what is coursework gcse

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• How to Make Your Coursework as Good as It Can Possibly Be

Many GCSE and A-level subjects are assessed in part by coursework in addition to exams, meaning that the mark you receive for coursework contributes to your overall grade. Many students prefer coursework, because it’s a chance to showcase your academic abilities away from the high-pressured environment of the exam room, making it ideal for those who don’t perform to the best of their abilities in exams. However, the time you have available for coursework, in contrast with the time constraints of the exam room, can lull some students into a false sense of security. Coursework is arguably just as challenging as exams, just in different ways – and, given the fact that you have more time, much higher standards are expected of you in coursework than in exams. Careful planning and research are needed for successful coursework, as well as strong data-gathering and essay-writing skills. In this article, we look at how to produce excellent coursework, from planning to proofreading. This information might also be useful to you if you’re planning on attending an Oxford Summer School this summer.

What is coursework?

GCSE and A-level coursework typically takes the form of an extended essay or project. Its objectives vary from one subject to another, but there’s usually an emphasis on the student conducting independent research into a topic of their own choice. Thus coursework often takes the form of some sort of investigation; it may, therefore, help to have your ‘detective’ hat on as you explore, investigate and analyse your topic. You can usually work on your coursework at home, though it’s sometimes completed under controlled conditions through sessions at school. To give you a better idea of how coursework varies from one subject to another, here are some examples:

• English – English coursework usually takes the form of an extended essay with a title of your choice. You’re usually given a choice of themes and/or texts to explore, and you could choose a format such as a comparison between a set text and another one.
• Geography – Geography coursework usually focuses on the gathering, reporting and interpretation of data designed to answer a particular geographical question. You could investigate usage of a shopping centre, for example, or look at erosion on a particular beach.
• Sciences – coursework for science subjects often takes the form of a scientific project or experiment that you conduct and report on yourself.

Before you start work on your coursework, it’s essential that you have a thorough understanding of the rules. Failing to conform to the rules – inadvertently or not – may result in your coursework (or possibly even your entire qualification) being disqualified, so it’s a serious matter.

• No plagiarism – this is particularly dangerous given the ready availability of relevant information on the internet these days. Make sure everything is in your own words; you’ll need to sign a declaration stating that it’s your own original work.
• There’s only so much help your teacher can give you . They can provide guidance on what you need to include, and on what the examiners will be looking for. You can ask them questions, but they’ll usually only be able to check through your first draft once and offer broad hints on updating it.
• Check the word count , and stick to it. Find out whether footnotes, appendices and bibliographies are included in the word count.
• Check what topics you’re allowed to do your coursework on; if there’s an exam on this topic, you’ll almost certainly have to choose a different one for your coursework.

Choose your topic wisely

Ideally, choose something you’re genuinely interested in, as your enthusiasm will come across and you’ll find it more enjoyable to write. If there’s something you’ve been working on for the course so far that you’ve particularly enjoyed, you may be able to focus more on this as part of your coursework. For science coursework, you’ll need to choose something to investigate that you can measure, change and control; it should be what’s called a ‘fair test’, meaning that you have to acknowledge all the controls you use in the experiment and why. Try not to pick a topic for which the scope is too vast, as you’ll struggle to research it properly and you’re unlikely to do it justice, and it’ll be hard to keep within the word limit. Ask your teachers for some guidance on choosing your topic if you’re not sure what to write about; they might even tell you a bit about what previous students have done to give you some inspiration.

Plan how long it’s going to take

Never leave your coursework until the last minute, even if this is your normal approach to essays and it usually works for you. Make sure you understand when the deadlines are, including time for submitting a first draft for comments from your teacher. Then schedule blocks of time for working on it, allowing plenty of time before the deadline to cater for any unexpected delays. Allow ample time for making corrections based on teacher feedback on your first draft, and keep some time aside before the deadline for final editing and proofreading. Because actual deadlines are few and far between, you’ll need to take responsibility for the writing process and impose some deadlines on yourself to ensure it’s finished in time. Write down your deadlines on a calendar, with the coursework broken into stages and dates assigned to each, by which time each task should be complete. You can base your stages on the next few points in this article – research and data gathering, a structure plan for the piece of work, writing up, and so on.

Conducting your research and gathering data

As coursework is primarily a research exercise, the research phase is crucial, so don’t be tempted to skimp on it and go straight to writing up. Use as many different resources as you can to gather data: books, journals, newspapers, television, radio, the internet and anything else you think might be relevant. For science and Geography coursework, you’ll need to base your work on a hypothesis, so the research stage should start by coming up with at least one hypothesis, otherwise your research will lack direction. The research phase for some subjects may involve site visits for gathering data, so allow plenty of time for this, particularly if you need your parents to drive you somewhere to do so. If it’s a scientific experiment you’re conducting for your coursework, you’ll need to pay careful attention to planning the experiment using rigorous scientific methods (also noting what Health and Safety precautions you are taking), as well as reading up on the background and theory so that you have an idea of what to expect from the outcome of your experiment. In the research stage, make notes about what you expect to happen, so that you can later compare your expectations with what actually did happen. The experiment itself also forms part of the research and data-gathering stage for your science coursework; in the write-up stage, which we come onto shortly, you analyse and write up the results.

Plan your structure

Once you’ve completed your research, the process of writing up begins. Before you get down to the actual writing, however, it’s advisable to write a plan for how you’re going to structure it – essentially an essay plan for English coursework and other subjects for which the coursework is based on an extended essay. It’ll look slightly different from an essay plan for science subjects and others that revolve around project work, but the principle is the same: plan out what order you’re going to present your information in. For big projects, this is particularly important, because with a lot of information to convey, you risk being disorganised and waffling.

Writing up your project

For any coursework, but particularly coursework based around an extended essay, you’ll need to perfect your essay-writing abilities. For science coursework, writing up your project also involves data analysis, as you interpret the results of your experiment and work your notes into formal scientific language. Follow the links below to find lots more useful advice on writing great essays.

• How to write dazzlingly brilliant essays
• How to write more original essays
• Techniques from creative writing that can improve your essays

When you’re writing up, it’s important to find a place where you can work quietly, without distractions that could cause you to make careless errors. You wouldn’t want noise or distractions when you were in an exam room, so treat your coursework with the same reverence.

Supporting materials and images

For some subjects, namely the sciences and Geography, it would be appropriate to include images, graphs, charts, tables and so on in your coursework. For example, for Geography coursework, your extra material could include annotated images and maps of the site you’re talking about, plus tables, graphs and charts. An appendix could then detail your raw data; if, for example, your coursework focused on the results of a survey, you could put the raw survey responses in an appendix and provide summaries and analysis in the main body of the coursework.

Footnotes and bibliography

As we said earlier, it’s important that you always use your own words in your coursework to avoid the possibility of falling foul of plagiarism rules. However, it’s acceptable to quote from another source, as you would in any piece of academic writing, but you must make sure that you state where it is from and use quotation marks to show that it’s a quote from somewhere else. The best way of citing another work is to use a footnote; word processors will allow you to insert one, and it just puts a little number at the end of the sentence and another in the footer of the document, into which you put the name of the author and work, and the page within that work that the quote can be found. At the end of your piece of work, include a bibliography that includes a list of every external source you’ve used in the creation of your coursework. Stick to a set formula when including books. A common format is: Author Surname, Initial. (Date) – Title of Book , page number For example: Lewis, C.S. (1960) – Studies in Words , p. 45 When you get to university, you’ll be expected to include footnotes and bibliographies in all your essays, so it’s a good habit to get into and coursework gives you good practice at it.

