First wave of Made-for-Wales qualifications approved
Following a period of intense qualification development, we are delighted to announce that our specifications for the first wave of Made-for-Wales GCSEs and related qualifications have been approved by ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Wales*. These specifications are available to teach from September 2025.
Commenting on this achievement, Ian Morgan, ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s Chief Executive: “The approval of the first wave of specifications reflects a significant milestone in the delivery of a new suite of Made-for-Wales qualifications. Each qualification has been designed to prepare learners for a modern world and are aligned with the four purposes of the Curriculum for Wales.
Throughout the development process, we have actively engaged and listened to a broad range of stakeholders, including over 170 teaching staff from over 100 Welsh schools and more than 50 independent organisations. I am grateful for their active participation throughout the development process.
We are confident that these qualifications will inspire and engage learners, providing them with new and updated opportunities that will produce well-rounded, informed, and capable learners equipped for future challenges.â€
*Please note, our reformed GCSE in Religious Studies is still under review, however, the draft specification is available to view online, and our team is confident that it will be approved in the autumn term.
The approved specifications are available to download from the following subject pages:
- GCSE Art and Design
- GCSE Business
- GCSE Computer Science
- GCSE Core Cymraeg
- GCSE Cymraeg Language and Literature (Single and Double Award)
- GCSE Drama
- GCSE English Language and Literature (Single and Double Award)
- GCSE Food and Nutrition
- GCSE French
- GCSE Geography
- GCSE German
- GCSE History
- GCSE Mathematics and Numeracy (Double Award)
- GCSE Music
- GCSE Religious Studies
- GCSE Spanish
- Level 2 Additional Core Cymraeg
Supporting the ambitions of the Curriculum for Wales
The qualifications have been developed with the Curriculum for Wales in mind. However, this won’t all be visible in the specification as that’s just the first part of the jigsaw. A comprehensive assessment pack for each qualification, including detailed assessment arrangements and sample assessment materials, will be published in December.
In addition, to support the delivery of these new qualifications, we will publish Guidance for Teaching in January; this Guidance will support teachers in preparing for assessment and will highlight opportunities for embedding aspects of the Curriculum for Wales into the delivery of the qualifications.
FREE adaptable resources and Professional Learning
To support the delivery of these qualifications, we will be producing a package of FREE adaptable digital resources. We will begin publishing these materials from the end of the autumn term, further information is available via the following announcement.
Alongside these resources, we are also delivering a tailored schedule of online and face-to-face Professional Learning opportunities. These FREE nationwide courses are available to centres across Wales. Each course will be delivered by trained subject experts who will provide insight into each qualification and offer pragmatic advice and guidance. Further information on these courses, including our Pan Wales Roadshow is available here.
Stay up to date
To keep you up to date with the latest news, opportunities and FAQs regarding the new GCSEs and related qualifications, visit our ‘Made-for-Wales’ web area. This area hosts a wealth of material, including an introduction to our Qualification Development Team who are leading the creation of the new qualifications.