Post-Secondary School Desicion!

Hello! I'm 16 years old and currently residing in the UK.
Having completed my GCSEs, I'm now looking at places to study for my post-secondary school education.

I have two options however am torn between the two.
The first option is a specialised film academy where I'll study B-techs in directing, scriptwriting and acting etc...
The second is your usual academic sixth form where I'll study maths biology chemistry (initially, I was going to study film studies as my third instead of maths, but I heard that in order to do medicine at top universities maths is required, although, I'm willing to take it as a 4th.)

The main problem is that I loved both the subjects of biology and film equally at GCSE.

My goal in life is to release a professional film or a book of my own, however, I'm not 100% decided on my dream career yet and am uncertain about what I want to do. On one hand, I would feel foolish if I gave up on the opportunity of attending the film academy since it could accelerate my journey of breaking into the film industry, but on the other, I am also aware that I'm limiting my options of what I want to do in life when I'm older if I do decide to study there.

So, does anyone have any advice on what I should do??

Extra Questions:
1. Is it possible to study sciences first and then change careers from medicine to the film industry or vice versa?

2. Does anyone know if film companies expect or prefer to hire students who have studied film at 16 at a specialised school??

3. Are there any alternative options where I could do both science and film perhaps?...

Reply 1

CamembertPaws

Hey there, have you considered doing a Foundation Diploma? Do you know what they are?

Reply 2

R01

Original post by CamembertPaws

Hey there, have you considered doing a Foundation Diploma? Do you know what they are?

No, in all honesty, I have no clue what that is.

Reply 3

CamembertPaws

If you're interested in exploring your options before committing to University (or otherwise) it is a year of full time creative education which will allow you the time to explore options such as Film, Photography, Fine Art etc. (depending on the institution that offers it) fully funded depending on your age. If you're interested in exploring your interest in Film before you decide whether to commit to a science based degree, this is a good option. I'd recommend looking into this for you if you're not sure on what to do, it also gains you further UCAS points when you do decide to apply to University, I personally have known students to take this route and go onto creative degree pathways or non-creative. Let us know if you need anymore advice :smile:

Reply 4

toothysmile

Speaking from medicine application, foundation diplomas are really good because they don't count as a bachelors uni degree, it's only a year long, so if you want to apply for med you can still do, having taken a 'gap year' to complete a foundation diploma. Furthermore, a foundation diploma will make you stand out as a candidate (as many candidates will have done bio, chem, maths alevels) whereas you have done a creative foundation dilpoma.
I have friends who've done foundation diplomas and loved it so I would 100% do that...

Reply 5

R01

Original post by toothysmile

Speaking from medicine application, foundatiTon diplomas are really good because they don't count as a bachelors uni degree, it's only a year long, so if you want to apply for med you can still do, having taken a 'gap year' to complete a foundation diploma. Furthermore, a foundation diploma will make you stand out as a candidate (as many candidates will have done bio, chem, maths alevels) whereas you have done a creative foundation dilpoma.
I have friends who've done foundation diplomas and loved it so I would 100% do that...

Thank you, I'm just slightly confused though, are foundation diplomas an alternative to A-levels?

Reply 6

toothysmile

Original post by R01

Thank you, I'm just slightly confused though, are foundation diplomas an alternative to A-levels?

From what I understand, you do them after A-levels as a way of seeing if an arts course is what you want to do at uni, however they give UCAS points/ more qualifications which unis may take into consideration