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Original poster

Geography or Computer Science GCSE?

36 replies

BeachCrow · 09/04/2019 19:43

DS needs to choose by Thursday and Can't decide. He enjoys both subjects but we think he's more likely to get a better grade in Geography and find it easier. He thinks he might want to work with computers but is very unsure. He has been told Computer Sci at A level could be an option without GCSE but it would be hard.

He has to take Maths, English, 3 Sciences, RPSE and 1 language. He wants to take a 2nd language as he is very good at languages (French is his favourite and best subject) which only leaves one option.

I know nobody on the internet can decide for him but wondering if anyone has any advice?

OP posts:
YeOldeTrout · 11/04/2019 19:55

let us know if there are any girls in his computing class.

I'm a geographer who programmes for a living!
Not sure he should have to choose.
DD did both & liked geography better.
Suggest he goes for the one that seems funner.

Original poster
BeachCrow · 10/04/2019 18:46

Thanks everyone. He thinks he's going to go for computer science because he might want to work as a programmer in the future, although he's not sure. He's also very good at Maths and Physics which fits in.

OP posts:
LucyFox · 10/04/2019 18:15

Geography is a solid academic subjects that will let him do various things in the future
Computer science is heavy on programming so if he has other interests, it will be a hard course (also be sure it is the GCSE course they would be doing not a BTEC etc)
With his other choices, I would definitely go for geography - it shows he can handle an academic subject & will give a broader base for future

RedSkyLastNight · 10/04/2019 18:07

Does he want to program? As opposed to just working with computers. DS says there are lots of DC in his computer science group who thought it woild just involve doing lots of things with the computers, who are really struggling.

havingtochangeusernameagain · 10/04/2019 18:03

This could be useful: www.altoncollege.ac.uk/sixth-form/finding-a-course/a-level/computer-science

havingtochangeusernameagain · 10/04/2019 18:01

Geography is a lot of work. But ds hasn't found it hard.

DS' school said computer science was very hard and you had to be quite committed to do it.

What does your ds prefer? I'd choose the subject he expects to do best in.

Either can be picked up at A level without having done the GCSE.

PostNotInHaste · 10/04/2019 17:57

DS wants to do Computer Science for A level when the time comes but hasn’t been able to do it for GCSE as his schoool decided not to run it. We’ve started to look at 6th forms and found that the lack of GCSE in it is limiting his options.

Original poster
BeachCrow · 09/04/2019 20:23

Thanks for the useful replies. He is very good at Maths and very logical.

OP posts:
TheFirstOHN · 09/04/2019 20:10

If your son has a mathematical / logical mind and enjoys programming, go for Computer Science. If not, Geography sounds like a safer bet for him.

TheFirstOHN · 09/04/2019 20:07

My children have done and are doing both.

The new Geography GCSE is harder than they were expecting. Both went in to the course with geography being a favourite subject and it quickly became not a favourite. They have to use the exact key words to get the marks and needed to memorise a lot of statistics for the case studies. DS2 managed to get a grade 9 but had to work for it. DD used to exceed her targets in geography but now is hoping for a 6.

The Computer Science GCSE is quite straightforward if they are strong at Maths (7+) and do a bit of programming in their spare time. DS2's year group was affected by the NEA debacle which was a shame, but otherwise he enjoyed the course. He didn't have to spend an excessive amount of time on revision and got a grade 8. DS3 (half way through the GCSE course) loves Computer Science, it's his favourite subject. Also aiming for an 8.

Out of the two, I would say Computer Science has been more enjoyable for my children, but Geography is possibly a more useful subject in terms of opening doors for further education. There are no courses that require Computer Science GCSE.

CraftyGin · 09/04/2019 19:56

Without a doubt, computer science. There is a shortage of computer scientists in this country.