Back
Careers

What is GCSE Citizenship Studies?

Angela Yates

Written by: Angela Yates

Reviewed by: Sam Evans

Published

What is GCSE Citizenship Studies

Contents

  1. 1. Key Takeaways
  2. 2. What Does GCSE Citizenship Cover?
  3. 3. Why Is Citizenship Taught at GCSE?
  4. 4. How Is GCSE Citizenship Assessed?
  5. 5. What Skills Will You Develop?
  6. 6. Is GCSE Citizenship a Good Option for You?
  7. 7. How GCSE Citizenship Links to Future Careers or Studies
  8. 8. Frequently Asked Questions
  9. 9. Why Citizenship Matters

GCSE Citizenship Studies is all about understanding how society works and how you can make a difference within it. It teaches you about democracy, government, laws, and the rights and responsibilities you have as a citizen.

It’s not just about learning facts. Citizenship helps you develop opinions, debate issues, and take action on topics that matter to you, such as human rights or climate change.

Key Takeaways

  • GCSE Citizenship helps you understand how politics, law, and society work together.

  • You’ll study real-world issues such as justice, democracy, and active citizenship.

  • The course builds skills in debating, critical thinking, and evaluation.

  • It’s a great choice if you’re interested in current affairs, social issues, or future careers in politics, law, or public service.

What Does GCSE Citizenship Cover?

The course helps you explore how people participate in society and make decisions that affect everyone. 

Most GCSE specifications follow these main themes set out by the Department for Education:

  1. Life in Modern Britain: How values, identity, and community shape society.

  2. Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding your legal rights and how to protect them.

  3. Politics and Participation: How government, Parliament, and elections work.

  4. Law and Justice: How laws are made and applied, and how the justice system operates.

  5. Active Citizenship: Taking part in a real investigation or project to improve your community or raise awareness of an issue.

Some exam boards include these under slightly different names, such as “Citizenship in Perspective” and “Citizenship in Action” (OCR) or “Politics and Participation” (AQA). All aim to help you understand how citizens can influence change.

You’ll explore current events, case studies, and examples from the news to make these topics relevant and engaging.

Why Is Citizenship Taught at GCSE?

Citizenship Studies helps you understand the systems that shape your everyday life. You’ll learn how democracy functions, how laws are made, and why civic participation matters.

The course aims to help you:

  • Think critically about social and political issues.

  • Understand how to evaluate evidence and recognise bias.

  • Develop confidence in expressing and defending your views.

  • See how individuals and groups can make a difference in society.

It also encourages active participation. You’ll investigate real issues, plan an action, and reflect on how your contribution affects others. Citizenship prepares you not only for exams but for life in a democracy.

How Is GCSE Citizenship Assessed?

GCSE Citizenship is assessed entirely through written exams although your active citizenship project is examined as part of these papers rather than separate coursework.

Each exam board structures its assessment slightly differently:

AQA (8100)

  • Two written papers, 1 hour 45 minutes each, worth 50% each.

  • Based on themes including Politics and Participation, Rights and Responsibilities, and Life in Modern Britain.

  • Includes questions about your own active citizenship investigation.

Edexcel (1CS0)

  • Two exam papers, 1 hour 45 minutes each, worth 50% each.

  • Themes include: Living Together in the UK, Democracy at Work in the UK, and Law and Justice.

  • Includes questions on your applied investigation which has led to citizenship action.

OCR (J270)

  • Three exam papers of 50 minutes (25%), 1 hour 45 minutes (50%), and 1 hour (25%).

  • Three components: Citizenship in Perspective and Citizenship in Action, and Our Rights, Our Society, Our World.

  • Component 2, Citizenship in Action, focuses on your citizenship action project.

Across all boards, questions test your ability to explain, analyse, and evaluate. You’ll need to show you can use evidence, consider different viewpoints, and form balanced conclusions.

What Skills Will You Develop?

GCSE Citizenship builds many transferable skills that are useful for school, work, and life, including:

  • Critical thinking: Weighing up evidence and different opinions.

