97.1
%Pass rate across GCSEs and IGCSEs in 2025
17
GCSE and IGCSE subjects to choose from
GCSE and IGCSE COURSES
If you are just starting out, or want to make a career change, online GCSE courses can help you achieve your goals, your way.
Whether:
- you are a young person being home educated
- studying for your GCSEs at school or college but are looking to study an additional subject
- you are an older learner who missed out on essential subjects at schools
- you want to study additional subjects to help take your career in a new direction
- or you have an interest in a subject and you simply want to find out more about it.
At NEC you can start studying towards a GCSE qualification at any age with our online GCSE courses.
Some students in the UK take International GCSEs (IGCSEs), these are equivalent qualifications to GCSEs and are recognised all over the world, not just in the UK.
All of NEC’s online GCSE and IGCSE courses are written by experienced teachers and examiners and are accredited by the internationally respected awarding bodies: AQA, Pearson Edexcel, CAIE and OCR.
Choose from our range of online GCSE and IGCSE courses and you’ll be able to study flexibly at a time and a pace to suit you. You’ll be supported by a personal tutor who is a qualified teacher and subject specialist. Other than essential subjects like English, maths and science, it’s a good idea to pick GCSE subjects that interest you, as you’re more likely to enjoy studying and achieve a better grade.
Since 1963 thousands of young people and adults have gained life-changing qualifications by studying GCSE courses and IGCSE courses with NEC. What matters most to us is the success of our students. We offer all the support you need, combined with the flexibility to learn the way you want to. We’re so confident that our expertise will enable you to achieve your goals that we offer all our GCSE and IGCSE students our exam pass guarantee.
If you are looking at completing a GCSE in one year, check out our Structured GCSE Programmes.
Why study GCSE courses
- GCSEs show that you have gained a good level of learning in a given subject.
- They are recognised by employers and training providers in the UK as evidence of your first step of formal educational achievement.
- GCSEs, along with A levels, are needed to get into university or college.
- Passes in GCSE Maths and GCSE English are required for many jobs and apprenticeship programmes.
YOUR CHOICE
GCSE and IGCSE Courses
Want to study more than one subject? We offer a 10% multi-buy offer when you enrol on two or more courses together.
Astronomy GCSE
Venture to distant galaxies to gain a better understanding of our place in the universe through this intriguing blend of science and observation. Dive into astronomy to uncover its mysteries, explore the cosmos, and master tools like telescopes and star charts.
Biology IGCSE
If you appreciate nature and want to learn more about life on planet Earth this fascinating subject will teach you how to make predictions, test your theories and evaluate and communicate your scientific findings.
Business IGCSE
Ever dreamt of running your own company or leading a team to success? Unleash your business potential and build a solid foundation for a successful career in business.
Chemistry IGCSE
Ignite your passion for this complex and interesting subject as you dive into the fascinating world of chemistry through engaging online content and practical experiments you can do at home.
Combined Science IGCSE
Open up a fascinating world of discovery and gain a broad introduction to the scientific thinking, key ideas and applications of biology, chemistry and physics.
Computer Science IGCSE
Dive beyond the realm of basic computer users to understand the complexities of computer processes and the impact they create. From programming basics to complex algorithms, studying computer science allows you to explore and understand the digital world.
Double Science IGCSE
Discover the fascinating worlds of biology, chemistry, and physics with this comprehensive course offering in-depth study and providing a robust foundation for further education and careers in scientific and technical fields. Double Science IGCSE is the equivalent of two (I)GCSEs.
English Language GCSE
Develop your confidence and competence in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English. This internationally-recognised GCSE qualification, is vital for further studies and your future career.
English Literature GCSE
Deepen your experience of literature to develop a life long passion. This rewarding subject will improve your reading, communication and analytical skills as you study some of the most famous works in literature and develop your understanding of key literary theories and concepts.
French IGCSE
Unlock the magic of the French language and culture as you picture yourself navigating Parisian streets, savouring French cuisine and conversing effortlessly with locals.
History IGCSE
Do historical facts spark your curiosity to find out more about the world we live in today? Studying history allows you to explore and understand significant events and their impacts on the present and future.
Physics IGCSE
How is energy transferred and conserved? How does sound and light travel? What is radioactivity? If you are keen to understand how things work or want to explore ‘big ideas’ that explain our world and universe, physics is the ideal course for you.
Maths GCSE
Become better equipped when it comes to problem-solving, critical thinking, analytical and interpretative skills, and learn the importance of maths in society, employment and study.
Psychology GCSE
Are you interested in finding out about how, and why, we behave as we do? This is your opportunity to unlock the secrets of the human mind.
Sociology GCSE
From examining family dynamics to exploring social inequality, studying sociology allows you to understand the forces that shape human interactions and societal development.
Spanish IGCSE
Do you picture yourself strolling through Spanish plazas, enjoying tapas and conversing with the locals? This course is your chance to unlock the magic of the Spanish language and culture.
Sometimes things don't quite to to plan
Thinking about retaking GCSEs?
