James, Liverpool:
I recieved my AS level results and they were worse than expected, especially as I was considering doing Medicine at University. I got: C (Unit one), E (unit two) and B (unit 3) in Biology. In Chemistry, C (unit one), U (unit two) and a D (unit three). In Maths I got a B (C1), D (C2) and C (M1). And Psychology I got a D (Core Studies) and B (Psychological Investigations). I was wondering is there any point in doing my A2 levels this year with the possibility of doing a gap or repeat year before I go to university if I don't get the grades and risk applying for Medicine with these poor grades? Or should I repeat my AS levels this year, which is a last case senario for me? Is there anything more I can do?Expert Advice:
You probably need to have a chat with your tutors at school about doing A2s - will they let you study at this level with your AS results? If you could continue onto A2 you need to think about how your current AS grades would affect your overall grade - you will need A grades for Medicine. If you know what went wrong this time and think you can improve then possibly taking the AS levels again could be your best bet - but would school offer this option?Megan Wardle, Shropshire:
I got my GCSE results today and didn't receive the grades I hoped for to study my chosen A levels, so now I'm confused as to what A levels I should take. I was wondering what jobs or courses I could get at university if I studied, Fine Art, English, French and another subject?Expert Advice:
Sorry the GCSEs didn't turn out as you had hoped. The subjects you mention are appropriate to a very wide range of courses including the single subject options, but also areas such as Business, Law, Teaching and Design to name but a few. Equally these degrees could lead to a wide range of careers either in their subject areas or in one of the hundreds of careers open to graduates of any discipline. Because you seem to be reconsidering your career choices and there are a number of options open to you it could be worth you talking to a Connexions Personal Adviser to discuss this in more detail. You can find your nearest Connexions office through www.connexions-direct.comAyleen, Tyne:
My 18-year-old son has just re-sat GCSE's and did poorly with A, C and D's. He does wish to try again but what is the best way to do this? Staying at college if possible or trying to get work and do them outside of work? I am aware as he gets older his choices are limited but I want to prevent him being left on the dole.Expert Advice:
When you say he has re-sat his GCSEs do you mean he did the whole year again or just re-sat the exam? If he is repeating a year of study then the main problem with doing the GCSEs at night school after work is whether he can cope with the time/effort involved in combining work and study. If he has already had another go at GCSEs, are they the best way forward for him? Depending on what he wants to do long term would there be a different type of study such as BTEC that he could do which would be equivalent to GCSE? It could be worth him talking to his local Connexions Service where he could discuss all his work and study options with a Personal Adviser. You can find your nearest Connexions Office via www.connexions-direct.com.MR Powell, South-East Wales:
My nephew has just received his results of 3 C's and a D. He was only able to sit four subjects due to missing out on 6 months of the last year's schooling.The C's are of a technical nature - Maths and Science related. The D is in English. He has a day with a local college to discuss but I would like to know whether a BTEC National would be a good path for him to push for rather than spending more time bolstering up his GCSE's and going for A levels the following year?
Expert Advice:
It will depend on what he would like to do next. I'm presuming that he is looking at eventually going to university, in which case BTECs are accepted for entry for many courses - although you need to check what he would like to study as they are not appropriate for entry to every course (and some courses many want an additional subject at A level to be taken as well). He could start a BTEC (or similar vocational qualification) at an appropriate level and then work up to higher levels (BTEC National is equivalent to A levels) and many students find this approach suits them better than A level study. He will need English at GCSE level C to give himself the widest choice of University (as Maths and English GCSEs are required as a general entry qualification to degree courses). If he is looking to go into employment after his advanced study then once again BTEC can be appropriate for many careers.Joanna Thompson, Southern Counties:
This year my local Sixth Form College have had the opportunity to offer the international baccalaureate to students applying the academic year 2009/10. I would like to ask how the IB is recognised throughout the UK? What you think of the wide range of subjects and whether due to the larger number of subjects studied the content compared to A-level would be as in depth? I would also like to enquire as to how universities look upon the IB compared to that of A-levels? Having just received my GCSE results, I am thrilled, receiving grades A*s in those I would wish to continue with if I chose the IB.Expert Advice:
Congratulations on the GCSE results. The IB is a nationally accepted and well regarded qualification and the breadth of study involved is viewed favourably. Universities are used to accepting students with the IB. However, if you are unsure about its relevance to a particular degree / University the only way to be absolutely sure would be to contact the admissions department of that institution and ask them their views directly.Rachel, Suffolk:
I've got into uni, had a letter from Student finance to say I have tuition fees but the info my parents sent about income to show I should be entitled to a grant and bursary for living costs seems not to have been taken into account.At the moment it looks like they've lost it or are ignoring it and I'll be at uni with no money to live on. They can't get through to Student finance on the phone. When do I start to panic?!
