What is the difference between GCSE Combined Science, Triple and Separate Science?

Deciding on GCSE options? Or wondering about course content and structure? This might help.

The GCSE science course structure and names can be a little bit confusing. Here is a quick guide for parents and students.

GCSE grades are awarded as numbers with the highest (top) being 9 and the lowest being 1. A levels still use letters from A* to E

Combined vs Triple vs Separate Science

The first thing is, that Triple Science and Separate Science(s) are the same thing when talking about GCSE courses in the UK. For this article I will use 'Triple Science'.

In general, the science courses available to schools are:

1. Combined Science

2. Triple Science

What is GCSE Trilogy?

This is the name that the AQA exam board gave to their Combined Science course. So AQA Combined Science and AQA Trilogy are exactly the same thing. There is also a Combined Science course for AQA called Synergy, that some schools offer.

What is Gateway Science and Twenty First Century Science?

These are the names of the courses for GCSE science from the OCR exam board. The idea is the same, there is Triple Science or Combined Science. Schools have a choice of studying 'Gateway' or 'Twenty First Century' Science. Both courses cover the same core GCSE content and lead to the same grades (Combined or Triple). The choice usually depends on the school’s teaching style rather than ability level.

The Edexcel exam board have kept it simple, you can either study Combined Science or Triple Science, no other names.

But the good news in a way is, you will not be asked to choose an exam board. The school makes that decision.

More about GCSE Combined Science

For all exam boards, GCSE Combined Science is worth 2 GCSEs. It can be sat at the higher or foundation tier. The higher tier will give access to grades 9-9 to 4-4. Anything below this is assessed as ungraded (U - which is considered a fail).

The highest grade available for foundation tier students is grade 5-5. Students' grades are awarded as two numbers. The numbers can be the same, e.g. 7-7 or are one apart, e.g. 7-6. You won't see a grade 7-5 or 6-4

Combined Science takes up less time to complete as there is less content to learn. There are six exam papers to sit but the papers are shorter than those taken for Triple Science. The lessons (and exam papers) are however, separated into Biology, Chemistry and Physics .

More about GCSE Triple Science

This course is worth 3 separate GCSEs and again can be sat at higher or foundation tier. You can achieve different grades for each of the sciences, for example Biology 8, Chemistry 7 and Physics 6. This course is sometimes perceived to be more prestigious than Combined Science and those students wanting to pursue science at A level will often take this option.

However you do not have to do Triple Science if you want to do Science subjects at A level. I myself have taught lots of students for A level Biology who did the Combined Science course and they are just as able to score good grades as Triple Science students.

Triple Science has more content to cover than Combined Science, but there are still the same number of exams to sit - six. However, the exam papers are longer because they assess more content.

Is Triple Science harder than Combined Science?

Not really. The higher tier content is about the same difficulty but because there is more content in Triple Science, there is often also more higher level content to learn. Triple Science higher tier topics are not necessarily harder to learn, there are just more of them.

Can I get grades up to 9 in Combined Science?

Yes you can. Both Triple Science and Combined Science qualifications give access to the highest grades at the higher tier.

Shall I do Triple or Combined Science?

The main thing is, if you enjoy science, then you might consider the Triple Science course. You will be doing a lot more science over each the week so you have to like it. If you have decided you want to do take a highly competitive course at university, e.g. Medicine, then Triple Science might give you the edge. But remember, you can do A levels in the sciences with Combined Science but some sixth forms may want you to have done Triple Science. Check with the sixth you want to attend, just in case.

I want to do a medical degree, do I need Triple Science?

See the next paragraph

Do GCSE grades matter for University applications?

Most universities focus mainly on A levels. Offers are almost always based on A-level grades, because those are the best predictor of how you’ll cope with degree-level work. For example, a typical offer might be AAA, AAB, or ABB depending on the course.

GCSEs still matter, but only up to a point. Universities usually just check that you’ve met minimum GCSE requirements, typically: English Language and Maths: at least grade 4 or 5 (some courses ask for 6). Science usually just needs a pass, unless it’s directly relevant (e.g. Medicine). So for most degrees, GCSEs are a requirement but not a major factor in offers.

When GCSEs do matter more. Highly competitive courses (Medicine, Dentistry, Vet Sci, Oxbridge, some Law or Economics). These may look closely at GCSEs, especially top grades (7–9) in relevant subjects. They’re used to help decide between equally strong A-level applicants. If predicted grades are borderline, GCSE performance can help or hurt your application slightly.

Summary

Triple Science has more content to learn, the 6 exam papers are each longer but you get 3 separate GCSEs. You will spend more of your week doing Science.

Combined Science will give you 2 GCSEs because there is less to learn but you can still do A level sciences if you do this course. You may also want to consider doing this course to allow another option in a different subject.

Both courses have 6 papers to sit, 2 Biology, 2 Chemistry and 2 Physics.

So hopefully that has made it clearer. Do drop me a line using the contact form if you have further questions and good luck with whatever path you choose!

You can achieve all the way up to grade 9 for both Triple and Combined Science course.

Have questions of comments? Use the contact form, I'd love to hear from you.