The final pre-submission check

Having completed a first draft, received feedback from your teacher, and honed your work into a finished piece of coursework, have a final check through it before you send off your coursework for submission.

• Sense check : have a read through your completed piece of work and check that it all makes sense. Make sure you haven’t contradicted yourself anywhere, or repeated yourself, or laboured the point. If there are any facts that you may have meant to look up to double check their accuracy, do so now.
• Word count : ensure that the completed work falls within the word count, and double check whether the bibliography should be included in the word count. If you’ve exceeded it, you’ll need to work through the piece and tighten up your writing, omitting unnecessary information, reordering sentences so that they use fewer words, and so on.
• Proofread : check your spelling and grammar, and ensure that there are no typos. Don’t just use the spellcheck – go through it with a fine toothcomb, manually, and if you can, ask someone to read through it for you to see if they spot anything you haven’t.
• Formatting : check that you’ve included page numbers, and that the font and line spacing is consistent throughout the work. Ensure that the font is plain and easy to read, such as Arial or Times New Roman.
• Bibliography : check that you’ve included everything, that the format is the same for all sources mentioned, and that the right information is included for each.

Once this stage is complete, you’re ready to submit your coursework along with your declaration that it’s entirely your own work. Get ready for a feeling of immense satisfaction when you finally send off your hard work!

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GCSEs: Everything you need to know

GCSE, meaning General Certificate of Secondary Education, is the first qualification milestone in the UK’s education system other than in Scotland, where the equivalent is the National 5 (N5). The Mix explains how GCSEs work, what subjects you can study at GCSE and what you can do afterwards.

What is a GCSE?

Before we start it’s important to remember that this is a key stage of your education and you should defo take them seriously. Okay, done with the lecture. Now onto the facts.

Whilst British law states that teenagers are not legally required to sit GCSEs ( see the Education Act 1996 ) – especially for those students who are being home-educated or independently schooled instead – nearly all state-funded schools require their students to study GCSEs or Functional Skills. Also keep in mind that a good range of GCSE passes will usually be required for entry into sixth form and often for vocational college entry too.

How do GCSEs work?

GCSE qualifications are usually taken in Years 10 and 11, when you are aged between 14 and 16. The basic idea is that you’ll study up to 10 subjects over two years. They used to be graded based on coursework, regular assessment and final exams. However recent changes mean that most of the courses are graded solely based on your GCSE exams.

Generally speaking, GCSEs are studied full-time at school or college, taking five terms to complete, with exams in the summer term. We should also flag that the exams you do get will be specific to the examination boards your school has chosen e.g. AQA or Edexcel so make sure you have a good idea of which one you’re doing.

How will changes to GCSEs affect me?

Now that you’ve figured out that answer to ‘how do GCSEs work?’ you should probably get clued up on what changes have been happening. 

The format and structure of GCSEs has been changing pretty significantly over the last few years. By and large these switches in the system have been focussed on moving assessment away from coursework and more onto the final exam. As part of this shift, the grading system in England has gone from alphabetical (A* to F) to numerical (1-9).

The government has said the aim of these changes is to make GCSEs more challenging. Unfortunately they haven’t had a lot of time to be tested with the pandemic forcing exams to be cancelled. This means that we can’t really say how the latest changes will affect you, especially since you’re unlikely to have anything to compare them to.

The GCSE grading systems

There have been some updates to the grades given in GCSEs, meaning you probably need a refresher. Now GCSE grades are 1-9, where 9 is the highest grade, 4 is a standard pass and 5 is a strong pass.

International GCSEs

More state schools are now offering the International GCSE (IGCSE), previously only available in independent schools. For reference, IGCSEs have been compared with old-style O-Levels and are supposed to be tougher than standard GCSEs.

What subjects can I study at GCSE?

Technically speaking you can choose from over 45 subjects. But in reality some of these are compulsory and the choices you have will depend on your school. So we’ll break it down for you. 

The compulsory core subjects are English, maths and science. In Wales, you’re also required to study Welsh as part of the national curriculum . Some choices you have include, but are not limited to , history, psychology, geography, art, drama, music, design, business studies, media studies, law, technology, economics and sociology.

What are GCSE courses like?

The majority last two years with the dreaded exams in the final summer term and exam results released in August. It’s worth noting that some other courses, such as art, music and drama, have practical assessments throughout the course on top of a final exam.

What grades can I get at GCSE?

This depends on the tier that you do. In some subjects, such as history, RE, music, art and design, everybody studying the subject sits the same exam paper and, therefore, has the potential to get the same grades. However, in subjects like English and science you have a choice of two different tiers – foundation and higher ; t he foundation tier assesses grades 1-5 and the higher tier assesses grades 4-9.

What if I want to do GCSEs that will help me get a job?

All GCSEs will benefit you since employers value them highly. Having said that, there are GCSEs in vocational subjects that relate directly to employment in particular areas, such as engineering and IT. These are practical courses which can be mixed with other GCSEs and are focused on coursework. As it stands, there are currently five GCSEs in vocational subjects: business, ICT, computer science, engineering and electronics. Unfortunately, not all schools offer them all, so it’s best to check with your school to find out more.

Can you get a job without GCSEs?

Okay, we’re not going to lie to you. It’s not impossible to get a job without them buttt… GCSEs are seen as the most basic level of education and many employers will ask you about them. Plus, research shows that having GCSEs gives you a leg up in getting a job after school , and can potentially increase your wages by up to £2,000 a year . Not to mention that if you want to go on to college and university GCSEs and A-level grades will usually be required for entry.

If you haven’t yet completed your GCSEs and are strapped for cash , there are jobs out there you can do. You can find more info on jobs for under 16s in this article .

Where will GCSEs take me?

Honestly, they’ll open a world of opportunities for you, and that’s no hyperbole (learned that one in GCSE English). You see, this academic qualification is highly valued by schools, colleges and employers, so they’ll be useful no matter what you’re planning to do when you finish your course. For example, A-levels , Diplomas or university . And if none of that tickles your fancy, you can always use your GCSEs to gain employment.

• Chat about this subject on our Discussion Boards .

By Nishika Melwani

Updated on 18-Mar-2022

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Coursework - what to expect

Your aspect of your assessment is an important part of the qualifications you take in Years 11 to 14. Knowing what to expect and how best to approach it can help you get higher grades.

Why coursework / internal assessment matters

Many of the subjects you’ll study in Years 11 to 14 are assessed on a mixture of internal assessment and exams. The internally assessed element of a subject can make up a significant part of your final mark and for some subjects, this counts for more than half of the total.

It can be a useful way of showing what you can do, where an exam wouldn’t be suitable, for example, a music presentation or a science experiment, but it can also allow you to:

• study a subject in more depth
• take more responsibility for what you study
• have more control over the pace at which you study

Internally assessed assignments can be set over several days or weeks, so there’s also less chance of your grade being affected if you have an ‘off day’.  

What to expect

The coursework / internal assessment you’re given can take various forms. It could include:

• projects and fieldwork
• written work or extended essays
• experiments and investigations
• performances

Coursework / internal assessment is assessed internally by your teachers or tutors and may be set at any time during your course. You may do some of your coursework outside school hours and some at school under the supervision of your teachers.

For GCSEs , the mix of exams and internal assessment varies depending on the subject. Some, like art and design, have more coursework and fewer exams.