Expert Advice:
Hi Rachel, I'm afraid you'll just have to keep trying to get in touch with the student finance company. The main number for Student Finance England is 0845 300 50 90 but there may be a direct number or email address on their website.It's worth checking the address where your parents' details were sent to make sure it was correct - it may be that the details arrived at the wrong office.
David, Kent:
Hi, I am having a bit of trouble with a question as the UCAS line seems to be packed. I was originally planning to take a gap year, however my results were better than I anticipated, and I am now considering applying this year and was wondering if that was possible and how to go about. I have applied to UCAS however not completed any statements or anything. Thanks for your helpExpert Advice:
It sounds like you started an application but didn’t send it to us. If this is correct, you should log in to Apply, complete all the sections and send the application to us. You can do this until 21 September 2009. If you’ve already done this, you should log in to our Track service to get your Clearing Number.You can then contact universities and colleges with vacancies to see if they will consider you. Please contact the UCAS Customer Service Unit for more detailed advice – their number is 0871 468 0 468.
Karen, Somerset:
My son has had his a level results but didn’t do as well as he had hoped, not achieving the grades needed for his offer. He hasn’t heard anything via the UCAS website from his chosen university. Should he phone the university or wait until something appears on track on the UCAS site? Also there is no clearing option on the site at the moment.Expert Advice:
If there is no decision displayed in Track, it means that the university or college has not yet told UCAS whether they can offer your son a place. You can contact the university or college to ask if they are willing to accept him even though he didn’t meet the conditions.If they cannot offer him a place, they will decline the choice and he will automatically be entered into Clearing. His Clearing Number will be displayed in Track. Please contact the UCAS Customer Service Unit for more detailed advice – their number is 0871 468 0 468.
Lisa:
My son has got 3 Bs in Biology Chemistry and Maths He has applied for biomedical sciences at Kings College but has missed this by one grade. There do not appear to be any other available similar courses - Help! Where do we go from here...Expert Advice:
The best thing is to check the vacancies at ucas.com to see if there are other suitable courses available in Clearing. It would also be worth contacting the Exams Results Helpline on 0808 100 8000 for advice or the UCAS Customer Service Unit on 0871 468 0 468.Martin, London:
My son has got one grade below his offer in one of his subjects, the university has neither rejected him or offered him a place thus preventing him from going through clearing, please advise.Expert Advice:
If there is no decision displayed in Track, it means that the university or college has not yet told UCAS whether they can offer your son a place. You can contact the university or college to ask if they are willing to accept him even though he didn’t meet the conditions.If they cannot offer him a place, they will decline the choice and he will automatically be entered into Clearing. His Clearing Number will be displayed in Track. Please contact the UCAS Customer Service Unit for more detailed advice – their number is 0871 468 0 468.
