If you’re in Year 8 or 9 at school, you’re probably starting to think ahead to your GCSEs and what subjects you’d like to study.
But how many GCSEs do you take in the UK?
Well, there’s technically no set number of GCSEs you’ll need to take. But there are guidelines that can help you make your decision. Here, we’ll explore all you need to know.
How many GCSEs do you do?
First things first, there’s no set number of GCSEs that you have to do in the UK.
However, most schools will have their own guidelines, and students typically take between seven and 10 subjects.
How many GCSEs can you take? The maximum
Technically, you can take as many GCSE options as you want!
But most schools will impose a limit.
Why? Well, there’ll only be so much room on your school timetable. Plus, the last thing your school wants is for you to get overwhelmed with too much work.
With that in mind, most schools will limit pupils to a maximum of 12 GCSEs.
They may also have rules around how many subjects you can take in each category. For instance, as well as the core subjects, they might require you to take a humanity and a modern language.
Every school is different though, and they’ll walk you through their requirements before you have to pick.
How many GCSEs do you need to take? The minimum
Five GCSEs is generally seen as the minimum number of GCSEs you can take.
This is because five GCSEs is what’s required a lot of the time if you want to go on to study A Levels or vocational courses.
It’s also worth noting that there are four core GCSEs that all students have to take in the UK. These are:
- Maths
- English language
- Science (x2)
When it comes to science, you’ll be able to choose between the double award, which will see you obtain two general science GCSEs, or the triple award, which will see you receive three separate GCSEs in physics, biology and chemistry.
These core subjects are the only ones that are compulsory across all UK schools.
Just bear in mind that some schools will require their pupils to take a higher number of GCSEs, and they may even include extra compulsory subjects – like English literature, modern foreign languages (such as French, Spanish or German) or humanities (such as history or geography).
How many GCSEs do you need?
When you’re deciding how many GCSEs to take, it can help to think about your future plans.
For instance, the number of GCSEs required for entry to university will often look different from the number you’ll need to become an apprentice.
Here are some rough guidelines for different goals.
How many GCSEs do you need to do A Levels?
Most sixth forms and colleges in the UK will require a minimum of five GCSEs, including English and maths.
In fact, if you fail to achieve at least a grade 4 in English or maths, you’ll legally have to retake these subjects anyway!
However, keep in mind that entry requirements can vary depending on the institution you’re looking at, as well as which subjects you’re hoping to study at A Level.
As an example, if you want to take A Level History, most colleges will want to see that you’ve studied the subject at GCSE, and they may even have a minimum grade requirement for it to make sure you can keep up.
How many GCSEs do you need for uni?
Most universities in the UK will want applicants to have a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 and above – including maths and English – just like colleges.
That said, universities can be competitive, and many will have higher entry requirements, especially for popular subjects.
For example, Nottingham University requires students of medicine to have at least six GCSEs at grade 7 or above.
With that in mind, if you already know what kind of university courses you’re interested in, check the entry requirements now to see whether there are any specific subjects you should be taking.
Although GCSEs aren’t the only thing that universities will look at when considering which students to offer places to, they can certainly sway the final decision.
After all, higher GCSE grades can show a strong academic foundation and be indicative of your ability to succeed in higher education.
How many GCSEs do you need for an apprenticeship?
There’s no set number of GCSEs that you need for an apprenticeship. Rather, it’ll all be down to the employer and what level of apprenticeship you’re applying for.
Intermediate apprenticeships are equivalent to GCSEs, so you should be able to apply for these without needing any GCSEs at all.
On the other hand, advanced apprenticeships are equivalent to A Levels, so employers will often want to see some GCSEs – usually three or more including English and maths.
However, many employers will also consider other qualifications and experience, so requirements are certainly more flexible.
How many GCSEs do you need for a job?
There isn’t a set number of GCSEs that you’ll need to get a job.
Rather, it’ll all depend on what kind of job you’re looking for and what skills the employer wants to see.
That said, when it comes to entry-level jobs or those requiring further training, you’ll often see employers looking for at least five GCSEs at grade 4 and above – including English and maths.
How many GCSE subjects does the average person take?
Wondering how many GCSE subjects is ‘normal’?
Well, the average number of GCSEs taken in 2024 by 16-year-olds in England was 7.81.
Meanwhile, more than 50% of learners opted to take eight or nine.
Check out these figures from Ofqual to see how many GCSEs learners got in 2024.
| Number of GCSEs taken | Percentage of students |
| 1 | 1.3% |
| 2 | 2.1% |
| 3 | 1.7% |
| 4 | 1.9% |
| 5 | 3.2% |
| 6 | 6.9% |
| 7 | 15.6% |
| 8 | 25.1% |
| 9 | 28.4% |
| 10 | 12.2% |
| 11 | 1.7% |
| 12 or more | 0.1% |
| Total | 100% |
How many GCSEs should you take?
Most students take between seven and 10 GCSEs.
So, for many learners, this will be the sweet spot – allowing you to build skills in the areas where you need them and pursue your interests through elective options.
More than this isn’t usually necessary, although it could be beneficial if you’re aiming for a competitive field, or you’re struggling to find subjects you’re willing to drop.
In this case, it’s usually advisable to take no more than 12.
But even then, be sure to consider the risks as well as the rewards.
Each GCSE is a lot of work, and universities will often value high grades over the number of GCSEs you choose.
The last thing you want is to burn out, get overwhelmed or struggle to reach your potential in the subjects you do take!
At the end of the day, it’s all about finding the right balance.
Get a tutor’s help picking your GCSE options
If you’re unsure how many GCSEs you should take, you don’t have to struggle alone.
Our handpicked tutors can help to guide you through the decision-making process and advise you on the best way forward, taking into account your school’s bespoke requirements when it comes to how many subjects they want you to take and which are compulsory.
They can also 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.
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FAQs
How many GCSEs do you do in total?
There’s no set number of GCSEs that every student has to do. However, most students take between seven and 10 GCSEs in total.
What is the hardest GCSE?
The hardest GCSE will vary from learner to learner, depending on their strengths, weaknesses and learning style.
However, further maths is often regarded as the hardest GCSE. After all, it’s designed to be even harder than maths, which is already a subject that many learners find difficult.
How many GCSEs is impressive?
Achieving 10 or more GCSEs is generally impressive. But bear in mind that high grades are often seen as more valuable than the quantity of GCSEs you take.
