Science GCSEs update

Following WJEC's engagement with stakeholders, there is an update relating to the current separate science GCSEs.

In September 2025, we announced our decision to undertake a further consultation on the future range of science GCSEs in autumn 2028. This was in response to the continued differing views that we were hearing from stakeholders.

We also confirmed that the existing GCSEs in biology, chemistry and physics would continue to be available, as separate subjects, until at least summer 2031.

Following this announcement, WJEC has engaged with stakeholders to gather feedback and gauge support for potential amendments to the specifications for the existing separate science qualifications in biology, chemistry and physics.

WJEC recently confirmed its decision to amend the practical assessment in its current specifications for biology, chemistry and physics, to be in line with the approach taken to scientific enquiry in the new GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) and GCSE Integrated Science (Single Award) qualifications.

These amendments will support manageability for centres as all learners studying a science GCSE will take an assessment of scientific enquiry that is consistent in approach. They will also help support teaching and learning in line with the National Framework of the Curriculum for Wales.

These changes will take effect for learners starting Year 10 in September 2026. This is the same time as the new GCSE The Sciences and GCSE Integrated Science qualifications will be available for first teaching. We will work closely with WJEC to approve these changes to the qualifications so that updated specifications can be available at the earliest opportunity. These amended qualifications will continue to be available until at least summer 2031.

WJEC has outlined a comprehensive package of support for centres over the coming months to help teachers prepare for the delivery of these new and revised science GCSEs.

We would like to take this opportunity to confirm the timeline for the implementation of science GCSEs and the future consultation, as outlined in the diagram below.

FAQs

1. What science GCSEs will centres be able to offer from September 2026?
From September 2026, centres will be able to choose from the following approved science GCSEs: GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) GCSE Integrated Science (Single Award) GCSE Biology GCSE Chemistry GCSE Physics We will consult again on the future range of science GCSEs in autumn 2028. We will confirm the future range of science GCSEs in spring 2029. Any changes to the range of science GCSEs as a result of this consultation will come into effect for first teaching from September 2031.

1. What science GCSEs will centres be able to offer from September 2026?

From September 2026, centres will be able to choose from the following approved science GCSEs:

We will consult again on the future range of science GCSEs in autumn 2028. We will confirm the future range of science GCSEs in spring 2029. Any changes to the range of science GCSEs as a result of this consultation will come into effect for first teaching from September 2031.

2. Will there be any amendments to GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) and GCSE Integrated Science (Single Award) now that the separate science GCSEs will continue to be available as an interim measure?
No, GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) and GCSE Integrated Science (Single Award) are approved. WJEC will be publishing final specifications for these qualifications at the end of September 2025. The continued availability of separate science GCSEs, as an interim measure, does not necessitate any changes to these qualifications. They will continue to be available for first teaching from September 2026.

2. Will there be any amendments to GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) and GCSE Integrated Science (Single Award) now that the separate science GCSEs will continue to be available as an interim measure?

No, GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) and GCSE Integrated Science (Single Award) are approved. WJEC will be publishing final specifications for these qualifications at the end of September 2025. The continued availability of separate science GCSEs, as an interim measure, does not necessitate any changes to these qualifications. They will continue to be available for first teaching from September 2026.

3. Why has this decision to consult again on the range of science GCSEs, and extend the availability of separate science GCSEs as an interim measure, been taken now?
We know that there continues to be differing views among stakeholders on the availability of separate science GCSEs in biology, chemistry and physics. After careful consideration, we have decided that the best course of action at this stage is to carry out an additional consultation on the future range of science GCSEs that should be made available in Wales. This consultation will take place in autumn 2028 once the new science GCSEs have had an opportunity to become established. Any changes to the range of science GCSEs as a result of this consultation will come into effect for first teaching from September 2031. We are announcing this decision now as the new science GCSEs will be first taught in September 2026 and this gives centres a full year to prepare their new science offer for their learners.

3. Why has this decision to consult again on the range of science GCSEs, and extend the availability of separate science GCSEs as an interim measure, been taken now?

