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Original poster

History/Geog/RE- which GCSE/s?

32 replies

Erebus · 05/02/2013 10:33

Y9 DS is reasonably clever and is heading for the expected triple science, 2 x English, maths, one MFL. So most of his 'options' -aren't!

He is equivocal about whether he'd rather do History or Geog. I know he will have to do one of those (Thanks, Eng Bacc)- or maybe I should say, probably 2 of the 3 listed in the title.

I personally think History would win over Geog purely because his other choices demonstrate a science bent, as can Geog I guess (when I was 18 one could do Geog at uni as either a B Sc or a BA) but I wonder if History demonstrates the ability to construct coherent essays better than Geog might? Actually, this 'ability' is a bit of a weakness for him, thinking about it!

I am also hoping he can do something a bit techy or arty tho he is rubbish at actual art!

We have parents Options Eve tomorrow night but they have been meeting with the DC many times, but of course, DS hasn't yet really grasped what he gets to choose between.

OP posts:
grotbagz · 05/02/2013 11:09

In that case you may be interested in going on Ucas course search and typing in engineering - they show what grades and requirements a range of unis wants - just for reference and to see what, if any, particulars they'd be interested in!

I studied linguistics which is basically 'the science of language', don't ask, so they didn't ask for specific subjects but they had some listed that w

Original poster
Erebus · 05/02/2013 11:05

Thanks for all the input, everyone, incidentally!

OP posts:
Original poster
Erebus · 05/02/2013 11:04

DS thinks he wants to be an 'engineer' (I may have influenced that a bit! Grin).

I do wonder if he might be better off doing more 'science' as long as he gets good enough marks for English. I see Geography as being more science-y, more objective than the subjective way history seems to be handled ('What do you think....?') now.

We (He!) have a month to decide, I gather, and I trust the school, having decades of experience of stellar exam success (for a comp) will guide him appropriately, but I do wonder if they might guide him towards more guaranteed GCSEs over a good range?

OP posts:
grotbagz · 05/02/2013 11:03

Oh and I forgot to mention - although it is ridiculous for him to have to think about in such advance if he's not set on what he wants to do if he does want to go into further/ higher education, the uni I went to preferred certain subjects to round out their a levels than others, whereas some have a points based system with no specific requirements, an sometimes just one required subject.

Is it likely he'll want to go to one of the more picky unis or wants to do a degree with specific lean, that will be more interested in other subjects, then that's something to take into account but if not Its definitely true he will be more likely to enjoy it and do well if he's interested in the subject.

Although if he does think that after gcses he'd like to study history and hasn't, it is likely they will let you do this with a gcse in geography anyway - lots of people at my school did this.

Not sure if this is relevant to you but hope it helps in some way, sorry for the ramble!!

senua · 05/02/2013 10:57

History used to be DS's favourite subject but he has gone off it now because he realises its a bit, um, irrelevant. He is learning the higher skills (analyse, argue, research etc) but that can be covered by other subjects eg English and RE. The actual content is the irrelevant bit. The content of Geography is much more practical and useful.

fubbsy · 05/02/2013 10:51

Find out on options evening what topics they will be covering. Then ds can decide which ones are more interesting to him. If he is interested, he is more likely to do well.

My dd is also a science-y kid and will problably go on to do science/maths A-levels and a science degree. I don't think it will make much difference in the long run which humanities subject she does, just as long as she has one and gets a reasonable grade in it.

grotbagz · 05/02/2013 10:50

It all depends what your ds plans to do in terms of a levels and uni - unfortunately at my school this wasn't made that clear so just be aware that certain choices may implicate being unable or less 'perferred' for certain subjects at either sixth form / uni - that is if he is going down that route!

Does he want to do those things? Unfortunately it is very early to have to even think about that but that seems to be the nature of the beast!