GCSE Computer Science: specification changes for exams in 2027

On Monday 31 March 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) announced updates to the GCSE Computer Science subject content. The DfE changes are relatively minor and involve removing some small bits of content.

Following your feedback that there’s a high volume of content, some of which is outdated, we’ve decided to remove content from our GCSE Computer Science (8525) qualification in-line with the DfE changes. The changes will be in place for first teach in September 2025 and will apply to exams from summer 2027.

We are now busy updating our GCSE specification and supporting resources, to make sure that the changes are in place ready to teach from September 2025, and we’ll let you know when these are available.

We hope you’ll find these changes useful when preparing your learners for the exams.

Like you, we have been following the Curriculum and Assessment Review and responded to both its call for evidence late last year and the interim report published on 18 March. The changes announced by the DfE on 31 March, are minor because they acknowledge that the Curriculum and Assessment Review might prompt other changes. The final report and recommendations are due to be published in autumn. You can read the full interim report on the Department for Education’s website.

If you have any questions or need any support, please get in touch with us by email at computerscience@aqa.org.uk or call 0161 957 3980.