Access for all

At Pearson, we are committed to making science education available and accessible to all students, regardless of learning style or ability. We provide a wide range of learning pathways and support that is carefully designed to help make learning science, either in the classroom or from home, accessible to all.

Diversity in Science

Our free online virtual events including Diversity in Science and Disability in Science aim to work towards our mission of supporting science education to be universally accessible, relevant and engaging to all learners.

Find out more about these events

Diversity in Science, Virtual event, 09/07/2020

Pearson astronomy

As the only exam board to offer Astronomy, we know how important this subject is in helping to approach the big questions, whilst fuelling a desire to understand great phenomena.

Find out more about Pearson astronomy

Your science options for KS4 and KS5

Our broad range of science qualifications allows you to choose the course and progression route that’s right for your students’ personal strengths and ambitions – making sure every individual learner has the chance to reach their full potential.

We know it can be difficult deciding on the right path, so we’re here to help. This handy guide will give you all the information you need, so you can take the first step towards teaching a rewarding and engaging science qualification.

Download the Science from Pearson guide (PDF | 1.8MB)

Science for all students

We offer a range of science courses and qualifications to meet the needs of every type of student. Alongside providing a progression route to GCSE, our Entry Level Certificates support advancement in science by cementing core understanding and maximising engagement with the subject. At GCSE, we offer our students a Single Science option in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, or all three to be taken together as a Triple Science option, depending upon their individual abilities.

At KS5, students have the choice to take one or more of the three A level sciences in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Alternatively, a range of BTEC Science qualifications are also open to students who desire a combination of practical and academic experience.

Learn about our accessible exam papers

Watch our interview with Nigel English, the Chair of Examiners for Pearson Edexcel GCSE and A level Sciences. This video explores how Pearson Science assessments are accessible to all learners, as well as our quality commitments.

Tier entry guidance

Learn about the tools you can use when deciding between Foundation or Higher Tier, for learners completing GCSE (9-1) Science.

Download our tier entry support guide (PDF | 3.6MB)

Understanding our exams

In the Pearson Science team, we pride ourselves on the quality of our Edexcel GCSE assessment materials. Our mission is to ensure that our papers are as accessible as possible to allow every student to demonstrate what they know and can do.

The simple design of our exam papers is something we have developed and perfected over the last 10 years. This style is replicated every year, so students are familiar with our approach to asking questions, using command words and the slow ramping of difficulty within a question and across a paper.

Download your guide to understanding our exams (PDF | 5.2MB)

Read our case study

Recent news and blog posts

See all news

Review of Post 16 L3 qualifications

May 17, 2022

On 11th May, the Department for Education published the provisional list of technical qualifications that would be in scope for defunding from 1 August 2024 in England. Read our full response.
Read more