If things didn’t quite go to plan and you are thinking about retaking your GCSE, this free and complete guide gives you all the information you need.
Whether you got your results recently or stopped studying a while ago download our Retake Guide today and take the next steps to achieving your goals, your way.
Enrolling on more than one GCSE or IGCSE? Use voucher code GCSEMB10 to receive 10% off at checkout.
Frequently asked questions about our online GCSE courses
Your common questions and concerns answered. Read more FAQs.
GCSE and IGCSE courses are equivalent qualifications that are equally recognised by universities, colleges and employers across the UK and internationally. While there are some differences in the way the GCSE courses are assessed, such as the balance of coursework or practical components, both qualifications follow a similar curriculum and lead to the same standard of achievement.
Yes, NEC provides flexible online GCSEs for learners of all ages. Whether you are an adult learner looking to change careers or a parent seeking a high-quality curriculum for a home educated child, our courses are designed to fit around your specific lifestyle.
The GCSE marking system in England uses a numerical scale from 9 (highest) to 1 (lowest). A grade 4 is equivalent to a grade C, known as a ‘Standard Pass’, while a grade 5 is a ‘Strong Pass’. Grades 7, 8, and 9 are equivalent to the old A and A* grades.
If you need to resit a GCSE or retake a GCSE online to improve your grade, you can enrol with NEC at any time. We provide all the course materials and tutor support needed to prepare for the next available exam series. Take a look at our Retake guide to learn more.
There is no limit to how many GCSE options you can pick. While many students focus on GCSE maths and English online, you can build a full curriculum of subjects. NEC offers a 10% multi-buy discount when enrolling in multiple self-paced courses.
A standard online GCSE takes approximately 150 hours of study time. With NEC, you have up to 18 months of course access as standard, or 24 months with certain programmes, allowing you to work at your own speed.
Yes, most IGCSEs offered by Pearson Edexcel and CAIE now use the GCSE grades 1–9 marking system, ensuring they are identical in value to the GCSEs taken in UK schools.
There are no formal entry requirements for most of our GCSE and IGCSE subjects, and we welcome learners of all ages. However, a good grasp of English is recommended for all subjects, and specific courses such as Psychology or the Sciences require a good level of maths to help you engage effectively with the more technical course material.
Yes, NEC offers flexible payment options, including 0% interest monthly instalments through Omni Capital Retail Finance, subject to eligibility. This helps make GCSE courses more affordable. See our Fees Information section for more details.
GCSE results day typically falls in late August. For the 2026 series, results are expected on Thursday, 20 August 2026.
Predicted grades are often needed for college or university applications. These are included as part of our Structured GCSE Programme. For self-paced students, they can be provided as an additional service once sufficient assignments have been completed.
NEC is a not-for-profit charity with over 60 years of experience. We are rated “Excellent” on Trustpilot with a score of 4.6, and our students achieved a 25.7% pass rate for top grades (7–9) in 2025.
Help when you need it
Additional support for under 18s studying GCSEs
We understand younger students often need an extra helping hand with their studies. NEC provides a unique Progress Tracker that makes it easy for parents and guardians to follow their child’s progress, access assignment grades and view their tutor feedback to ensure effective learning. You can find out more via our Home Education information or by calling one of our course advise team.
NEED HELP CHOOSING YOUR GCSE COURSES?
Talk to one of our specialist GCSE course advisors
Still unsure whether online distance learning GCSEs are right for you or your child?
Our friendly Course Advice Team are here to help answer your questions and take you through our GCSE course options.
- Book a call and someone will get back to you at a convenient time.
- Or contact us today by phone or email.
We’re waiting to help you get ahead with your GCSEs and achieve your goals, your way.
WHY CHOOSE NEC FOR YOUR GCSES?
Experience you can trust
With a legacy spanning more than half a century, NEC has honed its craft in delivering exceptionally design online GCSE courses for a full distance learning experience. Our extensive experience has equipped us with insights into the diverse needs of learners of all ages, allowing us to refine our approach to how we deliver GCSEs online in order to provide a quality education that adapts to your individual pace and preferences. Our experienced tutors have developed flexible GCSE courses that fit around your lifestyle not the other way round.
How it works
Discover more about studying with NEC.
Support for Students
Helping students of all ages and backgrounds to achieve their goals, their way.
At NEC, we believe that everybody deserves a chance to achieve their learning goals, no matter their circumstances.
There are many forms of support we can offer our students.
Exams & Assessment
Many of our online distance learning courses require exams to achieve your qualification.
Whilst our courses are flexible in terms of your study schedule, exam dates are set by the awarding organisation.
As an approved centre, we facilitate both exams and non-exam assessments.
Fee Information
As an education charity dedicated to helping independent learners achieve life-changing qualifications we want to keep fees affordable. All of our course fees are clear and transparent to help you play for any additional costs.
Depending on your own circumstances, there are a number of possibilities for getting help with paying for your course.
WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY
Our Student Stories
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Andrew’s Experience of Studying IGCSE Chemistry
5 mins read
