Students to be offered Ukrainian GCSE to preserve cultural heritage

Students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be able to take a Ukrainian GCSE from 2028 as part of government plans.

The new qualification - which will be available to all pupils - is primarily aimed at those displaced by the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022.

It follows reports that the number of people taking Russian GCSEs had spiked in recent years, potentially because Ukrainian pupils were encouraged to take it, in the absence of a Ukrainian qualification.

Ukrainian officials were reportedly "deeply concerned" in 2025 at potentially retraumatising displaced teenagers by pushing them to learn Russian.

Education Secretary Lucy Powell said Ukrainians and their children should have "every opportunity" to connect with their heritage.

She added the course will give pupils "the chance to develop their language skills and celebrate Ukraine's rich culture and history, while also opening pathways to future study and employment".

The qualification, designed by awarding body AQA, will assess listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.

It is expected to be available from September 2028, with the first assessments due to take place in 2029.

The government said it displays the UK's "enduring support for the Ukrainian community".

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Ukrainian minister of education and science, Andrii Butenko, said: "Today marks an important milestone towards the introduction of a Ukrainian GCSE, long called for by the Ukrainian community in the UK.

"British schools opened their doors to thousands of Ukrainian children following the start of Russia's full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, and we will always be grateful for that.

"We welcome the UK government's next step towards giving Ukrainian children a genuine choice in their education while respecting their identity."

Last week, the government announced an extra £10bn of economic and military support for Ukraine.

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