Year 12 Options Evening 2014 ‘Making your choices at 16’

1. Year 12 Options Evening 2014 ‘Making your choices at 16’

2. Key Stage 4 – Careers Support 18 lessons in Term 1 of Year 12 8 lessons in Term 2 of Year 12 To help students make an informed choice Talk from Queens University Special Careers Day Careers Service Advisors - Interview Subject Teacher Advice New A-Level Subjects Talk Special Careers Assembly

3. Key Stage 4 – Careers Lessons Raise self-awareness Identify skills and talents To help students make an informed choice What are the options post-16? Which subjects do you really enjoy? Which subjects are you good at? Researching university courses Researching careers and jobs What are the jobs of the future? What A-Level subjects are on offer? Do I need certain A-level subjects for a particular degree?

4. http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/information-and-services/education-and-learning/careers/plan-your-career/i-am-at-school-and-i-need-ideas/year-12.htmhttp://www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/information-and-services/education-and-learning/careers/plan-your-career/i-am-at-school-and-i-need-ideas/year-12.htm

5. Is Higher Education still worthwhile? • ‘Knowledge Economy’ requires highly skilled workers • 50% of all new jobs require a degree course • 40% of jobs advertised ask for graduates of any discipline • Value of degree in terms of earnings ‘premium’ has increased especially for women.

6. Vocational / Applied Subjects • Business Studies • Health and Social Care • ICT • Science • Two thirds of the marks for Applied Subjects are awarded through portfolio units – coursework. One third of the marks are awarded through examined units – tests • Applied Subjects could be worth either: One A-Level = Single Award or Two A-Levels = Double Award

7. Applied Science Physiotherapy Dietetics Primary Teaching Food Technology Nursing Marine Biology Early Childhood Studies Applied Science Youth Work Building Surveying Architecture Art Occupational Therapy Environmental Science Music Irish Forensic Science

8. Applied Health & Social Care Speech Therapy Psychology Primary Teaching Social Policy Midwifery Multi Media Early Childhood Studies Applied Health and Social Care Youth Work Geography Teaching Criminology Human Resources Business IT Social Work Nursing Irish Counselling

9. Factors to consider when choosing your subjects: Look at the list of subjects available and choose subjects you enjoy Look at university course specific requirements – remember that most universities make offers based on 3 A-levels A-level subjects and subject combinations – Russell Group – ‘Facilitating Subjects’ Labour Market Information

10. Advice from Year 13 students • Choose what you are good at • Listen to what your subject teacher is advising • Don’t choose what your friends are choosing unless you really want to do the subject • Speak to Year 13 students to hear what they think • Don’t choose a subject because you like the teacher • Find out what the subject involves before you sign up to it • Make sure you know the entry requirements for the subject

11. http://www.ucas.com/

12. 2. University Course Specific Requirements PHARMACY at Queen’s University Belfast Grades AAB – including Chemistry and at least one subject from Biology, Mathematics and Physics (AS Biol preferred) SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPY at The University of Ulster Grades BBB – One of the required 'A' level passes must be in English (or modern foreign language), Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, Geography, Double/Single Award Applied Science, Double/Single Award Health and Social Care, Geography or Psychology+ satisfactory performance in the HPAT Ulster Admissions Test CIVIL ENGINEERING at Cardiff University Grades ABB – including Mathematics

13. Specific GCSE Requirements at Queens University • Business Subjects - Maths Grade B • Nursing: - Maths & Science Grade C • Midwifery – Maths & Science Grade B • High Demand Courses –offers based around outstanding GCSE results

14. HAVE THE COURAGE TO PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS Specific A-levels required *AS-level also acceptable Specific A-levels not required *Courses may express a preference

15. 3. Choosing A-level Subjects Combinations • Students applying to one of the Russell Group of Universities (Leading 24 universities in the UK) should choose their A-Level subject combination very carefully. • Many of our students will choose vocational courses which may not be offered by the more traditional universities – these students also need to consider carefully because there may be subject specific requirements.

16. http://russellgroup.org/InformedChoices-latest.pdf

17. Subject Combinations Architecture – Applied Science (Double Award) & ICT Quantity Surveying – Art & Design, Psychology and Religion Accountancy – Business Studies, Mathematics & ICT Nursing – Applied Health & Social Care (Double Award) & Religion Primary Education – Applied Business Studies, Irish & Religion Social Work – Business Studies, Politics & Religion Film and Drama – Art, History and English Criminology – Business Studies, Irish & Psychology

18. 4. Labour Market Information

19. Job opportunities expected to expand – (STEM areas) • Green Economy • IT • Food • Healthcare

20. Green Economy • Efficient Energy Use and Management • Renewable Energies • Water and Waste – Water Treatment • Waste Management, Recovery & Recycling • Environmental Consultancy • Green ICT Applications/Software • Source Future Skills Needs of Enterprise within the Green Economy in Ireland, EGFSN, 2010

21. IT • Financial Services • Communications • Creative Industries • All Sectors

22. Food Sector • Shortages within the Sector • Marketing • Production • Distribution

23. Price Check – Cost of Living *Halifax Student Spend Survey

24. WHICH DEGREE SUBJECTS DO EMPLOYERS PREFER?

25. Miles Cowdry, Director, Global Corporate Development, Rolls Royce: “We are looking for graduates who can be our future leaders and can demonstrate qualities of courage, judgement and breadth; typically linguists or arts graduates fare better in this regard.”

26. How can parents help?

27. ENTRY TO HIGH DEMAND COURSES MAY INVOLVE:* Excellent GCSE profile* Additional tests– e.g. BMAT, UKCAT & LNAT, HPAT, HPAT Ireland * A* grades or impressive module results at AS level* Work Experience* Evidence of engagement outside A-level specification

28. Brains are not enough! • What the selectors are looking for: • Transferable Skills • Personal Qualities • Motivation • Enthusiasm • Depth of knowledge of course

29. Get involved in extra-curricular activities ……

30. Stand Out from the Crowd • Awards and Achievements • Work / Voluntary Experience • Extra-Curricular Activities • Positions of Responsibility • Ability to work on your own • Teamwork

31. Key Stage 4 – What happens now? Choosing A-Level Subjects • Students will soon be asked to submit their AS subject choices after seeking help from: • Subject teacher • Form teacher • Careers teacher • Careers Service Advisors • ‘A-Level Subject Choices’ booklet • UCAS website • Family, Friends etc

32. Year 12 Options Evening 2012 ‘Making your choices at 16’