GCSE results announced
Today students around the UK have received their GCSE results. This is the second year that GCSEs in England have been marked using the new 9 to 1 grade system.
The number of students taking GCSE Chemistry increased by 1% against a backdrop of a 1.4% increase in the number of GCSE entries, meaning there was little change in the proportion of students taking the subject.
Double Award Science qualifications saw a larger increase in entries of 5%.
This means that taken all together there is a slightly higher proportion of students taking science GCSEs compared to 2018.
This year Northern Ireland have made changes to the way they award A*–C grades, introducing a new C* grade, in order to equate to grades 9–4 in England. This means that the distribution of grades looks different in Northern Ireland compared to last year, including a slightly smaller proportion of students gaining A* grades.
Number of entries across the UK for all GCSE science awards
| Number of entries 2018 | Number of entries 2019 | % change | |
| GCSE Chemistry | 168,273 | 170,034 | +1.0% |
| GCSE Biology | 176,325 | 177,454 | +0.6% |
| GCSE Physics | 166,462 | 168,330 | +1.1% |
| GCSE Science Double Award | 801,080 | 839,258 | +4.8% |
| GCSE Science single awards | 6,785 | 6,719 | -1.0% |
Uptake of chemistry as a separate subject remains steady but in England chemistry (as a separate science) as a proportion of entries continues to be higher than in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Number of entries for GCSE Chemistry broken down by nation
| GCSE Chemistry entries | All GCSE entries | % chemistry entries as a proportion of all entries | ||
| England | 2018 | 157,664 | 5,013,364 | 3.1 |
| 2019 | 159,082 | 5,075,675 | 3.1 | |
| Wales | 2018 | 7,047 | 271,761 | 2.6 |
| 2019 | 7,467 | 295,690 | 2.5 | |
| Northern Ireland | 2018 | 3,033 | 170,348 | 1.8 |
| 2019 | 3,016 | 161,405 | 1.9 |
Danièle Gibney, interim education policy manager at the Royal Society of Chemistry says, "Congratulations to everyone receiving their GCSE results today. It’s great to see chemistry remaining so popular as a subject. Participation in sciences at GCSE level is already very high, and we’re very pleased to see this high level of participation continuing this year.
"I hope we will see many of these students continue on to A-levels, applied qualifications or apprenticeships in the sciences, and I wish all students the best whatever they choose to go on to next."
What happens next?
If you need support and ideas on what to do next to get into chemistry, including further information about apprenticeships, you can head to our helpful careers pages: "A future in chemistry".
If things haven't gone to plan there are plenty to steps to take. Students in England and Northern Ireland can have a look at the UCAS 'who to contact' page for support with your next steps. For students in Wales, Careers Wales also have this page offering guidance and advice.