GCSE factsheet
Overview
Who is this course for?
Students who want to gain UK high school qualifications.
The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is the official examination which completes High School education in the UK, usually when the students are 16 years old.
It is normally taken over two years and students choose a range of subjects they want to take the exams for.
GCSE qualifications are recognised worldwide and are the ideal gateway to further academic study in the UK and beyond.
Key Facts
Start Dates:
- September
Colleges:
- Brighton (Accelerated only)
- Bournemouth
Entry level:
- Academic: Completed 8 years of schooling with good results (9 years for Accelerated GCSE)
- English: Junior Entrance Test with strong pass in English, equivalent to IELTS 5.0
- Interview via video call may be required.
Minimum age:
- 14 (15 for Accelerated GCSE)
Length:
- Accelerated: 3–4 terms (3-terms + pre-sessional term if required)
- Standard: 4–7 terms (4–6 terms + pre-sessional term if required)
Lessons:
- 40–42 lessons per week
Learning outcomes
- Gain UK national qualification
- Raise English to level required for A-level or Foundation
- Develop study skills required at sixth form level
Course content and structure
Students will follow a mixed curriculum including science, mathematics and humanities subjects. They can expect to prepare for GCSE exams in a range of subjects, depending on aptitude and language proficiency.
Subjects include: Arts, Business, English, Geography, History, Information Technology, Computer Science, Mathematics, PSHE, Science, Drama and Physical Education.
Core subjects of English, Maths and the Sciences are taught in all colleges and in all study plans but for availability of other subjects please get in touch with us.
There is also the opportunity for students to participate in a range of extracurricular activities.
Students on the Accelerated and Standard study plans study the same subjects and attend the same number of total taught lessons per week but the distribution of the lessons changes.
The table below shows a breakdown of the lessons per week by subject.
| Accelerated GCSE | Standard GCSE | |
| Mathematics | 6 lessons | 4+ lessons |
| English | 6-8 lessons | 14-20 lessons |
| Study skills | 2 lessons | 2 lessons |
| Science | 8-9 lessons (depending whether Combined or Co-ordinated) | 3-6+ lessons (depending whether Combined or Co-ordinated) |
| Information Computer Technology | 4-6 lessons | 2-4+ lessons |
| Geography | 6 lessons | 2-4+ lessons |
| PSHE and Citizenship | 2 lessons | 2 lessons |
| Physical Education | 2 lessons | 2 lessons |
| Creative Arts | 2 lessons | 2 lessons |
| Total | 40-42 lessons per week | 40-42 lessons per week |
Sample enrichment activities
- Duke of Edinburgh Award
- Trinity Arts awards
- Off-site residential trips
- Sports clubs
- Arts and craft clubs
- Student Council