IGCSE Chemistry Distance Course | Edexcel IGCSE | Oxford Open Learning

International GCSE Chemistry

Course Price

International GCSE Chemisty Key Facts

  • PRICE: £375
  • TIME REQUIRED: 200 hours
  • EXAMS: Summer and winter
  • SPECIFICATION: Pearson/Edexcel 4CH1
International GCSE Chemistry

Chemistry IGCSE

What basic substances make up the world we live in and how do they interact? These are just two of the fundamental questions that Chemistry attempts to answer and which you will explore in this fascinating course. Studying from home in your own time, you will study for about 200 hours before entering the exams as a private candidate. This course will prepare students for further study in Chemistry or help provide the basic scientific knowledge for a wide range of other professions such as teaching, nursing or midwifery.

The Oxford Open Learning international GCSE Chemistry course is designed to follow the structure of the Edexcel 4CH1 specification and is divided into six modules, as follows:

  • Module 1: Introducing Chemistry
  • Module 2: Chemical Investigations
  • Module 3: Chemical Patterns
  • Module 4: Chemistry in Practice
  • Module 5: Organic Chemistry
  • Module 6: Chemistry Calculations

The course enables students to develop a range of scientific skills as they work with diagrams, graphs, statistics, photographic images and online media. Students should have internet access to carry out some of the research and lesson activities.


The Chemistry IGCSE Syllabus

Oxford Open Learnings international GCSE Chemistry course is designed to prepare students for the Edexcel International GCSE in Chemistry (4CH1).


Exams in Summer 2022 and beyond:

  • Paper 1: 2 hours, 61% of overall marks.
  • Paper 2: 1 hour and 15 minutes, 39% of overall marks.

This course will be graded using the new 9-1 grading system.


Free Access to Online Resources

Oxford Open Learning has teamed up with the award-winning Twig video site to provide access to online chemistry resources, specifically filmed to support GCSE level studies. Each Chemistry IGCSE student will get a free login to be able to view the entire Twig world range incorporating thousands of short educational videos. Throughout your course, you will be referred to specific videos to support your learning An annual subscription to Twig world videos would normally cost £99.

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Online Course or Paper Based? Additional Tuition? It’s your choice!

All of our IGCSE students receive:

  • Traditional printed learning materials
  • Access to our online resources with on-the-go access to all your regular lessons
  • The support of a fully qualified teacher online and by phone
  • You will have the same tutor through your course which will enable you to build a good working relationship. They generally work some evenings and weekends as well as through the holidays.
  • You also have the choice of purchasing extra one to one tutor time on an ad hoc basis for those few occasions when you may feel you need it.
More Info

Chemistry IGCSE FAQs

The international GCSE Chemistry is the same level as a GCSE and is held in equal regard. It is examined by Edexcel, one of the UKs most trusted examination boards. A key difference is that IGCSE Chemistry does not include practical course work, making it convenient for distance learners. The Chemistry International GCSE qualification is accepted as at least the equivalent of GCSE in UK sixth form colleges, FE colleges, universities and other HE institutions.

The Oxford Open Learning courses which are enriched by Twig include 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 special 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.

At IGCSE level you will not be disadvantaged through not having access to a laboratory. There are practical skills that can be learned at home and our course encourages this.

As a distance learner, we do not expect you to have easy access to a science laboratory. We have therefore chosen a specification which tests practical knowledge and encourages home experiments but does not require a specialised laboratory.

  • Oxford Open Learning is a long-established educational trust. We take pride in;
    • treating every student as an individual
    • our friendly and knowledgeable customer service team
    • the quality of our courses
    • 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 studying your online course easy with our flexible schedule, tutor support, and interest-free payment plan.

    Oxford Open Learning is a not-for-profit trust, so you can be sure that your course fees are spent on either your education and tuition or on improving our courses.

    Press the “apply now button”  and you will find that we certainly do not employ any high-pressure sales techniques. We want you to be comfortable with your choice before committing to a course and so we encourage questions and discussion before you start your journey with us.

    Once you are studying, our friendly and experienced staff are always available to give help and advice in person on the ‘phone or by email if you prefer.

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 are usually November for the following summer exams or March for November sittings.

Once you have enrolled, you will get immediate access to your course online and your printed course materials will arrive a few days later.

First fill out our website application form giving as much relevant information as possible and at this stage you have not committed to anything. Once the application has been received and assessed by our Admissions Department, a Student Adviser will contact you to discuss the application, answer any more questions you may have and confirm your subject selections and cost before you get started.

We want you to be comfortable with your choice and clear about the way forward, therefore we do not employ any high pressure sales techniques and you are free to take your time before you commit to investing in any study programme.

Once you are ready, you can pay your Student Adviser in full or arrange to pay in instalments.

All the information you need to book your exam with an exam centre can be found in the Student Information section of our website. Here you will find

  • detailed instructions on what to do and how to approach exam officers if there is no online booking system
  • the entry codes needed to book exams
  • our map of examination centres that have helped our students in recent years.

Our experienced Advisers are also always available with a wealth of knowledge about how to locate exam centres and book exams.

OOL students have the advantage of not being tied to sitting with any one centre or organisation and several will offer discounts to our students. Tutors & Exams is one of the biggest operators. They have nine exam venues across the UK in; Birmingham, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Romford, St Neots, Taunton and Wimbledon.

Our map also shows plenty of other centres that are also very likely to help our students, they may also offer a discount and they could be cheaper. If you have the time it is always worth shopping around.

You should start to look for an exam centre as soon as possible after enrolling and preferably in the Autumn term before your summer exam. There is a lot of demand for Private Exam places and many centres are already booked up well before Christmas. The Edexcel Exam Board’s final date for booking summer exams without incurring late entry fees is the 21st of March, but do not expect to find many places willing to help at this late stage.

Exams are available in November but your choice of centres is likely to be more limited and you will need to confirm arrangements well before the start of the summer holidays. The deadline is the 4th October.

Not surprisingly, many people find the idea of sitting a GCSE with a group of 16 year olds very intimidating but you are quite likely not to be alone.

There is no denying that it can be uncomfortable for a grown up to sit in what is likely to be the cheapest place; a school. Also because of safeguarding, many schools will no longer allow unknown grown ups in to their premises, but there are other options.

The private commercial exam centres all allow grown ups to sit and consequently although you will be in the minority, you will probably not be the only one. Some private schools are still happy to accommodate adults and they will be likely to have the most experienced exam officers.

Exams are not easy for anyone but at least as an adult you will probably have done it before and have the life experience not to panic.

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