Answer first: yes, adults can study GCSE Maths and GCSE English Language online in the UK and sit both exams in person at an approved centre. With Lift College each subject is £39.99 a month on Study, or £69.99 a month on +Exams, where Lift College enters you for the exam and books your seat at a Tutors & Exams centre. Both subjects follow AQA specifications (Maths 8300, English Language 8700) and both have a November series as well as May/June, so adults can finish within one academic year. The other providers compared below, NEC, Open Study College, ICS Learn, CloudLearn and Oxbridge Home Learning, charge a fixed fee per subject, from £299 (CloudLearn English, an International GCSE, before exam fees) to £929 with exams included (Open Study College).
Start with the GCSE Mathematics online course and the GCSE English Language online course, both with a 7-day free trial and nothing charged until day 8.
Why adults take Maths and English together
Most employers, apprenticeship providers, nursing and teaching routes ask for GCSE Maths and English at grade 4 or above (the old grade C). If you left school without one or both, or your grades were below 4, you usually need both before you can move on. Studying the two subjects together means one study routine, one exam series and one exam centre booking. The cost of doing that varies a lot between providers, mainly because of three things:
- Whether the price includes exam entry. Many fixed-fee courses exclude the exam entry and centre fees, which you then pay to the exam centre yourself.
- Whether it is a GCSE or an International GCSE. Some online providers teach Pearson Edexcel International GCSEs, which are a different qualification. Check it meets the requirement you are studying for.
- How you pay. A monthly plan you can cancel costs less if you finish quickly; a fixed fee suits learners who want long tutor access.
GCSE Maths and English online: 2026 comparison table
Prices are per subject, as recorded on our GCSE Maths and GCSE English Language comparison pages, which show every cell with its source. Confirm with the provider before you enrol.
Swipe to compare →Scroll sideways to compare →
| Provider | Price per subject | Qualification and board | Exam entry included | Tutor support | Trial or refund |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lift College | Study £39.99 a month or £407.99 a year; +Exams £69.99 a month or £713.99 a year | GCSE, AQA 8300 Maths and AQA 8700 English Language | Not on Study. On +Exams entry and centre fees are included and your seat is booked at a Tutors & Exams centre | Named UK tutor per subject, marked practice, marking in 5 to 7 working days | 7-day free trial, nothing charged until day 8; 14-day money back on every payment; no contract, no credit check |
| NEC (National Extension College) | £470 | GCSE, Pearson Edexcel 1MA1 Maths and AQA 8700 English Language | No. Exam entry and assessment fees are not covered by the course fee; guaranteed exam place at NEC's own centre | Personal tutor for up to 24 months | No free trial shown; refund terms not on the page |
| Open Study College | £349 course only, or £929 with exams | GCSE, AQA 8300 Maths (Foundation or Higher) and AQA English Language | Only on the package option, where OSC books your exams | Unlimited tutor support for the course duration, up to 12 months | 14-day money back; no free trial shown |
| ICS Learn | Maths £375, English £355, by deposit and monthly instalments | GCSE Pearson Edexcel 1MA1 Maths; International GCSE Pearson Edexcel 4EB1 English Language B | No. You book the exam and pay the centre directly | Tutor-marked practice tests, live online classes | Not on the page |
| CloudLearn | English £299; Maths price not shown on the course page (check with the provider) | International GCSE, Pearson Edexcel 4MA1 Maths and 4EB1 English Language | No. Exam fees are additional (the English FAQ gives about £280); CloudLearn arranges the centre | Unlimited 1:1 support from a dedicated tutor, 12 months' access | Free trial lesson on English; money back guarantee |
| Oxbridge Home Learning | £495 course fee, exam fees extra | GCSE, AQA (the English page is titled IGCSE; check with the provider) | No. Separate fee for exams and any non-exam assessment | Unlimited tutor support for 24 months | Not on the page |
Paying annually for a Lift College subject saves 15%. ICS Learn and CloudLearn teach the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE for English, which is accepted by many employers and universities but is not the same qualification as AQA 8700.
What the exam involves
Neither subject can be examined online. GCSE Maths (AQA 8300) is three written papers of 1 hour 30 minutes, at Foundation or Higher tier. GCSE English Language (AQA 8700) is two written papers of 1 hour 45 minutes, plus a spoken language endorsement that is reported separately and does not affect your grade. Adults sit the same papers as school pupils and receive the same certificate.
Both AQA specifications have a November series open to candidates aged 16 or over at the start of the academic year, as well as the main May/June series. That matters for adults: start in the autumn and you can sit in the following May/June, or start in spring and aim for November.
On the Lift College +Exams plan, Lift College enters you for both subjects and books your seat at one of ten Tutors & Exams centres in England (Birmingham, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Mitcham, Newcastle, Romford, St Neots and Taunton). On Study, or with any provider that does not include entry, you find a centre that accepts private candidates and pay its fee yourself. The guide to how to retake GCSEs as an adult walks through the private candidate route step by step.
Is Functional Skills Level 2 a cheaper alternative?
For some adults, yes. Functional Skills English and Maths Level 2 are also level 2 qualifications, are accepted by many employers and apprenticeship providers in place of GCSE grade 4, and can be sat from home with remote invigilation rather than at a centre. Lift College's Functional Skills English and Maths Level 2 combined course is £59.99 a month for both subjects, with entry and one sitting of each exam included. Universities, teacher training and some professional bodies still ask for GCSEs specifically, so check your destination's requirement before choosing. The Functional Skills vs GCSE page sets the two routes side by side.
Who should choose which
- You want your exams booked for you and a monthly cost you can stop at any time: Lift College +Exams at £69.99 a month per subject, with entry and centre fees built in.
- You want the lowest monthly cost and will arrange your own centre: Lift College Study at £39.99 a month per subject.
- You want one fixed price with exams included and do not mind paying up front: Open Study College's package at £929 per subject.
- You want the lowest fixed course fee and accept an International GCSE plus extra exam fees: CloudLearn, whose English course is £299 (its Maths price is not shown on the course page).
- You prefer long tutor access on a fixed fee: NEC or Oxbridge Home Learning, both 24 months, before exam fees.
- Your employer or apprenticeship accepts Level 2 and you want to avoid exam centres altogether: Functional Skills English and Maths Level 2 at £59.99 a month.
All 12 Lift College GCSE subjects, including Combined Science, are listed on the GCSE hub.
Your next step
Start the GCSE Mathematics course free for 7 days
AQA, Ofqual regulated · From £39.99/month · £0 today. Nothing is charged until day 8.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do GCSE Maths and English online as an adult?
How much does it cost to do GCSE Maths and English online?
Do I have to take Maths and English at the same time?
Can adults sit GCSE Maths and English in November?
Is Functional Skills Level 2 the same as GCSE grade 4?
Does Lift College's price include the exam?
Sources checked
- Each provider's GCSE Maths and GCSE English Language course pages as recorded on our per subject comparison pages (read 10 October 2026; Oxbridge Home Learning 19 October 2026); Lift College course pages on 20 October 2026.