AS and A levels

Many AS and A levels are  made up of a combination of exams and internal assessment, but this varies depending on the subject.

You may also have to do coursework if you take vocational qualifications, or the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The amount of coursework will also depend on which awarding body (exam board) offers the qualification.

• Guide to qualifications

Top tips for success

If you want to get good grades, it’s important to do your best.

Choose your subjects carefully

You’re much more likely to do well if you:

• choose topics you find interesting - this will keep you motivated
• get organised - try to plan your projects carefully and give yourself plenty of time to do all your work
• make sure you find somewhere quiet to study
• research your topics carefully - make sure you do all your research before you start writing up
• write up your coursework clearly and neatly - always check your spelling, grammar and punctuation and check if there is a word limit you need to stick to

Things to avoid

Also, there are some definite no-nos if you want to give yourself the best chance of doing well, so don't:

• leave projects until the last minute
• start writing up before you’ve done all your research
• go over the word limit
• try to watch TV at the same time
• rush things
• copy or plagiarise other people's work

Plagiarism – what it is and how to avoid it

It’s really important that the work you produce is your own. Copying chunks of text and pretending they’re yours is cheating and is known as plagiarism. You can be guilty of plagiarism if you copy from sources such as:

• the internet
• computer programs
• friends or family members

If you copy someone else’s work, you probably won’t understand it properly. You could also really come unstuck if your coursework is linked to exams you have to take later on in the course.

Despite what you might think, plagiarism is often easy to spot as people’s writing styles can stand out. There are also a number of computer programs that can help teachers, tutors and exam boards find out if you have plagiarised someone else's work.

What happens if you're caught

As well as being dishonest and unfair on the person you’re copying from, plagiarism can get you into trouble. You might receive a warning, have your final grade lowered, or even have your qualification taken away.

Sticking to the rules

When you are given an internally assessed assignment, you may want to share ideas or do some research with a classmate. This is okay, but you must make sure that you each write up your work on your own. If you do quote text from other sources, you must always say where it comes from and who wrote it.

Help and advice on coursework / internal assessment

If you’re getting stuck with internal assessment, quite often the best thing to do is speak to your teachers. You can also find lots of help online. Websites like the BBC’s  Bitesize are full of tips and good ideas for coursework, homework and revision.

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GCSE coursework help and sample essays

• The following are tips for GCSE coursework. The tips are not for any specific subject but a general idea for content to include in all of your coursework.
• It is always a good idea to write an introduction. Describe the problem you have been set and how you understand it. Show the examiner that you understand the question. In the introduction you could also describe how you plan to tackle the problem.
• Obtain your information and results in a clear and organised way. Explain how you are obtaining your results giving specific examples.
• Don't just present your results in one way - use many different methods like graphs, tables, charts. If you are drawing more than one graph then don't just use a bar or pie graph experiment with more complex graphs.
• Explain what each way you have presented your results shows you. If there is an unusual result explain clearly why this could be, again using clear examples. If you notice a pattern explain it clearly with examples and try testing the pattern on other results.
• When you make predictions always include how you made your prediction and what gave you your ideas (other experiments you have done?)
• If you have finished the coursework fully try extending it by changing the question slightly and comparing results with the original problem.

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Understanding GCSEs: Your Complete Guide to GCSE 2024

• What is GCSE?

GCSE is part of the National Curriculum taught to pupils aged 14 to 16 in years 10 and 11. It also includes exams, the results of which have a significant bearing on a child’s future career.

GCSE - four letters that strike fear into the hearts of teenagers all over the country! But what exactly are GCSEs? Well, in a nutshell, GCSEs are the exams children have to take at the end of Key Stage 4.

Table of contents

What is Key Stage 4 (KS4)?

What does gcse stand for, which subjects are compulsory in gcses, how important are gcses, how long is a gcse course, which gcse subjects include coursework as part of the final grade, preparing for gcses.

Education is divided into 4 key stages. The last of these, Key Stage 4 (KS4), is taught to children in Years 10 and 11 at secondary school, when they are 14 to 16 years old. The courses studied in KS4 are GCSE and the all-important GCSE exams are held at the end of Year 11.

The initials GCSE stand for General Certificate of Secondary Education. It’s a replacement for the old O (Ordinary) Levels and CSEs (Certificate of Secondary Education) many of us had to take when we were children, long, long ago. GCSEs were first taught in 1986 and the first GCSE exams took place in 1988.

There is some freedom regarding which subjects are studied at GCSEs 2023. Three core subjects, English, Maths and Science, are compulsory along with citizenship and PE (although there are no exams in the latter two). All other subjects taken at GCSE are optional.

Optional subjects for KS4 vary between schools. Some subjects may be restricted and others (particular languages, like German for example) may not be offered at all.

How many GCSEs must children take?

Each school determines the number of GCSEs its pupils can take, which could be as many as 12 or as few as 7. Aside from the obligatory maths, science and English, pupils select their remaining GCSE options in Year 9. What they choose will have bearings on their future so encourage your child to pick subjects needed for any chosen career as well as ones that interest them and ones they are good at.

English, Maths and Science are subjects that children must take at GCSE level.

Not all GSCEs are assessed in the same way:

• art and design, for example, have more coursework and fewer exams
• some GCSE courses are made up of units where you take exams at the end of each unit
• other GCSEs involve exams at the end of course.

GCSEs are the most important exams students take before college or university. The results have a huge effect on pupils’ futures. Many college courses require a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above (C or more in the old grading system) and some demand five grade 6s (A or A*).

Some college courses only accept students with grade 6 or more (A or A*) in that subject for GCSE and universities often require a minimum of grade 4 (C or above) in English, Maths and at least one Science before they will accept you for any course.

How well students do in their GCSEs is the only real indication colleges have of potential students’ abilities. So, with further education and career in mind, GCSEs may well be the most important exams of all.

GCSE exams come after two-year courses of study during which pupils will be taught everything they need to know for their exams. And it’s not all necessarily about exams - in many subjects, students’ coursework is assessed as part of their GCSE results.

In practical subjects, like art, design and technology, or music, 60% of a student’s GCSE grade will be marked on their coursework. The English Literature result is also partly assessed with 40% of the final mark being based on work done in class or at home.

GCSEs are important exams and vital for those wishing to go into further education.

Setting goals is a great place to start, as this will set the tone for the next few months. Start by writing down the GCSE subjects you’re studying for and the grades you want to achieve. Underneath each subject, write out the list of topics you’ll need to understand as well as question formats, techniques and the marking criteria the examiner will be using in the grade band you’re aiming for. Doing this will mean you can plan out your study sessions effectively and keep track of the progress you’re making.

Building a revision timetable will add structure to your studying and allows you to organise your time in the way that best suits you and your schedule. As you will be mapping out study slots for each topic, if you identify a GCSE subject that you want to spend more time on, you can add these extra sessions in. 

It’s also important to create a realistic schedule and know there are limits to how much work can effectively be completed in a day. Balancing leisure and revision equally means you’ll be much more productive and motivated in the long run and be able to revise more effectively. 

Just plan your study time out depending on what works best for you - so if this is 5 out of 7 days a week, or 7 days a week but an hour per day, that’s okay- everyone will be slightly different!

There isn’t a one size fits all way to study as everyone works in different ways. Understanding your learning style and whether you’re a visual, auditory or kinaesthetic learner will make revision so much easier! 

