How To Choose Your Sixth Form Subjects
Deciding what to study in sixth form can certainly be daunting; this may be the first time young students are asked to consider what they might want to do as a career down the line. Students should choose to study subjects which will prepare them for their next step. Moreover, choosing subjects wisely is crucial for exam success, and also for general enjoyment of sixth form. We hope that this brief guide can help you choose the right subjects for you, opening the doors to your ideal university course and/or career, and enabling your success in sixth form.
Choices at IB
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is exciting for its interdisciplinarity and breadth of choice. As part of this qualification, you can study three subjects at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL). You will go into greater depth in the study of your HL subjects compared to your SL subjects, with more lesson time devoted to the former. You should therefore choose subjects at HL which you really enjoy and which play to your strengths. You should also keep in mind that universities often require you to study certain subjects at HL to be admitted for various courses.
All students of the IB are required to study at least one subject from the following groups:
Language and Literature: usually in the student’s native language
Additional Language: a foreign modern language that you have learnt before (SL or HL) or ab initio (SL only), or Latin and Classical Greek (SL or HL)
Humanities and Social Sciences: Business Management, Economics, Geography, History, Philosophy, Psychology, Social and Cultural Anthropology…
Experimental Sciences: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Design Technology, Computer Science…
Maths: two courses are available at SL and HL. (a) ‘Analysis and Approaches' emphasizes algebraic methods and mathematical thinking, while (b) ‘Applications and Interpretation’ focuses on modelling and statistics in real-world applications.
The Arts: Dance, Foreign Languages, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, and Film. Or, instead of one of these courses, you can also choose to take an additional subject from Groups 1-4.
In sum, future IB students must choose a course in each of groups 1-5, and either a course in group 6 or an additional course in 1-5.
Choices at A-Level
In contrast to IB, taking A-Levels means choosing far fewer subjects, with no requirements for subjects to fall into certain groups. You will choose a minimum of 3 options, with some students taking 4 and the maximum set at 5. You will be graded on a scale from A* to E, mostly through exams although some subjects may involve coursework undertaken throughout the two years. One of the biggest decisions can be how many subjects to take: we sometimes advise starting with 4, as you can then trial a couple of different subjects before potentially dropping one. This can be helpful if you’re unsure about how many subjects to take, but also if you’re undecided on which subjects to study. New subjects are often introduced at this stage and taking four subjects can be a less pressured way to try something new you might be interested in.
As there are no requirements for taking subjects from certain fields, you can make your two years of study as varied or focused as you like. Be aware that for some courses, universities will require certain A-Levels, while for others they will simply recommend certain subjects. If there is only a recommendation, keep in mind that while you can definitely secure a place on the course without taking the subject, you might find it harder to bridge the gap between A-Levels and university. In this case it might then be a good idea to do some extra reading to bolster your Personal Statement and showcase your interest in the subject, as well as making the transition to university easier.
Specializing or Keeping Doors Open?
One key question to consider when choosing subjects for sixth form is whether you want to specialise or keep your options open. If you already have a clear idea of what you would like to study/work in after completing secondary education, you can choose the subjects which will best prepare you through helping you develop relevant skills and equip you with valuable knowledge. In addition, it is essential to look at the requirements for the courses you plan to apply for. For instance, the standard requirements for studying Medicine are Chemistry and at least one other science at A Level, or IB HL - and we always recommend taking Biology, as this is highly recommended at many medical schools.
If, on the other hand, you would like to continue exploring your options and keep various pathways open, we recommend choosing subjects which:
may be broadly useful to areas you have considered working in;
you find interesting, and;
you are good at.
New Subjects: Exciting but Beware!
Many of the subjects you could study in Sixth Form may be completely new to you, such as Anthropology, Economics, a new language, and Psychology, for example. They present exciting opportunities which you should certainly explore, but we advise not getting overly swept up in the novelty. Choosing a new subject is more risky compared to familiar subjects. It can be hard to know whether you’ll enjoy studying it or find it too challenging. Equally, the risk could pay off - you could discover a natural interest and talent which makes your Sixth Form studies more enjoyable and successful.
If you are considering starting a new subject in Sixth Form, you should research it widely before making a decision. You might want to read books in the area, talk to peers who have done the course or talk to the teachers who deliver it. We at Renewed Learning are also happy to help you with this decision by providing a taster session in the subject you are considering, giving you insight into whether you will find it stimulating and manageable.
Knowing Your Strengths
It’s important to consider your strengths when choosing subjects at both A-Level and IB: honest self reflection is key, and we also recommend discussing this with your teachers and tutors (if you have them). Consider which subjects you’ve excelled in at earlier stages of school, and ask yourself why you did well in these areas: perhaps you found certain subjects particularly interesting and this helps motivate you. It’s also important to consider your working style: do you enjoy reading and analysing large pieces of text, or are you more comfortable tackling a numerical problem? You can certainly train your brain to think in different ways (and all subjects will require a varied set of skills) but setting yourself up for success often means looking at what has worked in the past, and building off that.
It might be harder to apply this method when considering a new subject, as you may be unsure which particular skills are relevant. In this scenario, research is key! Read through the syllabus, and speak to older students and teachers to find out the skills you’ll most likely need. This is especially important for new subjects, which often seem tempting simply because they’re easier to romanticise and their difficult aspects haven’t yet been revealed. For example, philosophy as a subject involves constructing sound arguments and digesting complex pieces of information, as well as thinking about abstract issues. Gut instinct is helpful, but ensure you have an accurate idea of what a subject will entail, and where you excel!
Summary
In this blog we have explained the choices you need to make when approaching your studies at IB and A Level, and we have emphasised that the key things you need to consider in making these choices are whether you want to prepare for a certain university course/future career or keep your options open; whether taking a new subject is the right decision for you or too risky; and how to play to your strengths. We hope this provides a helpful guide for students entering Sixth Form and we want to underline that seeking advice from older peers, family, and teachers can also be incredibly beneficial. Our tutors at Renewed Learning are also happy to advise and provide subject taster sessions to help you make an informed decision.