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Do Unis care about GCSEs?

Author

Emily Ross

Published Jan 10, 2026

Many universities will look at your GCSE grades when deciding whether to offer you a place on their course. They used to look at AS level grades but most students do not do this qualification any more so they are paying more attention to GCSEs.

What GCSEs do universities prefer?

GCSE options do matter

English and maths (sometimes science) are the GCSEs that universities are most likely to be interested in – and you don't get the option of dropping these. So whatever GCSEs you choose, you'll still have a broad range of unis to make up your mind over (if you get the grades, that is).

Is a 7 good in GCSE?

In general, a grade 7-9 is roughly equivalent to A-A* under the old system, while a grade 4 and above is roughly equivalent to a C and above. Fewer students will receive a grade 9 than would have received an A* under the old grading system.

Is 7 GCSEs enough for Oxford?

They consider a 7 to be equivalent to an A, and 8/9 to be equally weighted to A* -- in other words, a clean sweep of 7s would definitely be sufficient, provided that you perform well in entrance exams, interviews and A-Levels or IB. You did amazing!

How hard is it to get a 9 in GCSE?

Getting a 9 in GCSE Maths is a higher grade than an A* was, as it is meant to differentiate the very top achieving pupils. In 2020 Grade 9s made up 6.6% of all results in England across all GCSE subjects – slightly higher than the previous year, but still quite a small percentage.

35 related questions found

What is the hardest GCSE?

The hardest GCSE to pass is Double Science with 58.1 percent of students getting a four or lower in 2021. Just 1.5 percent of students received a nine in Double Science.

Is 6 a good GCSE grade?

Grade 6 indicates a good level of achievement and will help support progression into higher education and future employment.

Are 8 GCSEs enough?

Fewer GCSEs with good grades are the best - a minimum of 8. It's a great collection of advice and information. 8 is plenty. 10 is pushing it.

Is a 9 in GCSE good?

The highest grade is 9, while 1 is the lowest, not including a U (ungraded). Three number grades - 9, 8 and 7 - correspond to the two previous top grades of A* and A. Exams watchdog Ofqual says fewer grade 9s are awarded than A*s, and that anyone who gets a 9 has "performed exceptionally".

Is 7 a good grade?

A grade 7 is fantastic. That's like an A. If your getting a grade 7 right now then you'll be fine in your exams in May/June. Just keep revising and doing practice papers/ questions on topics you are struggling in.

Is 12 GCSEs too much?

Firstly, if you're here for the short answer here it is: The majority of students will take 9/10 GCSEs, and this amount is perfectly credible to colleges, universities and employers. However, a very small amount of students will take 11 GCSEs and an even fewer amount of students will take 12+ GCSEs.

Do GCSEs really matter?

Your GCSE performance is usually a good indicator of how well you'll do in A-level or other advanced studies – in fact, it's the only real hard-and-fast evidence of your academic abilities a college has to go on.

Does Oxford look at GCSEs?

GCSEs. GCSEs will be taken in to account when we consider your application but they are just one aspect that we look at. GCSE results will be considered alongside your personal statement, academic reference, predicted grades and performance in any written work or written test required for your course.

Is a 3 A fail in GCSE?

Is grade 3 a pass? For a 'standard pass', equivalent to the old C grade, students will need to achieve a 4 grade, while a 5 will constitute a 'strong pass'.

Are GCSE 2022 Cancelled?

GCSE and A-level exams are set to make a return this summer following the upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Tests will go ahead as normal in 2022 after formal exams were cancelled two years in a row because of the virus.

What are the most respected GCSEs?

The 10 Most Popular GCSE Subjects – Ranked for 2022

  • GCSE French (And Other Modern Languages) ...
  • GCSE Geography. ...
  • GCSE Art. ...
  • GCSE History. ...
  • GCSE Design and Technology (DT) ...
  • GCSE Additional and Combined Science. ...
  • GCSE Science. ...
  • GCSE English Literature.

Which GCSE is the easiest?

The easiest GCSEs as ranked by students

Geography. Film Studies. Religious Studies. Media Studies.

Do GCSE grades matter for Oxbridge?

Most applicants have attained at least 4-5 GCSEs at grade 7 or above, but Cambridge accept that post-16 performance is a superior measure and hence will consider applicants with excellent predicted grades in spite of a less excellent GCSE performance.

Can I go to Oxford without GCSE?

You do not need GCSEs or IGCSEs in order to apply to Oxford: we recognise that many students will not have taken them, particularly if they have not been to school in the UK.

How hard is it to get into Harvard?

With an admission rate of 4.0%, Harvard ranks as the third most difficult school to get into. This rate reflects admission into Harvard's undergraduate school, Harvard College. Some schools at Harvard are even more competitive, such as Harvard Medical School.

Is 4 a good GCSE grade?

Equivalent GCSE grades

The Government has said that grade 4 is a 'standard pass'. Grade 5 is a 'strong pass' and equivalent to a high C and low B on the old grading system. Grade 4 remains the level that students must achieve without needing to resit English and Maths post-16.

What grade is a 7 in GCSE?

According to Ofqual, the exams regulator, grade 7 is equivalent to an A. Grade 8 is considered a strong A and grade 9 an A*. Grade 4, a "standard pass", is equivalent to a C while grade 5 - also a C - is deemed a "strong pass" and grade 6 is equivalent to a B.

Is a grade 8 good?

As per the guide below, issued by the exams regulator Ofqual, the numerical system essentially boils down to the following: 9 = High A* grade. 8 = Lower A* or high A. 7 = Lower A grade.

How many GCSE does the average person have?

The most common number of GCSEs taken was 9 (24.4% of students). The mean number taken was 8.6.

How many GCSEs can you take 2021?

The vast majority of students will study 9 GCSEs. They will be awarded five GCSEs in the core subjects - English Language, English Literature, Maths, Science (2 GCSEs)- and they will then supplement that with the 4 GCSEs they will be awarded in their 4 option subjects. 2.