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Where Can You Study IGCSE Courses Online?

Sam Evans

Written by: Sam Evans

Reviewed by: Holly Barrow

Published

Where Can You Study IGCSE Courses Online

Contents

  1. 1. Key Takeaways
  2. 2. What Are IGCSE Online Courses?
  3. 3. Top Online Schools That Offer IGCSE Courses
  4. 4. How to Choose the Right IGCSE Provider
  5. 5. Registering for Exams as an Online Learner
  6. 6. Frequently Asked Questions

Thinking about studying your IGCSEs online? Curious about how they work and if it will suit you? 

Maybe you’re an international student looking for flexibility and remote access. Whatever your circumstances, getting the right information will help you decide if an online IGCSE would suit you. 

Key Takeaways

  • Online IGCSEs are internationally recognised qualifications, like GCSEs

  • You can study IGCSEs remotely through accredited online schools

  • You'll take your exams in person at registered centres

  • IGCSE online courses must be with an approved exam board, like Cambridge IGCSE or Edexcel Pearson IGCSE or the Oxford AQA IGCSE

  • When choosing an IGCSE provider, think about

    • Your learning style, how independently you like to work

    • How much support you’ll get with tutors, or with pastoral care

    • Check how the costs work, and what’s included in the fees

What Are IGCSE Online Courses?

With an online IGCSE, you’ll follow the same curriculum as an in-school IGCSE, but will instead study the course content virtually. Your exams will be taken in person at a registered exam centre. 

IGCSE online courses have traditionally been used by international students, but they’ve become increasingly popular with independent students in the UK. This might be because online IGCSEs let you study remotely, with a flexible schedule, at your own speed.

Top Online Schools That Offer IGCSE Courses

When you’re looking for an online school to complete your IGCSEs, make sure it’s reputable. This means the courses must be accredited to an international exam board. 

Then, you can find out how the course is delivered, and what subjects are offered. 

Let’s have a look at some online schools and their IGCSE courses:

Cambridge Home School Online

Cambridge Home School Online is a private, independent online school established in 2002. 

They offer: 

  • A comprehensive British curriculum covering ages 5–19

    • They use the Cambridge IGCSE

  • Their IGCSE courses include: 

    • Small live classes of no more than 10 pupils

      • Attendance to lessons is expected

    • Resources, assignments, and grades are provided virtually

  • Their tutors and teachers hold at least a Master’s degree, and many have PhD qualifications 

  • There’s a range of 19 subjects, including maths, English, and options like: 

Wolsey Hall Oxford

Wolsey Hall Oxford, an established distance learning provider, has been offering IGCSE online courses since 2010. 

They offer:

  • A comprehensive British curriculum between ages 4 and 18

    • There are no live lessons

    • They offer multimedia learning materials

    • Assignment feedback comes from UK-qualified tutors

  • Their IGCSEs follow the Cambridge and Edexcel Pearson IGCSE exam boards

  • Course costs operate on a pay-per-subject model, including access to:

    • Online materials and guides

    • An allocated Student Progress Manager, and tutors

    • An online community 

  • Subjects for IGCSE include, as well as maths and English: 

My Online Schooling

My Online Schooling is a global online school offering distance learning since 2016. 


They offer: 

  • A British education for Junior and Senior school students

  • Live, timetabled lessons that mostly teach the Pearson Edexcel IGCSE

    • Each subject is taught for two hours a week, or four hours for Double Award Science

  • The subjects they offer, other than maths and English, include:

    • Science

    • Geography, and History

    • Foreign languages, including Arabic

    • Astronomy

    • Art

    • Psychology

  • Pastoral support, such as form tutors, and help with special educational needs

  • Course costs are in the form of monthly subscriptions

InterHigh (King’s InterHigh)

King's InterHigh is an independent international online school. It’s an amalgamation of the 19-year-old distance learning platform, InterHigh, and 50-year-old King’s College Schools.

It is part of the Inspired Education Group.

They offer: 

  • A completely online school that provides:

    • Scheduled, live, and recorded lessons

    • Learning resources, homework, and feedback

    • Virtual clubs and communities

  • IGCSE subjects are usually examined through Edexcel Pearson

  • They offer specialised online learning teachers 

  • Course packages include 8 IGCSE subjects, including English, maths, and a science, with choices from:

CloudLearn

CloudLearn is an online learning platform that was established in 2011. 

They offer:

  • Remote IGCSE courses with tutor support and feedback

  • A fast-track option of 120 guided hours

  • 12 and 24 month tutor support packages with multi-course deals

  • Qualified teachers with writing or examining experience 

  • IGCSE subjects following the Edexcel Pearson and AQA exam boards

  • Other than maths and English, their IGCSE courses include:

    • Science

    • Geography, and History 

    • Psychology, and Sociology

  • You can take your exam at one of their affiliated centres, with discounted rates

ICS Learn

ICS Learn or International Correspondence Schools Ltd, has provided flexible learning for over 130 years. 

