Unwise to self study GCSE business/ economics?

[KianaSan]

I wasn't aware that the Business subject offered by the school was a vocational course instead of a normal GCSE one, as only "business" was written in the chart of subjects available when offered to choose. As the sixth form I'd like to study in required 6 GCSEs with grade 6, I'm afraid that I'll not be able to meet the requirements after not having GCSE Business. I'm currently doing English (language), Maths (higher), Combined Science (higher), History, Geography, Business and Food Tech. As a newcomer to Year 11 from another country, I'm particularly worried about English, in additional to the huge amount of content of Geography and History, which might make me not able to reach the requirements. I was thinking that self studying AQA Business/ Economics might give me an insurance in case I didn't do well in one of the subjects, but I'm not sure whether it is a good choice to do so. It would be a great help if you could give me some advice.

You will need min grade 4 gcse in English and Maths regardless of what else in order to progress to level 3 (A level equivalent), or may be permitted to retake them alongside. A level 2 vocational course ie nvq, btec is gcse equivalent.

Are they not counting science as two (or three, depending which one you're doing)?

You would need to check that you could sit a self studied course at your centre. Not all will allow it.

Combined Science is 2 GCSEs.

Check with preferred 6th form whether they count Business BTEC at say a Merit as a grade 6 pass.

Also check whether there is any negotiation over entry requirements given your situation.

I'm worried who on earth advised you as a newcomer to start in y11 rather than drop down a year and start in y10 to get the full GCSE teaching. Sounds crazy to me.

Personally I'd say focus on the GCSEs you are going rather than try to get an extra one. Even consider dropping one of History/Geography. They both have loads of content.

Correction to above. ^^ focus on the GCSEs you are doing

You need to apply to more than one sixth form. Some let you retake English Language alongside A levels, so this is something you should consider.
Some sixth forms would offer level 3 business qualifications which you would be able to do if you perform well enough at level 2.

It's a really tall order to catch up the GCSE courses - it's likely that 60% of the material was covered in year 10. History and geography both have a lot of content. I suspect you're better focussing on the subjects you're doing than adding an extra.

If you are fluent in another language, have you asked your school about taking the GCSE in that language (if available)? They are often able to organise entering you, even if they don't teach it. You might want to find a bit of tuition to make sure you understand the requirements of the exam, but it would be less work than a GCSE in any other subject.

Talk to sixth forms about whether they bend their requirements for someone like you, who is coming from a different starting point. Ask whether they will count the business course as GCSE-equivalent. Smaller, less-popular sixth-forms may be more flexible, and may also have smaller class-sizes at A-level, which could be an advantage if you have gaps in your knowledge from moving country.

Some sixth forms also offer an additional GCSE year, which is another option to explore.