Subjects you have to do
The Government has decided that there are some subjects that students should take in their last two years at school, but you will not have to take exams in all of them.
Find out a little more about the subjects and why you have to study them by clicking on the titles.
We've also included some suggestions about some possible careers - to get you thinking, but remember they are just ideas!
- Mathematics
You either love it or hate it, but most of us cannot manage without it. That's why your mathematics course is likely to cover how you can use maths to solve real-life problems, as well as things like algebra, shape, space and measurement.
You can learn how to handle money in a shop or pay bills for things like electricity. A decorator will need to work out how many rolls of wallpaper are required for a room, or a carpet fitter will have to estimate how much carpet is needed for a floor.
Career suggestions: bank cashier, accounting technician, insurance broker, stockbroker, building society manager, statistician.
- English
Everybody needs to be able to use English to a reasonable level so your English course will include both written and spoken language. English is about expressing your ideas, listening, writing and reading. You will also get to learn about how writers use different styles to express their ideas.
In most jobs you will need to write a letter, speak to customers or read things like reports or instruction manuals.
Career suggestions: journalist, library assistant, teacher, media researcher, press/magazine copy editor.
- Science
Studying science is all about describing the world around you, and understanding how science affects your everyday life. There are lots of different ways to study a science including combinations of all three sciences (biology, chemistry and physics) or just single science award.
You can use your experience of group science projects to help you work with people in an office or small teams. Some reception jobs will need you to understand a person’s illness like in a doctor’s surgery or in a chemist.
Career suggestions: laboratory technician, pharmacy technician, agricultural scientist, doctor, physiotherapist, environmental health officer, forensic scientist.
- Information & Communications Technology (ICT)
You do not have to take an exam in ICT unless you want to. However, every subject you study in Years 10-11 must use ICT in some way (except PE). This is so that you have a basic understanding of what computers can do, and how to use them to solve problems. But if you're really interested you can choose an ICT course and learn all about IT systems, tools and software.
Almost every job requires you to use a computer for tasks like sending an email, booking some stock in for a shop or filling in someone’s personal information on to a database. You will also need to use a printer or a fax machine found in all offices.
Career suggestions: IT operator, systems analyst, PC support person, network manager.
In addition to these four subjects you will usually also have to study:
- Sex Education
- Citizenship
- Physical Education
- Work-related Learning
- Careers Education
- Religious Education
Your school might expect you to take a few other subjects too. Your teachers will let you know about that. Your parents or carers may request that you do not study religious education or sex education, but this is for you and your parents or carers to discuss and decide.
Can I learn other subjects?
Yes, that's what your options are all about. But you should always find out what's on offer before making a decision.
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