GCSE Choices Help

[Liana22]

My DD is curently in Y9 and deciding what GCSES she should take. She is very academically capable but also enjoys sport and art but she doesn't know what the best subjects for her would be. I am no help whatsoever as I didn't do GCSES because I lived in Russia. In her school English Lit&Lang, Maths and Triple Science are compulsary and she has 3 choices to make. She wants to go to Oxford or Cambridge to study either Modern Languages, Law or Politics. Also she if fluent in Russian, English and Lithuanian and is currently learning Latin at home and French and Spanish at school. She's narrowed the options down to:
Spanish
History
Geography
Computing
Art
PE
What do you think would be best for her???

Also what ALevels should she take yo pursue Politics,Modern Languages or Law in Uni???
Thanks xx❤

Why isn't she thinking of doing both Spanish and French GCSEs if modern languages is an option for university?

History would be good grounding for Politics & Law.

So I would go for
Spanish & History.
Then French (not on your list I know).
Then if not French, whatever takes her fancy, but note Art is known for being a heavy load.

Thanks for your reply it was really helpful! She finds French too difficult although she's in the top set and has decided that she's definately not taking it. Also she has started to consider Business Studies but isn't it viewed as a 'soft' subject??? Thanks again ☺

The school will push a subject from 'basket 2' ( for progress 8 figures), so she will have to do one from history, geography, computer science or MFL. Then I would suggest she decides herself - she has to study a subject she will enjoy; grades are more important.

Whilst the MN view is that business is a soft subject, no subject is easy. The top grades require students (like in all subjects) to not only have the subject knowledge but also excellent analytical and evaluative skills. Lots of my previous students at GCSE and A level who have gone on to recieve Oxbridge/RG offers

One soft subjects amongst all the others you list isn't going to be an issue.

Definitely history plus whichever she really enjoys.

Thank you both for your reply! I will make sure to pass on your opinions onto her

Also thank you TeenAndTween and LIZS for replying

What do you guys think about her taking History, Geography and Spanish?

Nothing wrong with history, geography and Spanish.

I was going to say Spanish and either history or geography. Art and PE might not be beneficial for getting her into a university unless she is studying something along those lines, but they would provide something different in her choices. My DD is doing an art GCSE - she does stay in two lunchtimes a week to complete work in class, but homework doesn't take her much longer than any other subject - she thoroughly enjoys it.

It's important she does subjects she likes.

I think history is a very good choice if she has an interest in law (reading, assimilating, assessing sources and constructing an evidence-based argument).

Spanish a good choice given her interest in continuing with languages.

And geography also a good choice.

She'd be better off with two MFLs if that's what she wants to do at uni. It may not be essential, but will keep her options open.

Thanks for replying everyone! She's decided to do Spanish, History and Geography . One again thank you for helping her reach this decision!

She should be able to do Russian GCSE privately. It's worth speaking to the Head of MFL about this. Is her reading and writing good, and is she able to speak relatively formally?

GinandJag- She speaks Russian at home and she weekly practises her writing and reads quite a lot aswell. Is it worth having a Russian GCSE if she is already fluent in the language?

It's not on your list and is often missed out by the very academic and considered a 'soft subject' but can she take Drama inside or out of school?

Lots of applicants who go on to Law, Politics, teaching, broadcasting etc at the top University's have GCSE/A Level drama as it shows an ability to speak in public and other transferable skills that are essential in those types of careers.

Also it is worth working backwards and look at the entry requirements needed for the type of degree she wants to do, then look at which GCSEs the Sixth Forms will accept for those subjects. Having worked in a Sixth Form there were alway lots of unhappy students who realised when applying for Uni that they hadn't chosen the correct A levels to get on to their course.

Definetly worth having a GCSE in which ever languages she can speak fluently in. It's default for our school to put EAL students into a GCSE of their home language.

PrincessHairyMclary- I'll get her to ask her drama teacher if she can do it outside of school. For A levels she was thinking of doing English Literature, Maths and History and Spanish for AS. Thanks for you reply it was really useful

It's definitely worth doing the Russian GCSE (and A-level). If she's doing classes already, then she might as well get a piece of paper for her efforts.

A lot of native speakers don't have a formal writing style and use too much vernacular for the exam boards, but it sounds like her lessons are nothing but helpful. If she uses the same exam board as she will use for Spanish, she will learn how to jump through the exam hoops.

Not these.
Computing
Art
PE

Take as extras the GCSEs in the languages she already knows.

To be sure about A level choices, go to the university website and look at what they require for entry to their courses.

Thanks for replying again GinandJag we both really appreciate your help. I'll check with the school if she can do the Russian GCSE

Thanks for your feedback aswell timelytess. We'll start checking out uni websites for more info!

If she wants to do MFL at uni, she'll need A level in the language she wants to study (unless it's an obscure language, in which case she'll still need A level MFL). If she wants to study law or politics, history is almost compulsory. The third option is less critical. Personally, I'd avoid art, because it's so time-consuming. She can do sport as an extra-curricular activity. It might be worth speaking to pupils about their experience of computing, which can be variable. There should be no problem with her doing Russian GCSE in school, but you will probably have to keep reminding the school.

daphnedill- Thanks for your opinions, I'll make sure to show her this and see whether she changes her mind. She's asked others who have done Computing and they said that it was extremely difficult so she's probably not going to take it as she wants an easier 3rd choice because she has already decided to do History and Geography. She finds languages quite easy to learn so she wants to do Spanish. Again, thanks and we really appreciate your opinion.