YEAR 10 CHOICES INFORMATION BOOKLET - MALONE INTEGRATED COLLEGE
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YEAR 1O CHOICES INFORMATION BOOKLET
MALONE INTEGRATED
COLLEGE
YEAR 10 CHOICES
INFORMATION BOOKLET
1|Page MALONE COLLEGE CAREERS DEPARTMENT
YEAR 1O CHOICES INFORMATION BOOKLET
INTRODUCTION
Choosing your GCSE’s can seem difficult!! However, through careful research
and consideration of your choices it can be much less challenging. The aim of
this booklet is to provide students and their parents/carers with important
information about the subjects and courses available in Year 11 and 12.
The courses offered at Key Stage 4 are designed to ensure that students study
a broad range of subjects offering the widest range of progression routes when
students receive their GCSE results in August 2023.
All Key Stage 4 students will study four core subjects (English, Maths, LLW and
RE) and up to four optional subjects. Information about individual subjects can
be found on the school website. Double Award Science will count as two GCSE
choices. There is also an opportunity for students to study Further Maths as an
additional subject.
Students should use this booklet alongside their research on the
www.unifrog.org website to make the best possible choices. There are also
very good resources at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/subject-choices-
year-10 to assist students and parents/carers. It is very important that students
consider their preferred learning styles. GCSE courses are based on exams at
the end of Years 11 and 12, while BTEC and Occupational Studies are
continually assessed through coursework and controlled assessment. It is
important to think about whether you will do better in exams or more project
based work. To help you make better decisions this booklet includes the
controlled assessment requirements of each course and when they are to be
taken or submitted. Many of the courses require students to complete actual
GCSE assessments and/or modular examinations in the first year of the course.
The academic achievements of Malone College students have improved
significantly over the last 5 years and results continue to rise. This is the result
of an appropriate curriculum, committed staff, hardworking students and
supportive parents. We are very proud of our achievements and take pride in
the resources on offer to KS4 students. This enables students to achieve the
highest academic standards and skills to succeed in the world of work.
GCSE choices can be challenging, but the staff at Malone College are here to
help make the process as smooth as possible. Students are encouraged to
contact their form tutor or Head of Year if they require any help or guidance.
Good luck with your choices and think carefully about your future.
2|Page MALONE COLLEGE CAREERS DEPARTMENT
YEAR 1O CHOICES INFORMATION BOOKLET
KS4 CURRICULUM 2019-21
Core Subjects
All students study the following CORE subjects;
• English Language
• Mathematics
• Religious Studies
• Learning for Life and Work
Optional Subjects
In addition, students can choose a further 4 optional subjects from this list:
• Art & Design
• Business Studies
• Child Development
• Construction
• Drama
• Engineering BTEC
• Further Mathematics
• Geography
• History
• Hospitality
• ICT
• Music
• Performing Arts
• Science
• Spanish
• Sport
• Technology & Design
• Travel and Tourism
3|Page MALONE COLLEGE CAREERS DEPARTMENTYEAR 1O CHOICES INFORMATION BOOKLET
Controlled Assessment
Many GCSE subjects contain a controlled assessment element, this requires
students to spend a good deal of time in undertaking research, preparation
and completion of final tasks. Controlled Assessments are prepared in class
and at home but are usually completed under examination conditions during
supervised class time.
BTEC and Occupational Studies require more coursework. This is completed in
class and at home. It is very important that parents/carers assist their son or
daughter in managing their time effectively so that such deadlines are met.
SUBJECT AMOUNT OF CONTROLLED
ASSESSMENT
English Language 40%
English Literature 20%
Mathematics 0%
Religious Studies 0%
Learning for Life & Work 100%
Art & Design 60%
Child Development 100%
Business Studies 20%
Child Development 100%
Computing 0%
Construction 100%
Drama 75%
Engineering 75%
Further Maths 0%
Geography 20%
History 0%
Hospitality 75%
Music 30%
Science 75%
Spanish 25%
Sport 100%
Technology 50%
Travel and Tourism 75%
4|Page MALONE COLLEGE CAREERS DEPARTMENTYEAR 1O CHOICES INFORMATION BOOKLET
THE QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDITS FRAMEWORK
There are many different ways to achieve qualifications. There are three
main routes to get qualifications at different levels. This is called the
Qualifications and Credits Framework.
GENERAL ACADEMIC- these are more exam based qualifications like GCSE.
VOCATIONAL- these qualifications are mostly graded on coursework
(there may be a final exam).
OCCUPATIONAL- these courses are work based learning with students
being graded on their progress in the work environment.
You are now
in Year 10 and YEAR 10
choosing OPTIONS
Level 2
qualifications.
