Prequisites for your favourite course

The subject choices you make in high school will have far reaching consequences on your higher education options and therefore your career choices. It is imperative that you understand the subject requirements for admission into programmes of your choice.

While applying to the univeristies in UK, the choice of subjects you made at senior school will influence or affect the outcome of your admissions. Tae a look at what the leading UK university pre requisites are. 

Russell Group Universities – Research-led UK Universities

Russell Group universities are reputed for their high levels of academic excellence both in teaching and cutting edge research. These universities are spread across every major city of the UK. They attract international students and academic staff from across the globe. Through their outstanding research and teaching, excellent links with businesses and a commitment to civic responsibility, Russell Group universities make an enormous impact on the economic, social and cultural well-being of the UK.

Students can choose from a wide range of internationally renowned courses - from medical, biological and physical sciences to business, social sciences and the humanities. According to the Russell Group website, more than half a million students are enrolled at Russell Group universities – which amount to one in five of all higher education students in the UK.

The Russell Group website has an excellent film titled “Informed Choices” which is a ‘must see’ film for all those students hoping to enroll at a top British University. There is also a downloadable “Informed Choices” guide that can prove useful for counsellors, parents as well as students themselves. It has helpful information on the subjects to choose as well their outcomes in terms of career choices. Furthermore, it lists some excellent websites that will help you make informed choices. 

The pre-requisites

Some courses at universities require applicants to have studied certain subjects already, so students should be clear how their choices at school and college may close off certain subjects at university.

Some advanced level subjects are more frequently required for entry to degree courses than others. These subjects are called ‘facilitating subjects’ because choosing them at advanced level leaves open a wide range of options for university study. These facilitating subjects include: Maths and further Maths; Physics; Biology; Chemistry; History; Geography; Modern and classical languages; English Literature.

There are some advanced level subjects which provide suitable preparation for entry to university generally, but which are not included within the facilitating subjects. This is because there are relatively few degree programmes where an advanced level qualification in these subjects would be a requirement for entry. Examples of such subjects include Economics, Religious Studies and Welsh.

Currently University College London (UCL) is the only Russell Group institution to require a Modern Language GCSE at grade C or above for all of its programmes. However, if you did not take a Modern Foreign Language GCSE, or if you got a D grade or below you can still apply to any UCL degree programme, and it won’t negatively affect your application. You will not be rejected just because you don’t have it but you will need to complete a short course in a modern foreign language, either on a summer school or in the first year of your degree, to catch up. 

What do you want to study?

To get the most out of studying after the age of 16 (sometimes known as ‘further education’), it’s important to take time to choose the right courses and qualifications. Ask yourself:

• what you are good at, and what you enjoy - most people do better when they study a subject they like

• whether you want to learn something new - for many courses, you may not need any previous experience

• what course structure will suit you - do you prefer end-of-year exams, continual assessment, or a mixture of both?

• what learning style will suit you - do you prefer lectures, classroom discussions, or practical workshops?

• where the course will lead - does it fit in with your long-term plans?

If you prefer a practical approach to learning, have you considered a work-based training option like an Apprenticeship? You also need to think about how your choices of what to study will fit in with your career plans. (Source: www.gov.uk)

As per the ‘Informed Choices’ hand book, if you are hoping to enter a profession, you should try to ensure that your choices for post-16 education will give you the best possible preparation for the degree and the professional qualifications you will need for your chosen career.

More information about professional careers and training can be found on the Total Professions website and on the Connexions-direct website. Apart from this, the ‘Informed Choices’ booklet gives very useful information on subjects that can impact your career and lists requirements of institutions of the Russell group universities.

Rema Menon is the Founder and Director of Counselling Point Training & Development, a KHDA-approved centre in Dubai