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What Are 'Made For Wales' GCSEs

Rosanna Killick

Written by: Rosanna Killick

Reviewed by: Angela Yates

Published

What Are 'Made For Wales' GCSEs

Contents

  1. 1. Key Takeaways
  2. 2. What Are 'Made For Wales' GCSEs?
  3. 3. How Do 'Made For Wales' GCSEs Differ From English GCSEs?
  4. 4. Which Subjects Are Available as 'Made For Wales' GCSEs?
  5. 5. Who Takes 'Made For Wales' GCSEs?
  6. 6. Are 'Made For Wales' GCSEs Recognised Outside of Wales?
  7. 7. How Are 'Made For Wales' GCSEs Graded?
  8. 8. When Did 'Made For Wales' GCSEs Begin?
  9. 9. Frequently Asked Questions
  10. 10. Final Thoughts

If you’re a student in Wales, you might be wondering if your ‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs are the same as other GCSEs. While Qualifications for Wales states that Welsh GCSEs are “of the same size and rigour” as others, it also mentions some “key differences”.

This article explains what ‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs are, the assessment process, and how they compare to English GCSEs. By understanding how ‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs fit into Wales’ own unique education system, you’ll also learn how these qualifications are recognised in and outside of Wales.

Key Takeaways

  • ‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs have been developed specifically for Key Stage 4 students in Wales

  • ‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs differ from English GCSEs in two main ways: they are graded A*-G rather than 9-1, and they include more subject content specific to Wales

  • All students in Wales who started Year 10 in September 2025, apart from those in independent schools, will be expected to take available ‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs

What Are 'Made For Wales' GCSEs?

‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs are qualifications specifically tailored to learners in Wales aged 14-16.

From September 2025, 26 new ‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs were introduced, designed to reflect the requirements of the new Curriculum for Wales.

The exam board responsible for designing, developing and delivering ‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs is WJEC CBAC. In the words of the exam board’s Chief Executive, Ian Morgan, each ‘Made for Wales’ GCSE “has been designed to prepare learners for a modern world and is aligned with the four purposes of the Curriculum for Wales”.

The four purposes of the Curriculum for Wales are to support Welsh learners to become the following:

  1. ambitious, capable learners, ready to learn throughout their lives

  2. enterprising, creative contributors, ready to play a full part in life and work

  3. ethical, informed citizens of Wales and the world

  4. healthy, confident individuals, ready to lead fulfilling lives as valued members of society

How Do 'Made For Wales' GCSEs Differ From English GCSEs?

The table below outlines key differences between ‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs and English GCSEs.

Wales

England

Curriculum Content

different in most subjects and more specific to Wales – check exam board websites for more information

Assessment Structure

some GCSEs are linear (exams are taken at the end of the course), while others are modular (exams are taken at the end of each unit)

all GCSEs are linear (exams are taken at the end of the course)

Grading Scales

remain A* to G

9 to 1

Retakes

students must retake all of their exams when retaking a linear GCSE - non-exam assessment marks can be carried forward; students can only retake each unit once in modular GCSEs

students must retake all their exams when retaking the qualification – non-exam assessment marks can be reused

Which Subjects Are Available as 'Made For Wales' GCSEs?

‘Made for Wales’ GCSE subjects are being introduced in waves. While the final Wave 3 will be available for first teaching from September 2027, the GCSE and Level 2 (equivalent to GCSEs) subject lists for Waves 1 and 2 are already available: 

Wave 1

For first teaching from September 2025:

Wave 2

For first teaching from September 2026:


Students in Wales who began their GCSE course before September 2025 may still be following older specifications. However, those who started Year 10 in September 2025 should be choosing ‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs, since they will ultimately replace the legacy qualifications.

Who Takes 'Made For Wales' GCSEs?

All schools following the Curriculum for Wales must teach ‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs. 


For subject specifications approved by Qualifications Wales, students will need to follow the ‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs (see the list above). 

Subjects for which there is currently no ‘Made for Wales’ offering might still use English specifications. Whether you’ll be able to study these subjects depends on what GCSE options your school gives you, so it’s best to check with them for guidance. 


