Which GCSE should I take, History or Religious Studies?

Question

I have to choose my GCSE choices within the next week. I'm aspiring to get a job in science. Whether that be medicine, or something else, I have not decided yet. I've decided all my other choices (triple science, English Lit and Lang, Maths, Geography, ICT)
The only trouble I have is History or Religious Studies. Personally I think I'm better at RE than at History. In RE I'm usually top, whilst in History I'm about average.
I'm wondering, even though I want to study sciences, does it matter whether I choose RE or History? I've been told that people regard RE as a 'soft' subject. Personally, I hate the term, but I wonder whether top universities disregard people who have taken these 'soft subjects'?

Many Thanks,

Answer 1

Universities will not care whether you have taken History or R.E at GCSE if going into medicine, they only look at your A-levels, English/math GCSE and then a specific number of a-c grades in any other GCSE's.

Answer 2

RS has no coursework-which i guess you would count as a just right signal. You learn Philosophy and Ethics, which sounds interesting! Geography is normally the least exciting out of the lot-however it depends on the man or woman, i suppose-do you adore geography?? If you happen to favored it in Yrs7-9, then you'll commonly like it in your GCSE years-same goes for all the other subjects. History- you duvet a large range of subject matters and if you happen to like history, it is going to be interesting!! I can not fairly reply that fully, as some thing I to find fascinating you might no longer!! Nevertheless, none of those subjects are convenient-they may be all very educational-which is good-but you can need to work! On the plus facet, the majority of coursework is now finished in tuition now*, underneath "controlled evaluation." this implies you'll be able to have less homework! :D *it is going to be in mine anyway! Hope I helped, GleekFreak

Answer 3

Religious Studies is a compulsory subject in my school and apparently it shows that you understand about other cultures and stuff. R.S. is easier than History as well. I do History as a separate subject, because it had a topic on the History of Medicine, so yeahh. Personally, I think R.S. is easy but pointless, whereas History would stand out more and you will do well if you are good at writing essays and if you would be able to use the knowledge you get in your lessons into your answers in your exam. :)

Answer 4

They are only GCSEs, they don't matter as much as A Levels, so I wouldn't worry too much, however, If you want to go to a top university, you need strings of A/A*s so despite the fact History is a more respected subject, universities aren't going to use it against you if you don't pick it, especially as you want to do Medicine, and if you think you are better at RE and more likely to get an A* then do RE.

Answer 5

Go for History!!!!! It is more highly valued, and (I don't know if it's in all the exam boards) there's the history of medicine unit, which may give a bit of a boost.

However, with the subjects you're going to do, you're not in danger if you were to go with RE. So it's a personal choice really, but History may be more suitable, in my point of view.

Answer 6

History is a very respectable GCSE.