Course information
Oxford Home Schooling offers two general Science IGCSE courses, either
- Science (Single-Award) or
- Science (Double-Award)
The double science qualification is worth two International GCSEs, the Single Science only one.
Both courses combine the study of Physics, Chemistry and Biology all together in one handy package. They are ideal for those who require a science qualification to gain entry to a job or further education but do not necessarily wish to pursue a career in a particular scientific field.
Either qualification will equip students with a solid understanding of some of science’s core principles and theories. Naturally, as it is worth two GCSE qualifications, the Science (Double-Award) goes into greater depth than the Science (Single-Award).
Each course is supplied in three separate folders, one each for the Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
The Structure of the Single and Double Awards
The structure of the Science awards is very similar with the same module heading and general subject content. Details given below apply primarily to Double Science.
Biology
This section consists of 5 modules and contains 23 lessons (18 for Single Science), with 7 Tutor-marked Assignments (TMAs) including a substantial mock Exam (TMA G).
The five modules are:
- Module 1: Cells and Organisms
- Module 2: Plant and Animal Physiology A
- Module 3: Plant and Animal Physiology B
- Module 4: Inheritance
- Module 5: Ecology and Food Production
Chemistry
This section consists of 6 modules and contains 22 lessons (20 for Single Science), with 7 TMAs including a substantial mock Exam (TMA G).
The six modules are:
- Module 1: Principles of Chemistry
- Module 2: Chemistry of the Elements
- Module 3: Organic Chemistry
- Module 4: Physical Chemistry
- Module 5: Chemistry in Society
- Module 6: Investigative Skills
Physics
This section consists of 7 modules and contains 27 lessons (25 for Single Science), with 11 TMAs including a substantial mock Exam (TMA K).
The seven modules are:
- Module 1: Forces and Motion
- Module 2: Electricity
- Module 3: Waves
- Module 4: Energy Resources and Energy Transfer
- Module 5: Solids, Liquids and Gases
- Module 6: Magnetism and Electromagnetism
- Module 7: Radioactivity and Particles
The Science (Single-Award) course meets the requirements of Edexcel specification 4SS0 for examinations from 2025 onwards.
The Science IGCSE (Double-Award) course meets the requirements of Edexcel specification 4SD0 for examinations from 2025 onwards.
These Science International GCSE courses do not require coursework.
A broad syllabus of scientific knowledge. Apply now!
Or if you have more questions Enquire Now!
Examinations and assignments
Single Award
The International GCSE Science (Single-Award) examination consists of 3 papers, one each for Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Each exam lasts 70 minutes.
Double Award
The International GCSE Science (Double-Award) examination consists of 3 papers, one each for Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Each exam lasts 120 minutes.
Both are available in the summer but only the double award is offered in November.
Course duration and study time
When you enrol with Oxford Home Schooling we will agree on an intended examination date with you. Your support will last all the way up to this examination date, regardless of whether you decide to do the course in 9 months or 30.
The recommended number of study hours
- Single Award 300 hours
- Double Award 400 hours
Online Course? Paper-based? Somewhere in between? It’s your choice!
All of our International GCSE Science students receive:
- Traditional printed learning materials
- Access to our online resources with on-the-go access to all your regular lessons
- Unmatched support by a fully-qualified teacher online and by phone
Course price
Our International GCSE Single Science course fee is £495.
Our International GCSE Double Science course fee is £790.
You may pay using our interest-free easy payment scheme. Pay a 20% deposit followed by eight monthly instalments of 10%.
Multiple courses attract a discount. See our pricing page for further details.
You will receive support from a fully-qualified tutor holding either a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or a degree in education.
This support includes:
- Marking all assignments for the course
- Written answers to specific study problems
- Telephone contact
When you begin a course, you will agree an examination date or dates with your Student Adviser. Your support period lasts up to this examination date.
Meet Our Tutors
I have taught Science in secondary schools in Yorkshire for 33 years or so and thoroughly enjoyed motivating students to achieve their personal best. This involved working with students in large and small groups and at an individual level. During this time I have taught all levels of KS3, KS4 and KS5. I have been responsible for supporting teacher training in Science of numerous student teachers who successfully gained QTS status.
I spend any free time I have walking, gardening, crafting and cooking. My family have said it might be a good idea for me to take cookery lessons when I retire!
Marie Hobson
What’s next?
At GCSE level, science is considered to be a core subject and all students should consider studying it.
Students with an International GCSE in Science (dual award) will be able to move on to other science A levels or into the competitive world of work. As a qualification, the International GCSE Science opens the door to a world of options for those wishing to progress, but who don’t necessarily wish to focus on a particular area of science in the future.
Supported by Online Videos
In association with Twig World, The International GCSE Science is enriched by extensive links to appropriate films (and other supporting material), lesson by lesson. The student hops from the course materials to the films and back again.