Once you know the method of learning that suits you best, simply tailor each study session by choosing more effective revision techniques that will make remembering and recalling information much easier.

Taking regular study breaks is so important when it comes to GCSE revision. Studying for long periods of time can be counterproductive as the brain becomes tired and you can easily lose focus, meaning you’re not actually revising effectively. 

Instead aim for 30-45 minute sessions with short breaks in between and ideally no more than 4 hours of study per day. This way you’ll have much more productive bursts of revision rather than trying to stay alert covering multiple subjects for hours on end.

One of the best revision tips to help you prepare for your GCSE exams is to do as many practice papers as you can. They will help you become familiar with the exam format, question style and time restraints, so when it comes to the real thing you’ll already know what to expect. 

Completing old exam papers is also a good way to test your current knowledge and help you identify any areas you’re struggling with. Ask your teachers for a few years’ worth of papers and schedule one or two a week into your revision timetable.

If you’re finding revision too much to tackle on your own, then working in a study group is a great way to find support. Collaborate with your classmates and create an after-school study club or join a GCSE revision group online. 

Not only will it enrich your learning as you can explore the thoughts and ideas of others, it will also help you improve your communication and collaboration skills. You can quiz each other, share notes, discover new ways of memorising things and explain topics in new ways to each other that may be easier to remember. Sharing knowledge is powerful!

Mixing up your study habits is a great way to stay motivated, inspired and keep your brain alert and active while revising for your GCSEs. Try alternative methods such as listening to a podcast, watching videos or documentaries, working in a group, creating revision posters, moving to a new study area or using different coloured paper for each set of revision notes.

GCSEs, or General Certificate of Secondary Education, are standardized exams in the UK, usually taken at age 16.

GCSEs are graded from 9 to 1, with 9 being the highest, replacing the old A*-G system.

GCSEs are vital as they influence future educational and career opportunities.

GCSEs encompass a wide range of subjects, including English, mathematics, sciences, humanities, and more.

Effective preparation involves consistent study, using resources, and practicing with past papers.

After GCSEs, you can pursue further education, apprenticeships, or enter the workforce, depending on your goals.

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What is Coursework at University?

In University by Think Student Editor October 5, 2023 Leave a Comment

Compared to the rest of the British education system, university can seem so very different. Lessons are now lectures or seminars, you have complete independence, and you even have the option to live on campus. Plus, there are so many other differences on top of this. This might make you wonder if the components of studying at university are different as well, especially in terms of how the course works. One of the components that’s important to look at in this way is coursework and how it differs at university.

In short, at university coursework is similar to at previous levels of education, where coursework is a form of assessment without exams that helps to make up your grade. At university, this is because successfully completing coursework helps you to pass modules, allowing you to get your qualification. This coursework can come in many different forms and the types you do will depend on your course and your university. However, some of the main types are essays, reports and projects, including research projects such as dissertations.

Continue reading to learn more about what coursework is at university. This article will take you through how coursework works at university and what some of the main types of university coursework are.

Table of Contents

Is there coursework at university?

When thinking about coursework, we tend to be more familiar with the term when it’s associated with school or college. In this case, coursework is a form of internally assessed assignment that will make up a part of your grade.

As a form of assessment, it will often be essential to help you to get your qualification, whether that’s for a GCSE/ National 5 qualification, an A-Level/ Higher or Advanced Higher or a more vocational qualification, such as a BTEC or a T-Level. For more information about what coursework is like at this stage, check out this guide by NI Direct.

As university can feel so different from school or college, you may be wondering whether or not there even is coursework at university and whether it works in the same way.

Simply put, yes, there is coursework at university . In fact, some universities state that most modules will have some form of coursework involved in them.

Students take a range of modules to make up their degree programmes. This means that students are very likely to do at least a bit of coursework in a few of their modules across the course of their studies. You can learn more about this by checking out this page on the University of St Andrews website.

What do you do in coursework at university?

At university there is so much more variation in what you can study and how you study it. From the different classifications of degree, even just within the undergraduate level, from foundation degrees to all the different kinds of bachelor’s degree, such as the BA, BSc or LLB, to all of the other kinds of qualification that you can do at university.

Due to all of this variation, there should be no surprise that in each of these different kinds of courses, students will be taught in different ways. Moreover, there isn’t any actual standardisation across universities, meaning that even on very similar courses, students can be taught with completely different methods.

As a result of this, the coursework that you do at university will completely depend on your course and your university. However, there are some common types of coursework that are done.

Some of these main ones are essays, reports and projects . For more information about what different types of coursework at university might be, you can check out this page by the University of Leeds.

You can learn more about these in their respective sections below.

Is an essay a type of coursework at university?

An essay is an academic piece of writing where students will have to make an argument in response to a certain question. In secondary school and college, you may have come across essays in the form of exam questions, where they would be valued in terms of their marks. For example, you may have had to do a “10-marker”, a “20-marker” and so on.

Alternatively, you may have come across them as part of your own coursework or NEAs, particularly in humanities subjects, where the knowledge and argument you present would be more detailed and in-depth. For university study, essays as a form of coursework, are more similar to the latter as they will need to be well-researched and in-depth .

However, university is at a higher level that school and college . As a result, university essays will need to be as well with students needing to carry out some independent research and reading before they can start the essay rather than relying just on what they have been taught.

You can learn more about essays as a form of coursework at university on this page by the University of Nottingham.

Is a report a type of coursework at university?

Reports and lab reports are a type of coursework that you will probably not have directly come across in previous study, although you may have done something a bit similar. Unlike an essay, a report is purely factual and objective, where the main aim is to present findings and to analyse the data collected, rather than to make an argument.

While they are particularly present in the sciences and social science subjects, reports are a form of coursework that can be used across a large variety of different subjects. Due to this, there are many different types of report and which one you may have to undertake as a part of your coursework will depend on your degree.

For more information about this, look at this page on the University of York’s website.

One of the main types of report is a lab report. This is a type of report done by sciences students after an experiment has been done. You can learn more about them by checking out this guide by the University of Nottingham.

Is a project a type of coursework at university?

For university study, a project as a form of coursework can refer to a few different modes of study. First of all, when talking about a project, we might be referring to a research project.

A research project is an extended essay that students complete by undertaking and then presenting their own research and comparing this to the preexisting ideas. This kind of research project will typically be big and may even be an entire module.

In cases like this, the research project will most likely be in the form of a dissertation or even a thesis if done at doctorate level. You can learn more about this type of project by looking at this page on the University of Sheffield’s website and for more on dissertations, look at the following section.

However, projects can also be in the form of group projects that can vary a bit more across universities. For example, at Imperial College London, students undertake a multidisciplinary group project to try and come up with solutions to the biggest social challenges. You can learn more about this on this page on their website.

Also, the University of Edinburgh Business School runs group consultancy projects at both undergraduate and master’s degree levels. For more information about this, check out this page on their website.

Is a dissertation a type of coursework at university?

At university in the UK, a dissertation is a type of research project that can be taken by students for either a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree. As an extended essay, students will need to produce an answer to a specific question of somewhere between 5,000 and 50,000 words depending on the university and whether it is a bachelor’s or master’s degree that you’re doing.

There are different kinds of dissertation and depending on which kind students do will depend on how they go about writing it. For an empirical dissertation, students will need to carry out research and collect data first hand to use as part of their dissertation. Whereas for a non-empirical dissertation, students will have to research into data and information that is pre-existing.

You can learn more about what a dissertation is by looking at this Think Student article .

