Course Overview

Whether you are a keen traveller, or would like to explore a new language and culture from your own home, learning a language is ultimately a lot of fun!

Study our IGCSE Spanish online course and you will be able to revel in the joy of speaking, reading and writing in Spanish.

You’ll unlock the magic of the Spanish language and culture, open up a whole new world of conversation and discover the opportunities that learning a new language brings – in business, or for your own pleasure.

With our Spanish IGCSE online course you’ll master Spanish grammar and immerse yourself in Hispanic traditions. Designed to develop your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, IGCSE Spanish allows you to gain proficiency in one of the world’s most spoken languages and provides a strong foundation for further studies and future career opportunities.

Our engaging IGCSE Spanish course covers the essential aspects of the Spanish language, from basic vocabulary to complex grammatical structures. It is tailored to enhance your communication skills, prepare you for success in your Spanish IGCSE exams and will add an international angle to your choice of GCSE subjects, something which employers look for. Spanish speakers are essential in fostering international business, diplomacy and cultural understanding.

Our IGCSE Spanish course is structured to meet your needs and help you achieve fluency in mastering the Spanish language. Blending theoretical knowledge with practical application, Spanish IGCSE prepares you for advanced studies and careers in international communications, translation and beyond.

Whether you are a beginner or looking to improve your existing skills, bring a touch of Spain into your life. Start your vibrant Spanish language learning adventure today and discover how Spanish language skills apply to everyday life and global communication.

  • 85%
pass rate at Grade 4 and above in 2024

  • elearning icon

    Interactive course

  • 1:1 tutor support

IGCSE Spanish at a glance

Our (I)GCSE courses are offered in conjunction with leading UK examination boards and you’ll have to sit exams to get your qualification. Our Exams and Assessment page provides more information on sitting your exams.

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Exam board

Edexcel 4SP1

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Format

Online learning with support from a personal tutor for up to 24 months from your date of enrolment.

course hours icon
Hours

Learn at your own pace.

Approx. 120-150* study hours, plus assignment time.

*The specification suggests that 150 hours is needed. You’ll also need time to complete assignments, complete any reading and prepare yourself for exams.

course assignments icon
Assignments

11 assignments (one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final grade.

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Resources

Set textbook:

Spanish Edexcel International GCSE, by Simon Barefoot, Tim Guildford, Mónica Morcillo Laiz, José Antonio Garcia Sánchez, Mike Thacker and Tony Weston, Hodder Education (2017) ISBN: 978 1 5104 0334

Included as an ebook free with your course.

course assessment icon
Assessment

Exams (three):

Paper 1: Listening – 25% of marks (30 minutes)

Paper 2: Reading and writing – 50% of marks (1 hour 45 minutes)

Oral exam – 25% of marks (8-10 minutes)

There is no non-exam assessment (NEA) for this course.

course entry requirements icon
Entry requirements

No formal qualifications

An ability to read and write in English.

course requirements icon
Requirements

Internet access

Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec.

As part of the assignments, you will be required to record audio and send it to your tutor.

course exam board icon
Exam board

Edexcel 4SP1

course entry requirements icon
Entry requirements

No formal qualifications

An ability to read and write in English.

course resources icon
Resources

Set textbook:

Spanish Edexcel International GCSE, by Simon Barefoot, Tim Guildford, Mónica Morcillo Laiz, José Antonio Garcia Sánchez, Mike Thacker and Tony Weston, Hodder Education (2017) ISBN: 978 1 5104 0334

Included as an ebook free with your course.

course hours icon
Hours

Learn at your own pace.

Approx. 120-150* study hours, plus assignment time.

*The specification suggests that 150 hours is needed. You’ll also need time to complete assignments, complete any reading and prepare yourself for exams.

course assignments icon
Assignments

11 assignments (one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final grade.

course format icon
Format

Online learning with support from a personal tutor for up to 24 months from your date of enrolment.

course requirements icon
Requirements

Internet access

Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec.

As part of the assignments, you will be required to record audio and send it to your tutor.

course assessment icon
Assessment

Exams (three):

Paper 1: Listening – 25% of marks (30 minutes)

Paper 2: Reading and writing – 50% of marks (1 hour 45 minutes)

Oral exam – 25% of marks (8-10 minutes)

There is no non-exam assessment (NEA) for this course.

course exam board icon
Exam board

Edexcel 4SP1

course format icon
Format

Online learning with support from a personal tutor for up to 24 months from your date of enrolment.

course hours icon
Hours

Learn at your own pace.