5|Page MALONE COLLEGE CAREERS DEPARTMENTYEAR 1O CHOICES INFORMATION BOOKLET
Qualifications and Credits Framework
6|Page MALONE COLLEGE CAREERS DEPARTMENTYEAR 1O CHOICES INFORMATION BOOKLET
OPTIONS AFTER 6TH FORM
1) Get a job
2) Apply for an apprenticeship
3) Go to Belfast Met or SERC (South Eastern Regional College)
4) Go to university
5) Take a gap year
AFTER COMPLETING ‘A’ LEVELS YOU SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERING A
COURSE OF LEVEL 3 OR BELOW- THESE ARE THE SAME AS YOUR ‘A’ LEVELS!!
The better qualified you are; the more money you are likely to earn!!!
Level Example Average Salary
1 GCSE’s grade D-G, £14 000
NVQ Level 1,
BTEC Introductory Diploma
2 GCSE’s grade A-C, £18 000
NVQ Level 2,
BTEC First Diploma
3 A-Levels, NVQ Level 3, £23 000
BTEC National Diploma
4 Level 4 diploma, £31 000
Certificate of Further Education
5 BTEC Higher National Diploma, £34 000
Foundation Degree,
Diploma of Higher Education
6 Level 6 Graduate Diploma, £37 000
Bachelor Degree from university
7 Masters Degree, £42 000 +
Postgraduate Certificate and
Diploma
8 £60 000+
Doctorates
A PERSON WITH LEVEL 6 QUALIFICATIONS EARNS ON AVERAGE
£19,000 MORE (A YEAR) THAN A PERSON WITH GCSE’S.
OVER 40 YEARS THIS EQUALS £760,000!!!!
7|Page MALONE COLLEGE CAREERS DEPARTMENTYEAR 1O CHOICES INFORMATION BOOKLET
THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD QUALIFICATIONS
The GCSE subjects you choose can impact the courses you can study at
university. Below is a list of the subject requirements for a range of Degree
courses. The information is mostly based on entry to courses in Northern
Ireland and is compiled from the universities’ 2021 Prospectuses.
Fees at Northern Ireland universities are lower (£4250 per year) than for
England, Scotland and Wales (up to £9250 per year). This means that many
students from Northern Ireland choose to study at University of Ulster or
Queen’s University. This has led to the entry requirements at University of
Ulster and Queen’s University often being higher than other universities in the
UK. University of Ulster often offer the same course e.g. Accounting/ Law / ICT/
Business at several of their campuses and asking grades at Magee
(Derry/Londonderry) or Coleraine campus may be lower – simply because
there are fewer applicants.
Many degrees are now offered on a part-time basis. As there is less restriction
on the number of places offered the asking grades/ points are usually lower.
Also, as students are assessed on their income rather than family income when
calculating eligibility for paying fees, part-time degrees can be a much more
affordable option.
On completion of A’ Levels/ BTEC qualifications students can progress to Level
4 and 5 courses at Belfast Met or SERC. This can be much more affordable with
fees of £2500 per year and the option to live at home. These courses will be 2
years in length and can lead directly into 2nd Year of a university course.
Higher Level Apprenticeships are becoming very popular. These
apprenticeships do not have any course fees (they are free!!) and can have a
starting salary of £18,000. They involve 4 days of work and 1 day at Belfast Met
or SERC. These courses last 2 years and can lead to full-time employment.
Another option is to apply for jobs. There are school leaver programmes
allowing students to earn while they learn and training takes place on the job.
These can be well paid, but require very good A-Level grades. There are also
employment opportunities with companies like Lloyds Bank where there are
no entrance requirements.
When considering applying for university, college or employment it is
beneficial to sign up to their student portal and social media feeds!!
8|Page MALONE COLLEGE CAREERS DEPARTMENTYEAR 1O CHOICES INFORMATION BOOKLET
THE UCAS TARIFF POINTS
When you have completed your GCSE’s and moved into 6th form you can study
A Levels or BTEC’s (or a mixture of both). The results you achieve in 6th form
can help you progress to college or university. All A Level and BTEC grades gain
points for college or university- these are called TARIFF POINTS.
Most people study 3 subjects in 6th form. These could be three completely
different subjects or an BTEC Extended Diploma. A BTEC Extended Diploma is
the equivalent to 3 A Levels and could be in Engineering, Sport or ICT. The
BTEC Extended Diploma is a very specialist course and is aimed at students
who know the exact career they would like to work in.
The points achieved at A Level and Level 3 BTEC are added together to meet
the entrance requirements for college or university. The points awarded are in
the table below:
A LEVEL
BTEC
9|Page MALONE COLLEGE CAREERS DEPARTMENTYEAR 1O CHOICES INFORMATION BOOKLET
UNIVERSITY REQUIRED SUBJECTS REQUIRED FURTHER INFORMATION
DEGREE GRADES
ART AND Students will need to have BBC The courses are offered by University of
ANIMATION studied Art for the Fine Arts Ulster through the Belfast School of Arts.
