Lift College0000 000 0000Start 7-day free trialFree trial0
GCSEFrom£60.00/mo

GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (online)

GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy online is an Ofqual-regulated double-award GCSE, awarded by AQA, covering biology, chemistry, and physics. Study 100% online over 9 to 15 months, then sit six written exam papers at an approved UK exam centre. You receive two GCSE grades (e.g. 6-6, 5-4) based on your combined performance across all three sciences.

See pricing
  • 9 to 15 monthsDuration
  • 100% Online, self-paced, 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 Combined Science: Trilogy (online) at a glance
Qualification levelRQF Level 2
Qualification number601/8757/8
Typical study time9 to 15 months
Study method100% Online, self-paced, exams sat in person
Start dateStart anytime
Pay monthly£60.00 per month
Pay annually£749.00

This course is for you if…

  • ✓Need a science GCSE at grade 4 or 5 for nursing, midwifery, or paramedic degree entry
  • ✓Are applying for primary or secondary teacher training and need a science GCSE
  • ✓Need science GCSEs to unlock a further vocational or apprenticeship route
  • ✓Prefer a single combined-science course rather than three separate sciences
  • ✓Are comfortable studying independently online with full tutor support
  • ✓Can travel to a JCQ-approved exam centre on the summer exam dates

Your career after this course

  • ✓Are aiming for A Level Chemistry, Physics, or Biology (three separate GCSEs are strongly preferred)
  • ✓Need a single-subject grade rather than a combined double award
  • ✓Cannot attend an in-person exam centre on the summer exam dates
  • ✓Need the qualification completed in under 6 months
  • ✓Require the practical endorsement offered on separate-science GCSEs (Combined Science does not include a separate practical component)
  • ✓Require exam access arrangements not offered by the exam centre you plan to use
About this qualification

What you'll learn

GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy is the double-award GCSE most UK adults need when a specific route (nursing, midwifery, teacher training, uniformed services, apprenticeships) requires a science GCSE at grade 4 or higher. It covers biology, chemistry, and physics in a single course and awards two GCSE grades based on your combined performance across all three sciences.

The course is awarded by AQA (specification 8464) and quality-assured by Ofqual under the national 9 to 1 grading scale. All content is delivered online: biology (cell biology, organisation, infection and response, bioenergetics, homeostasis, inheritance, ecology), chemistry (atomic structure, bonding, quantitative chemistry, chemical changes, energy changes, rates of reaction, organic chemistry, chemical analysis, atmosphere, resources), and physics (energy, electricity, particles, atomic structure, forces, waves, magnetism). Content is mapped exactly to the AQA specification.

RQF Level 2100% Online, self-paced, exams sat in person9 to 15 months100% onlineSelf-pacedTutor support
What you'll need

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements. Foundation tier (grades 5-5 to 1-1) is suitable for adults returning to science after a long gap or aiming for a grade 4 or 5 for a specific onward requirement. Higher tier (grades 9-9 to 4-4) is suitable for adults who did well in science at school or need higher grades for competitive routes.

You will need to register separately as a private candidate with a JCQ-approved UK exam centre to sit the six exam papers, usually for a modest additional fee payable directly to the centre. Your tutor will help you identify a suitable centre and the appropriate tier at the point of registration.

Not sure if you qualify?

Our admissions team can talk you through your options.

Call 0000 000 0000
Assessment

How you're assessed

GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy is assessed through six externally-examined written papers set and marked by AQA, two per science subject, each one hour and fifteen minutes long, sat in person at an approved exam centre. There is no coursework and no non-exam assessment component. You choose foundation tier (grades 5-5 to 1-1) or higher tier (grades 9-9 to 4-4) at the time of entry.

Your final result is reported as two GCSE grades (e.g. 5-4, 6-6, 8-7), calculated from your combined performance across the six papers. This is the standard double-award GCSE that counts equivalently to two single-science GCSEs for university admission, nursing course entry, teacher training, and apprenticeships.

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 degree entry (Band 5 on qualification)

Typical salary range

£29,970 to £36,483 (NHS Band 5, 2025/26)

GCSE Combined Science at grade 4 or higher is a required entry qualification for BSc Adult, Child, Mental Health, and Learning Disability Nursing degrees at UK universities.

Midwifery degree entry

Typical salary range

£29,970 to £36,483 (NHS Band 5, 2025/26)

GCSE Combined Science at grade 4 or higher is required for BSc Midwifery degrees leading to NMC registration.

Primary school teacher training entry

Typical salary range

£32,916 to £51,048 (main scale, England)

GCSE Combined Science at grade 4 or higher is a required entry qualification for undergraduate and PGCE primary teacher training in England.

Paramedic degree entry

Typical salary range

£29,970 to £36,483 (NHS Band 5, 2025/26)

GCSE Combined Science at grade 4 or higher is required for BSc Paramedic Science degrees leading to HCPC registration.

Access to HE Diploma entry

Typical salary range

Varies by onward degree

GCSE Combined Science at grade 4 or higher is a standard entry requirement for Access to HE Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Professions diplomas.

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
You might also like

Related qualifications

GCSE Biology (online)

Level 2 · 6 to 12 months

View qualification →

GCSE Chemistry (online)

Level 2 · 6 to 12 months

View qualification →

GCSE English Language

Level 2 · 9 to 12 months

View qualification →
GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (online)
Start free trial