Here are some examples of GCSE qualifications which aren’t ‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs yet, but are still designated by Qualifications Wales for use by centres in Wales:

  • GCSE (9-1) Electronics 

  • GCSE (9-1) Film Studies 

  • GCSE (9-1) Geology 

  • GCSE (9-1) Latin 

  • GCSE (9-1) Sociology

Since independent schools in Wales are free to design their own curriculum, they are not obliged to teach ‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs. Some independent Welsh schools instead opt for English GCSEs or International GCSEs (IGCSEs).

Are 'Made For Wales' GCSEs Recognised Outside of Wales?

Because some have labelled the changes to Welsh qualifications as “highly controversial”, it’s natural to have concerns about how or whether your ‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs will be recognised.

In actual fact, the ‘controversy’ is more around initial plans to stop offering separate science GCSEs – a decision which has now been delayed to 2028 – as well as merging English Language and Literature. None of this has anything to do with your GCSEs being recognised, so you don’t need to worry.

Fortunately, WJEC CBAC have ensured that the GCSEs will “be recognised by employers and universities within and beyond Wales’ borders”. So, whether you plan to study or work in or outside of Wales, your GCSEs will be treated as equally valid to GCSEs obtained in other parts of the UK.

How Are 'Made For Wales' GCSEs Graded?

While GCSEs and IGCSEs are graded from 9 to 1, ‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs still use A* to G.

The table below shows what each Welsh grade is roughly equivalent to:

Wales

England


A*
A

9
8
7

B

C

6
5

4

D

E

F

G


3

2


1

U

U

When Did 'Made For Wales' GCSEs Begin?

The timeline below puts the ‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs into context, showing how the implementation process has developed and will be rolled out over several years:

2019

  • The first public consultation with stakeholders on what should happen with GCSEs

  • Research into 

    • the perceptions and experiences of teachers and learners regarding non-exam assessment

    • international educational assessment systems and their involvement of teachers

2021

  • The second public consultation asks for views on the range of subjects that should be available for GCSEs

  • Publication of the decision on Welsh language qualifications at GCSE

2022

2023

2024

2025


2026

  • Wave 2 GCSEs will be taught in schools for the first time

  • Awarding bodies to develop specifications for VCSEs, Foundation qualifications and the Skills Suite

2027

  • Wave 1 GCSEs will be awarded for the first time.

  • VCSEs, Foundation qualifications and the Skills Suite will be taught in schools for the first time

2028

  • Wave 2 GCSEs will be awarded for the first time

  • Wave 3 GCSEs will be taught in schools for the first time

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take 'Made For Wales' GCSEs if I don't live in Wales?

Technically, yes, as WJEC CBAC does allow exam centres outside of Wales to offer their exams. 

That said, you’d need to register as a private candidate with an exam centre willing to enter you specifically for the Welsh exam.

Most students outside of Wales simply take IGCSE or Eduqas instead, as it’s designed by the same experts as WJEC. 

On the whole, taking ‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs is a more practical option for those who already live in Wales or who want to learn specifically in a Welsh context – for instance, the in-depth study of Welsh history in GCSE History.

Do I need to speak Welsh to take 'Made For Wales' GCSEs?

No, as the GCSEs are and will be available in both Cymraeg and English.

However, because all students in Wales must take GCSE Welsh Language, you’ll need to speak Welsh for that particular GCSE.

Will universities outside Wales accept my 'Made For Wales' GCSEs?

Yes! ‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs have been designed to be accepted by universities in and out of Wales.

UCAS has also responded to the changes made in Wales, highlighting its support for maintaining the value and portability of Welsh qualifications.

Final Thoughts

‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs have been designed specifically for Welsh learners in line with changes in the Welsh national curriculum. They are the product of years of collaboration, and will be just as useful as other GCSEs in helping you to achieve your higher education and employment goals.

By 2028, legacy qualifications will have been replaced by ‘Made for Wales’ GCSEs. You can look forward to learning in a Welsh context, making the most of digital technology, and benefitting from more varied assessment methods.

References

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Author
Reviewer
Rosanna Killick

Author: Rosanna Killick

Expertise: History Content Creator

After graduating from Oxford University with a BA in History, Rosanna became a full-time, qualified tutor. She has since amassed thousands of hours of tutoring experience, and has also spent the last few years creating content in the EdTech space. She believes that a nuanced understanding of the past can help to contextualise the present. She is passionate about creating clear, accessible content that helps students to identify and select the most relevant facts and concepts for writing focused, persuasive exam answers.

Angela Yates

Reviewer: 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.

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