As previously mentioned, one of the main types of coursework at university are projects, including research projects. This means that yes, dissertations are a type of coursework at university as they are types of research project.

What are GCSEs? And Other Commonly Asked Questions

For students in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, your secondary school years are dominated by one word: GCSEs. These academic qualifications are part of the National Curriculum and are typically studied between ages 14 and 16. They culminate in final exams in the summer term of year 11. GCSEs are a crucial part of your academic journey, shaping your future studies, university admissions, and job prospects. To help you understand GCSEs better, we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions below.

Where are Oxford Summer Courses Hosted?

An introduction to gcses, what are gcses.

In England, students aged 14 to 16 study for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) during Key Stage 4 (years 10 and 11). GCSEs are assessed through written exams, usually held at the end of this two-year period, with some courses incorporating coursework. It is important to devise an effective revision structure to help with your exams.

What does GCSE stand for?

GCSE stands for "General Certificate of Secondary Education."

When did GCSEs start?

GCSEs replaced the original O-Levels and CSEs in the British Curriculum in 1986.

What year do you do GCSEs?

In England, GCSEs are typically taken in year 11, with the first year and a half dedicated to learning content and assessments held in the spring and summer term of year 11. There are 3 main exam boards that examine your GCSEs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. These are AQA , Edexcel and OCR .

Are GCSEs important?

GCSEs significantly impact your future studies, university admissions, and job opportunities. Many educational institutions and employers consider your GCSE grades in their selection processes.

Selecting Your GCSEs

How many GCSEs do you need to take? You're required to take a minimum of five subjects, but most students choose between nine and ten. The exact number can vary based on your academic ability and school resources.

Should I take more than the average number of GCSEs?

Studying more subjects doesn't necessarily lead to better opportunities. It's essential to maintain a balance between your studies, hobbies, and social life. Focus on achieving good grades in your core subjects like English, Math, and Science.

What are the GCSE grades?

The grading system for GCSEs changed in 2015, shifting from letters (A*-G) to numerical grades (9-1). A 9 is the highest grade, while 1 is the lowest.

What is a pass in GCSE?

In the new grading system, you need to achieve at least a 4 for a standard pass and a 5 for a strong pass. Some institutions may require minimum grades of 5s and 6s.

What GCSE options are there?

You have a wide range of GCSE subjects to choose from, covering arts, business, design and technology, humanities, modern foreign languages, and sciences. However, some subjects like English, Math, and Science are compulsory.

A Guide to Choosing Your GCSE Subjects

• You know what job you want in the future If you have a specific career in mind, choose subjects related to that field. Conduct research, speak to professionals, and consider subjects that align with your career goals. But keep your options open as your plans may evolve over time.
• You have no idea what job you want in the future If you're unsure about your future career, select a variety of subjects across different fields to explore your interests. Focus on subjects you excel in and keep your options open for future opportunities.

In summary, GCSEs are a crucial step in your academic journey. They influence your future studies, university admissions, and career prospects, so choose your subjects wisely. Prioritize subjects you enjoy, excel in, and that align with your long-term goals. Keep a healthy work-life balance and remember that your career path may change, so don't limit your options too early.

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GCSEs are crucial qualifications for students in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Taken between ages 14 and 16, they lay the foundation for further education and future careers. This blog post provides information on what GCSEs are, how they're graded, and selecting subjects.

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What is a GCSE Coursework?

The definition of a GCSE is a general certificate of secondary education. There are several countries that practice this type of certification, mainly in Europe. You’ll find GCSE coursework in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, as well as some British territories such as Gibraltar and South Africa. In Scotland, they have an equivalent certificate called the Standard Grade. The certificate has quite an accomplished meaning; students aged 14-16 can be eligible to be awarded a GCSE in a particular subject. The coursework for a GCSE really depends on what the subject is, and what the native language of the student taking the course is. It changes between countries and languages, as well as at the subject matter level.

Hire a Writer Online for Your GCSE Coursework

With such an esteemed achievement, you want to do your very best and not disappoint yourself or any of your family or friends who are cheering for you to succeed. For some students, they simply aren’t able to invest the time that they would like to into this coursework, and so they go to an expert for assistance. Other students have the issue of having great ideas and thoughts but they aren’t as skilled at writing it down or organizing what they wish to say. In both those cases, it’s a good idea to have your GCSE coursework written by an expert online.

You can find a writing service online by doing one of two things: getting a recommendation from a friend, or finding one yourself. Getting a recommendation is much preferable if you can, because you’ll be able to talk to this friend about the entire process of hiring someone online while you’re doing it. But, if you don’t know anybody in person that has done this before, you can improve your chances of success by making sure that you choose the right company to go with. Here’s a list of a few things you should look for when deciding:

• Does the website look professional and clean, or is it full of flashing ads and unreadable text? Stay away from the latter.
• What about the writers? Are they simply good at writing or do they have experience specifically with writing GCSE’s? Because that will make a big difference.
• Will they only deliver 100% unique and original coursework to their customers? They need to have a strict rule against any plagiarism.
• Great research paper topics
• Try to be objective
• Research papers
• Term papers
• Book reports
• Movie reviews
• Dissertations
• Good essay writing guide
• Useful resources about essay writing for all
• Read an article about essay .

How to Write a Coursework

Coursework projects do not resemble essays, research papers, or dissertations. They are the combination of all three. Students spend less time writing coursework than on making a term paper, but this type of work requires more time and efforts than an ordinary essay - it is made of several essays. Thanks to our guide, each student can discover how to write coursework. If you are running out of time or lack experience to complete the specific coursework, we recommend using our coursework writing services to hire professional academic writers.

What is Coursework and Why Does It Matter?

Coursework definition: General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) coursework is a typical academic assignment, given in the course of study to evaluate the student’s knowledge, skills, and identify the final grade. Many students face this type of writing in the US colleges. One of the examples is a coursework UTD (The University of Texas at Dallas) - the requirements of this institution are strict, and many students fail to submit their papers and pass the corresponding courses.

Such type of assignment helps to have the ‘detective’ hat on: a student observes, examines, and evaluates the chosen topic using credible, up-to-date, and relevant sources. Working under controlled conditions is important. Participating in every school class will help to prepare good coursework by the end of the term. Take a look at the examples of what students of various profiles may face:

• English Composition - English coursework is an extended essay in most cases. A student has a right to pick the topic. The tutors provide their students with the list of recommended titles to choose from, sources to observe & analyze, and a format (e.g., a comparison between different relevant articles)
• Sciences - coursework for science is a complicated assignment. Such type of work appears in the form of a scientific paper to test what a writer investigates and reports independently.
• Geography - geography coursework is about collecting, reporting, and explaining information to reply to a certain geographical question or offer solutions to the problem. One idea is to explore the usage of a shopping mall or analyze the recent tornado. No matter whether you have to prepare a coursework Columbia or such paper for other educational institutions, keep in mind these differences!

Types of Coursework Explained

English Language coursework is the most common type of this assignment. At advanced GCE level, the student will be expected to write a couple of essays, totaling 3,000 words. Every assignment is 20 marks maximum.

An analytical essay : Evaluate, compare, & contrast 3 different sources of data interconnected by a common theme; written /spoken / multimedia content. Discuss different uses for targeting various audiences. Learn more on our blog.

