What GCSEs do you need to be a nurse?

"Whether you want to become a nurse, midwife or enter another healthcare profession you will need your GCSE maths and English language or equivalent qualification."

What GCSEs do you need to be a nurse? This is a common question that many aspiring healthcare professionals ask as they set out on understanding what qualifications you need for each role. In this article we will explore the GCSE requirements for entry into nursing and other healthcare roles.

Generally speaking you need a GCSE grade C (or grade 4 in the new grading system) in maths and English for entry into most healthcare professions. In addition to this you are likely to need a minimum of 4 or 5 GCSE qualifications altogether. However, there are multiple ways to achieve this as I will explain. Whether you grew up and studied in a different country, or you never obtained your GCSEs in school for whatever reason, don’t worry there is support to help you get the qualifications you need.

GCSE Exam Options

Whether you want to become a nurse, midwife or enter another healthcare profession you will need your GCSE maths and English language or equivalent qualification. Don’t worry, you do not need to go back to school or college to get these qualifications. You can study from home with online GCSE courses and take the exams at a local exam centre. The following links go to a reputable GCSE exams service that can help you prepare for and take your GCSE exams.

GCSE Maths Exam Booking

GCSE English Exam Booking

All GCSE Exams

GCSE Alternatives

Another common question that is asked is, can I become a nurse without GCSEs? Yes you can, but you will have to get an alternative level 2 qualification. The functional skills level 2 qualifications are widely accepted as GCSE equivalents by Universities and training providers.There are some key advantages to the functional skills in that you can take them all year round and the exams can be done from your own home. This means if you need to get a GCSE to get on your course in a matter of weeks, you can do so.

The functional skills maths and English level 2 qualifications have less than half the content of the GCSE specifications with topics like algebra in maths being totally left out, making them much easier to revise for in a short space of time. Generally speaking the functional skills are the preferred alternative to GCSEs for many adult learners for all of the reasons described above. If you wish to book a functional skills exam, you can follow the links below to another reputable service.

Functional Skills Maths Level 2 Exam

Functional Skills English Level 2 Exam

Key information about your GCSE qualifications

To ensure you get the GCSEs for nursing you need, it is essential to book your exams with a regulated exam centre. With the recommendations above, these are links to services that are Ofqual regulated and will provide certification that is accepted across all Universities and employers. If you wish to independently verify the exams services referenced above please contact the exam boards directly, quoting the registered exam centres number provided below:

City & Guilds

Exam Centre Number: 009513

Open Awards

Exam Centre Number: 62021

Skills First

Exam Centre Number: 4578/000

Other Healthcare Professions

What are the GCSEs needed to be a midwife?

If you are wondering what GCSEs do you need to be a midwife, it is a similar situation to that of becoming a nurse. You will need 5 GCSEs, including in maths, English and science, at grade C/4 or above, or equivalent. You can take a full GCSE at a local exam centre, or take an equivalent qualification such as a functional skills level 2 to get your maths and English GCSE equivalent, in which you can revise online and take the exam fully remotely.

What GCSEs do you need to be a Social Worker?

The GCSEs needed to be a social worker include 4 or 5 GCSEs, including maths and English, at grade 4/C or higher. Take your exams at a local exam centre, and revise using online GCSE courses. Alternatively, you can take a functional skills level 2 in maths and English to get these equivalent qualifications, where you can learn online and take the exam from home.

What are the GCSEs needed to be a paramedic?

Similar to nursing, the GCSEs needed to be a paramedic include 4 or 5 GCSEs, or equivalent, at grade C/4 or higher, including maths and English. You can take your maths and English exams in November, or take an exam in any GCSE subject in May. Revise using online GCSE courses and take your exam at a local centre, or choose functional skills level 2 which is equivalent to a pass at GCSE.

What are the GCSEs needed to be a dentist?

The GCSEs needed to become a dentist include at least 6 or 7 GCSEs at grade 9-6 (A*-B), or equivalent, with at least one being a science subject, as well as requiring maths and English. You can take your GCSE exams at a local exam centre and revise using an online GCSE course.

FAQs:

What GCSE do you need to be a nurse?

The GCSEs needed for nursing include maths and English as a minimum, but you may also be required to have science or biology too. Most universities and courses require 4 or 5 GCSE or equivalent qualifications in total. Check with your university or course to see the nursing GCSE requirements.

How to get into nursing without GCSEs?

You can get into nursing without GCSEs, by taking an equivalent qualification such as a functional skills level 2 in maths and English. These exams can be taken online from the comfort of your home, all year round, making them much more convenient than a traditional GCSE.

What nursing routes can I take with GCSEs?

Finish your A levels, T levels, or a BTEC to qualify for a nursing degree at university, or go directly into a nursing apprenticeship. Possible nursing roles you might consider include mental health, adult, children's, or learning disability nursing, or you could become a nursing associate.

Why do I need GCSEs to be a nurse?

Achieving a pass in GCSE maths and English demonstrates the essential numeracy and literacy skills needed to perform your job effectively. As a result, passing both maths and English GCSEs is a minimum requirement for nursing.

About Complete Tuition

Complete Tuition created this article for Nurses.co.uk and paid for it.

Complete Tuition Ltd is a UK EdTech business that develops software to help learners and educators. They are based in Harrogate.

Complete Tuition are a registered exam centre with 3 Ofqual regulated awarding organisations including City & Guilds, Open Awards and Skills First. They are audited regularly by the exam boards to ensure their learner support and practices meet regulatory requirements.

They have a full audit once a year where a 'risk rating' is applied. Their risk rating is currently at the lowest grade it can be meaning our learner support and service ticks all of the regulatory requirements boxes.