GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) - Teaching from 2026

Teaching: Sept 2026

Reference Codes

The construct of GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) qualification is to explain phenomena scientifically to demonstrate how the world works. Construct and evaluate designs for scientific enquiry and interpret scientific data and evidence critically. Research, evaluate and use scientific information to make informed decisions.

Purpose	Reference
Qual Code	3450QD
QN	3450QD

Key Documents
Overview
Resources
Training
Contacts

The construct of GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) qualification is to:

explain phenomena scientifically to demonstrate how the world works
construct and evaluate designs for scientific enquiry and interpret scientific data and evidence critically
research, evaluate and use scientific information to make informed decisions.

The GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) qualification will support the Curriculum for Wales by:

Supporting the statements of what matters, giving learners the opportunity to engage with the following:
- curiosity - being curious and searching for answers is essential to understanding and predicting phenomena
- living things - the world around us is full of living things which depend on each other for survival
- matter - matter and the way it behaves defines our universe and shapes our lives
- forces - forces and energy provide a foundation for understanding our universe.
Supporting the principles of progression by:
- developing knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts
- using, applying and evaluating scientific enquiry skills
- becoming more effective as a learner, to solve scientific problems with increased independence
- making connections and exploring new contexts, considering the impacts of scientific actions.

keyboard_arrow_down Read more keyboard_arrow_up Read less

Our Digital Resources Team is developing resources to support the new topics which are being introduced within this new Made-for-Wales qualification. The list of resources which will be available for this subject is below.

Biology
Unit 1	1.1 Cell structure and function: What are organisms and what are they made of?
	1.2 Metabolism: What keeps cells alive?
	1.3 Systems: How do organs work together and stay healthy?
	1.4 Interdependence of organisms: How do organisms live together?
Unit 4	4.1 Continuity of life - What are the impacts of human activity on ecosystems?
	4.2 Inheritance: How do organisms grow and reproduce?
	4.3 Evolution: Why are organisms so different?
	4.4 Control systems: How do organisms react to their environment?
	4.5 Human Health: How do organisms stay healthy?
Chemistry
Unit 2	2.1 Matter: What are all materials made from?
	2.2 Electron Structure and Periodicity: Can we predict how elements behave?
	2.3 Rates of reaction: Can we control the speed of reaction
	2.4 The Earth’s essential resources: How can we preserve the planet for future generations?
Unit 5	5.1 Bonding, Structure: Why do materials behave so differently?
	5.2 Acid Reactions: How can we make and identify salts?
	5.3 Metals and their extraction: How do we get the chemical resources needed to drive new technologies?
	5.4 Crude oil: Why is it still an essential resource?
Physics
Unit 3	3.1 Motion - How do objects move?
	3.2 Energy Resources and Efficiency – Electricity for the future
	3.3 Forces - How do forces interact with objects?
	3.4 Waves - What are waves?
	3.5 Our universe - The wonders of the universe
Unit 6	6.1 Radioactivity - What is radioactivity and how do we use it?
	6.2 Waves – How do we use the waves around us?
	6.3 Electricity - Exploring electrical circuits and their uses
	6.4 Energy - Transferring energy efficiently
	6.5 Electromagnetism – How is electromagnetism used?
	6.6 The Universe - what is out there?
Unit 7	7.1 Scientific enquiry skills
	7.2 Mathematics in science
	7.3 Scientific glossary