degrees such as medicine, vetinary science, and dentistry. And they care more about the grades more than subjects chosen

•

Your language GCSEs can be useful if you want to calibrate your level of fluency/proficiency in the language (e.g. against the CEFR framework) for application for further language courses or official language certificates issued by specific countries

I also concur, it's pretty impressive that you are grade 8 in violin in Year 9 - I have only come across a handful of other violin students who achieved the same at such a young age. Do you fancy becoming a violin teacher? I think you're pretty much already qualified.

If A Level Design tech or Geography don't matter to you (A Level Geography might matter if you want to do a degree with physical geography or geology, but A Level Design tech isn't a required subject for any degree), then the choice doesn't matter; Pick the subject you enjoy more and can get the higher grade in. From your choices, I think it's geography, but then I am not you.

Reply 3

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post by ArtisticEagle

Have you got much of an idea what you want to do in the future? Prehaps choose the subject that feels most relevant. Otherwise choose which one you enjoy more and get the best grades in. Hope this was helpful. I'm about to choose my GCSEs myself, and am debating the same; dt or geography, as both would be relevant as I would like to go into architecture... Also grade 8 violin in year 9? That's amazing!

Sorry to interject, but I am a little concerned that you might be fed the wrong information about architecture.

To get into architecture, you would need a bachelor's and master's in architecture, but these need to be RIBA accredited degrees. You would need appropriate work experience between and after the degrees.
Out of 59 accredited bachelor's degrees in the UK, only 4 or so require specific A Level subjects (or similar) - the grades would be of concern. The others accept any random A Level subjects. Unless the 6th form college that you're attending want specific grades from specific GCSE subjects, you don't really need to pick specific subjects at GCSE level.
Even if you decide to go down the apprenticeship route, the GCSE subjects usually don't matter. The grades will influence your application though.

See the following:
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/architect
https://arb.org.uk/student-information/schools-institutions-architecture/
https://www.architecture.com/education-cpd-and-careers/riba-validation/riba-validated-schools-uk
https://careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/design/job-profile/architect

Reply 4

Anko15

8

Original post by MindMax2000

Sorry to interject, but I am a little concerned that you might be fed the wrong information about architecture.

To get into architecture, you would need a bachelor's and master's in architecture, but these need to be RIBA accredited degrees. You would need appropriate work experience between and after the degrees.
Out of 59 accredited bachelor's degrees in the UK, only 4 or so require specific A Level subjects (or similar) - the grades would be of concern. The others accept any random A Level subjects. Unless the 6th form college that you're attending want specific grades from specific GCSE subjects, you don't really need to pick specific subjects at GCSE level.
Even if you decide to go down the apprenticeship route, the GCSE subjects usually don't matter. The grades will influence your application though.

See the following:
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/architect
https://arb.org.uk/student-information/schools-institutions-architecture/
https://www.architecture.com/education-cpd-and-careers/riba-validation/riba-validated-schools-uk
https://careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/design/job-profile/architect

Although GCSE subjects aren't that relevant, I think considering them is quite helpful especially if your sixth form only let you take a level subjects that you did in GCSEs. I'm in year 13 and I think DT at gcse and alevel were so helpful for me in building a portfolio since I didn't do art GCSE and gave me time to do a lot of art outside of school. ( I recommend art GCSE or courses if you enjoy it because it helps from portfolio stress :') )
DT taught me a lot of workshop and CAD skills that I think will be really help me in university and getting used to practical work, and my friends doing geo and applying for architecture found it helpful linking work to the built environment esp if you are considering landscape architecture!
Do what you enjoy but its really good ur considering things this early as it will save you stress later on :smile:

.

Reply 5

ArtisticEagle

4

Original post by MindMax2000

Sorry to interject, but I am a little concerned that you might be fed the wrong information about architecture.

To get into architecture, you would need a bachelor's and master's in architecture, but these need to be RIBA accredited degrees. You would need appropriate work experience between and after the degrees.
Out of 59 accredited bachelor's degrees in the UK, only 4 or so require specific A Level subjects (or similar) - the grades would be of concern. The others accept any random A Level subjects. Unless the 6th form college that you're attending want specific grades from specific GCSE subjects, you don't really need to pick specific subjects at GCSE level.
Even if you decide to go down the apprenticeship route, the GCSE subjects usually don't matter. The grades will influence your application though.

See the following:
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/architect
https://arb.org.uk/student-information/schools-institutions-architecture/
https://www.architecture.com/education-cpd-and-careers/riba-validation/riba-validated-schools-uk
https://careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/design/job-profile/architect

Thank you, although my main point was just that it is easier to go on to study a level if u have chosen it for gcses and choosing relevant a levels can be helpful to give a basic understanding of topics before going into uni, even if not required.

should I do geography or design technology (not textiles)

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