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GSCE - University

I am currently a Y9 student and will be Year 11 next year and am currently worried about how I can progress further. I have immigrant parents so they weren't able to teach me about how the UK school system works and the school I go to doesn't explain it properly. I know what I'm doing for GSCES( History , Computer Science, Religious Studies and Mandarin) as some of these will help me progress into doing law. I was put it in the EBACC pathway and my school makes it that if you get EBACC you have to do the language you've been studying since Year 7 and I've been doing Mandarin since Y7 because my school gave me no choice because I'm Brazilian so they said I couldn't do Spanish.
I saw that History , English Lit and Government & Politics are good for A - Levels but I'm just all so confused . What things can I do to help , especially for 6th form and Universities. I'm a top set student and many of my teachers regard me as very smart and say I will do well incase that helps me.
(edited 9 months ago)
Reply 1
r u chinese???? or did u actually pick mandarin whaat
Reply 2
Original post by mucainha
i was put it in the EBACC pathway and my school makes it that if you get EBACC you have to do the language you've been studying since Year 7 and I've been doing Mandarin since Y7 because my school gave me no choice because I'm Brazilian so they said I couldn't do Spanish

HELP thats so bad i think i scraped a 9 as a native chinese LMAO

if ur school offers it do mun, and debate clubs etc
Reply 3
Original post by visula
r u chinese???? or did u actually pick mandarin whaat

i was put it in the EBACC pathway and my school makes it that if you get EBACC you have to do the language you've been studying since Year 7 and I've been doing Mandarin since Y7 because my school gave me no choice because I'm Brazilian so they said I couldn't do Spanish
Original post by mucainha
I am currently a Y9 student and will be Year 11 next year and am currently worried about how I can progress further. I have immigrant parents so they weren't able to teach me about how the UK school system works and the school I go to doesn't explain it properly. I know what I'm doing for GSCES( History , Computer Science, Religious Studies and Mandarin) as some of these will help me progress into doing law. I saw that History , English Lit and Government & Politics are good for A - Levels but I'm just all so confused . What things can I do to help , especially for 6th form and Universities. I'm a top set student and many of my teachers regard me as very smart and say I will do well incase that helps me.

Hi there

I understand that the UK's education system can be quite complex. It is great that you know what area you are interested in. Strong grades always help, as it widens your future options and improves the chances for you to get into a higher ranking Sixth Form or University. 🙂

Most Universities offering a law degree do not mind what subjects you take for GCSEs, mostly they will focus on the grade you have achieved. The most important subjects will be the English and Maths GCSEs, these are usually what most employers/ Universities look for in the future (Whether for law or not).

As a current law student, I think those will be good A level options if you are looking to progress into law. Whilst most Universities will accept any A levels for a law degree (Against focusing instead on the grade you have achieved), A levels is a good chance for you to enhance your skills and prepare yourself for a degree. For law, many people recommend taking English or History for A levels (to gain good essay writing skills and the ability to understanding any texts you are reading). These will build strong foundations for you enter a law degree. I also believe the Government and Politics course could also be good for a law degree. 🙂

However, if you do have any particular A levels you are interested in doing, you can definitely have a look into them. (I took A levels biology, maths and chemistry and ended up picking a law degree, which has turned out really enjoyable too). 🙂

Other than achieving good grades, I think there are other things you can do to boost your University applications- looking for work experience is quite important in the UK. I think at Year 9, any experience will be useful- whether legal or non-legal. (Volunteering, paid work experiences etc. try actively contacting local firms for opportunities) For law related experiences, I believe some opportunities become available for Year 11 students at law firms (do some research and make sure to note down any opportunities and application deadlines). 🙂

After gaining experiences and achieving good grades: make sure to conduct proper research on different University and course options. 🙂 Attending open days and researching about the different modules offered for each course will be a good starting point too.

I hope this helps. If you have any other questions, I will be happy to answer them. 🙂
Chloe
University of Kent
Reply 5
Thanks so much Chloe ! I will definitely keep this all in mind as I progress further on . Honestly , you don't understand how much this helps , especially coming from one of the Universities I was working towards to . Have a great day !
Reply 6
Original post by mucainha
I am currently a Y9 student and will be Year 11 next year and am currently worried about how I can progress further. I have immigrant parents so they weren't able to teach me about how the UK school system works and the school I go to doesn't explain it properly. I know what I'm doing for GSCES( History , Computer Science, Religious Studies and Mandarin) as some of these will help me progress into doing law. I was put it in the EBACC pathway and my school makes it that if you get EBACC you have to do the language you've been studying since Year 7 and I've been doing Mandarin since Y7 because my school gave me no choice because I'm Brazilian so they said I couldn't do Spanish.I saw that History , English Lit and Government
Reply 7
Original post by mucainha
i was put it in the EBACC pathway and my school makes it that if you get EBACC you have to do the language you've been studying since Year 7 and I've been doing Mandarin since Y7 because my school gave me no choice because I'm Brazilian so they said I couldn't do Spanish

Ebacc means nothing - it's a school measure not a certifcate for you. You can choose any language even Spanish - they were not honest with you.

Just aim to get high GCSE grades - check the specifications [these are on the exam board websites].
Original post by mucainha
I am currently a Y9 student and will be Year 11 next year and am currently worried about how I can progress further. I have immigrant parents so they weren't able to teach me about how the UK school system works and the school I go to doesn't explain it properly. I know what I'm doing for GSCES( History , Computer Science, Religious Studies and Mandarin) as some of these will help me progress into doing law. I was put it in the EBACC pathway and my school makes it that if you get EBACC you have to do the language you've been studying since Year 7 and I've been doing Mandarin since Y7 because my school gave me no choice because I'm Brazilian so they said I couldn't do Spanish.
I saw that History , English Lit and Government & Politics are good for A - Levels but I'm just all so confused . What things can I do to help , especially for 6th form and Universities. I'm a top set student and many of my teachers regard me as very smart and say I will do well incase that helps me.


in terms of sixth form as long as you get the grades (which idk about what u need but generally they seem to be quite achievable) and use your time wisely you're all good. just while you're in sixth form i cant stress this enough actually use your free if you get them- we had all the y13s telling us that at the start of y12 and did we? not really. but if you use y12 to make revision resources then it will save you sooo much time in y13. In regards to getting into uni you have to write a personal statement and apply to 5 unis via UCAS and then you pick your favourite 2 out of the ones you get into- they will explain this more at the time. but to give yourself the best chance with all that (and just things in general tbh) take as many opportunities as you can manage alongside ur studies because it'll give you more to write abt in your personal statement and unis tend to like to see well rounded individuals

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