Students on the Saint Michael's GCSE programme (normally those aged 14 -16) study a total of seven subjects, two of which are compulsory and five of which can be chosen. English and Maths are compulsory; and five further subjects are chosen from ICT (Information Communication Technology), Economics, Geography, Media Studies, Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Physics and Spanish. All subjects are studied for 4 periods (50 mins each) per week, with the exception of English, which is 10 periods per week.

The GCSE course is normally a two-year course, with students taking the examinations towards the end of the second year. On very rare occasions it is possible for students to complete GCSEs in one year