Original essay with a supportive commentary : A student will have to come up with a single piece of media writing in the observed modes (written, spoken, or multimodal). Add a supporting piece with details about the aspects of English language. English Language & Literature coursework is a bit different. The basic requirements are the same, and the parts are:

An analytical study : Sharing an analysis of the chosen piece and its relation to the related content. It will show how well the writer understands the original piece. Tutors grade such works based on the:

• Use of the proper terminology and the coherence of the written words;
• Understanding & evaluation of the way a structure, form, and language create the written & spoken word;
• Opportunity to observe relationships between various pieces of writing.

Creative writing & commentary : Produce a creative piece that imitates the style of the assessed text. Share comments to backup your understanding. The goal is to show the knowledge, prove the competence, and use appropriate language skills in communicating with the target audience. You will also need a relevant coursework resume (review) in both cases. Keep on reading to learn how to write coursework of A level.

How to Write a Coursework: Guide for Students

Several factors may lead to the coursework being disqualified. It is a serious matter! The risk factors include:

• Plagiarism - it is the worst thing that could happen to any type of academic assignment. Lots of relevant information is available on the world wide web today, and the tutors are strict about the issue of plagiarism. Write everything in your own words! If you decide to insert the quotes from the sources, apply the suggested citation format and develop a list of references. Sign the declaration claiming it is your original project. If you're unsure about how to approach this, seeking professional help by choosing to write my coursework can be a wise decision.
• Word count - do not ignore the specific requirements concerning the length of the coursework. Specify if the footnotes, appendices, & references are included in the word count.
• Topics - go through the list of available themes. If there is an examination planned on the specific topic, try to pick another idea for the coursework.
• Tutor’s assistance - do not ignore the help of your instructor, ask them to provide guidance on what to write. Ask the questions to learn more details, but keep in mind they can go through the 1st draft once and just offer some general recommendations.

Choosing a Topic for Your Project

Dedicate enough time to this extra important question. Select the field of your interest if it is possible to relate it to the course. That is the golden rule of choosing a coursework topic - keep in mind the rest of the hints:

• Analyze the offered list of topics or develop yours
• Pick a topic from the area of your expertise related to the studied subject
• Select the topic you are interested in
• Choose the topic you’ve started to observe in the past
• Check how much relevant, up-to-date information is available on the Internet about each of the topics
• Pick what you can measure, change, & control (they call it a ‘fair test’)
• Use the ideas of previous researchers and students
• Do not choose a topic with a vast scope - you risk struggling to research it correctly

10 Good Coursework Topics

• Non-traditional Forms of Poetry with TC Tolbert
• Documentary Foundations: Usage of Oral Histories with Beth Alvarado
• Traditional Forms of Poetry
• Hermit Crabs: Type of Fiction
• Writing the Autobiographical Poem
• Creative Non-Fiction on the Examples of New Journalists
• Authors without Borders
• Writing the Sticky Stuff
• Socially Engaged Literary Arts
• Common Vocabulary

Research & Data Collection

Research is an integral part of coursework. Have you written research papers before? If yes, you will find it easier to select proper primary & secondary sources and gather the necessary information (evidence to support the main point - thesis). Depending on the required paper format, cite & reference the following sources:

• Books & e-Books

Base the project on a specific hypothesis. The research must start with minimum one hypothesis. The research stage for some topics may consist of visiting websites to collect information. Leave another time for collecting the data as it is the heart of the research. Three methods of data collection are known:

• Direct personal investigation : The one an author does individually (using literature and findings from previous studies);
• Interview/Questionnaire : The researcher should gather the data from the respondents asking questions regarding required data;
• Discussion with community leaders : Community leaders are approached to fetch information for the necessary data.

In case a student works on a scientific experiment, they should pay attention to planning the analysis with the help of rigorous scientific methods (keeping in mind the Health & Safety precautions you take). Review background information and theories. Take notes to express what you expect to occur to compare & contrast it to what happened in real life. In the write-up stage, one has to evaluate and present the findings.

Writing a Coursework Outline

The writing process follows the research. Do not start it without preparing an action plan and scheduling the work - a paper pin for English coursework is based on an extended essay . An outline will look different for the science coursework projects. The goal of creating a plan is to prevent a writer from being disorganized and waffling.

Let us explain coursework outline on the specific example - a project on the global pursuit of lower costs and the role of human rights.

Start with the brief introduction explaining why it might be a topic of interest for many people. Mention those vast corporations like Wal-Mart abuse human rights by choosing and using child labor in the factories.

Provide an overview of the problem . Define human rights and costs. Pick the definitions from the official dictionaries and cite them properly when inserting in the text. Try to explain the terms in your own words.

Develop a body of the coursework , start with the case for & against ethical business practices. Using evidence and examples, list the arguments supporting ethical business practices and another side of the coin. Include a business case for ethical practices after the opening body paragraph.

Move to discussing ethical responsibilities ; explain why business organizations should care about the ethical aspects of their activities. After three sections of the body, one can conclude the paper. It can be a good idea to share a fact or statistics stressing the importance of research problem in the essay conclusion. End up with the reference list that may look this way:

• Klein N (2000) No Logo (Flamingo, London)
• Marcousé I, Gillespie A, Martin B, Surridge M and Wall N (2003) Business Studies 2e (Hodder Arnold, Oxon)
• Royal Dutch Shell (2006) 4th Quarter Financial Report at (site example)

Additional Elements

Supporting materials and pictures are a must! The sciences & geography projects require tables, charts, graphs, and other types of images to illustrate the complicated topic. Not only should you add the pictures - it is essential to interpret and reference each of them. A separate part of the coursework where the student list and explains every visual element is Appendix , and it is an optional part. The presence of appendix increases the chances to earn an A+.

How to Write an Introduction for Coursework?

Most of the students underestimate the role of introduction & conclusion when it comes to writing an essay. An eye-catchy introduction is a key to success. The primary purposes of a coursework introduction are:

• To grab the reader’s attention
• To introduce the topic
• To explain the research importance
• To come up with a compelling thesis statement

The opening paragraph shows the depth of the writer’s acquaintance with the topic. Look at the expert tips below. They will help to learn how to write a coursework introduction to make the tutor want to read your entire paper.

What Is an Introduction?

The introduction of GCSE coursework is the opening paragraph that aims to interpret the central questions and purposes of the entire paper. It should have several elements to be effective. Those are:

• A hook sentence
• Background information
• Problem significance
• Solid thesis statement

Advice from our Experienced Writer

How to write an introduction to coursework? The quality of this part predetermines paper’s success. Look at some common mistakes writers do while working on the coursework introduction - try to prevent them!

Ignoring the prompt. Many students tend to neglect the tutor’s instructions. It is critical to read the prompt several times, highlight the main points, research question, rules, and grading rubric details.

Missing a plan. The prompt does not always say to develop a coursework outline. Without a plan for every separate section, it is impossible to write a flawless piece step-by-step. No matter whether you have to write a term paper, research paper, dissertation, or C3 coursework, get ready with the detailed plan. Once you understand how to write an introduction, it will be easier to develop the rest of the paper.

For those who need a helping hand in ensuring their work meets all the standards and deadlines, don't hesitate to buy coursework from trusted professionals.

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

What is an IGCSE?

