GCSE courses at CIFE colleges

GCSE subject choice

CIFE colleges offer a very wide range of subjects at GCSE. Most provide GCSEs in the separate sciences, a range of Art-based GCSEs (Art and Design, Photography, Fashion etc) and a choice of languages. Programmes often include subjects not available in most schools.

There are few restrictions on the pattern of subjects you take, though you should make sure that your programme will ensure you gain passes in Maths and English before starting the sixth form. If you don't pass Maths and English Language GCSEs at this stage of your education you may well have trouble later in life when you apply for jobs, even if you've successfully completed university.

GCSE courses over one or two years

Several colleges provide full two-year GCSE courses and almost all colleges provide intensive courses covering GCSE in a year.

A one-year GCSE programme is likely to be ideal if you have done a year of a GCSE course (or the equivalent) in another school. You should find that you can use the coursework you have already done (ask at interview) and that you can replace subjects you really dislike with some new ones which can safely be covered in one year even if you've not studied them previously.

Retaking GCSEs

Students who have taken GCSE once already and who need to improve will either start A levels and resit one or two GCSEs alongside, or spend the year retaking. The best option depends upon whether you are academically ready to go on into the sixth-form. If you have fewer than 4 C grades at GCSE you are probably better off resitting GCSEs over a year in order to strengthen your skills in general before starting on A levels.

GCSE course atmosphere and supervision at a CIFE college

In taking GCSE at a CIFE college you will find the atmosphere more grown-up than at most schools. However that does not mean that you will have to manage your time on your own:  the organisation of your work in and out of class is generally watched very closely to make sure that you are getting all the necessary studying done. Most colleges will give you a degree of control over your use of time, but will step in quickly if it proves that you aren't ready for that yet. Small classes do make it much easier to concentrate though!