GCSE

[pantstastic]

Hi,

We are new to HE. Just hoping to sound a few things out.

I have read a lot on here about entry to University through Open University courses. This sounds really interesting. My question is do some careers, still require Maths,Science and English passes at GCSE or equivalent, irrespective of any degree you may have attained.

We are a while away from this, my eldest is 11,
but I like to have a vague notion of where we are leading.

Maths and English passes, and often science GCSES are standard requirements at English universities and if your dc hasn't got these they will be very limited in their higher education opportunities. I can't think of any careers that wouldn't expect maths and english as a basic requirement and they aren't really difficult to pass.

Yes the universities do state they are standard requirements, but I know of many home ediucated youngsters who have used the OU to get into Universities for all sorts of courses.
Others have used college access courses to get into Uni.

Just hearing of the latest crop of HE youngsters getting their interviews and offers

I'd sat about half of them, don't have traditional GCSEs.

We found that Universities to be very interested in talking to our youngsters, who don't have conventional qualifications.

Thankyou, julienoshoes,

do you think if you get into a university and get a degree, GCSEs are no longer relevant? I am worried I may restrict my childrens options if they dont take GCSEs.

I would say the main career where you do need Maths, Science and English GCSEs is Teaching. But it is quite possible to sit GCSEs and iGCSEs as an external candidate. As for Science you only need a pass in Core science, and at present only for Primary school teaching, and it is quite easy to pick that up later in life (usually after a relatively short perod of study).

I think you may well not need it because other things might well supercede it or be seen as more valuable. Everyone looks the same out of school so I think having something a bit different can be a bonus to both employers and universities.

Having said that, doing GCSEs/ IGCSEs out of school are nowhere near as hard as you might imagine. My 15 year old did 3 last year and is doing 4 this year. She already has Maths and Biology from last year and is taking English Language and Physics this year, among others. It's been remarkably easy to do once I got over the scariness of the idea of it!!!!

DD2, also 11, is on a slightly different track, doing a distance learning astronomy course at the moment! I'm just going with what paths they want to follow.

I'd see how things develop over time.

Thankyou, I think you are right, we still have time to decide