Jane, Hampshire:
On UCAS it says my son has a confirmed place at his first choice uni, despite not getting the required grades. Can we celebrate or should we wait for it in writing form the uni?Expert Advice:
This is the decision we’ve received from the university or college and normally once we’ve received a decision, it’s official. However, as he didn’t meet the grades, it’s a good idea to double-check with the university. Please contact the UCAS Customer Service Unit for more detailed advice – their number is 0871 468 0 468.Emily, Dorset:
If you get better results than expected, do you suggest entering clearing and applying to a better course or university?Expert Advice:
It depends on your situation. If you met and exceeded the conditions of your firm choice, you may be able to use Adjustment, which allows you to search for an alternative course whilst holding your original firm choice offer. Check the advice on ucas.com to see if you’re eligible. Please contact the UCAS Customer Service Unit for more detailed advice – their number is 0871 468 0 468.Charlotte, Black Country:
My first choice university has declined my place because the offer was 3 grade B's and I achieved a grade B and 2 grade C's, since it says 'declined' on UCAS, is this final or is there any way the university might reconsider?Expert Advice:
This is the decision made by the university or college so it is usually final. You can contact them to discuss your options but if you didn’t meet the conditions, they are not obliged to reconsider your application. Please contact the UCAS Customer Service Unit for more detailed advice – their number is 0871 468 0 468.Alys, South-East Wales:
I've had 3 C's in my A levels but haven't made an application for university this year. I was wondering if I could still apply through clearing or if it was essential for me to make an application to do so. Thanks.Expert Advice:
To go through Clearing, you need to have submitted an application to UCAS. You can still apply until 21 September. This is the date that UCAS needs to receive your completed application. Please contact the UCAS Customer Service Unit for more detailed advice – their number is 0871 468 0 468.Janet, Cambridgeshire:
Why is it when my daughter phoned Warwick uni she was told they only have space to take over seas students and not for home students ???Expert Advice:
Publicly funded universities and colleges are required by the government to limit the number of students they accept that normally reside in the UK or the EU. However, there are no such restrictions placed on applicants living outside of the UK or EU. This means that certain courses in Clearing may therefore only be available to international students. Any places being offered to international students are in addition to those already allocated to UK applicants and not in place of. Please contact the UCAS Customer Service Unit for more detailed advice – their number is 0871 468 0 468.Clare, Southerncounties:
My son has only passed 2 AS levels, is it possible to be accepted into a Uni with only 2 A2 Levels?Expert Advice:
It depends on the entry requirements set by each university or college. Your son can check the entry requirements in the Clearing vacancy search or by contacting the institutions he is interested in. Please contact the UCAS Customer Service Unit for more detailed advice – their number is 0871 468 0 468.Jo, Cornwall:
My son received his required BBC to go to Exeter. However the OCR exam board didn't send one of the grades to Exeterso they rejected him.OCR have now faxed the grades to Exeter and we are waiting to hear. My son is very stressed by this as he worries that even though he got the required grades he will miss out on a place. Are the University duty bound to give him a place as he has met his offer???
Expert Advice:
If your son has met all the conditions set by the university or college then they are obliged to accept him. As soon as we receive confirmation, it will be displayed in Track. It might be worth contacting the university to make sure that they have everything they need.Please contact the UCAS Customer Service Unit for more detailed advice – their number is 0871 468 0 468.
Sylvia, Birmingham:
My son has been offered a place at university although he thought he would not get a place due to not getting the results he needed. He now tells me he hasn't filled in his finance application because he thought he had failed. Is it too late and will he have to defer a year?Expert Advice:
He can still apply for student finance but his first instalment may be delayed. He should contact the relevant student finance company as soon as possible to start applying. Please contact the UCAS Customer Service Unit for more detailed advice – their number is 0871 468 0 468.Carol, London:
my daughter has received a firm unconditional offer on Thursday based on her a level results, unfortunately they were not the entry grades the university wanted of AAB, but never the less she has received a firm offer.She telephoned the uni to confirm the place because she was not convinced, she thought they had made an error, but was reassured by a member of staff that the place was hers. She has received an e-mail congratulating her, she has also received a letter stating the place was confirmed, with the firm place in place, she had no reason to go through clearing. Our post man came late Saturday night with a letter that has completely shattered my daughter’s future for the next year.