They offer: 

  • Flexible IGCSE online courses with:

    • Personalised tutor support

    • Assessment, feedback, and course materials

    • Live online English and Maths classes

  • IGCSEs usually follow the Edexcel Pearson syllabi

  • Subjects offered, other than maths and English, are:

    • Science

    • Psychology

  • Course costs can be paid in interest-free payment plans, with multi-course discounts 

How to Choose the Right IGCSE Provider

Now we’ve shown you several reputable online schools to study your IGCSEs, we’ll go through some things to help you make a decision.  

Check accreditation

You’ll want to make sure the online school offers an accredited IGCSE exam course.

  • The IGCSEs should use Edexcel Pearson, OxfordAQA, or Cambridge CIE exam boards

Decide on your learning style

Be honest with yourself. Will you be able to follow your own schedule? Or would you prefer some structure? 

  • If you prefer a guided and interactive approach, look for live, scheduled lessons

  • If you want to pace your IGCSE online course and work to your own schedule, choose a student-led approach. This means you’ll work independently

Confirm exam arrangements 

You’ll be responsible for registering for your exam entries. But don’t worry, there’s help for private candidates out there. 

Online schools may help you with the process, too. 

Check with your local exam centre:

  • Which subjects they offer

  • When you can take the exams

Compare support

Learning on your own requires support. In my experience teaching online IGCSE students, sometimes, you’ll need some extra help. Maybe a lesson left you with questions, or you want guidance on the homework. 

  • Find out how much pastoral support is provided

  • Some online schools may provide well-being advisors and counsellors

You’ll want to keep track of the progress of your online IGCSEs. 

  • Usually, online schools provide assessments and quizzes

  • Ask how assessments are marked, and what feedback you’ll get. They may offer personal trackers, or reports

Consider the cost

Online school costs can be confusing. It’s best to get a clear picture about online IGCSE fees. 

  • Prices for online IGCSE courses range from £300–£900 per subject

  • Providers may have annual fees, monthly subscriptions, or payment plans

Ask what’s included, such as:

  • Recorded lessons or virtual lectures

  • Academic materials 

  • Community networks and clubs

  • How many subjects you can take

  • Exam fees (usually not included)

Registering for Exams as an Online Learner

Usually, you’ll register as a private candidate at a local exam centre to sit your exams. Although this sounds tricky, it’s fairly simple. You’ll need some identification and a clear idea of what subjects you’ll be sitting. 

Just check the exam dates to get your entries in on time. 

  • Remember, most online schools don’t include exam fees in their packages

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do IGCSEs completely online?

Yes, your IGCSE course is studied online, but exams are taken in person at a registered exam centre near you. 

Are online IGCSEs accepted by sixth forms and universities?

Yes, online IGCSEs are accepted by sixth forms and universities. They must be accredited international courses, like Cambridge, OxfordAQA, or Edexcel, and your exams must be taken at an exam centre.

How many subjects can I take online?

Most students take 5–8 IGCSE subjects. You can take more or less, depending on what further studies you may want to do. 

Now you know where and how you can study online IGCSEs, you’ll have a better idea if they’re right for you. My online IGCSE students tell me they enjoy being able to do a lesson when they wake up, or late at night. Many of my students travel a lot, so remote accessibility works well. 

Our advice to online IGCSE success is to make sure you choose a trusted provider that offers the subjects you want in a way that suits you.

Sources cited:

Cambridge Home School Online

Cambridge IGCSE

OxfordAQA International Qualifications 

Cambridge Home School Online 

Wolsey Hall Oxford

Edexcel Pearson IGCSE 

My Online Schooling 

King's InterHigh 

King’s College Schools

Inspired Education Group

CloudLearn

ICS Learn

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Author
Reviewer
Sam Evans

Author: Sam Evans

Expertise: English Content Creator

Sam is a graduate in English Language and Literature, specialising in journalism and the history and varieties of English. Before teaching, Sam had a career in tourism in South Africa and Europe. After training to become a teacher, Sam taught English Language and Literature and Communication and Culture in three outstanding secondary schools across England. Her teaching experience began in nursery schools, where she achieved a qualification in Early Years Foundation education. Sam went on to train in the SEN department of a secondary school, working closely with visually impaired students. From there, she went on to manage KS3 and GCSE English language and literature, as well as leading the Sixth Form curriculum. During this time, Sam trained as an examiner in AQA and iGCSE and has marked GCSE English examinations across a range of specifications. She went on to tutor Business English, English as a Second Language and international GCSE English to students around the world, as well as tutoring A level, GCSE and KS3 students for educational provisions in England. Sam freelances as a ghostwriter on novels, business articles and reports, academic resources and non-fiction books.

Holly Barrow

Reviewer: Holly Barrow

Expertise: Content Executive

Holly graduated from the University of Leeds with a BA in English Literature and has published articles with Attitude magazine, Tribune, Big Issue and Political Quarterly.

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