Guide to IGCSE Online Schools

These days, with so many different ways to complete your IGCSEs, making a choice or knowing where to start can be overwhelming. If this is you, and you’re considering doing your IGCSEs online, you’ll be keen to find out how IGCSE online schools work and how to choose the right one. 

Key Takeaways

• Look for an IGCSE online school that teaches an accredited IGCSE exam board

• Online schools may offer interactive, scheduled lessons, or courses that are pupil-led

• Some online schools have community and pastoral support, like tutors, advisors, and community networks or clubs

• You’ll generally register your exam entries and sit them at a local exam centre

• IGCSEs are recognised as valid entry qualifications for further study or employment 

What Are IGCSE Online Schools?

Online schools deliver IGCSE courses via virtual platforms, and are used by students worldwide. They offer an array of digital learning programmes that let you study remotely.

Online schools are geared towards international students, or students who want to do their IGCSEs more independently. They usually teach the Cambridge IGCSE (opens in a new tab) or the Edexcel Pearson IGCSE (opens in a new tab). 

In my experience as a remote and in-school teacher, online learning suits students who like to work on their own, or those who need a flexible schedule with remote access. 

How Do Online IGCSEs Work?

It’s reassuring to know that online IGCSEs cover the same course content and offer the same exams as traditional school-taught GCSEs and IGCSEs. It’s a two-year course, but with online IGCSEs you can choose to cover the course in less or more time. 

Most online schools give you access to digital learning materials, often on their own platform. You might find:

• Recorded video lessons

• Homework tasks

• Quizzes and assessments

• Digital resources, like textbooks, video links, and further reading materials

Even though you’re learning remotely, online schools have come a long way since the early days of distance-learning. Many guide you through your IGCSE with personal support, like:

• Scheduled live, group classes that teach subject skills and content

• Tutor support via chat or email, like feedback on assessments

While your study is virtual, exams are sat in person at an approved exam centre. This is because exams need to be invigilated and completed in a standardised way.

Benefits of Studying IGCSEs Online

You might benefit from doing your IGCSEs with an online school if you want to study remotely and without a strict timetable. My students do their IGCSE lessons in European cafès over croissants, or from their kitchen table late at night (because that’s when they’re most awake). 

Let’s look at some of the things about online schools that might suit you:

•  Timetables and lessons are flexible 

  • You can make your own schedule

• Remote access to your course content

  • You can work from anywhere

• Personalised learning

  • Online schools may have smaller classes

  • Some assign personal study tutors

  • They may even offer one-to-one tutoring

What to Look for in an IGCSE Online School

When you start looking for an online school for your IGCSEs, it’s important to make sure straight away that the school offers an approved IGCSE. Once you know that, you can begin to explore how online schools deliver their courses, and which one sounds right for you. 

You’ll want to think about how you want to study, what support you may need, and how you best learn.  

We’ll guide you through the details. 

Accreditation and Exam Board Approval

As your IGCSE has to be approved by an education regulator, it’s important to do an IGCSE that is accredited. The last thing you want to do is start studying the wrong course! So, do make sure the online school follows a registered IGCSE. This means you’ll sit exams set by one, or a selection, of these exam boards:  

• Cambridge IGCSE

• Edexcel Pearson IGCSE

• Oxford AQA IGCSE 

There may be an exam board you prefer. Perhaps you like the Edexcel Pearson topic selection for English literature, or the short style answers of the Cambridge First Language IGCSE (opens in a new tab).

Tutor Support and Feedback

It’s all very well working independently, but you might want some support. It can be lonely working alone. How much expert help should you expect to get with your online IGCSEs?

It’s best to find out if they offer:

• Live and scheduled lessons

• Downloads of recorded lessons

• Support from tutors outside of lessons

• Qualified subject teachers

• Assessment feedback 

Subject Range and Curriculum Quality

There’s a wide range of IGCSE subjects for you to choose from. It’s worth noting that not all online schools offer them all, so this is something you can check.

When you’re deciding on which IGCSE subjects to take, think about what A Level subjects (opens in a new tab) you might take in the future. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know yet, but the core subjects e.g. English, maths, and science, are a good start. 

Learning Platform and Resources

The fun part is exploring online school platforms. Click through their links, look at the resources available. Ideally, their learning materials will tell you which subject uses which IGCSE exam board, too. Finding a platform that works for you is key, so look through a good selection. See if things are easy to find, and if they offer quality resources and the subjects you’d like. 

You might be able to:

• Have a trial with a tutor

• Download a free lesson

• Find a community or a club to join

• Speak virtually with other students 

• Have a look over their FAQs (frequently asked questions)

These are brilliant ways for you to get a flavour of the online school.  

Cost and Payment Options

Online school IGCSEs vary in price. It’s best to check the total cost of the course with an advisor or on their website. 

See if the package includes things like:

• Tuition rates and live lessons

  • Check cancellation or absence policies

• Exam fees

• The cost of resources 

Prices for an online IGCSE range from £300 per subject to around £3,000 per year, depending on how you take the course or how they deliver it. 

How to Sit IGCSE Exams as an Online Learner

Once you’ve done your online IGCSE course, you’ll sit exams in person at a chosen exam centre. It’s almost always the case with online IGCSEs that you’ll register for your own exams. Don’t worry. This isn’t as daunting as it sounds! We’ve got some clear guidance on private exam entries (opens in a new tab). 

What to do:

1. Register early for your exams (around 6 months before the exam date is ideal)

2. Recent advice from Exam Centre London (opens in a new tab) advises entry deadlines as:

   • Winter entry

     • August 16th for the Cambridge IGCSE

     • September 13th for Edexcel Pearson

   • Summer entry

     • February 15th for all IGCSEs

3. Find exam centres on the JCQ private candidates list (opens in a new tab), too

   • Make sure the centre offers the subjects you’d like to take

   • Your local school or college may accept private candidates

Your chosen exam centre or online school will guide you through the registration process. You’ll need details like your address and date of birth, and some form of identification. 

Top Tips for Success at an IGCSE Online School

With an online IGCSE, you’re in charge of your learning. Keeping good habits will help you stay on top of things. 

• Set up a personal routine you’ll stick to

  • Work around your habits and lifestyle

• Give yourself motivators to help you reach goals, like a reward for completing a task

• Find somewhere to work and organise notes and books according to subject

• Use IGCSE past papers and mark schemes regularly

• Stay connected with your tutors and always ask for help 

• Collaborate on revision and see some friendly faces in online study groups 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are online IGCSEs accepted by colleges and universities?

Yes, online IGCSEs are internationally accepted by colleges and universities, as long as the course is accredited as a Cambridge, Edexcel or OxfordAQA IGCSE. 

Can I sit exams online?

No. Coursework is submitted online, but exams are sat in person at a registered exam centre. 

Is online learning harder than in-person school?

Some students thrive working independently, while others crave social interaction and group classes. Online schools usually offer both options for this reason. 

Can I switch from a regular school to an online IGCSE provider mid-course?

Yes, it’s possible to switch from regular school to an online IGCSE. IGCSE online schools usually offer the option to enrol throughout the year. If the examination is only months away, it will generally make sense to take the exam the following year. 

Now you know the nuts and bolts of IGCSE online schools, all that’s left to do is leave you with a few key reminders. Research the online school and courses carefully, and ask if you’re unsure of anything. Finally, find a quiet space to work, get some support, and you’ll be on your way to online IGCSE success.  

Sources: 

 Cambridge IGCSE (opens in a new tab) 

 Edexcel Pearson IGCSE (opens in a new tab)

 JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications) (opens in a new tab) 

Exam Centre London (opens in a new tab)