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OOL introduces its brand new IGCSE Human Biology course to match the Edexcel IGCSE Human Biology specfication 4HB0. There is no coursework. The course leads to two written exams and provides excellent preparation for Biology A Level. IGCSEs are accepted at UK universities and colleges, and students can sit the exams at test centres world-wide.

Oxford Open Learning introduces a brand new IGCSE English Literature course to match the Edexcel specification. There is no coursework. Candidates can sit the two exam papers at exam centres world-wide. The course provides excellent preparation for English A Level, and is recognised at universities and colleges in the UK.

The Guardian newspaper report that very few state schools have expressed interested in offering IGCSEs is misleading. Only CIE were consulted about figures, but there is more than one IGCSE exam board. More importantly, state schools have not been given funding to introduce IGCSE exams, nor given any indication of whether, or when, funding might become available. IGCSE is harder than GCSE, but will its introduction into state schools mean that it will become easier? Should exam boards and universities control state exams rather than government?

Private or external candidates can now sit Edexcel IGCSEs in any registered Edexcel test centre in the normal way at no extra expense, provided the school is happy to accept external candidates. Oxford Open Learning has an extensive list of schools that accept our students as private candidates and so can now offer wider choice and excellent support to students wanting to sit IGCSE exams as private candidates

In today’s Guardian, Jonathan Woolf reviews the history of distance learning in the UK and the article has been given the somewhat misleading heading: ‘Distance learning: good on costs, not so good for social cohesion’ The sub-heading is also an inaccurate summary of the article that follows: ‘The danger of distance learning is that it […]

Private candidates: if your exam results are not as good as you expected check your results slip to see whether your coursework mark has been omitted. Oxford Open Learning students can contact their student adviser for help.

In the second in our series of three articles on how to study from home we discussed the importance of setting achievable goals in your programme of study.  In this last article in the series we will look at what should happen during each study period. Study habits To make the most of the time […]

In the first of this series of three articles on how to study from home we looked at ways to manage your time to ensure that you plan ahead and establish a regular study pattern, and at finding a good place (or places) to study.  Having established a time and a place, we will now […]

Home study is the choice for lots of people who want to gain a qualification, perhaps to change careers, or go on a course, or simply because they want to know more about a subject.  For some, an evening class or daily attendance at college is not feasible because of other commitments. Many take up […]

What is distance learning? Home study, open learning, supported learning