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GCSE / A-LevelRegulated qualificationFrom£60.00/mo

GCSE English Retake for Adults (Online)

Retake GCSE English Language as an adult, 100% online. AQA-awarded, Ofqual-regulated, and sat in person at an approved exam centre. Grade 4 counts as a standard pass for university, nursing, teaching and apprenticeship entry, and grade 5 as a strong pass. Most adults are ready for exams in 6 to 12 months.

See pricing
  • 6 to 12 monthsDuration
  • 100% Online, exams sat in personStudy Method
  • Start anytimeStart Date
Accredited qualificationUK awarding body
Start anytimeNo fixed term dates
Tutor supportExpert tutors, 7 days
14-day money backRefund if not loved
GCSE English Retake for Adults (Online) at a glance
Qualification levelRQF Level 2
Awarding bodyan Ofqual-regulated UK awarding organisation
Typical study time6 to 12 months
Study method100% Online, exams sat in person
Start dateStart anytime
Pay monthly£60.00 per month
Pay annually£749.00

This course is for you if…

  • ✓Did not achieve a grade 4 or above in GCSE English at school
  • ✓Need a GCSE English grade 4 or above for university, nursing, teaching or an apprenticeship
  • ✓Want to improve on a previous GCSE English grade
  • ✓Prefer to study at your own pace rather than in a traditional classroom
  • ✓Are comfortable committing to independent study with online tutor support
  • ✓Can travel to an approved exam centre on exam day

Your career after this course

  • ✓Already have a grade 4 or above in GCSE English Language and do not need to improve it
  • ✓Only need a Level 2 literacy qualification (Functional Skills English Level 2 may be quicker and cheaper)
  • ✓Cannot travel to an approved exam centre in person on national exam dates
  • ✓Are looking for a classroom-based course with fixed lesson times
  • ✓Need a qualification in less than 3 months
  • ✓Are studying for GCSE English Literature specifically (this course is GCSE English Language)
About this qualification

What you'll learn

A grade 4 in GCSE English Language is one of the most commonly requested entry requirements in the UK. If you left school without it, you almost certainly need to retake before starting nurse training, teacher training, a Level 3+ apprenticeship or many university courses. This online retake is designed specifically for adults who need to pass, or improve, that grade without returning to a school classroom.

The retake is the same qualification as the school version. It is awarded by AQA and quality-assured by Ofqual under the same national 9 to 1 grading scale. You sit the identical exam papers, on the same national exam dates, as school students.

Regulated qualificationRQF Level 2100% Online, exams sat in person6 to 12 months100% onlineSelf-paced
What you'll need

Entry requirements

There are no strict entry requirements. This course is designed for adults who need to retake GCSE English Language, whether or not you sat it at school.

You should be able to study independently for around 4 to 6 hours per week and be comfortable working through written material online. Reading and writing at Level 1 (broadly equivalent to GCSE grade 2 or above) is required to follow the course materials.

You must be able to travel to an approved exam centre in person on the national GCSE English exam dates (usually May or June each year, with November resit dates also available at some centres).

Not sure if you qualify?

Our admissions team can talk you through your options.

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Assessment

How you're assessed

Assessment is by two written exam papers, sat in person at an approved exam centre. These are the same papers taken by school students on the same national exam dates.

Paper 1 covers Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (1 hour 45 minutes). Paper 2 covers Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives (1 hour 45 minutes). There is also a separate Spoken Language endorsement, which is reported alongside your grade but does not affect it.

You register as a private candidate at your chosen exam centre. Lift College provides guidance on how to find a centre near you and how to register in good time (usually by early February for a May/June series).

01

Portfolio-based

Coursework and a written portfolio. No traditional written exams.

02

Submit online

All assignments submitted through your learner dashboard.

03

Tutor feedback

Detailed feedback in 3 to 5 working days. Refine and resubmit until you reach the grade you want.

