Collection

GCSE subject content

Documents for schools about GCSE content.

• From: Department for Education
• Published: 9 April 2014
• Last updated: 21 December 2023 — See all updates

GCSE subject content publications setting out the knowledge, understanding and skills common to all GCSE specifications.

The subject content publications are organised according to the year of first teaching of these GCSEs.

Assessment objectives are available on Ofqual’s website.

Subject content for teaching from 2015 onwards

• GCSE English language and GCSE English literature
  • 1 November 2013
  • Guidance
• GCSE mathematics
  • 1 November 2013
  • Guidance

Subject content for teaching from 2016 onwards

• GCSE ancient languages
  • 9 March 2018
  • Guidance
• GCSE art and design
  • 26 January 2015
  • Guidance
• GCSE citizenship studies
  • 23 May 2022
  • Guidance
• GCSE combined science
  • 3 July 2015
  • Guidance
• GCSE computer science
  • 26 January 2015
  • Guidance
• GCSE dance
  • 26 January 2015
  • Guidance
• GCSE drama
  • 9 February 2017
  • Guidance
• GCSE food preparation and nutrition
  • 20 February 2015
  • Guidance
• GCSE geography
  • 9 April 2014
  • Guidance
• GCSE history
  • 9 April 2014
  • Guidance
• GCSE modern foreign languages
  • 2 December 2022
  • Guidance
• GCSE music
  • 26 January 2015
  • Guidance
• GCSE physical education
  • 6 January 2021
  • Guidance
• GCSE religious studies
  • 6 July 2016
  • Guidance
• GCSE single science
  • 3 July 2015
  • Guidance

Subject content for teaching from 2017 onwards

• GCSE ancient history
  • 4 February 2016
  • Guidance
• GCSE astronomy
  • 24 March 2016
  • Guidance
• GCSE business
  • 17 December 2015
  • Guidance
• GCSE classical civilisation
  • 4 February 2016
  • Guidance
• GCSE design and technology
  • 4 November 2015
  • Guidance
• GCSE economics
  • 23 May 2022
  • Guidance
• GCSE electronics
  • 4 February 2016
  • Guidance
• GCSE engineering
  • 17 December 2015
  • Guidance
• GCSE film studies
  • 4 February 2016
  • Guidance
• GCSE geology
  • 17 December 2015
  • Guidance
• GCSE media studies
  • 4 February 2016
  • Guidance
• GCSE physical education short course
  • 1 March 2016
  • Guidance
• GCSE psychology
  • 17 December 2015
  • Guidance
• GCSE sociology
  • 1 March 2016
  • Guidance
• GCSE statistics
  • 4 February 2016
  • Guidance

Subject content for teaching from 2025 onwards

• GCSE British Sign Language (BSL)
  • 21 December 2023
  • Guidance

Published 9 April 2014
Last updated 21 December 2023 + show all updates

1. 21 December 2023

   Added subject content for British Sign Language and the 'Subject content for teaching from 2024 onwards' list.

2. 1 March 2016

   Added content for sociology and physical education short course.

3. 4 February 2016

   Added content for ancient history; classical civilisation; electronics; film studies; media studies; statistics.

4. 17 December 2015

   Added content for astronomy, business, economics, engineering, geology and psychology.

5. 4 November 2015

   Added GCSE design and technology subject content guidance.

6. 12 February 2015

   Added content for religious studies.

7. 12 February 2015

   Published content for drama, citizenship and food and nutrition.

8. 26 January 2015

   Added subject content for art and design, computer science, dance, music and PE.

9. 9 April 2014

   Link to assessment objectives on the Ofqual website added to page.

10. 9 April 2014

    First published.