Whether you’re applying for your first job or changing careers, knowing when and how to put your GCSE qualifications in your CV can help you stand out. If you’re not sure how to list your GCSEs or if you should include them in the first place, this guide will explain:
- How to list GCSEs on a CV
- When you should include your GCSEs on your CV
- When you should avoid listing your GCSEs on your CV
In the end, whether you choose to highlight your GCSEs or leave them off your CV, our tips and AI CV builder will help you present your qualifications in the best possible light for the job you’re applying for.
How to list GCSEs on a CV: steps and examples
If you’ve recently graduated from school or are early in your career, include your GCSE results under your “Education” section. They can also be worth mentioning if they’re directly relevant to the job.
For example, listing your Maths and English grades would be a good idea when applying for an admin or finance role. Here’s how to do it clearly and professionally:
Example 1: Listing individual GCSEs
Education:
Regent High School, London
(2017–2022)
GCSEs:
- History — 8
- English Language — 7
- Mathematics — 6
- Biology — 7
When to list individual GCSEs: Listing your GCSEs one by one is a good idea if you’ve achieved strong grades, certain subjects are directly relevant to the job, or you’re applying for an entry-level role where your education is a key selling point.
💡Tip
If you’re looking for additional inspiration, you can always go over existing CV examples to see how others have listed GCSEs on their CVs.
Example 2: Summarising GCSE results
Education:
Regent High School, London
(2017–2022)
10 GCSEs, grades 4-9, including English (7) and Mathematics (6)
When to summarise GCSE results: Summarising your GCSEs is a smart choice if you don’t want to list every subject and grade individually. It’s useful when you have a large number of passes, want to keep your CV concise, or if the exact grades aren’t especially important for the role you’re applying for.
💡Tip
Focus on core subjects like English and Maths, especially if the job advert specifically mentions them. If you’re wondering, “Do I put GCSEs on CV when applying for retail, admin, or roles that don’t necessarily require GCSEs?” — yes, it’s still a good idea to do so.
When should you include GCSEs on your CV?
While not everyone’s CV can benefit from having their GCSEs listed on their CV, there are certain scenarios where mentioning your GCSEs is a good idea:
Entry-level jobseekers
If you’re applying for your first job, a part-time position, or an apprenticeship, you likely won’t have higher qualifications or significant work experience just yet. In this case, your GCSEs serve as evidence of your basic academic abilities and key subject knowledge.
You should include your GCSEs in your CV if:
- You’ve recently left school or college
- You don’t yet have A Levels or a degree
- The job description requests a minimum number of GCSE passes
Example
A healthcare support worker job advert asks for a minimum of 5 GCSEs, including Biology and Chemistry. In this case, you would list your relevant subjects and grades clearly under your “Education” section (with Biology and Chemistry being at the top).
Addressing career changes
If you’re changing careers and moving into a new industry, your work experience might not align directly with the job you’re applying for.
In such a case, listing GCSEs that are relevant to the job you’re applying for can help demonstrate a well-rounded background and show that you can meet any basic educational requirements the employer might have.
You should include your GCSEs in your CV if:
- You lack relevant job experience in your new career path
- The employer values a formal education history, even for entry-level roles
- Your core subjects (like English, Maths, or Science) relate to your target role
Example
You’re switching from hospitality to an administrative assistant role, and the job description asks for GCSEs in Maths and ICT, including those grades will strengthen your CV, even if you gained them years ago.
If you do not have a university degree
If you haven’t pursued higher education, your GCSEs may be the highest formal qualifications you can list. Including them ensures your CV still has a solid “Education” section and helps employers verify your academic background.
You should include your GCSEs in your CV if:
- They’re your highest formal qualifications and you want to show a complete education history
- You’re applying for roles where GCSE passes are the minimum requirement
- The job specifies essential GCSE subjects (like Maths and English)
Example
An apprenticeship in IT support requires 5 GCSEs, including English and Maths. If you haven’t obtained further qualifications, listing these GCSEs is crucial to meet the job’s criteria.
When should you avoid listing GCSEs on your CV?
At a certain stage in your career, GCSEs become less relevant and won’t make you a more attractive candidate in the eyes of a potential employer. This is especially true if you have higher qualifications or several years of work experience.
You can stop including your GCSEs in your CV when:
- You have A Levels, a degree, or higher professional qualifications
- You have over five years of full-time work experience
- Your GCSE results weren’t that impressive
What to add instead of GCSEs on your CV
If you believe your GCSEs are no longer a relevant addition to your CV, here are a couple of valuable details that you can consider adding to your CV instead:
- A Levels: If you’ve completed A Levels, list them under your “Education” section instead of your GCSEs.
- University degrees: The higher the education, the better. So, if you have graduated from university, add your degree details alongside your A Levels on your CV.
- Professional certificates and training: Industry-recognised qualifications, diplomas, or certified training courses are excellent alternatives to GCSEs.
- Key skills section: Instead of your GCSEs, highlight specific skills that relate to the job. These might include technical abilities and language proficiency, to name a few.
- Work experience: Previous work experience, especially if it’s in a role similar to the one that you’re applying for, is crucial and far more relevant to add than your GCSEs.
💡NOTE
According to a report by Hiring Lab by Indeed, only about 14% of UK job postings explicitly mention any kind of formal education requirement. So, not including your GCSEs in your CV is not that big of a deal for the majority of job advertisements you’ll come across.
Key points
Before you get on with improving your CV, let’s recap the most essential things to remember about adding GCSEs on a CV:
- Include your GCSEs if you’re applying for entry-level roles, apprenticeships, or changing careers where formal education is relevant.
- Focus on core subjects like English and Maths, especially if they’re specifically requested in the job description.
- Use a clear format under your “Education” section — either list individual subjects and grades or summarise your total GCSEs and key subjects.
- Avoid listing GCSEs if you have higher qualifications (like A Levels, a degree, or professional certificates) or several years of relevant work experience.
If you don’t quite know where to start or how to go about updating your CV, consider using CV Whizz’s CV builder. It makes writing a CV and adding all the right and necessary information a breeze.
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