To access the films, students need a password, supplied at enrolment. Students also need internet access and an e-mail account to benefit from this extraordinary resource which is offered as a “free” extra to students on the relevant courses.
A broad syllabus of scientific knowledge. Apply now!
Or if you have more questions Enquire Now!
Sample Lessons
Books
FAQs
Why should I choose Oxford Home Schooling?
- Oxford Home Schooling is a long-established educational trust that prides itself on
- treating every student as an individual
- customer service
- course quality.
- We’re rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot by students who have studied with us.
- We provide online and printed resources so you can study your way – other providers do not give you that choice.
- We make it easy for you to home-educate your children with our flexible schedule, tutor support, and interest-free payment plan.
- Every year we help hundreds of children who have left mainstream education obtain the qualifications they need to progress and achieve their goals.
- Oxford Home Schooling is part of a not-for-profit trust so you can be sure that your course fees are spent on either your child’s tuition or on improving our courses.
What is an International GCSE?
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) qualifications are comparable to the UK GCSE specifications, with appropriate international content and assessment that will enable successful progression for learners.
Pearson Edexcel International GCSEs are studied in over 80 countries worldwide and in independent schools in the UK. Available in 37 subjects, they are equivalent, grade for grade, to UK GCSEs and accepted by universities globally. Aimed at learners aged 14 to 16, they provide the skills and knowledge needed to progress to A Levels, International A Levels, onto university and into employment.
Full details can be found by visiting Pearson Edexcel’s International GCSE website pages
When can I enrol?
You can enrol any time you like, the earlier the better. The important thing to think about is when you wish to sit your exam and to give yourself plenty of time to work through your materials and revise successfully. Our cut-off dates for enrolment can be found here.
Once you have enrolled, you will get access to your course online immediately and your printed course materials will arrive a few days later.
When will I sit my exam?
The Science (Double-Award) IGCSE papers may be sat in the Summer or the Autumn examination series. The Summer series typically runs from mid-May to late June and the Autumn series is in November.
The Science (Single-Award) is only available in the summer sitting.
How and when do I book an exam?
The final date for booking summer exams with the exam board without incurring late entry fees is the 21st of February. You should book your place at an exam centre well in advance of this date. Start looking once the autumn term begins.
All the information you need to book an exam centre can be found in our Exams Hub. Here you will find
- detailed instructions on approaching exam centres that do not have online booking
- entry codes needed to book exams
- our map of examination centres where our students have taken exams in recent years.
Tutors & Exams offers discounts to Oxford Home Schooling students and has nine current exam venues across the UK: Birmingham, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Romford, St Neots, Taunton and Wimbledon.
There are also many other exam centres who will help our students and possibly offer discounts. Please refer to the Exam Centre Finder map in the Student Hub.
Pearson Edexcel also publishes a list of exam centres that accept private candidates. This won’t list every available centre, so if there’s nothing shown in your area, we recommend contacting local schools and colleges directly.
How much does a Science IGCSE examination cost?
Your exam fees aren’t included in the course cost as they’re paid directly to the exam centre. They will vary depending on which centre you choose. Generally speaking, dedicated examination services will be more expensive than a local school or college. Prices range from £100 to £350 pounds for the single award.
The double-award Science course will typically be more expensive than the single-award science.
What is the enrolment process?
First fill out our application form giving us and our tutors as much relevant information as possible about your child. Once the application has been received and assessed by our admissions department, your Student Adviser will contact you to discuss and confirm your selections and to get you started.
What are the main differences between the Single Award and Double Award Science courses?
Each course covers the same areas of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, but the main differences between the Single and Double courses are as follows:
- Depth. The Double Award goes into more detail in each area.
- Examinations. Whilst both courses have 3 exams, each double award exam last 2 hours whilst the Single Award exams only lasts 1 hour 10 minutes
- Overall Study time. We recommend 300 hours of study for the Single Award and 400 hours for Double Award. Our normal recommendation for a single award IGCSE is 200 hours. The additional hours recommended for the Single Science are due to the breadth of the syllabus
- Outcome. the double award is suitable for students who may want to go on to study a particular science at A level. The single award will give a taster of each subject , but you will need to fill in some important gaps if you want to go on to A level.
Should I study the Single or Double Award Science?
We tend to recommend the Double Award for most students as the content of the single science course means that you do 3/4 of the work for only half the reward. However, Single Science may be more suited to students who don’t wish to continue science studies. For example, students who wish to be teachers of an unrelated subject need a Science GCSE to progress in their career.
If you are seriously thinking of a career in the Sciences or Medicine we recommend that you study all three separate science courses; Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Is there a Practical Assessment?
No, students of single or double science will develop knowledge and understanding of experimental skills through the context of the science they are learning. Experimental skills are assessed through written examinations.
Is any particular science apparatus required?
No.
