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GCSEFrom£60.00/mo

GCSE History (online)

GCSE History online is an Ofqual-regulated GCSE, awarded by AQA, covering major periods and events in British and world history. Study 100% online over 6 to 12 months, then sit two written exam papers in person as a private candidate at an approved UK exam centre for a full national GCSE grade from 9 to 1.

See pricing
  • 6 to 12 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 History (online) at a glance
Qualification levelRQF Level 2
Qualification number601/8091/2
Typical study time6 to 12 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 GCSE at grade 4 or higher for teacher training, an Access to HE Diploma, or a university application
  • ✓Are considering A Level History or a history-related degree in the future
  • ✓Want a rigorous humanities GCSE to strengthen a mature university application
  • ✓Prefer to study at your own pace with structured online material and full tutor support
  • ✓Enjoy reading, source analysis, and constructing evidence-based arguments
  • ✓Can travel to a JCQ-approved exam centre on the summer exam dates

Your career after this course

  • ✓Cannot attend an in-person exam centre on the summer exam dates
  • ✓Need a fully classroom-based, timetabled learning environment
  • ✓Are not comfortable with extended essay writing and source analysis
  • ✓Need the qualification completed in under 3 months
  • ✓Prefer a science, maths, or fully vocational subject
  • ✓Require exam access arrangements not offered by the exam centre you plan to use
About this qualification

What you'll learn

GCSE History is one of the most respected GCSE subjects for adults returning to formal education. Universities and employers value it as evidence of the ability to interpret evidence, construct arguments, and communicate in writing at length. The AQA specification covers a broad sweep of British and world history through period studies, thematic studies, and depth studies, all with a strong focus on source analysis and historical interpretation.

The course is awarded by AQA (specification 8145) and quality-assured by Ofqual under the national 9 to 1 grading scale. All content is delivered online: America 1840-1895 (Expansion and Consolidation), Conflict and Tension between East and West (1945-1972), Britain: Health and the People (c1000 to the present day), and Elizabethan England (c1568-1603). Content is mapped directly to the AQA specification and includes primary and secondary source analysis throughout.

RQF Level 2100% Online, self-paced, exams sat in person6 to 12 months100% onlineSelf-pacedTutor support
What you'll need

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements. Confidence with extended written English, and comfort reading historical sources at length, will help you succeed. There is no upper age limit and no prior qualification gate.

You will need to register separately as a private candidate with a JCQ-approved exam centre to sit the two written exams, usually for a modest additional fee payable directly to the centre.

Not sure if you qualify?

Our admissions team can talk you through your options.

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Assessment

How you're assessed

GCSE History is assessed through two externally-examined written papers set and marked by AQA, each one hour and forty-five minutes long, sat in person at an approved exam centre. There is no coursework and no non-exam assessment component. Both papers contribute equally to your final grade on the national 9 to 1 scale.

You register separately as a private candidate with a JCQ-approved UK exam centre, usually for a small centre fee payable directly to the centre. Your tutor will help you identify a suitable centre and guide you through the private-candidate registration process, which typically runs from October to February each year.

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.

Teacher training entry (primary or secondary)

Typical salary range

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

GCSE History at grade 4 or higher supports entry to undergraduate and PGCE teacher training, particularly for humanities and primary routes.

Access to HE Diploma entry

Typical salary range

Varies by onward degree

GCSE History supports entry to Access to HE Diploma routes including humanities, social sciences, teaching, and law.

A Level History progression

Typical salary range

Varies by onward degree

GCSE History is the recommended progression route into A Level History, which is highly valued by Russell Group universities for law, humanities, and social science degrees.

Museum, heritage, or archives professional

Typical salary range

£23,000 to £35,000 (early career)

GCSE History supports entry to heritage, museum, and archives roles, typically alongside a degree in history, archaeology, or museum studies.

Civil service or policy role entry

Typical salary range

£28,000 to £45,000

History GCSE, followed by a related degree, is a standard route into civil service fast stream, policy, and research roles across UK government.

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
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