They have withdrawn my daughters place saying she has not met the conditions of the offer. Now it is to late to go through clearing all the places have gone. Can they do this to my daughter? Were does she stand with regards to them giving her this news when they know days before she did about her results. Also were does she stand now she has missed clearing? Can anybody help me and give me any advice
Expert Advice:
Without looking at her application, it’s difficult to advise on what she can do next. However, Clearing continues well into September and places come and go, so there is still the possibility that she can be accepted. Please contact the UCAS Customer Service Unit for more detailed advice – their number is 0871 468 0 468.Ashleigh, Three Counties:
I'm going into my second year at university this September and am studying a media degree. However I'm not sure I want to work in this area. Is it worth finishing and gaining a degree even if it's not in the area I want to work in? Would my job prospects improve from having this media degree?Expert Advice: If you are having some doubts about career choice then the first thing I would suggest is to have a chat with someone from your University's careers service.
A degree doesn't just work as a specific qualification, it is also acceptable in hundreds of jobs as an indicator of ability. For exmaple graduate entry into the police force requires a degree, but no specific subject is required, the same applies in many other areas so your media degree does not limit you to a career in the media. My main concerns would be: are you enjoying the degree and what else you may want to do, would it require a specific degree? This is why I would talk to the university careers service.
Bridget, Southern Counties:
My daughter got mainly A's in her GCSEs, but hasn't done so well with her AS level, getting C's in Statistics and Art, D in English Language and E in Biology. She was predicted B's in all subjects. She is understandably very upset and worried about her future education, and cannot understand what went wrong - especially after the amount of work she put in. The college requires 3 C's to continue next year and her dream of taking a degree in Stats seems to be slipping away. To futher complicate matters she had been advised by her college that she didn't need Maths A level to move on to a Stats degree, but at the Uni open day found the goal-posts have changed and is required to have Maths. We are in such a muddle, can you give some advice please.Expert Advice: I'm sorry things aren't going too well for your daughter right now. The first thing I want to say is not to panic too much, there's always a way round things.
If the university she was looking at requires Maths, are there any others that she may consider that either don't require Maths or who may offer intensive Maths as part of the first year, or as part of an additional year in a four year degree? If she really only wants to go to a certain university then as some of the other subjects may not have turned out as she would have wished could she start again with Maths as one of her subjects (and if she has struggled this year only do three AS levels instead of four). I realise starting again can be disheartening, especially seeing her mates moving forward, but from a practical point of view it would not be a disadvantage to her later on.
She should also have a think about what went wrong this time and why the results didn't turn out the way she expected, possibly have a chat to a school tutor about her work/revision. Is it something she's aware of and that can be rectified, or should she look at other advanced courses instead of A levels?
Rather than trying to sort it out on your own I would also suggest talking to a Connexions Adviser who can sit down and go through all the options with you. If you don't know how to contact Connexions give the Exam Results Helpline a ring on 0808 100 8000 [Calls are free from a landline, although some networks and mobile operators will charge], you would get through to an experienced adviser straight away who could give you morre advise on your daughter's choices and then put you in contact with Connexions for some more face to face advice.
Susanna Mcboyle, North-East Scotland:
I'm the mother of a 17-year-old student who got her Higher results a couple of weeks back and she didn't do as well as she hoped.We moved her over to Scotland from Canada at the start of S5 and she had to learn a whole new system very quickly. In Canada results are largely based on the classroom work not the exams. She is a good strong student and passed her exams with 1 A 3B's and 1C. She is continuing to study in S6 taking amongst others advanced highers in both English and Biology which she is hoping to get A's in so that she can improve on the B's she got in these subjects this year.
My questions to you. Can a good grade in Advanced Highers make all the difference or do universities only look at the Higher results? Also considering her background (coming from Canada) what is the best way to approach the universities and to get across her case? She wants to study biological subjects or medical sciences, preferably at Edinburgh.
Expert Advice: Your daughter's Higher results are excellent given she's only been at school in Scotland for a year. With ABBBC at higher grade your daughter may get an unconditional offer from Edinburgh University. The 'going rate' for BSc biology/Medical Sciences is BBBB at Higher grade, which your daughter has exceeded. There will be other universities which demand higher grades and in those cases she would be made a conditional offer, this means she would have to achieve certain grades in her Advanced Highers.