Approx. 120-150* study hours, plus assignment time.

*The specification suggests that 150 hours is needed. You’ll also need time to complete assignments, complete any reading and prepare yourself for exams.

course assignments icon
Assignments

11 assignments (one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final grade.

course resources icon
Resources

Set textbook:

Spanish Edexcel International GCSE, by Simon Barefoot, Tim Guildford, Mónica Morcillo Laiz, José Antonio Garcia Sánchez, Mike Thacker and Tony Weston, Hodder Education (2017) ISBN: 978 1 5104 0334

Included as an ebook free with your course.

course assessment icon
Assessment

Exams (three):

Paper 1: Listening – 25% of marks (30 minutes)

Paper 2: Reading and writing – 50% of marks (1 hour 45 minutes)

Oral exam – 25% of marks (8-10 minutes)

There is no non-exam assessment (NEA) for this course.

course entry requirements icon
Entry requirements

No formal qualifications

An ability to read and write in English.

course requirements icon
Requirements

Internet access

Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec.

As part of the assignments, you will be required to record audio and send it to your tutor.

Why study IGCSE Spanish

Future opportunities

  • Studying other Modern Foreign Languages or Spanish at AS/A level.
  • Stronger employment opportunities in companies with international links or enhanced employability if you’d like to work abroad.
  • A range of careers including those in education, international business, communication and translation through to cultural, tourism or governmental positions.
Course content

What you’ll learn…

Introduction

Introductory skills

  • Building up your vocabulary
  • Developing your listening skills
  • Pronunciation
  • Using grammar
Section 1

Home and school

  • House and home
  • School life and routine
Section 2

Food, health and the media

  • Food and drink
  • Common ailments and healthy lifestyles
  • Media – TV and film
Section 3

Family and friends

  • Relationships with family and friends
  • Daily routine and helping at home
  • Hobbies and interests
Section 4

Holidays and special occasions

  • Special occasions
  • Holidays
  • Tourist information and directions
Section 5

Daily life

  • Life in the town and rural life
  • Shopping and money matters
  • Public services
Section 6

The environment

  • Environmental issues
  • Weather and climate
  • Everyday life in a Spanish-speaking country
Section 7

Customs, childhood and travel

  • Customs and festivals
  • Travel and transport
  • Childhood
Section 8

School trips, rules and sport

  • School rules and pressures
  • School trips, events, exchanges
  • The importance of sport
Section 9

Work, future plans, accidents and injuries

  • Accidents and injuries
  • The world of work
  • Future plans
Section 10

Communication, work and volunteering

  • Work, volunteering, careers
  • Communication – by internet, mobile phone, email, social media
  • Keeping informed – radio, newspapers, TV, online

    Affordable study

    Flexible payments and financial help

    • 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 plan for any additional costs.
    • NEC’s fees for (I)GCSEs offer some of the best value on the market, with multi-buy options, special offers, personal discounts and affordable finance options.
    • Used responsibly, finance is a great way to spread the cost of your course. We’ve teamed up with Omni, one of the UK’s leading finance specialists.
    • Depending on your own circumstances, there are a number of possibilities for getting help to fund your course.

    Visit our Fee information page or

    Talk to an advisor
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    Monthly Instalments

    Study now, pay your way

    It’s your choice: you can pay in full at the point of enrolment, or you can spread the cost over monthly instalments with our finance offer. We offer a choice of six or 12 monthly repayment plans, with 0% APR as standard.

    To pay in instalments you will need to enrol by telephone.

    The National Extension College (NEC) work with finance company OMNI. For more information on our relationship with OMNI and replayment plans see our Fee Information page.

    Course fee £470
    Deposit £47
    Amount of credit £423
    Monthly payment £35.25
    Duration 12 months
    Total repayment £470
    Cost of credit £0.00
    Rate of interest 0% APR representative

    Enrolling on more than one GCSE or IGCSE? Use voucher code GCSEMB10 to receive 10% off at checkout.