In this post

An IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) is a qualification that is typically offered to students during their high school years, with the examinations for these taking place at the age of 16, although it is possible to study for these qualifications at any age. Whilst they are internationally recognised and internationally renowned, very few people know what an IGCSE is. What is an IGCSE? What is the difference between an IGCSE and a standard GCSE qualification? And which of these qualifications is the right choice for you? To help you answer these questions, and so many more, here’s everything you need to know about IGCSEs:

What is an IGCSE

If you live in the UK, then it’s likely that you’ll be familiar with the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) concept. GCSEs are subject-based academic qualifications that almost all students will sit at the end of their compulsory academic career. This usually takes place at the age of 16 or in school year 11. It takes between two and three academic years to complete GCSEs in school, although it is possible to study for GCSEs at any stage of life , and they are particularly popular courses for distance learners. In 2021, there were 4,810,000 GCSE entries for 16 year old’s, in total.

IGCSE stands for International General Certificate of Secondary Education. It offers the same level of education as a traditional GCSE, but without a UK-centric curriculum or context. The IGSCE was intended to increase the relevance of the GCSE qualification for an international audience and was first conceived in 1988, just two years after GCSEs were first introduced. In 2021, Nearly 240,000 students from 146 countries were awarded IGCSE qualifications .

IGCSEs and GCSEs are very similar, with the IGCSE recognised as the international equivalent of the GCSE. Whilst both qualifications are traditionally studied by young people at the age of 16, there is no age limit to either qualification, meaning that they can be sat by students that are both younger and older than this.

IGCSE Vs GCSE – The Key Differences

Whilst IGCSE and GCSE qualifications are considered to be very similar, there are some key differences between the two qualifications. Here is a full breakdown of ways in which the two qualifications differ:

• GCSE examinations can only take place in the UK, where they are offered by state, private, and independent schools. By contrast, IGCSE examinations are available in over 150 countries. This includes the UK, where you can sit IGCSE rather than GCSE examinations if you prefer. Both qualifications do tend to be studied at age 16, and both take approximately 2 years of study to achieve
• As well as examinations, many GCSEs have coursework as a core component of their assessment criteria, but by contrast coursework is included in very few IGCSE subjects. Those subjects that do require coursework tend to be ‘hands on’ subjects such as art and design
• GCSEs now use a number system of grading, with nine being the highest available grade and number one being the lowest. IGCSEs still use a letter-based grading system (this used to be used for GCSES too) with A*being the highest available grade and G being the lowest
• The course content between GCSEs and IGCSEs can differ greatly. Each qualification offers contextual and cultural differences, with IGCSEs removing any UK-specific content from their curriculum. This will be more apparent in some courses than others, with both Geography, History, and English Literature being key examples of courses where the curriculum for the IGCSE will be very different from the curriculum offered to GCSE students
• If you sit GCSEs then your examinations will take place annually in May and June. Maths and English language GCSE exams can also be sat in November. If you study for IGCSEs then your examinations can be sat in November and January, with some additional subjects offering extra examination periods in May/June

Despite these differences, there are many more similarities between GCSEs and IGCSEs than differences. If your planned academic route involves attending university, for example, then it’s important to note that UK universities will recognise and accept both qualifications. In fact, Uk universities don’t distinguish between the two: they are treated as identical and equivalent qualifications when used as part of the university application process. When assessing the pros and cons of IGCSE vs GCSE, then, your ability to use your qualifications to enter university should not be a factor in your choice.

Is IGCSE Harder Than GCSE?

There are many different opinions on the subject of which qualification is harder to attain: IGCSE vs GCSE. The answer to the question is likely to depend on whether you prefer to be assessed by coursework or by examination. Historically, IGCSEs have been much more exam-based qualifications, whilst GCSEs have involved more coursework, submitted throughout the duration of the study period. With many students preferring a blend of coursework and examination, GCSEs were considered easier, however this changed when Michael Gove reformed GCSEs during his time as Secretary of State for Education. During this reform process, many coursework elements were removed for some subjects, making both qualifications more exam-focused.

The flexible time frame surrounding the examination schedule for IGCSEs might also lead some people to believe that they are easier. You can sit IGCEs in November, January, and May/June, whilst you can only sit GCSEs during the May/June examination window.

The UK Government has stated that IGCSEs are not as rigorous as GCSEs, and do not meet the same high standards, but this view has been strongly attested. According to these reports, the Government believes that it is much easier to achieve top grades in IGCSEs than it is to achieve those same top grades in GCSE examinations, and this has also caused controversy because it is thought to give an unfair advantage to students in private schools. Children in state schools in the UK predominantly study GCSEs, whilst children in private schools and independent schools are more likely to study IGCSEs.

According to an article published in the Guardian , “Top universities are giving privately educated children an unfair advantage by not differentiating between the rigorous GCSEs compulsory in the state system and less demanding exams taken in many fee-paying schools, MPs and educationists have said…It’s an absolute scandal that it is easier to get top grades in IGCSEs than in the new GCSEs, yet universities essentially class them as the same.” It’s important to remember that much of this opinion is not confirmed, and therefore the debate about which of the two qualifications is harder to achieve rages on.

Subjects for IGCSE and GCSE Compared

If you are attending a state school in the UK then there are some GCSE subjects that are compulsory. These are English literature, English language, Maths and Science, and these are officially known as the ’core’ subjects. Whilst there are no hard and fast rules about how many GCSEs you should study for, most schools will ask that their students take at least five GCSEs whilst the maximum number of subjects for the average student is 12. Very few students will take more GCSEs than this. It’s important to remember that quality is often better than quantity, so picking subjects that will help you achieve your future career goals and studying them well, to the highest-grade levels, is likely to be much more effective than studying too many subjects and achieving mediocre grades.

Outside of the core subjects outlined above, other GCSE subjects are divided into four distinct categories. These categories are:

• Arts. This will include subjects such as art, music, and drama
• Technical Subjects. This will include subjects such as Design and Technology, electronics, and Computer Science
• Humanities. The main humanities subjects that you can study at GCSE level are Geography and Religious Studies
• Modern Foreign Languages. The main modern foreign languages offered in state schools in the UK are French, German, and Spanish, however, it is possible to study for a modern foreign language GCSE in almost every world language. It is up to each school to decide which languages they will offer to their students. If you want to study a different language, you may have to do so independently

There are no core IGCSE subjects, because these qualifications are not compulsory, however, you can take IGCSEs in those same core subjects: Maths, English and Science. Other popular IGCSE subjects include study skills, geography, humanities, ITC, physical education, and subjects within the creative arts arena. Both GCSEs and IGCSEs offer an incredibly broad range of subjects, so that you are not inhibited by the subjects available. No matter what your career aspirations or future life goals, you will find both GCSE and IGCSE subjects available to help you reach these goals.

Children in the UK are invited to choose their GCSE or IGCSE subjects at a relatively early age. This generally happens in the Spring term in year 9 of secondary school, which is the point at which most students are just 14 years old. Before this period (whilst they are in high school years 7, 8, and 9) those students will have studied all available subjects, to help them to make a more informed decision about which subjects appeal to them most, which they find interesting, and which they have the most aptitude for. However, many young people at this age have no real idea about what their future career aspirations will be. For this reason, many young people simply don’t leave school with the right GCSEs or IGCSEs that they need: in these circumstances, going back to college or opting for distance learning courses is a great way to get the qualifications you need to get back on track once you know what your future aspirations are.

Should I Take IGCSE or GCSE?

So, should you take an IGCSE or a GCSE? That’s a decision that only you can make, although it’s important that you assess the pros and cons of both options and make an informed decision. The first thing to note is that, if you’re based outside of the UK then you are not able to study for GCSES: in this circumstance studying for IGCSEs is your only option, and it is a great option that has the potential to enhance your academic and career aspirations.

