English Baccalaureate (EBacc) FAQs

Details can be found in the associated resources below.

There are no plans to change the subjects used for the measure at present. The make-up of the English Baccalaureate is kept under review in the wider context of ongoing education reforms.

On 30 January 2013, the Education Secretary announced that from 2014 computer science will be added to the list of separate science options (so there are now four separate sciences instead of the traditional three) in the EBacc. Pupils who sit any three of the four separate sciences and get at least a C in two of them will get the EBacc.

Ministers have decided that, from 2014, in line with changes to the way in which qualifications are recognised in performance tables, there should be greater alignment between the EBacc measure and other performance measures. The recognition of IGCSE-style qualifications will continue, together with AS qualifications taken before the end of key stage 4 in the English Baccalaureate subjects.

In addition, from 2014, qualifications that are regulated by Ofqual and approved by the Department for Education for inclusion in key stage 4 performance tables for the relevant year will count towards the EBacc measure if they:

• are in an accepted EBacc subject
• enable progression to relevant ‘facilitating’ A level subject(s); and
• are graded in the same way as GCSEs (A*-G for level 1 and level 2; A*-C for level 2).

Other qualifications remain valuable in their own right and we encourage all pupils to study non-English Baccalaureate subjects and qualifications, alongside the core English Baccalaureate in order to benefit from a well-rounded education.

No, only full GCSEs will count towards the English Baccalaureate.

One of the intentions behind the English Baccalaureate is to ensure that history and geography remain an option at Key Stage 4. Too many schools are simply not offering the opportunity to study these subjects. The English Baccalaureate is designed to reverse the decline in these subjects, whilst leaving room in the curriculum for pupils to study compulsory subjects and a suitable range of options.

One of the intentions of the English Baccalaureate is to encourage wider take up of geography and history in addition to, rather than instead of, compulsory subjects such as religious education. We recognise, as many schools do, the benefits religious education can bring to pupils. This is why the teaching of religious education remains compulsory throughout a pupil's schooling. Success in all subjects studied at GCSE, including religious studies where taken, will continue to be recognised by other performance table measures.

To get the science element of the English Baccalaureate you either need to get an A*-C pass in core and additional science or you must take all of the three single sciences and get an A*-C pass in two of them.

From 2014 computer science will be added to the list of separate science options (so there are now four separate sciences instead of the traditional three) in the EBacc. Pupils who sit any three of the four separate sciences and get at least a C in two of them will get the EBacc.

Please note that only the following two computer science qualifications will be eligible for inclusion:

• AQA level 1/2 GCSE in computer science
• OCR level 1/2 GCSE in computing

GCSEs in any modern foreign language count, apart from GCSEs in Applied French and Applied Welsh Second Language which are not included. GCSEs in Latin, Classical Greek and Biblical Hebrew also count.

Yes, GCSEs in community languages count towards the English Baccalaureate.

Ministers have not set any targets for the number of students who should be achieving the English Baccalaureate and it will be only one of a wide range of things which Ofsted take into account. The key accountability measure for schools remains five A*-C GCSE or equivalents including English and maths.

We acknowledge that the English Baccalaureate subjects will not necessarily be suitable for all. We look to schools to work with pupils to make the best choice for them, one that allows them to achieve and progress, recognising the importance and value of achievement in these core areas, and also of supporting students to study and achieve in other areas where they have an aptitude and interest.

We are not currently issuing certificates but will keep this under review in the context of ongoing qualifications reform.