How can I sit GCSE's again after leaving the UK?

Posted by ShrimpoWoody@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 20 comments

Hi everyone I left the UK after year 8 and moved to a different country and want to move back to the UK now that I've finished secondary school abroad but I never did GCSE's (meaning I can never get a job) since I left after year 8. Could anybody help me?

If this post wasn't appropriate for r/AskUK could anybody forward me to where I can ask?

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Fellowes321@reddit

What qualifications do you have? You can easily state that you studied at X have Y qualifications which are equivalent to GCSEs.

For jobs that require GCSEs only, you may find that a pleasant manner is enough to get the job and they will want to meet you first whether you have GCSEs or not.

If you really want the qualification before returning then many countries offer IGCSEs so you just need to find a local centre and pay to sit the exams although they are not cheap. The British Embassy in the country may be able to help you find a centre if necessary.

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yeahifeelbetternow@reddit

If you finished secondary school why wouldn't you be able to get a job LOL

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ShrimpoWoody@reddit (OP)

I must be mistaken, if I didn't do my GCSE's I could still get a job? I finished secondary school abroad.

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flowering_sun_star@reddit

There's nothing legally stopping you from getting a job. There may be practical limitations if the place you're applying doesn't know what to think of your foreign qualifications. Some few jobs might require specific levels of qualification in maths and english, but most of them will also be looking for something at a higher level as well.

A supermarket probably won't care too much when employing a shelf stacker. Most office jobs would care, but they'll be looking for qualifications at a higher level than gCSEs anyway.

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ShrimpoWoody@reddit (OP)

What about something like teaching?

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flowering_sun_star@reddit

Teaching (I believe) is one of those few jobs that does have specific requirements for GCSE maths and english. But it's also what I meant by them looking for higher levels of qualifications. Most teachers will have a degree as well as a teaching qualification. So they will have studied at university to get in depth knowledge of a particular subject, and then trained in how to actually teach children.

You haven't really given us much to go on, but depending on your age there may be free options available through your local college. I think it used to be if you were 19 or younger? And there may be options for people who are older but never got the chance for some reason. I'm not very knowledgeable on what's available. But talking to your local college would be a good start.

Alternatively, I've never actually used one but I would expect that the job centre should be able to tell you what your options are.

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cgknight1@reddit

If you want to be be a teacher go and read about the grocer's apostrophe.

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asmiggs@reddit

You'll need a teaching qualification so your best bet is to speak to a university that offers such qualifications and work backwards from there to find out what they recognise.

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Lopsided_Soup_3533@reddit

If you wanted to be a teacher you'd need further education than GCSE's so if you can get your overseas education recognised here then you'd be able to do that. Obviously there are different paths to teacher training so you could look them up to see what requirements they have

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DameKumquat@reddit

As long as you have proof of completing secondary schooling, you should be fine. You may want to get it translated into English, or contact ENIC re a statement of comparability (your school system may equate to GCSEs or possibly A-level or in between).

Put fluent native speaker of English, and UK citizen, on your CV.

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Cultural_Tank_6947@reddit

Depending on the country you did your secondary school in, chances are it will be recognised. I add this caveat simply because of countries like North Korea, but if you look at all our residents who have EU passports and moved here while we were still in the EU, I bet most of them don't have GCSEs either.

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Plus_Competition3316@reddit

Shit jobs don’t check your qualifications. Good jobs or higher than average wage ones will + want further experience in the given field.

If I was you, contact your local college and see if they do the equivalent qualifications for maths + English at level 2 or 3.

If you’re desperate for a job, lie on your cv and put down C’s.

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