CHOOSING GCSES AND UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE Universities will take GCSE grades into account when assessing an application. Many Haberdashers’ pupils choose to apply for competitive courses, or to competitive universities, and in such cases, a certain number of GCSE grades (usually the first eight) will be scored by the university prior to first stage selection. At Haberdashers’, pupils who have been offered places at the very top universities have usually had six or more GCSEs at Grade 9. University requirements A few university courses either require specific GCSEs, or prefer specific GCSEs: •
Architecture You need at least one Science at GCSE; Physics is the preferred Science. Art can be an advantage.
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Computer Science Many courses prefer Physics at GCSE, a few specify Physics.
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Design You should consider Art & Design or D&T for most courses.
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Engineering You will require Physics at GCSE. You should consider D&T.
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Journalism A second language can be useful, but is not required.
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Medical Science, Dentistry, Veterinary Science You must retain all three Sciences at GCSE.
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Natural Sciences You are strongly recommended to take all three Sciences at GCSE. Beyond this, universities like to see a broad range of academic GCSEs as proof of a wide range of intellectual abilities. The GCSE courses at Habs automatically ensure that this is the case for all pupils. You can seek further clarification of any of these points by talking to the Head of Careers, Mrs Nash. Nash_K@habsboys.org.uk
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