Degree or Moving Image Arts/ DISTINCTION, MERIT, MERIT at
ICT for the Animation Degree BTEC There is also a Foundation Degree
available.
BIOLOGICAL Biology and at least one from ABB – BBB + including Biology A wider range of subjects are accepted at
SCIENCES Chemistry (preferred), and EITHER Chemistry, UU, see website for details
Geography, Maths or Physics. Geography, Maths or Physics.
GCSE Double Award Science.
GCSE Double Award Science CC
and
Maths C
BIOMEDICAL 2 science subjects at A Level: AAB – ABB including Biology A wider range of subjects are accepted at
SCIENCE Biology/ Chemistry plus one (QUB)+ GCSE Double Award UU, see website for details
other. Science CC and Maths C
GCSE Double Award Science.
BBB (UU) + GCSE Maths, English
and Double Award Science C
BUSINESS STUDIES Not specified; Business ABB + GCSE Maths B (QUB) Visit www.bized.co.uk or the website of
Studies useful the Institute of Management: www.inst-
AAB-BBB (UU) mgt.org.uk . (N.B. Asking grades/ tariff
points for UU will vary depending on
DISTINCTION, MERIT, MERIT at campus and specific business course
BTEC applied for)
10 | P a g e MALONE COLLEGE CAREERS DEPARTMENTYEAR 1O CHOICES INFORMATION BOOKLET
COMPUTING Some courses may require AAB-BBB (QUB) Asking grades for UU vary depending on
Maths or Software Systems, campus and specific computing courses.
Development or ICT at A Level ABB-BBB + GCSE Maths C*(UU)
There are Cyber Security and Software
Management courses and Higher Level
Apprenticeships available at Belfast Met.
COMMUNICATION There are no specific courses. BCC A wide range of subjects are accepted. It
AND MEDIA Moving Image Arts or ICT are is useful to have completed a media work
useful at A Level. DISTINCTION, MERIT, MERIT at placement.
BTEC
DENTISTRY Biology and Chemistry A-level AAA including Biology British Dental Association www.bda-
required plus UKCAT dentistry.org.uk and the General Dental
admission test. GCSE Double Council www.gdc-uk.org
Award Science.
ENGINEERING Maths and another science Grades vary from AAA-BBB Royal Academy of Engineering
subject, e.g. Physics, depending on specific www.raeng.org.uk
Chemistry, Biology, Engineering degree taken. Some
Technology & Design, courses may require GCSE There are also Foundation Degrees and
Geography Maths A and Double Award Higher Level Apprenticeships available
Science through Belfast Met.
ENGLISH AS Level English ABB Students can have studied AS Level (first
Grade A at English GCSE (QUB) year of A Level course) English and
achieved a Grade A if they have not
completed the full English A Level.
ENVIRONMENTAL One from Mathematics, ABC Chartered Institute of Environmental
HEALTH Physics, Chemistry, Biology, (UU) Health www.cieh.org
11 | P a g e MALONE COLLEGE CAREERS DEPARTMENTYEAR 1O CHOICES INFORMATION BOOKLET
Geography, Home Economics,
Health and Social Care or
Applied Science
ENVIRONMENTAL 2 Science subjects from BBB Find out more at
SCIENCE Geography, Biology, Physics, (UU) www.environmentalscience.org
Chemistry, Mathematics,
Physical Education, Single
Award Science, ICT, Nutrition
and Food Science
IT Mathematics, Physics, AAB - BBB More information on careers and
CIT Chemistry, Software Systems progression can be found at
Development, Computing. See www.bringiton.info
website for subjects relevant
to specific degree. Some
courses may offer a grade
drop if offering one of the
above desirable subjects at
grade B
LANGUAGES GCSE and A Level in the ABB This is a 4 year course and can include a
(FRENCH, chosen language (QUB) one year placement in the country of
GERMAN, your chosen language.
SPANISH)
LAW No essential A Levels but AAA More information is available through
subjects that develop critical (QUB) www.thelawyer portal.com
thinking and analytical skills
ABB-BBB
12 | P a g e MALONE COLLEGE CAREERS DEPARTMENTYEAR 1O CHOICES INFORMATION BOOKLET
such as English and/or History (UU)
are useful
MATHS A Level Maths AAB or A degree in Maths can lead to a wide
GCSE Maths at Grade A A*BB range of jobs. More information on
(QUB) Maths careers can be found at
www.mathscareers.org.uk
MEDICINE Chemistry + Biology, Maths or AAA at A-level + A in a 4th AS- www.medschools.ac.uk
Physics. GCSE Double Award level
Science required. UKCAT www.bma.org.uk
admissions test A*AA + AS-level Biology grade B British Medical
Association
NURSING A relevant science useful but BBC / BCC (QUB) NHS Careers www.nhs.uk/careers
not essential.