We know that there continues to be differing views among stakeholders on the availability of separate science GCSEs in biology, chemistry and physics.

After careful consideration, we have decided that the best course of action at this stage is to carry out an additional consultation on the future range of science GCSEs that should be made available in Wales. This consultation will take place in autumn 2028 once the new science GCSEs have had an opportunity to become established. Any changes to the range of science GCSEs as a result of this consultation will come into effect for first teaching from September 2031.

We are announcing this decision now as the new science GCSEs will be first taught in September 2026 and this gives centres a full year to prepare their new science offer for their learners.

4. What will the impact of this decision be on schools?
It will be for schools to decide which is the best path for their learners. In that regard, schools can continue to choose which science GCSEs they would like to offer their learners. They are used to making such decisions to meet the needs of their learners, their local context and their own curriculum planning. We know that some schools may have already started planning their science offer from September 2026. We are announcing this decision now as the new science GCSEs will be first taught in September 2026 and this gives centres a full year to prepare their new science offer for their learners.

4. What will the impact of this decision be on schools?

It will be for schools to decide which is the best path for their learners. In that regard, schools can continue to choose which science GCSEs they would like to offer their learners. They are used to making such decisions to meet the needs of their learners, their local context and their own curriculum planning.

We know that some schools may have already started planning their science offer from September 2026. We are announcing this decision now as the new science GCSEs will be first taught in September 2026 and this gives centres a full year to prepare their new science offer for their learners.

5. Which science GCSEs will provide the best progression to AS and A levels in biology, chemistry and physics?
The new GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) and the existing separate science GCSEs in biology, chemistry and physics have been designed to support progression to AS and A levels in biology, chemistry and physics. Learners will be able to progress onto science AS and A level qualifications having taken either of these science routes at GCSE.

6. Will WJEC be updating the current separate science GCSEs to align with the curriculum?
Following engagement with stakeholders, WJEC announced its decision to amend the practical assessment in its current specifications for biology, chemistry and physics, to be in line with the approach taken to scientific enquiry in the new GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) and GCSE Integrated Science (Single Award) qualifications. These changes will take effect for learners starting Year 10 in September 2026. This is the same time as the new GCSE The Sciences and GCSE Integrated Science qualifications will be available for first teaching. We will work closely with WJEC to approve these changes to the qualifications so that updated specifications can be available to centres with sufficient time. These amended qualifications will continue to be available until at least summer 2031.

6. Will WJEC be updating the current separate science GCSEs to align with the curriculum?

Following engagement with stakeholders, WJEC announced its decision to amend the practical assessment in its current specifications for biology, chemistry and physics, to be in line with the approach taken to scientific enquiry in the new GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) and GCSE Integrated Science (Single Award) qualifications.

We will work closely with WJEC to approve these changes to the qualifications so that updated specifications can be available to centres with sufficient time. These amended qualifications will continue to be available until at least summer 2031.

7. What are Welsh Government’s expectations about which science GCSEs a school should offer?
Following today’s announcement, Welsh Government will update its statutory guidance on 14 to 16 learning. As the guidance currently states, under Curriculum for Wales in Years 10 and 11, schools should ensure all learners follow a challenging, ambitious and stretching course that leads to a qualification in the sciences. In line with current practice in schools, for most learners this will be either GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) or separate science GCSEs in biology, chemistry and physics.

7. What are Welsh Government’s expectations about which science GCSEs a school should offer?

Following today’s announcement, Welsh Government will update its statutory guidance on 14 to 16 learning. As the guidance currently states, under Curriculum for Wales in Years 10 and 11, schools should ensure all learners follow a challenging, ambitious and stretching course that leads to a qualification in the sciences. In line with current practice in schools, for most learners this will be either GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) or separate science GCSEs in biology, chemistry and physics.

8. What are the views of higher education providers on the availability of separate science GCSEs?
Higher education providers, including the UK’s top universities such as those in the Russell Group, have consistently told us that they accept learners with a range of different science GCSEs. They have continued to reassure us that learners with GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) would be accepted on courses that have a GCSE science requirement.