How to Choose Your Courses
The courses you choose at St Brendan's are exactly that – your choice. In the vast majority of cases there are no constraints on combinations of courses, due to the large numbers of individual groups within subject areas. It may be difficult for you to make final decisions when so much is on offer, but the following pages may help you, and of course we will always be available to advise and guide you when it is required.
The level of course you study depends on your GCSE examination results. Further explanation of the level of courses you should study is provided below. You should also consider the following points whilst choosing which courses would suit you best.
- Do I achieve better results in coursework or examinations?
- Which subjects will I enjoy?
- Which GCSE subjects am I good at?
- Are there new subjects that I have not studied before?
- What are my future career aspirations?
To help you decide you should consult:
- Careers staff or Learning Partnership West
- Parents/Carers and teachers
- Subject specialists available at Open Evenings
- Course leaflets for detailed information of course content
- College Tutors at your admission interview
Two Year Full Time Programmes
Level 3
These include AS/A2 Levels, Level 3 BTECs and the new International Baccalaureate (IB).They all carry university entry points (UCAS points) - the difference is in the way that they are taught and assessed. Generally AS and A Levels are academic subjects that rely on examinations and coursework, BTECs prepare you for work through practical assignments and coursework. Most students take a combination of four courses at level 3 which can include AS/A2 Levels and BTECs (NB the Level 3 IB Diploma is equivalent to 2 A levels and therefore equates to 2 subject choices). The International Baccalaureate is a stand-alone qualification and is mainly academic with some coursework elements.
One Year Full Time Programmes
Level 2
Choose one from a range of Level 2 BTEC Diplomas or OCR National Level 2 Courses which are often taken alongside a GCSE (Mathematics, English, Biology).