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GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy

Study Method Online
Provider Lift College
Recognition AQA
Start Date Enrol anytime
Lift College

Course overview

GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy online is an Ofqual-regulated double-award GCSE, awarded by AQA (specification 8464), covering biology, chemistry, and physics. It is an RQF Level 2 qualification studied 100% online, with six written exam papers sat at an approved UK exam centre. Students receive two GCSE grades (e.g. 6-6, 5-4) based on their combined performance across all three sciences, reported on a 17-point double-award scale from 1-1 to 9-9.

Who's It For?

  • Those who need a science GCSE at grade 4 or 5 for nursing, midwifery, or paramedic degree entry.
  • Those applying for primary or secondary teacher training who need a science GCSE.
  • Those who need science GCSEs to unlock a further vocational or apprenticeship route.
  • Those who prefer a single combined-science course rather than three separate sciences.
  • Those comfortable studying independently online with full tutor support.
  • Those who can travel to a JCQ-approved exam centre on the summer exam dates.

Job outcomes

  • Nursing degree entry (Band 5 on qualification)
  • Midwifery degree entry
  • Primary school teacher training entry
  • Paramedic degree entry
  • Access to HE Diploma entry

Want to see more job outcomes and how your future could change?

What you'll learn

The course covers biology, chemistry, and physics in a single combined-science qualification:

  • Biology: Cell biology, organisation, infection and response, bioenergetics, homeostasis, inheritance, ecology.
  • Chemistry: Atomic structure, bonding, quantitative chemistry, chemical changes, energy changes, rates of reaction, organic chemistry, chemical analysis, atmosphere, resources.
  • Physics: Energy, electricity, particles, atomic structure, forces, waves, magnetism.

Content is mapped exactly to the AQA specification (8464).

Recognitions

AQA

Accredited/ Certified by AQA

Study method

  • Online Online info icon
    Online delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
  • Blended Blended info icon
    Blended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
  • In-class In-class info icon
    In class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
  • Virtual Virtual info icon
    Virtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online
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Duration study load

Typical study time is 12 to 24 months. Students study at their own pace — most learners spend a few hours each week, but can do more or less based on their own pace. Start any time; there are no fixed term dates or cohorts.

Delivery

The course is studied 100% online and is self-paced. Students can log in any time from a phone, tablet, or laptop. Written exams are sat at an approved JCQ exam centre. An optional study planner is available for those who prefer more structure.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements.

  • Foundation tier (grades 5-5 to 1-1) is suitable for adults returning to science after a long gap or aiming for a grade 4 or 5 for a specific onward requirement.
  • Higher tier (grades 9-9 to 4-4) is suitable for adults who did well in science at school or need higher grades for competitive routes.

Students will need to register separately as a private candidate with a JCQ-approved UK exam centre to sit the six exam papers, usually for a modest additional fee payable directly to the centre.

Find out more about the entry requirements for this course

Course features

  • Named UK subject tutor supporting the learner from enrolment through to the exam series.
  • Exam-style practice questions in every unit, submitted for individual written feedback within 5 to 7 working days.
  • Progress tracking via a learner dashboard showing unit scores, topic strengths, and areas to revisit.
  • Optional exam readiness check: a timed mock paper and written summary of focus areas before the exam series.
  • Tutor-marked work can be resubmitted at no extra cost.
  • AI Study Assistant included.
  • Learner community forum.
  • 7-day free trial on every sign-up; cancel any time.
  • 14-day money-back guarantee.
  • Support team available by phone, email, or live chat.
  • Start any time — no set term dates or cohorts.

Professional Recognition

This qualification is regulated by Ofqual and sits on the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) at Level 2. It is awarded by AQA, a recognised UK awarding body. The qualification is listed on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications and is independently quality-checked through IQA and EQA. It is accepted by UK universities, employers, and professional bodies.

Assessment

GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (AQA 8464) is a double award, tiered qualification assessed by six written papers, two each in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, taken in May or June.

  • Biology Paper 1: 1 hour 15 minutes, 70 marks, 16.7%. Biology topics 1 to 4.
  • Biology Paper 2: 1 hour 15 minutes, 70 marks, 16.7%. Biology topics 5 to 7.
  • Chemistry Paper 1: 1 hour 15 minutes, 70 marks, 16.7%. Chemistry topics 8 to 12.
  • Chemistry Paper 2: 1 hour 15 minutes, 70 marks, 16.7%. Chemistry topics 13 to 17.
  • Physics Paper 1: 1 hour 15 minutes, 70 marks, 16.7%. Physics topics 18 to 21.
  • Physics Paper 2: 1 hour 15 minutes, 70 marks, 16.7%. Physics topics 22 to 24.

Required practicals: 21 required practical activities are built into the specification. Questions on them account for at least 15% of written marks.

Grading: A 17-point double-award scale from 1-1 up to 9-9. Foundation tier awards 1-1 up to 5-5; Higher tier awards 4-4 up to 9-9 (with an allowed grade 4-3).

Exams are sat at 10 approved centres: Birmingham, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Mitcham, Newcastle, Romford, St Neots, and Taunton, run by Tutors and Exams.

Payment options

Course fees:

Study: £407.99 or £39.99 per month

Study + Exams: £713.99 or £69.99 per month

  • Pay monthly: Spread the cost with no interest. Cancel anytime. No credit checks and no contract.

  • Pay annually: Pay in full to save versus the monthly rate.

  • Study option: Tuition, tutor marking, and study support only — you arrange and pay for your own exams.

  • +Exams option: Includes exam entry and centre fees, with exam booking handled by Lift College.

  • Employer sponsorship: Lift College can send funding paperwork to an employer if they sponsor the learner.

  • 7-day free trial on every option — nothing charged until the trial ends.

  • 14-day money-back guarantee on every enrolment.

Find out more about the payment options for this course

About Lift College

Lift College is a fully online UK education provider dedicated to A-Levels and GCSEs. Every course is designed, taught and assessed to give adult and independent learners a genuine second route into the qualifications employers, universities and colleges recognise. All teaching happens online. Learners study on our purpose-built online campus with a named UK tutor, structured modules, marked assignments and an AI Study Assistant that answers questions instantly and points learners to the exact page of the specification they need. There is no timetable to keep, no travel, and no fixed start date. Learners begin any day of the year, pause and resume when life gets busy, and move through the material at whatever pace works for them. Every course starts with a 7-day free trial. Learners get full access to the online campus, tutor support, and study materials from day one, and nothing is charged until the trial ends. After the trial, learners have a further 14-day refund period, so there is no financial risk in trying Lift College properly before committing. After that, courses run on a simple monthly subscription with exam entry included. There is no contract, no commitment, no exit fees, no credit checks, and no risk. Learners can cancel or pause at any time, for any reason, in a couple of clicks from their dashboard. Written exams are sat in person at established private-candidate exam centres across England, with entry, venue and invigilation arranged for the learner in advance. Every A-Level and GCSE is delivered to the same awarding-body specifications, and results in the same certificates, as those awarded in schools and colleges. UKPRN 10102267.

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