I would recommend that she uses the personal statement part of the UCAS application form to highlight her schooling in Canada and limited time in the Scottish education system. This is also an area I would expect her school to cover when they do her academic reference. Finally I would encourage her to attend Open Days, HE conventions and similar events as these can be a useful means of informal contact with universities before she applies. It will ensure she makes an informed, realistic decision about her future.
Anthony from Worcestor:
What advice would you give to people doing new / different qualifcation which sometimes universities have less understanding of - e.g BTEC Nationals, GNVQ's or even if some students are considering doing the new Diplomas? I'm a teacher unsure what advice to give to their students.Expert Advice: I'm afraid there isn't one straight answer to your query. Much will depend on which degree a student is considering. BTEC, GNVQ or Diploma qualifications do not lend themselves as well to entry to courses such as History, English Literature or Medicine as they do more applied courses so this would be a factor.
Choosing a more vocationally based course does mean that a student has to be more definite about career choice at an early stage than someone taking a more general A level combination.
Also although universities are familiar with BTEC and GNVQ, and they are a perfectly acceptable way to get into unversity, they sometimes ask for an additional A level as well. For Diplomas the same applies and some additional subjects may be required. The only way to check out a subjects suitability is to look in the UCAS Big Guide for required subject combinations or contact admissions tutors directly, this obviously means some quite advanced planning by students, but is no different to an A level candidate checking if their proposed A level combination is acceptable.
If you are unsure of what advice to give your students don't forget that you can ask a Connexions adviser to help you in providing advice.
Eddie from Wiltshire:
I needed 3 C's to get into Plymouth University but I only got 2 D's and an E. I have been in touch with the University and they have yet to decide whether or not to accept me on my results. I am not sure now whether I want to go to University this year or defer. If I get accepted on my results would it be possible to defer for a year or would I have to reapply next year and get some higher grades in my A-levels?Expert Advice: If your offer does go on to become unconditional then it is at discretion of the university whether the place can be deferred for a year until 2010. I would suggest that you discuss this prospect with Plymouth now so that they can consider you for next years entry when making their decision.
A lot of applicants do choose to defer their entry so rest assured that you won't be the only person who requests this.
Hayley from Kent:
My son had a breakdown at Christmas and did not attend college after that but completed his A2 courses at home. He withdrew his UCAS application as all unis offered him AAB (to study Eng Lit & Lang) and he felt the pressure was too much. He has now gained A (Eng Lit & Lang) B (History) D (Psychology without doing the coursework). Are unis likely to look favourably on his application in the future if he explains all the problems he has had? Or should he be trying to improve the grades (which he does not want to do)? He is now improving and is going travelling next year.Expert Advice: The important thing for your son to do is to explain to the universities the problems that he has had to overcome during his A level years. This will allow them to understand why his grades are perhaps not what he feels he is truly capable of.
I would advise that he contacts a few universities that he is interested in applying to before he goes away travelling so that he can discuss whether it would be worthwhile applying to them with the results that he has, and this would also be a good opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding his results.
If he decides that he would in fact like to re-sit his exams then he would need to talk to his school about the logistics of this.
Catherine from Worcester:
My son's results are not as good as he hoped and the UCAS website says "changed course" and waiting for his reply but there does not seem to be anywhere for him to reply. Should he contact UCAS or the university or will he receive an email or the site be updated.Expert Advice: From this evening applicants will be able to reply to any changed course offers via UCAS track.
The UCAS Customer Services Unit will be open until 7pm today so if your son is worried then he can speak to an advisor [Visit the UCAS website for contact details].
David from Wiltshire:
My son has just got his AS results and apart from one subject in which he got a C the other two subjects he wanted to take on to A2 were D and E. He'll need to resit these but does he have to redo the whole year or can he go on to study for A2 and resit AS at the same time? If so is this a good thing to do?Expert Advice: I'm not sure what you mean when you say 'to redo the whole year', do you mean start all three again at AS, take the A2 and resit the AS levels, or take all three at A" and resit 2 As levels?
If it was the last option thenthe first ting to do is to check on the school/college policy. Would they actually let him take the A2 after getting a D and an E?Your son also needs to realistically ask himself why he got a D and an E, does he know what went wrong and is he sure he can do better?
