Collection

GCSEs (9 to 1): requirements and guidance

Rules, regulations and guidance for GCSEs graded 9 to 1.

This collection sets out rules, regulations and associated guidance for GCSEs graded 9 to 1.

For GCSEs awarded in 2021, please see GCSE subject-level conditions for 2021

You should also read the requirements for all awarding organisations and qualifications.

You can also read about the grade descriptions for GCSEs graded 9 to 1.

There are separate requirements for GCSEs graded A* to G.

All GCSEs (9 to 1)

Ancient history

For teaching from September 2017

Ancient languages

For teaching from September 2016 (classical Greek and Latin) and September 2018 (biblical Hebrew)

Art and design

For teaching from September 2016

Astronomy

For teaching from September 2017.

Business

For teaching from September 2017.

Citizenship studies

For teaching from September 2016

Classical civilisation

For teaching from September 2017

Combined science (double award)

For teaching from September 2016

Computer science

For teaching from September 2016

Dance

For teaching from September 2016

Design and technology

For teaching from September 2017

Drama

For teaching from September 2016

Economics

For teaching from September 2017

Electronics

For teaching from September 2017

Engineering

For teaching from September 2017

English language

For teaching from September 2015

English literature

For teaching from September 2015

Film studies

For teaching from September 2017

Food preparation and nutrition

For teaching from September 2016

Geography

For teaching from September 2016

Geology

For teaching from September 2017

History

For teaching from September 2016

Mathematics

For teaching from September 2015

Media studies

For teaching from September 2017

Modern foreign languages

The GCSE subject-level conditions and guidance for modern foreign languages apply to qualifications for teaching from September 2016 (French, German and Spanish) and from September 2017 (other languages).

The GCSE subject-level conditions and guidance for French, German and Spanish will apply to qualifications in French, German and Spanish awarded after 1 June 2026.

Music

For teaching from September 2016

Physical education

For teaching from September 2016

Psychology

For teaching from September 2017

Religious studies

For teaching from September 2016

Single science (biology, chemistry and physics)

For teaching from September 2016

Sociology

For teaching from September 2017

Statistics

For teaching from September 2017

Updates to this page

Published 19 November 2014
Last updated 14 June 2022 + show all updates
  1. Added the GCSE subject-level conditions and guidance for French, German and Spanish to apply to qualifications awarded after 1 June 2026.

  2. Added film studies and media studies

  3. Added sociology

  4. Added ancient history, classical civilisation and statistics

  5. Added Electronics

  6. Added geology and psychology

  7. Added astronomy, business and economics.

  8. Added GCSE design & technology and GCSE engineering

  9. Added conditions and guidance for drama

  10. Added conditions and guidance for food preparation and nutrition

  11. Added conditions and guidance for single and combined science to collection

  12. Published new conditions and guidance for GCSE citizenship studies and physical education

  13. Published new requirements and guidance for GCSE in religious studies

  14. Published new requirements and guidance for GCSE computer science

  15. Changed a passage that might be confusing as to when the grade descriptors are to be used.

  16. Published requirements and guidance for GCSE ancient languages

  17. Published new conditions and guidance for art and design, dance and music

  18. Published new requirements and guidance for reformed GCSEs in geography, history and modern foreign languages (French, German and Spanish)

  19. Added a link to the grade descriptions for 9 to 1 graded GCSEs.

  20. First published.