BBC The Royal College of Nursing
(UU) www.rcn.org.uk
Royal College of Midwives
www.rcm.org.uk
OCCUPATIONAL 2 science subjects from BBB The College of Occupational Therapy
THERAPY Biology, Chemistry, HPAT admissions test (UU) (www.cot.co.uk)
Mathematics, Physics, Double
Award (DA)Life and Health DISTINCTION,
Science. (DA) Science DISTINCTION,MERIT at BTEC
13 | P a g e MALONE COLLEGE CAREERS DEPARTMENTYEAR 1O CHOICES INFORMATION BOOKLET
OPTOMETRY 2 science subjects from AAB (UU) www.college-optometrists.org
Biology, Chemistry,
Mathematics, Physics, Double
Award (DA)Life and Health
Science. (DA) Science
PHARMACY Chemistry, Biology GCSE and AAB www.rpsgb.org.uk
for A’ Level Chemistry and
Biology will keep the vast
majority of courses open.
PHYSIOTHERAPY One from Chemistry, Biology, BBB & HPAT admissions test Charted Society of Physiotherapy
Mathematics, Physics or (UU) www.csp.org.uk
Double Award Life & Health
Sciences
QUANTITY One from Maths, Physics, ABB Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
SURVEYING Chemistry, Biology, (AAA if none of the preferred A www.rics.org.uk
Engineering or Construction Levels offered.)
preferred.
RADIOGRAPHY 1 Science from Maths, BBB & HPAT admissions test Diagnostic radiographers use X-rays,
Physics, Chemistry, Biology or (UU) ultrasound and magnetic resonance
Double Award Life & Health imaging to produce images of the body.
Sciences. 2nd Science may be Therapeutic radiographers are involved
desirable for some courses. in the treatment of cancer. Contact the
GCSE Double Award Science. Society of Radiographers www.sor.org
SOCIAL WORK Not specified (but Health and ABB (QUB) www.niscc.info
Social Care is useful)
BBB (UU) www.skillsforcare.org.uk
14 | P a g e MALONE COLLEGE CAREERS DEPARTMENTYEAR 1O CHOICES INFORMATION BOOKLET
SPEECH AND English, a Modern Foreign BBB The Royal College of Speech and
LANGUAGE Language, Maths, Physics, HPAT Language Therapists
THERAPY Chemistry, Biology, Admissions test (UU)
Psychology www.rslt.org
GCSE Science
TEACHING Any A Level relevant to your Grades vary depending on www.stran.ac.uk
subject subject and university, but will
usually be BBB and above www.stmarys-belfast.ac.uk
GCSE Science
www.education.gov.uk
TOURISM AND No specific courses, but Travel CCC or
HOSPITALITY and Tourism or Hospitality MERIT, MERIT, MERIT at BTEC
www.bolc.co.uk
MANAGEMENT Level 3 BTEC are useful.
VETERINARY Chemistry, Biology and AAA-A*A*A* The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
SCIENCE Maths/Physics www.rcvs.org.uk
GCSE Double Award Science
15 | P a g e MALONE COLLEGE CAREERS DEPARTMENTYEAR 1O CHOICES INFORMATION BOOKLET
HIGHER LEVEL APPRENTICESHIPS (HLA’s)
Higher Level Apprenticeships or HLA’s are a very popular option for students
after A Level. HLA’s offer a new and exciting employed-pathway for learners to
gain professionally recognised qualifications at level 4 and level 5 whilst
actively working in paid employment with partner employers. The salary can
start at £18,000 and students work with national, regional and local employers.
They will also attend college one day a week to receive mentoring and support.
Higher Level Apprenticeships on offer at Belfast Met and SERC include:
- Accountancy
- Civil Engineering
- Cyber Security & Networking Infrastructure
- Cloud & Application Development
- Hospitality & Tourism Management
- Hospitality
https://www.belfastmet.ac.uk/apprenticeships/higher-level-apprenticeships/
https://www.serc.ac.uk/courses/training-and-apprenticeships
SCHOOL LEAVER PROGRAMMES
There are many companies now offering school leaver programmes. These are
aimed at students who want to go straight into work after A Level. These
programmes are often in business and finance and some of the best school
leaver programmes in Belfast are:
- PWC
- Deloitte
- EY
- Liberty IT
These companies also run a number of virtual insight and work placement
days. It is a good idea to follow these companies on social media to keep up to
date with their programmes.
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