If the time has come to start thinking about your GCSE options, it can be difficult to know where to start.
What GCSE options are there? Which subjects are compulsory? How many options for GCSE should you even take?
Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.
Here, we’ll give you your complete GCSE options list so you can see exactly which subjects there are to choose from. Plus, we’ll share some words of wisdom from our team of tutors and education experts to help you pick the best GCSE options for you.
But first…
How many options do you choose for GCSE?
There’s no set number of GCSE options that every student has to take.
However, most students choose between 7 and 10 GCSE options.
This includes a mix of compulsory (core) subjects and electives (subjects that you get to choose yourself).
There are five subjects that all students have to study for GCSE. These are:
The rest of your subjects are technically electives, meaning you have around two to 5 extra subjects you can pick on top – or even more (most schools will limit the number of GCSEs you can take to 12).
Just bear in mind that many schools will have their own limits and requirements.
For instance, some schools will require all their pupils to take English literature on top of the core subjects we’ve listed.
Likewise, they may ask you to pick a modern language or humanity as part of your selection.
Bear in mind also that, although you have to study the three core sciences separately, you can choose between getting three separate science GCSEs (known as triple award science) or getting two combined science GCSEs (known as double award science).
Head over to our guide on how many GCSEs you can take for the full lowdown.
All GCSE options UK: the complete list
There are around 60 different GCSE options available.
However, most schools won’t offer more than 20 (which will still give you plenty of choice!).
Core subjects
- Maths
- English language
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Biology
Humanities
- English literature
- History
- Geography
- Religious studies
- Ancient history
- Classical civilisation
- Citizenship studies
- Business studies
- Economics
- Law
Other sciences
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Environmental science
- Astronomy
Languages
Modern foreign languages
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Italian
- Mandarin
- Japanese
- Urdu
- Polish
- Arabic
- Bengali
- Gujarati
- Panjabi
- Persian
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Turkish
Ancient languages
- Latin
- Classical Greek
Arts
- Art (specialist GCSEs available in subjects such as the following)
- Art, Craft and Design
- Fine Art
- Graphic Communication
- Textile Design
- Three-Dimensional Design
- Photography
- Dance
- Drama
- Film Studies
- Media Studies
- Music
Technical subjects
- Design and technology
- Food technology
- Computer science
- Electronics
- Engineering
- Statistics
Other
What happens if my school doesn’t offer my preferred GCSE options?
Most schools will offer a broad range of GCSE options. So, the likelihood is you’ll be able to choose a range that you really want to take.
But if there is a subject you’re desperate to study that isn’t offered by your school, don’t panic.
You could still choose to take that GCSE outside of school.
Essentially, you’d study for the subject independently – or, preferably, with the help of a private tutor! – and then sit the exam as a private candidate.
At Tutorful, our handpicked tutors cover every subject you can think of and are experts at bringing their subjects to life. So, you’re sure to be in safe hands.
Just remember not to overload yourself.
If you’re going to be taking an additional subject independently, you’ll want to factor that in when you’re deciding how many GCSEs to pick at school, so you’re not overwhelmed.
Remember, most students take between seven and ten subjects in total. Although you can take more, we wouldn’t recommend doing more than 12 as the quality of your results is more important than the quantity of GCSEs you have under your belt!
Browse expert, vetted tutors, message free, and book instantly.
Choosing your GCSE options: top tips
Umming and ahhing over which GCSE options to choose?
The decision can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re making the decision early on in Year 8 or 9, when you might not yet have a clear idea of what you want to do.
Don’t worry, here are some top tips shared by our team of experts here at Tutorful, to help you make the best decision for you.
1. Check your school’s requirements
First things first, check what requirements your school has.
Although there’s no set number of GCSEs that students across the UK have to take, many schools have their own requirements.
They may have a minimum number of GCSEs they expect all their students to take. And they’ll likely have a maximum number too (often 12).
Plus, some schools add extra subjects to the core subject list for their pupils.
As an example, many schools will make their pupils take English literature even though it isn’t listed as a core subject by the government.
You might also find that your school asks you to pick subjects from a range of categories.
For instance, they may require all students to take a humanities subject and a modern language. Or, they may even have set pathways for you to choose between.
Once you know your school’s requirements, you can start making choices within the boundaries you’ve been given.
2. Pursue your interests
A great place to start is to think about what subjects you most enjoy currently.
These subjects are likely to be ones you do reasonably well in.
Plus, if you enjoy a subject, you’re more likely to be motivated to put in the work.