04

Graded across units

Pass, Merit or Distinction on each unit. Top grades stack to the highest UCAS point total.

Careers

Where this can take you

Typical roles and salary ranges this qualification opens up.

Nursing Associate

Typical salary range

£24,000 to £27,000

GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 are standard entry requirements for nursing associate roles across NHS England.

Teacher

Typical salary range

£31,650 to £49,084

GCSE English grade 4 (previously grade C) is a legal requirement for entry onto initial teacher training in England for primary and most secondary routes.

Apprentice

Typical salary range

£12,000 to £22,000 (during apprenticeship)

Level 3, 4 and 5 apprenticeships typically require GCSE English grade 4 as a minimum entry requirement.

Pricing

Choose your payment plan

Same course, your choice of how to pay.

Pay Monthly

Recurring monthly subscription. Cancel anytime.

£60.00/month

Billed monthly

  • Full access to all course materials
  • Dedicated subject tutor
  • Live and recorded webinars
  • Certificate on completion
  • Pay by card, PayPal, Klarna
  • Spread cost with 0% interest
Best value

Pay Annually

Recurring annual subscription. Save versus monthly.

£749.00/year

Billed annually

  • Everything in Pay Monthly
  • Save 20% on the course price
  • 14-day money-back guarantee
  • Lock in lifetime materials access
  • Free downloadable course guide
  • No further payments
Everything else

What else you should know

Study support and platform

  • You get a personal tutor from day one
  • Log in any time from a phone, tablet or laptop
  • Marking is done in 3 to 5 working days
  • Talk to our support team by phone, email or live chat
  • See your progress and next steps on your dashboard
  • Join the learner community forum when you want to chat to others

Funding and finance

  • Pay monthly to spread the cost with no interest
  • Pay in full and save versus monthly
  • No credit checks and no contract. Pause or cancel anytime
  • We can send funding paperwork to your employer if they sponsor you
  • Our enrolment team will talk you through every option
  • 14 day money back guarantee on every enrolment

Accreditation and recognition

  • Awarded by a recognised UK awarding body
  • Regulated by Ofqual, the same standard as college courses
  • Accepted by UK universities, employers and professional bodies
  • You get a certificate when you finish
  • Listed on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications
  • Independently quality checked through IQA and EQA

How it works

  • Start any time. There are no set term dates or cohorts
  • Study at your own pace around work and family
  • No exams. You complete coursework, a portfolio and assignments
  • Resubmit your work at no extra cost to reach the grade you want
  • Use the optional study planner if you like a bit of structure
  • How long you study is entirely up to you. Most learners spend a few hours each week, but you can do more or less based on your own pace
What learners say

Trusted by thousands of learners

Real feedback from learners studying with Lift College.

The flexibility was a game changer for me. I studied around my shifts and my tutor was incredibly supportive throughout.
Sarah M. · Manchester
Access to HE Diploma
I was nervous about going back to study after 15 years, but the platform is so easy to use and the feedback I got on assignments was genuinely useful.
James P. · Birmingham
A Level Biology
Got into my first-choice university with a place on a Nursing BSc. The Access to HE Diploma gave me exactly what I needed.
Aisha K. · London
Access to HE Diploma (Nursing)
Good value and well structured. I appreciated that I could resubmit work without extra cost, really helped me improve.
David R. · Leeds
CMI Level 5
Customer service was excellent. Any time I had a question it was answered within hours. Highly recommend.
Emma L. · Glasgow
GCSE English
I needed a qualification that actually meant something to employers. Ofqual regulation was the deciding factor, and it delivered.
Tom W. · Bristol
CMI Level 7
Questions

Frequently asked questions

Grade 4 is officially recognised as a standard pass and grade 5 as a strong pass under the UK 9 to 1 grading scale. Most universities, employers and apprenticeship providers accept grade 4 as meeting a GCSE English requirement.

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GCSE English Retake for Adults (Online)
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