GCSE options
I have wanted to be an actress from a young age and always been passionate about doing performing arts as a career. I want to take drama, history, dance and music. I am being advised to take a backup because only a select few get that far with this career. I have also been asked to take triple science because i find i am good at this area as well as maths. What do i do? 
Reply 1
Original post
by emilyrose8xI have wanted to be an actress from a young age and always been passionate about doing performing arts as a career. I want to take drama, history, dance and music. I am being advised to take a backup because only a select few get that far with this career. I have also been asked to take triple science because i find i am good at this area as well as maths. What do i do?
Hi there, this is a really thoughtful question and it’s great that you’re already thinking carefully about your future and keeping your options open.
At London South Bank University, what matters most for acting degrees is not your specific GCSE subject combination, but your overall academic profile, your commitment to performance, and your practical ability. For example, entry to our BA (Hons) Acting for Stage and Screen course is based on achieving 112 UCAS tariff points (or equivalent Level 3 qualifications) and, very importantly, a successful audition. Your performance at audition, your preparation, and your potential as a performer play a central role in the decision.
Subjects like drama, dance and music are clearly very relevant and will help you build performance skills, confidence and experience, which are essential for auditions and later training. History is also a strong academic subject that develops critical thinking, communication and analysis, all of which are valuable in higher education and in the performing arts industry. At the same time, taking at least one or two strong academic subjects such as maths or science as a backup is a sensible and mature approach. It keeps more pathways open in case your interests change or you decide to explore a different route later on.
If in the future you do not quite meet the standard entry requirements, LSBU also take a flexible approach. We are happy to consider relevant skills, experience and training gained outside the classroom, as well as any extenuating circumstances, alongside your formal qualifications. You can also use the UCAS tariff guidance to understand how different qualifications translate into points and plan your Level 3 choices accordingly.
You are always welcome to explore LSBU and get a real feel for what student life is like here. We have a Southwark open day: Saturday 7th February 2026 where you can hear more about our courses and support. If you would prefer to see the campus in person you can book a tour https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/study/study-at-lsbu/open-days on a day that suits you and get a sense of the spaces you would be studying in. You can also chat to our current students https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/student-life/chat to hear honest experiences and get answers to any course questions you might have.
LSBU Admissions Ambassador
Reply 2
Take the subjects that you will enjoy and that you will get the best grades at. As long as you have the basics of maths, English & science and a humanity then the rest of your subjects don't matter. The only thing I will say is that taking dance, drama and music can be very time consuming as you will have rehearsals for drama practicals etc and a significant proportion of your grade will be reliant on group work. The composition element of music GCSE is also time consuming and an area some find difficult.
Apart from music then it is not essential to study GCSE drama or dance (and not even music if you have practical and theory grades) to study them at A level or Btec.
Apart from music then it is not essential to study GCSE drama or dance (and not even music if you have practical and theory grades) to study them at A level or Btec.
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