Remember, you’ll be studying the subjects you choose for at least two years (perhaps even more if your school asks you to pick your GCSE options in Year 8) – and you’ll need to spend time revising them ahead of your exams too.
So, you’re going to be spending a lot of time with them!
The more curious you are about a subject, the less of a chore homework and revision will be.
3. Consider your future plans
If you don’t yet know what you want to do in the future, don’t worry. But if you do, make sure to take that into account when you’re picking your GCSE options.
As an example, if you’re hoping to take a subject for A Level, it’s usually best to take it at GCSE too (unless it’s not offered by your school).
Likewise, if you have a specific career in mind, research whether there are any specific GCSEs you’ll need.
As an example, if you’re hoping to become a doctor, you’ll want to make sure you go down the triple science route (where you get separate GCSEs for biology, physics and chemistry) rather than the combined science route (where you only get two generic science GCSEs).
3. Keep it broad
If you’re not sure what you want to do in the future, it’s best to pick GCSE subjects that will keep your options open.
So, don’t pick all your electives from one category.
Instead, choose a broad mix of subject options – for instance, as well as the core subjects, you could select a mix of humanities, arts and technical subjects, with a modern language thrown in for good luck.
This way, you’ll be able to go in a range of directions after you finish your GCSEs, and you won’t be closing any doors prematurely.
4. Research each subject
If you’re stuck between subjects, why not do a deep dive so you can better understand what they entail?
Find out which exam board your school uses for each subject, and then head to their website to look at the course specifications.
These will give you a good idea of what content you’ll cover, the course structure and even how the subject is assessed. After all, some learners might do better if there’s a coursework element involved, while others will prefer to be assessed purely through exams.
Remember, knowledge is power. If you know what a course involves, you’ll be better able to tell whether you’ll enjoy it, as well as whether you have the aptitude and skills needed to succeed.
5. Ask for help
Last but not least, don’t feel like you have to make your decision all alone.
Yes, this is your decision to make. But if you’re struggling, asking for help and advice can be a game-changer.
Teachers, career advisors and even older students can be a valuable source of information – and our handpicked tutors are always happy to help too!
Use those around you as a resource to better understand which subjects will help you reach your future goals – as well as what each course entails.
Even personal experiences can help you to gain a better understanding of whether you’re likely to enjoy a subject and do well at it.
Get a tutor’s help choosing your GCSE options
As we’ve touched upon already, when it comes to choosing your GCSE options, there’s no need to struggle alone.
Our handpicked tutors can help to guide you through the decision-making process and advise you on the best way forward.
Plus, they can be the perfect cross between a teacher and a mentor as you start your GCSE studies – topping up your classroom knowledge, boosting your understanding and improving your confidence at every turn.
In fact, 90% of Tutorful students improve by at least one grade!
Browse expert, vetted tutors, message free, and book instantly.
FAQs
When do you choose GCSE options?
Most schools ask pupils to choose their GCSE options in Year 9. However, some schools will ask students to pick in Year 8, so they can start their GCSE studies early and gain an extra year.
Talk to your school to find out what their timeline looks like.
How many GCSE options are there?
There are around 60 GCSE options in total, but most schools won’t offer more than 20.
What are the GCSE options?
As well as the core GCSEs (those that students have to take), learners can choose from elective GCSE options spanning categories like humanities, modern languages, social sciences and technical subjects.
According to OCR, the most popular GCSE options across the UK in 2024 were:
- Combined sciences
- Maths
- English language
- English literature
- History
- Geography
- Religious studies
- Art and design subjects
- Biology
- Chemistry
How many options do you get in GCSE?
There’s no set number of GCSE options that students get in the UK. Rather, schools will have their own guidelines.
That said, most students take somewhere between seven and 10 GCSEs, including the core subjects.
What are the best options to pick for GCSE?
The best options to pick for GCSE will vary from student to student, depending on your interests, strengths, weaknesses and future goals.
That said, if you’re not sure what you want to do in the future, your best bet will usually be to choose a broad mix of subjects, so that you can keep your options open for longer.
What’s the easiest GCSE to take?
There’s no one ‘easiest’ GCSE. Rather, it will depend on each individual learner’s skills, interests and work ethic.
Having said that, GCSE Modern Hebrew had the highest pass rate in 2024 (at 97.9%) according to AQA.
What is the hardest GCSE to get?
The hardest GCSE for one learner will be different from the hardest for another. However, the GCSE with the lowest pass rate in 2024 (according to AQA) was GCSE Engineering.
Only 55% of learners studying the subject with AQA received a grade 4 or above in the subject.
