Coursework

Hi am am home schooledI have some questions about coursework workWhat is coursework work and forwhat what Subjects do I need to have coursework??And I am close to doing my gscs and I am very stress about this so plzz if someone knows plz let me know

Reply 1

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post by ioanagfrg

Hi am am home schooledI have some questions about coursework workWhat is coursework work and forwhat what Subjects do I need to have coursework??And I am close to doing my gscs and I am very stress about this so plzz if someone knows plz let me know

Coursework is essentially another form of assessment. If you're not good on exams, it's best to bank your marks and grades on coursework, even though it would be less than what you will get for all exams.

The common subjects I remember doing coursework for at GCSE were:
Graphics, Geography, Maths, Sciences, RE, Languages (because you need the written component), Art (it's mostly coursework), English language and literature (a lot of reading and comprehnesion that you can't get in the exam). In other words, in all subjects that I did.
To my knowledge, the following subjects require coursework: history, computer science, music, music tech.
However, the only way to be sure is to check with the exam board that you intend to study with fpr that subject.

When I was doing my coursework at GCSE, the teacher's attitude was to just get it done, which I think was wrong. I think a more suitable approach is to understand what the marking criteria is looking for and try to meet all the requirements to a high level. As the marking criteria is usually vague, it might be difficult for you to understand what they're looking for without speaking to a teacher, which I recommend you do anyway.

Reply 2

Compost

19

What subjects are you studying and are you intending to take GCSEs or IGCSEs?

Not that many subjects have coursework (officially called non examination assessment - NEA)
No coursework: Maths, English Literature, History, Religious Studies, Psychology, Business Studies, modern languages, Statistics, Sociology, Latin, Law, Classical Civilisation......
Coursework: Music, Art, DT, Food Tech. Best avoided by private candidates, i.e. people who are homeschooled.

English Language - no coursework for the main assessment but has an endorsement for Speaking and Listening. What you get doesn't affect your GCSE grade. You can avoid having to do this by picking IGCSE English Language.
Sciences. There isn't any coursework as such, but the exam centre has to sign to say that you have completed the required practicals. This makes it difficult for private candidates but there is no such requirement for IGCSEs.
Geography - centre has to sign a declaration about fieldwork that is similar to the Science one.
Citizenship - similar sort of declaration required.

Reply 3

z!zz!

4

Original post by MindMax2000

Coursework is essentially another form of assessment. If you're not good on exams, it's best to bank your marks and grades on coursework, even though it would be less than what you will get for all exams.

The common subjects I remember doing coursework for at GCSE were:
Graphics, Geography, Maths, Sciences, RE, Languages (because you need the written component), Art (it's mostly coursework), English language and literature (a lot of reading and comprehnesion that you can't get in the exam). In other words, in all subjects that I did.
To my knowledge, the following subjects require coursework: history, computer science, music, music tech.
However, the only way to be sure is to check with the exam board that you intend to study with fpr that subject.

When I was doing my coursework at GCSE, the teacher's attitude was to just get it done, which I think was wrong. I think a more suitable approach is to understand what the marking criteria is looking for and try to meet all the requirements to a high level. As the marking criteria is usually vague, it might be difficult for you to understand what they're looking for without speaking to a teacher, which I recommend you do anyway.

I was thinking about doing GCSE Graphics, and I've been trying to find some information on it but I'm having trouble finding any sources, could you please tell me your experience with it? Thanks in advance :smile:

Reply 4

Compost

19

Original post by z!zz!

I was thinking about doing GCSE Graphics, and I've been trying to find some information on it but I'm having trouble finding any sources, could you please tell me your experience with it? Thanks in advance :smile:

There isn't an actual GCSE called graphics, even if your school calls it Graphics, the certificate will say Art and Design https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/gcse/art-and-design-8201-8206/specification-at-a-glance

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 5

z!zz!

4

Original post by Compost

There isn't an actual GCSE called graphics, even if your school calls i Graphics, the certificate will say Art https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/gcse/art-and-design-8201-8206/specification-at-a-glance

Ahh alright, thanks for the link :smile:

Reply 6

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post by z!zz!

I was thinking about doing GCSE Graphics, and I've been trying to find some information on it but I'm having trouble finding any sources, could you please tell me your experience with it? Thanks in advance :smile:

I've been trying to find the specification for it, but apparently it seems to come under Art and Design for both AQA, OCR, and EdExcel:
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/gcse/art-and-design-8201-8206/subject-content/graphic-communication
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/art-and-design-2016.html
https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/art-and-design-j170-j176-from-2016/

Graphics Design was used to be classified under a type of Design Technology, but I can't seem to find something similar to that.
It used to be available, as evidenced by some schools:
https://www.yateleyschool.net/wp-content/uploads/Graphics-1.pdf
https://www.kgaringmer.uk/_site/data/files/documents/DE3260E5A7742BB9B28E87A104F57FAE.pdf
https://www.kingswoodsecondaryacademy.org/page/?title=GCSE+Design+%26amp%3Bamp%3B+Technology+%2D+Graphics&pid=200

I am trying to find something similar under Design Technology, but I haven't found any evidence of such yet, so it might help if you call up the exam board for further clarification.

Reply 7

absolutelysprout

21

it'll depend on what subjects you're doing- your teachers should have mentioned coursework if it was significant a while ago if you're in year 11 right now

Reply 8

Compost

19

Original post by MindMax2000

Graphics Design was used to be classified under a type of Design Technology, but I can't seem to find something similar to that.
It used to be available, as evidenced by some schools:

I am trying to find something similar under Design Technology, but I haven't found any evidence of such yet, so it might help if you call up the exam board for further clarification.

There used to be many different flavours of DT - Product design, resistant materials, graphic products, electronic products, system control - but the only one that got its own spec in the 2016 reforms was Food Tech. Everything else now comes under general DT