Subjects

GCSE Subjects

GCSE marks the first major step toward British universities. At Malvern College, as elsewhere in the UK, these qualifications divide into core and optional tracks. The core curriculum includes English language and literature, mathematics, and sciences—which students can take as either three separate exams or two combined ones. Beyond academics, the school provides EAL language support where needed, alongside a mandatory program that develops life skills and moral education.

Optional GCSE Subjects

Students must select at least four optional subjects, though five is recommended unless additional language or subject adaptation hours are necessary. The elective offerings span sixteen disciplines:

• Computer Science
• Design and Technology
• Drama
• French
• Spanish
• German
• Greek
• Latin
• Classical Civilisation
• Geography
• History
• Music
• Art and Design
• Photography
• Physical Education
• Religious Studies

Note that Computer Science remains unavailable to those who previously studied mathematics only at foundation level.

A-Level Subjects

A-Level represents the classic British pathway, where students concentrate on a handful of subjects chosen according to their interests and university plans. Most at Malvern College take three or four of these qualifications from the following options:

Languages:

• English Language
• French
• German
• Greek
• Latin
• Spanish

Humanities at Malvern College:

• Business
• Classical Civilisation
• Economics
• Geography
• Government and Politics
• History
• Psychology
• Religious Studies

Sciences at Malvern College:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Design and Technology
• Physical Education
• Mathematics
• Further Mathematics

Arts subjects at Malvern College:

• Art
• Drama
• Music
• Music Technology
• Photography

IB Subjects

The International Baccalaureate serves over 2,300 schools globally as an alternative to traditional British qualifications. Students at Malvern College typically study six subjects—three at standard level and three at higher level—selecting one from each of six designated groups.

Group 1. English and German

• Language
• Combined Language (Language and Literature)

Group 2

• French
• German
• Italian for Beginners
• Spanish
• Spanish for Beginners
• Ancient Greek
• Latin

Group 3. Humanities at Malvern College

• Business Management
• Economics
• Environmental Systems and Societies
• Geography
• History
• Philosophy
• Psychology

Group 4. Sciences at Malvern College

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Design and Technology
• Physics
• Environmental Systems and Societies
• Sports and Health Science

Group 5

• Mathematics: Analysis
• Mathematics: Applied

Group 6

• Visual Arts
• Music

Mandatory IB Components at Malvern College

Beyond subject selection, the IB requires three core elements that distinguish this qualification from others. The Extended Essay involves independent research on a chosen topic, resulting in a substantial written work. CAS—Creativity, Activity, Service—encourages students to engage with physical pursuits, volunteer work, and broader humanistic values. Meanwhile, Theory of Knowledge explores how we learn and what constitutes reliable knowledge, examining the methodologies behind different academic disciplines.