IGCSE French Distance Learning | Oxford Open Learning

International GCSE French

Course Price

International GCSE French Key Facts

  • PRICE: £425
  • TIME REQUIRED: 200 hours
  • EXAMS: Summer only
  • SPECIFICATION: Pearson/Edexcel 4FR1
International GCSE French

French IGCSE

This lively and interactive course helps you to develop your French speaking, listening and writing skills quickly and painlessly. Included in the course are numerous weblinks to speaking and listening practice. So whether you want to gain a language qualification or just be able to communicate better on your next French holiday, this is the ideal place to start.

French IGCSE Course Content

The Oxford Open Learning course is divided into the following five modules:

  • About me
  • Day to day life
  • Holidays and travel
  • Modern life
  • Speaking and listening skills

There is an accompanying CD which provides various exercises to support Module Five and the oral/aural requirements of the examination.


The IGCSE French specification

Oxford Open Learning’s International GCSE French course is designed to prepare students for the Edexcel international GCSE in French (4FR1) for examination in June 2022 or later years.


Course Assessment

Assessment is by two written examinations and a speaking test.

Paper 1 (Listening) lasts 35 minutes and

Paper 2 (Reading and Writing) lasts 1 hour 45 minutes.

The speaking examination, Paper 3, lasts a maximum of 10 minutes, more details can be found in the introduction to the course below.


It’s necessary for you to have some prior knowledge of French before starting this course. It’s also recommended that you have access to a French speaker for additional practice with the spoken aspect of the course.


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

Hi! We are currently open and an experienced Student Adviser is available to answer any questions you may have. Our number is 0800 9 757575

Supporting Resources

French IGCSE FAQs

The international GCSE French is of the same level as a GCSE and is examined by Edexcel, one of the UKs most trusted examination boards. A key difference is that IGCSE French does not include classroom controlled assessment or coursework, making it convenient for distance learners.

The French 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 course costs £425.  Click for full details of The Oxford Open Learning Trusts GCSE and international GCSE prices

Subjects with an oral exam are more expensive that others.

  • 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.

Entering for your exam is not included in our package but;

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.

There is no upper age limit to studying for a GCSE or IGCSE and we get students who are retired and in their 70’s even 80’s. They often just want to study to keep their brains active and many don’t actually go the expense of sitting the exam. Our tutors love what they can learn from these students

However, most students have just started work and need an extra qualification to progress or want to switch to a job which requires a qualification they do not have.

If you are under 18 years old then you need our sister company Oxford Home Schooling.

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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