The Complete GCSE English Language Guide for Students

Updated:

Read time:

min.

The Complete GCSE English Language Guide for Students

Board	Structure	Speaking & Listening	Key Distinguishing Detail
AQA	Two papers	Separate endorsement (doesn't count)	Creative writing task offers only a choice of two prompts, the narrowest of any board here
Edexcel	Two papers	Separate endorsement (doesn't count)	Paper 2 runs 2 hours 5 minutes, twenty minutes longer than AQA's, reflecting more non-fiction material to work through
Eduqas (England)	Two components	Separate endorsement (doesn't count)	Creative writing task offers a choice of four prompts; splits papers by century rather than fiction/non-fiction alone
WJEC (Wales)	Three units - two written (Unit 2, Unit 3, each worth 40% of the grade) plus a separate speaking unit (Unit 1, worth 20%)	Counts toward overall grade - two speaking tasks worth 10% each	Written units are called "units," not "papers," each worth 80 marks over 2 hours; being phased out after summer 2026
CCEA (Northern Ireland)	Four units (not two papers)	Counts toward overall grade	The only board that abandons the two-paper structure entirely

Banking & Finance

Amidst the city's bustling economic backdrop, participants learn to read financial markets, decipher banking systems, and enact effective financial management.

15-18

London

2 weeks

Philosophy Politics & Economics

Analysing the interplay of these disciplines, participants will scrutinise societal and global issues, gaining insights into the dynamics shaping our world.

16-18

Cambridge

2 weeks