  • Debating and communication: Expressing your views clearly and persuasively.

  • Research and analysis: Understanding sources and spotting bias.

  • Collaboration: Planning and carrying out real citizenship projects with others.

  • Decision-making: Forming and justifying opinions on complex issues.

These skills can also support your success in other subjects like GCSE English Literature, GCSE History, and GCSE Religious Studies.

Is GCSE Citizenship a Good Option for You?

Citizenship Studies could be a great fit if you:

  • Are interested in current events, fairness, or justice.

  • Like debating or researching different viewpoints.

  • Want to understand how politics, the media, and law affect people’s lives.

  • Care about making a positive difference in your community.

If you prefer subjects with clear, factual answers, you might find Citizenship more challenging. But it’s also rewarding. It’s ideal for students who like thinking critically and exploring how society works.

If you’re choosing your options, read our guide on how to choose your GCSE subjects.

GCSE Citizenship provides an excellent foundation for further study in subjects like:

  • A Level Politics, Sociology, or Law

  • Criminology or Social Studies courses

  • Public services or community work

It also develops skills useful for careers in:

  • Politics and government

  • Journalism and media

  • Law, policing, and social work

  • Teaching and public administration

Citizenship helps you become an informed, active member of society, a skill that’s valuable in any career or life path. Get more advice on how your subject choices can open career doors in our Learning Hub careers section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GCSE Citizenship a compulsory subject?

No. Most schools offer it as an optional subject, although some include Citizenship content in PSHE or tutor programmes.

Can you fail GCSE Citizenship?

Like any GCSE, you receive a grade from 9 to 1. There’s no pass or fail in the traditional sense, but aiming for at least a 4 shows a solid understanding of the subject.

Is Citizenship the same as PSHE?

No. PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) focuses on wellbeing, relationships, and personal development. Citizenship focuses on democracy, law, and how society functions.

What exam board offers GCSE Citizenship?

The main boards are AQA, Edexcel, and OCR. 

Each follows the same national subject content but may use slightly different topic titles and case study examples.

Why Citizenship Matters

GCSE Citizenship Studies helps you understand how society works and gives you the tools to influence it. It’s a subject that encourages you to think, question, and take action, developing skills that go far beyond the classroom.

If you’re curious about how decisions are made, what fairness really means, or how people can make change happen, Citizenship could be the GCSE for you.

Save My Exams is packed with tools designed to support your learning across all of your GCSE options. Explore our GCSE revision resources to get started.

References:

Sign up for articles sent directly to your inbox

Receive news, articles and guides directly from our team of experts.

Share this article

Related articles

Author
Reviewer
Angela Yates

Author: Angela Yates

Expertise: Religious Studies Content Creator

Angela graduated with a first-class degree in Theology and Religious Studies from the University of Manchester. After completing a PGCE and CCRS, she taught RE for around fifteen years before becoming a full-time writer and educational content creator. Angela is passionate about creating Religious Education resources to enable students to achieve their full potential.

Sam Evans

Reviewer: Sam Evans

Expertise: English Content Creator

Sam is a graduate in English Language and Literature, specialising in journalism and the history and varieties of English. Before teaching, Sam had a career in tourism in South Africa and Europe. After training to become a teacher, Sam taught English Language and Literature and Communication and Culture in three outstanding secondary schools across England. Her teaching experience began in nursery schools, where she achieved a qualification in Early Years Foundation education. Sam went on to train in the SEN department of a secondary school, working closely with visually impaired students. From there, she went on to manage KS3 and GCSE English language and literature, as well as leading the Sixth Form curriculum. During this time, Sam trained as an examiner in AQA and iGCSE and has marked GCSE English examinations across a range of specifications. She went on to tutor Business English, English as a Second Language and international GCSE English to students around the world, as well as tutoring A level, GCSE and KS3 students for educational provisions in England. Sam freelances as a ghostwriter on novels, business articles and reports, academic resources and non-fiction books.

The examiner written revision resources that improve your grades 2x.

Join now