Choosing options

The optional subjects you can take for Key Stage 4 differ from school to school. Your school will give you information when the time comes to make choices.

Education iconsThere are four ‘entitlement areas’ – which means that courses will be available in each of these areas. The four areas are:

  • Arts (including art and design, music, dance, drama and media arts);
  • Design and technology;
  • Humanities (history and geography);
  • Modern foreign languages.

Other subjects that may be available include:

Business studies, law etc.

Skills for life and personal development courses;

Vocational courses – related to work areas such as engineering, health and social care, manufacturing, outdoor education, sport etc.

How to Choose

In order to make up your mind about what to study, you will need to think about:

  • What subjects you currently enjoy most?
  • What subjects and type of subjects you are good at?
  • Subjects that you may need for a future career;
  • How to keep your options open if you are not sure what you want to do in the future or if you have lots of ideas?

You will also need to think about your preferred style of learning and what type of qualification will suit you. See the link below for some of the different qualifications on offer – but you will need to check what your school offers.

See Qualifications and Levels for details of the options available.