GCSE / IGCSE Physics including exams

GCSE / IGCSE Physics including exams

This Course at a Glance

• Learn about the universe, its wonders and the life that exists within it
• Gain an understanding of atoms, stars, planets and galaxies
• Chose between GCSE and iGCSE when you're ready to take your exams
• Globally recognised qualification 
• Progress to higher education
• 100% online study
• Exams included

About Your Course

The universe is both complex and incredible, and for those who are inquisitive about the workings of our world and what exists beyond, studying Physics will help satisfy your curiosity. As the subject that is dedicated to explaining life, you will understand the workings of everything from a can opener to more complex creations like cars and natural events like earthquakes and black holes.

As such a fascinating subject, it naturally leads to many captivating careers that explore the unknown. With the right qualification, you could become an Astronomer, Geophysicist, Meteorologist or even a Nenotechnologist! An ideal way to get started towards these roles is by studying GCSE / iGCSE in Physics, as a Level 2 qualification, you will be able to gain the higher level qualifications required for these areas of employment.

The course covers a dynamic range of topics such as forces and motion, electricity, energy resources and transfers, magnetism, radioactivity and astrophysics. Over the course of these modules, you will learn about unifying patterns and themes in Physics and be able to use them in new and changing situations, improving your analytical and logic skills. The course also caters to the need for complementary mathematical skills by covering a range of mathematical areas.

Extra care and attention have also been paid to ensure the online content is interesting and engaging, plus, the course has also been verified as adequate preparation for those continuing to further study in Physics and those aiming to work in a Physics-related field.

Getting Started

learndirect is the leading UK online course provider.

Being offered completely online, this course also provides you with the flexibility of completing your learning from the comfort of home, or wherever suits you best. There are no classes or restrictive timetables to adhere to, so you can simply log on and learn as and when you have the time.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

You will be unable to book your exam until all outstanding course fees are settled in full, this includes any associated charges deemed to be payable as per your initial contract.

All courses funded via our partner Premium Credit Limited, will need to be settled with them directly.

Modules

Units 1 and 2 cover all the information you need to know about both GCSE and iGCSE Physics.

They also include guidance to make sure you can study successfully online and how to make the most of your course.

Unit 3: Introduction to Physics:

This unit covers the fundamentals of Physics such as mass, matter and gravity.

Unit 4: Particles and the standard model:

Here you will learn all about particles.

Unit 5: Electromagnetic spectrum:

This unit examines the principles and use of electromagnetism in detail.

Unit 6: Energy:

What is Energy? Unit 6 will explain everything you need to know about energy and why it is so vital.

Unit 7: Electricity:

Electricity and it’s components are explained in this unit.

Unit 8: Particle model of matter:

This unit covers matter and includes Atoms, Molecules, Elements and Compounds amongst others.

Unit 9: Atomic structure:

Here you will look in detail at the Atom and its applications.

Unit 10: Forces:

Looking at the subject of forces, you will learn all about forces and their interactions.

Unit 11: Waves:

This unit covers waves including types of Waves and properties of waves

Unit 12: Magnetism and electromagnetism:

This unit covers the fundamentals of magnetism.

Unit 13: Astrophysics:

Looking outside of the world we live in, this unit examines the universe and beyond.

Your course is completed with a full set of mock exams.

Entry Requirements

You must complete at least 50% of the course and pass the associated assignments before you are eligible to be entered for the exams.

Average completion timeframe

The average time it takes to complete the course is 18 months.

Assessment requirements

The assessment consists of written exams

Placement or Practical required

GCSE: Previously passed practical assessments are required. If you have not previously passed the practicals you will take iGCSE.

Exams required

One of our exam partners will provide the exam centre and oversee the examination process. Should you choose to sit at a centre that is not on our partners list, you will be charged the exam centre finder fee.

Is Membership Required?

No membership is required to enrol on this course.

Additional requirements

Learners will choose between GCSE and iGCSE when booking their exams. Full details of both are in the course.

Certification Timeframe

You can expect to receive your certificate 3 months after receiving the result.

Extension Rules

You may extend this course once for a maximum of twelve months.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before exams can be booked.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

About the GCSE Physics exams

There are two tiers in GCSE Physics – foundation tier and higher tier.  The structure of the exams is the same for both tiers, but different exam papers are given.

Paper 1 assesses topics 1 to 4 (Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure). The exam is 1 hour, 45 minutes and worth 100 marks and 50% of the overall grade.  Question styles include multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.

Paper 2 assesses topics 5 to 8 (Forces; Waves; Magnetism and Astrophysics). The exam is 1 hour, 45 minutes and worth 100 marks and 50% of the overall grade.  Question styles include multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.

Practical assessments

All GCSE science (Physics, chemistry, and physics) students need to complete practical experiments as part of their learning. Ten experiments are required to equip students with essential practical knowledge and experiences, enable them to put theory into practice and helps develop skills for higher education.  Practical assessments are a mandatory part of the assessment process but do not count towards your final grade. learndirect does not provide the practical assessments, although our content does cover them in detail. Therefore, if you decide to take GCSE physics (rather than iGCSE physics), you will need to find a school or college who will let you carry out the required practicals. This is likely to incur a cost. We recommend you contact your local schools and colleges to organise this as early as possible.

About the iGCSE Physics exams

There are two exams in iGCSE Physics.

Paper 1 is assessed through a 2-hour written examination set and marked by Pearson. The paper includes a mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. Questions may come from any topic area across the specification.  The paper is worth a total of 110 marks.

Paper 2 is assessed through a 1-hour and 15-minute written examination set and marked by Pearson. The paper includes a mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. Questions may come from any topic area across the specification. The paper is worth a total of 70 marks.

There are no practical exams in iGCSE Physics.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

You will be unable to book your exam until all outstanding course fees are settled in full, this includes any associated charges deemed to be payable as per your initial contract.

All courses funded via our partner Premium Credit Limited, will need to be settled with them directly.

Tutors & Exams

Tutors and Exams provides examination and assessment facilities primarily aimed at private and home educated candidates.

Tutors and Exams currently have five examination centres located around the country: Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, St Neots Cambridgeshire and Wimbledon. All are approved for examination delivery by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).

In addition to their examination centres they also have a dedicated Science laboratory based in Birmingham with the ability to deliver A Level Science practicals all year round and access to another Science laboratory located in London.

Pearson Edexcel

Upon successful completion of the course and associated exams, you will have gained an iGCSE in Physics. 

International GCSEs (iGCSEs) enable successful progression to A Level study and beyond. This course has also been created in collaboration with International Advanced Level and GCE A Level Teachers, as well as Higher Education Professors to validate the appropriateness of the qualification, including its content, skills development and assessment structure.

Pearson Edexcel are the UK's largest awarding body and we are regulated by Ofqual (England), SQA Accreditation (Scotland), CCEA Accreditation (Northern Ireland) and Qualifications Wales (Wales). They offer academic and vocational qualifications that are globally recognised and benchmarked, with educational excellence rooted in names like Edexcel, BTEC, EDI and LCCI.

Progression

By successfully completing this course and the associated exams, you can progress to:

• International Advanced Level, for example in Physics
• GCE Advanced Level, for example in Physics
• Level 3 vocational qualifications in science, for example BTEC Level 3 in Applied Science
• Other comparable, Level 3 qualifications, such as an Access to Higher Education Diploma
• Employment, for example in a science-based industry where an apprenticeship may be available

Frequently Asked Questions