Choosing which subjects to take further into sixth form can be a tough decision. If you have a particular career path or degree course in mind, then it’s always good to start researching the subjects which will help you get into that field. If you’re not sure what you want from your career then try to keep your options open by choosing both sciences and humanities.
Some students enrol onto a course which they haven’t researched thoroughly then find that it’s not what they hoped for so investigate the course assessment methods and the topics covered.
Ultimately, choosing subjects which you enjoy and that you’re good at is by far the most important factor.
Traditional vs soft subjects
Due to the fierce competition universities are starting to focus more on the type of subjects you study. Universities such as Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL and St Andrews have created a list of subjects that they consider to be ‘soft’ subjects which they believe do not prepare students well for their degrees. They will only admit students who have studied ‘traditional’ subjects such as English, Maths, Physics and History. If you are thinking of applying to top universities and if you are achieving As and Bs we strongly suggest visiting the university’s website to view the entry requirements so you can make the right subject choice – you wouldn’t want to select a subject which eliminates you from being offered a place at your first choice university.
Things to think about
- Don’t choose subjects based on what your friends are doing. If you’re studying a subject you enjoy, it won’t matter if you’re studying it on your own.
- Choosing a subject because your parents want you to study it is not a good idea. If your parents want to you to become a doctor and you have no interest in the profession, then it’s not worth spending the next few years studying medicine. Sit down, talk to them about your options and explain your decision – they will respect you and your decision that much more if you go to them with a well-researched alternative.
- Don’t select a subject because you like the teacher – you may find that teachers either change roles or they stop teaching a particular subject, or they end up leaving the school altogether. We do however suggest talking to your teachers about your choices as they have had years of experience with helping students in your position. Maybe talk to head of department about the course – it shows initiative and it’s also a great way to gather information about the subject.
- You might end up changing your mind once you get your GCSE results so remember to have a Plan B in place just in case you don’t get the grades you expect.
