The government has launched a 12-week consultation to help determine the subject content for the new Natural History GCSE.
The proposed syllabus will see students study three core areas: UK habitats and wildlife, human influence on the natural world, and the science of climate change, biodiversity loss and conservation.
A key and distinctive feature of the GCSE is its emphasis on hands-on learning. Students will be required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of fieldwork, studying real habitats in their local areas, from urban parks to coastal salt marshes. The aim is to build a genuine connection with nature while developing practical scientific skills.
Naturalist Steve Backshall said: ‘Getting students outside for real fieldwork – studying everything from urban parks to coastal salt marshes – is exactly how you build a genuine connection with nature. That hands-on experience isn’t just brilliant for the soul, it builds the kind of scientific and analytical skills that will serve them well in future life.
‘We’re asking this generation to confront some of the biggest challenges humanity has ever faced – biodiversity loss, climate change, species extinction. This qualification gives them the knowledge and the tools to not just understand those challenges, but to be part of the solution.’
According to the Department for Education, around 900 UK businesses in nature-related sectors raised £2.8 billion in 2025, supporting 21,000 jobs. Furthermore, the UK’s natural capital asset value is estimated at around £1.6 trillion.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: ‘As we move into a world where careers are being increasingly shaped by science, technology and environmental change, it’s crucial young people have the skills for the jobs of tomorrow.
The qualification will also teach students how the UK’s landscape has changed over time and explore how everyday actions can support biodiversity, such as creating wildlife-friendly gardens.
The public consultation invites views from pupils, parents, teachers, and industry leaders on the proposed content. The Natural History GCSE is part of a wider overhaul of vocational education, which includes the announcement of new V Levels in Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care from 2029. It is expected to be first taught in schools following the completion of the Curriculum and Assessment Review.
The consultation can be found here.
Photo: cottonbro studio