If he is unsure is it worth looking at some other form of advanced study? (this could depend on whether he is considering university, and what he would want to study, he may need to talk to a Connexions adviser about his options).
If the institution would allow him to continue and resit at the same time he would have to look at the workload - is studying for 3 A2s and resitting 2 As levels too much, especially as he would be getting no tuition towards the AS.
If he was to continue with one A2 and resit the AS then resitting the year again would obviously make him a year older, however, this would present no problem to employers or universities.
If he was to resit the year then obviously he could take things at a more steady pace. However, if he took one A2 next year and then the other two a year later could that affect his entry to university if this was an option?
Some universities do not mind A levels being offered from different exam sittings, others ask for all the A levels to be taken in one go. Does he have a course/university in mind? If so then the only way to be surre of this is to ring the admissions tutor for a particular course and ask. The probability is that they will accept from different sittings, but it is best to be sure.
These are the things you need to consider when making the decision. If you can talk it through with a tutor or a Connexions Adviser then it may be better than trying to work it out alone. If you want to come back to us with any questions we'll be glad to try and help further.
Michael from South Yorkshire:
I feel that I have made the wrong choice of course and would like to choose something different. The course I was thinking about is full and apparently not available through clearing. Any advice?Expert Advice: If you wish to stay with the same university but simply change the course it might be worthwhile checking again with that university after you get your results. When the clearing vacancy list is published it is easier for admissions staff to see exactly what is available and so there might possibly be a new opening on your desired course.
Alternatively if you wish to apply to a different university I recommend that you talk to a UCAS advisor [Visit the UCAS website for contact details] so that all of the options that are open to you can be explored.
Kate from Manchester:
I have a guaranteed place at a sixth form college from September 2009, to take A levels in Music, Spanish & French but need to decide whether to take the combined English Lit/Language course or English Lit - I don't have any idea about universities yet but would like to know if the combined English is still not looked on as favourably as Literature on its own?Expert Advice: Well done on getting the place at sixth form college. Your question isn't an easy one to answer because it really depends on what you want to do at uni.
I know you say you don't know which uni you want, but have you any idea on the type of course you are looking to study?
If you have some idea then try ringing some of the admissions departments of uni's that do the subject and ask what they prefer, as it would be the admissions tutor's view that is most important.
If you aren't sure which of your A levels you may want to pursue at university but studying English could be an option then you may want to look at the straight English Lit. Not that there's anything wrong with the combined course but unless you are looking for a uni course that will concentrate on language then the extra analysis and in depth criticsm in a full Lit. course could be of more use to you.
Having said that if you plan to study the French and Spanish at Uni. then keeping the combined course would help your linguistic skills.
If you don't want to use a language based course at uni and are only looking at this as a back up subject then it wouldn't be that important and it would be down to which you think you would enjoy doing, after all if you are actually enjoying the study then you should perform better at it.
Have you looked at the workload for the combined course? Quite often combined courses actually require more work than a single subject approach - talk to your tutor about this.
Hope this is of some help, if there's anything else you want to ask please get back to us. Good luck.
Kate from North Yorkshire:
At this late stage my son has decided he does not want to go to his first choice university! He wants to go to his insurance university. Can he do anything about this?Expert Advice: There are a number of different ways in which your son may be able to secure a place with his Insurance choice rather than his First, and they are all dependant on the status of his application. I suggest that you, or your son, contact a UCAS advisor [Visit the UCAS website for contact details] so that you can get a better idea of what he might need to do.
The important thing for him to remember is that he certainly won't be the only person feeling this way, so hopefully UCAS will be able to guide him through the process so that he can obtain a place at a university where he'll be happy.
Jane from Worcestor:
My daughter has one A level, and 5 AS levels. She dropped out at Easter, and didn't complete her A levels. Now she has decided she would like to go to Uni, but has not put in a UCAS application. What is the best way forward for her now?Expert Advice: Many people who apply to university do not have qualifications that you might deem to be typical. It is therefore quite possible that your daughter would be able to obtain a place through Clearing.