    Tutor sitting at her desk and smiling into the camera
    With you every step of the way

    Enjoy 1-2-1 support from your course tutor

    You’ll have access to 1:1 support from your tutor. All NEC tutors are subject experts, with experience in supporting online learners.

    “At it simplest, Spanish is a fun language to learn. The NEC course is well written, and the success of students who have completed the course are testament to that.”

    Amanda, one of our first-class Spanish tutors
    MORE ABOUT OUR TUTORS
    Help when you need it

    Additional support for under 18s

    We understand younger students often need an extra helping hand with their studies. NEC’s unique Progress Tracker makes it easy for parents and guardians to follow their child’s progress, access assignment grades and view tutor feedback to ensure effective learning.

    Our approach to home study
    Need help choosing?

    Talk to one of our course advisors

    Still unsure whether online distance learning is right for you?

    Our friendly Course Advice Team are here to help answer your questions and take you through your 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 and achieve your goals, your way.

    Talk to a course advisor

    Frequently asked questions

    Your common questions and concerns answered. Read more FAQs.

    NEC offers flexible, online GCSEs, A levels, and vocational courses that you can study anytime, anywhere. When you enrol, you’ll receive a welcome email with login details for learn@nec, our virtual learning platform.

    You’ll be supported by a qualified subject tutor who provides feedback on your assignments and helps guide your progress. Our expertly designed courses include engaging materials, interactive learning activities, and selected online resources — all created by experienced teachers, examiners, and learning designers.

    Our courses are designed to let you study at your own pace — all within a clearly defined enrolment period to help keep you on track. Many courses let you study your way, with flexible assignment deadlines to suit your schedule. Others may include set dates — especially for things like exams or NEAs (Non-Exam Assessment) — to help you stay on track.

    Yes! You can connect with other learners in your course’s online forum. Many students find discussing topics with peers helps reinforce their learning — and helps them feel part of a wider learning community.

    Yes. Most NEC courses, including all GCSEs and A levels, lead to qualifications awarded by major UK exam boards such as AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Cambridge International. You’ll earn exactly the same qualification as students in school or college.

    We’re also approved to offer CMI qualifications for management, as well as TQUK-accredited courses and Functional Skills qualifications in English and Maths. These nationally recognised qualifications are designed to help learners build practical skills and are ideal for both personal development and career progression.

    Some short courses, like those in the arts, are for personal development and enjoyment but don’t lead to formal accreditation.

    Yes, NEC is a JCQ-approved exam centre, which means we can support your exam entry, provide verified access arrangements, and oversee non-exam assessments (NEAs) — essential for subjects like English, Science and Geography.

    Your assignments include speaking opportunities at set points in the course, which give you the chance to practice your oral skills with your tutor. These live discussions are completed through an online meeting space (BigBlueButton) that you access through your course.

    The course materials also provide guidance on speaking. For example, the ebook included with the course contains audio files to support the listening and speaking elements of the exam.

    Yes. Many students complete a one-year fast track option, especially if working towards university or career deadlines. You’ll need to commit regular study time and plan carefully around assignment deadlines and exams.

    If you’re unsure whether fast track is realistic, we’ll advise you.

    Yes. You can enrol any time and begin studying when it suits you. However, if your course involves an exam, you’ll need to complete all assignments and assessments (also known as coursework or NEA — Non-Exam Assessment) in time for set exam dates — so don’t leave it too late!

    If you’re planning to apply to university, please also be aware of UCAS deadlines. For example, to receive predicted grades through our UCAS Application Service, you’ll need to have completed a certain number of assignments by specific dates.

    Check the individual course pages for guidance, or book a call with an advisor to discuss your timeline and study plans.

    Yes. You can enrol any time and begin studying when it suits you. However, if your course involves an exam, you’ll need to complete all assignments and assessments (also known as coursework or NEA — Non-Exam Assessment) in time for set exam dates — so don’t leave it too late!

    If you’re planning to apply to university, please also be aware of UCAS deadlines. For example, to receive predicted grades through our UCAS Application Service, you’ll need to have completed a certain number of assignments by specific dates.

    Check the individual course pages for guidance, or book a call with an advisor to discuss your timeline and study plans.

    People who study IGCSE Spanish also take…

    Want to study more than one subject? We offer a 10% multi-buy offer when you enrol on two or more courses together.