Getting Started with Course Selection

The pages below include detailed information around the number of options or courses students should choose.

In Summary:

• Year 9 students will study 4 different options as well as compulsory English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and PE/Health
• Year 10 students will study 2 different options as well as compulsory English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and PE/Health
• Year 11 students can take whole year courses or half year ( Semester) courses. Students must take English and Mathematics as full year courses. They must also take Science for at least one Semester . However for the rest of their courses they can either take subjects for half a year or for a full year. This means they can choose another 5 half year subjects or two full year subjects and one half year. 
• Year 12 students will study 5 different courses which must include English. If students do not have Level 1 numeracy, they must take a relevant Mathematics/Numeracy course. 
• Year 13 students will study 5 different courses. There are no compulsory subjects in Year 13. If students do not have Level 1 Literacy or Numeracy, they must take a relevant Mathematics /Numeracy course and a relevant English/Literacy course. 

Course selection for your upcoming year of study is not just about choosing a mix of subjects. It is not just about choosing subjects your mates are doing, or subjects that will be easier. What is really important is that there is COHERENCY in the total package of subjects that you select.

Course coherency means that the subjects you choose will fit together well to equip you for the individual pathway that you are embarking on. This means that when you leave school and begin work or further study you will already have been partly prepared for the sector of work or study you are entering.

Course coherency is more clearly understood by looking at the sectors of industry and enterprise that your school studies are leading you towards. There are six sectors of industry and enterprise defined under the heading of Vocational Pathways.

Things to think about:

• What are you interested in?
• What are you good at?
• What do you enjoy?
• If you know what you want to do/study when you leave school - what subjects do they suggest?

Who can you talk to for advice?

• Parents and caregivers
• Teachers
• School Deans
• Your school's careers team 

Additional Resources:

Find out as much information as you can about NCEA courses, the requirements for NCEA at each level, University Entrance requirements, approved subjects, careers, etc. by: www.ncea.govt.nz

The pages below include detailed information around the number of options or courses students should choose.

In Summary:

• Year 9 students will study 4 different options as well as compulsory English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and PE/Health
• Year 10 students will study 2 different options as well as compulsory English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and PE/Health
• Year 11 students can take whole year courses or half year ( Semester) courses. Students must take English and Mathematics as full year courses. They must also take Science for at least one Semester . However for the rest of their courses they can either take subjects for half a year or for a full year. This means they can choose another 5 half year subjects or two full year subjects and one half year. 
• Year 12 students will study 5 different courses which must include English. If students do not have Level 1 numeracy, they must take a relevant Mathematics/Numeracy course. 
• Year 13 students will study 5 different courses. There are no compulsory subjects in Year 13. If students do not have Level 1 Literacy or Numeracy, they must take a relevant Mathematics /Numeracy course and a relevant English/Literacy course. 

• Course selection for your upcoming year of study is not just about choosing a mix of subjects. It is not just about choosing subjects your mates are doing, or subjects that will be easier. What is really important is that there is COHERENCY in the total package of subjects that you select.

  Course coherency means that the subjects you choose will fit together well to equip you for the individual pathway that you are embarking on. This means that when you leave school and begin work or further study you will already have been partly prepared for the sector of work or study you are entering.

  Course coherency is more clearly understood by looking at the sectors of industry and enterprise that your school studies are leading you towards. There are six sectors of industry and enterprise defined under the heading of Vocational Pathways.