You can research the kind of courses she may be interested in by using the 'Course Search' facility on the UCAS website. Listed with the courses are the entry requirements, so take some time to read through some of them to see if there are any that seem suitable.
In order to actually use the Clearing process your daughter will need to register on the UCAS website and then complete the online application. If she can submit this fairly soon then when the Clearing vacancy list is published on Thursday 20 August she will be in a position to contact universities to ask whether she can have a place.
Les from Scotland:
My daughter achieved 2A, 1B and 2C in her Highers. The course she wants to do requires 1A and 3Bs. Are her results good enough to still get on the course?Expert Advice: Thanks for your enquiry. Your daughter has certainly done well in her Highers so congratulations to her. Her results do not exactly meet the entry requirements she was asked to get. However, that does not mean she still won't be considered. She needs to phone the Institution in question as soon as possible and, ask if they will still consider her, given her Higher results. That decision is completely at the discretion of the University. If they are not willing to offer her that place, she may have an Insurance offer which she may still wish to take, or alternatively she will be able to enter Clearing. That will allow her to look at course vacancies at a number of other Institutions.
If she wishes to discuss her options further she may wish to call the Exam Results Helpline on 0808 100 8000. The very best of luck!
David from South-West Wales:
Hi, I am almost 14 and have to choose my GCSE subjects when I go back to school. I want to be a primary school teacher when I leave so can you tell me what subjects to take? Thank you.Expert Advice: Thanks for your question about Primary School Teaching. In order to best prepare, you want a balanced selection of GCSE subjects. You will be required to take English, Maths and a Science. Your school will then allow you to make some choices. A language would be useful as would a subject such as History or Geography. In tandem with your subjects you should think about relevant work experience, voluntary work or involvement with children in your own time, such as Scouts, youth groups or perhaps a buddy/mentoring system in school?
You should definitely see your Careers Adviser in school. He or she will be able to discuss local opportunities for enhancing any application to teaching and which subjects would be most suitable for you. You would also want to consider other career ideas? Have you had a chance to look at the careers library in your school?
Starting to plan and research your ideas early on is great and will result in you being well prepared. Best of luck with your plans!
Fiona from Scotland:
I just can't seem to work out if my son has passed his exams nor can he. He has some 4s and 3s and a few 5s. Whatever happend to pass or fail or percentage out of a hundred? Please help!Expert Advice: Thanks for your question. Congratulations to your son on achieving his standard grade exams. Firstly, there is no pass or fail at standard grade, but rather candidates pass at a certain level. 1,2,and 3 is a credit level. 4 is a general level and 5, 6 and below is a foundation level. Or, it is possible for a candidate to get no award.
You have not said how many of each, or which subjects your son got his standard grades in. Most employers and colleges will be looking for passes at 4 and especially 3 and above. Your son's school will also be able to discuss which subjects he has done particularly well in, which would allow him to perhaps study them to a further level, such as Intermediate or Higher.
If it would help to speak to a Careers Adviser about your son's results, by all means call us at the Exam Results Helpline on 0808 100 8000.
Zareen from Leeds:
My nephew has received a 2.1 degree in IT /Graphic design at Leeds uni. He would like to know more about taking a PGCE. I understand that this would enable him to teach at primary school level? What would it involve and what could he teach on successful completion? Also, would he be able to become a supply teacher? and if so how would he go about this. Please help. Many thanks.Expert Advice: Congratulations on your nephew's 2.1 Degree. If he is now considering a career as a Teacher his next step would be to do some research into where postgraduate courses in Teaching are available. www.teach.gov.uk should give you alot of the information you need and will allow you to search for courses.
Academic ability is not the only criteria for entry to these courses. Applicants have to show relevant work experience/voluntary work with young people and demonstrate their interest in a career in Teaching. Your nephew should speak to the Careers Adviser at the University he graduated from. They will have an obligation to assist him and can discuss options further.
Positions in Teaching and supply work availability will depend on location and will be advertised by individual local authorities. So he can perhaps get in touch with them at a later stage. Hope that helps. Best of luck.
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