When choosing any qualification, it’s important to decide whether it will help you to achieve your future goals: if you want to attend university, will the qualification get you there? Will it help you to meet your career goals? If you’re thinking of living and working internationally, for example, IGCSEs might be the better option for you because they are internationally recognised. In these circumstances, IGCSEs can provide all the benefits of GCSEs, but they have extra benefits too, because you don’t have to have your qualifications transferred in order to continue studying or working overseas.

By contrast, if you aspire to become a teacher in the UK and study for your PGCE qualifications then you may find that studying for GCSEs is a more sensible route for you. Because the vast majority of state schools in the UK offer GCSES, and focus on UK-based curriculums, having a strong base in these subjects, and in these qualifications, would give you a professional advantage when you begin your career.

In reality, the differences between GCSEs and IGCSEs are so minor that there really is no right or wrong. It really does come down to what is right or wrong for you. Before you take any qualification, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• Do the employers, colleges, and universities I’m thinking of applying for recognise the qualification?
• Will the qualifications and subjects I’m thinking of studying help me to reach the next stage in my career or academic career?
• Can I fit the study time for this qualification around my existing employment or family life responsibilities? If I want to enrol in a distance learning course, is this qualification suited to a distance learning environment?

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Pros and cons of GCSEs: is the exam system fit for purpose?

Tony Blair has called for ‘radical’ education reform but others want a more cautious approach

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1. Pro: widely recognised

2. con: out of step, 3. pro: scrutiny for schools, 4. con: out of date, 5. pro: reliable exams, 6. con: wrong subjects.

GCSEs and A levels should be scrapped in favour of a system that better prepares students for the modern workplace, according to a new report by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.

The pros and cons of grammar schools What is Tony Blair up to now? Should GCSEs be scrapped?

The think tank is calling for “radical reform” to the education system in order to put more emphasis on the so-called four Cs: critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaborative problem-solving. The report – titled “Ending the big squeeze on skills: how to futureproof education in England” – said new qualifications involving “multiple, rigorous forms of continuous assessment” should be introduced, while retaining “a series of low-stakes assessments” at the end of secondary schooling.

In an article in The Telegraph , former prime minister Blair argued that the current system “revolves around snapshot judgements instead of assessing whether schools are preparing young people for the future they face”.

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But a report released by the Institute for Government this week warned that while the current system was “certainly imperfect”, proposals for a major overhaul “typically exaggerate the benefits while failing to acknowledge the costs”.

As students nationwide receive their GCSE results today, here are key arguments for and against the secondary education qualification.

Proponents of keeping the current system argue that GCSEs are recognised and viewed favourably by employers in many countries.

Responding to Blair’s calls for reform, a Department for Education spokesperson said that GCSEs and A levels “are highly respected around the world” and provide students with a “​​rich and fulfilling curriculum which equips them with the skills to succeed”.

While those in favour of GCSEs claim the qualification is internationally respected, critics insist the system is out of step with the rest of the world.

“The UK is in a small minority among developed nations in having public examinations at 16,” wrote The New Statesman ’s Philip Collins. “Few nations divide their student populations as we do at that age. It’s time we stopped.”

GSCEs are an effective means to assess and rate secondary schools, according to former schools minister Nick Gibb. In an article for The Telegraph , the Tory MP wrote that while Blair’s “latest foray into education policy is a throwback to the tired old progressive mantras of the 1960s”, GCSEs “define a demanding curriculum for schools, helping to hold those schools to account”.

“Abolish GCSEs and weaker schools will let down generations of students,” Gibb warned.

Critics insist that GCSEs are simply out of date. In his article in The Telegraph this week, Blair wrote that the current system provides “analogue learning for a digital age”. To “thrive in a world increasingly shaped by automation and AI,” he continued, “people will need skills that complement these technologies”.

But GCSEs and A levels “do far too little to meet these needs and employers are increasingly disgruntled by what they are seeing”.

In an article in Tes magazine (formerly the Times Educational Supplement), former Department for Education adviser Sam Freedman argued that the existing exams provide a vital assessment tool for the UK’s “unusually selective” higher education institutions and employers.

“It is this need for reliability that drives much of the English model of assessment,” said Freedman, now a senior fellow at the Institute for Government. By contrast, continuous assessment and coursework are “much harder to make accurate and fair”, he continued, and “tends to benefit those who are wealthy”.

In an article for the i news site , secondary school teacher Nadeine Asbali conceded that “it often seems nonsensical and downright cruel to stick 16-year-olds in a sweltering hall to assess them on things they’ve learned over the last two years, and to use that one hour to judge these young people for the rest of their lives”.

But “the problem is, there is no foolproof, perfect method of assessing pupils”, she added.

Calling for the “wasteful, costly and cruel” GCSEs system to be axed, The Guardian ’s Simon Jenkins wrote that “we can only weep to think how much learning relevant to a child’s life in the community is being sacrificed” to outdated views about suitable curriculum content.

“I cringe to look at a GCSE curriculum,” he continued. “Compulsory maths and science, but no compulsory health, economics, law, civics, computing or human relationships. History and geography are mere ‘options’. What cult is in charge of this monastery?”

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COURSEWORK GUIDES

You have art coursework and need to research artworks for it. Where do you start? How do you find relevant inspiration? How have other artists approached the themes?Our thematic coursework guides provide ideas and inspiration to get you started. Try our 'Have A Go!' section at the bottom of our guides for activities to keep you motivated!

2023 Coursework Guides

Past coursework guides, we recommend, closeness and simplicity to nature coursework guide.

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Is GCSE harder than MYP?

Comparing the difficulty of the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) can be subjective and depends on various factors including the student’s strengths, learning style, and academic goals. Here are some general considerations:

GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education)

• Curriculum : GCSEs typically focus on specific subject areas such as Mathematics, Sciences, Languages, Humanities, and Arts. They are subject-specific qualifications usually taken in a wide range of subjects by students aged 14–16.
• Assessment : GCSEs are assessed through exams at the end of the course, with some subjects also including coursework or controlled assessments.
• Depth of Study : GCSEs require a detailed understanding of subject content and often involve significant memorization and exam preparation.

MYP (Middle Years Programme)

• Curriculum : The MYP is a framework that encourages students to make connections between subjects and the real world. It includes eight subject groups: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical and Health Education, and Design.
• Assessment : MYP assessment is based on both internal and external moderation, emphasizing continuous assessment through projects, presentations, and other forms of coursework.
• Approach : The MYP promotes inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary connections, aiming to develop students’ intellectual and personal skills.

Comparative Factors

• Depth vs. Breadth : GCSEs often require more depth in specific subjects, while the MYP emphasizes breadth across subject areas and encourages students to explore connections between disciplines.
• Assessment Style : GCSEs rely heavily on final exams, while the MYP assesses students through ongoing projects and assessments, potentially appealing to different learning styles.
• Preparation for Further Education : Both programs aim to prepare students for further education, but their approaches (subject-specific depth in GCSE vs. interdisciplinary inquiry in MYP) can vary in terms of what skills and knowledge they emphasize.

Determining which is “harder” can vary depending on the student’s academic strengths and preferences. GCSEs might be considered more challenging due to their exam-focused structure and subject-specific depth, whereas the MYP might appeal to students who thrive on interdisciplinary learning and continuous assessment. Both programs have their strengths and are designed to prepare students for further academic pursuits and personal development.

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