GCSEs
There are a few different types of GCSE, all of which are general qualifications at Levels 1 and 2.
GCSEs
The aim of GCSEs is to prepare you for further academic success, including progression to A Levels, an Advanced Diploma or an Apprenticeship. GCSEs also give you skills for immediate employment.
GCSEs can either be at Level 1 or Level 2, depending on what grades you get:
- GCSEs at grades A*–C are Level 2
- GCSEs at grades D–G are Level 1.
Most Level 3 courses ask for four or five GCSEs at C grade or better, so if you don't get those grades, you might have to get a Level 2 qualification before going on to A Levels or another Level 3 course.
GCSE Short Courses
You can do some GCSE Short Courses alongside your full GCSEs. They count as half a GCSE, and they're available in the same sorts of subjects.
Applied GCSEs
Applied GCSEs (sometimes called Vocational GCSEs) are more practical alternatives to the GCSEs most learners take. They're available in subjects like art and design, business, ICT, science, engineering, health and social care, leisure and tourism and manufacturing.
An Applied GCSE is a double qualification, which means it's equivalent to two normal GCSEs.
Get help with choosing your GCSE options in the Year 9 section.
IGCSEs
IGCSEs (or International GCSEs) are similar to the standard GCSEs most learners in Norfolk take.
IGCSEs aren't approved by Ofqual, which means they're only offered by independent schools. But most 6th forms, colleges and universities accept an IGCSE as worth the same as a GCSE.
If you go to an independent school, run a search on help you choose to find out which subjects are offered as IGCSEs.
