What are atoms made of? Which gases form our atmosphere? How do we extract metal from the Earth’s crust? Studying IGCSE Chemistry online will reveal the answers to a myriad of questions about our world.

With NEC, you can progress at your own pace as you explore a series of engaging topics and undertake practical experiments at home. Perhaps you’ll join previous NEC students who’ve gone on to study chemistry at A level and beyond?

Our Chemistry IGCSE course is ideal if you:

• Are keen to explore some of the key principles of chemistry.
• Like exploring ‘big ideas’ that explain the world that surrounds us.
• Enjoy working scientifically: making predictions, testing theories and evaluating and communicating your findings.
• Would like to build your observational, analytical and problem-solving skills, to improve your employability.

Future opportunities

• Studying chemistry or STEM subjects at A level or university.
• Chemistry develops skills that are well suited to careers in medicine, research, biochemistry, chemical engineering, consumer product development, forensic science, environmental law, pharmaceuticals, space exploration, software design or related areas such as the food industry, technical writing, transportation and education.

Section 1: Principles of chemistry, Part 1

• States of matter
• Solutions
• Elements, compounds and mixtures
• Chromatography
• Atomic structure

Section 2: Principles of chemistry, Part 2

• The periodic table
• Ions
• Ionically bonded substances
• Covalent bonding
• Covalently bonded substances

Section 3: Inorganic chemistry, Part 1

• Chemical equations
• Alkali metals
• Gases in the atmosphere
• Carbon dioxide
• Halogens
• The reactivity series

Section 4: Inorganic chemistry, Part 2

• Rusting
• Oxidation and reduction
• Extraction of metals
• Metallic properties
• Acids and alkalis
• Titration

Section 5: Inorganic chemistry, Part 3

• Solubility
• Acids and bases
• Preparation of soluble salts
• Preparation of insoluble salts
• Chemical tests, Part 1
• Chemical tests, Part 2

Section 6: Quantitative chemistry

• Formula, masses and moles
• Reacting masses
• Experiments to find chemical formulae
• Calculating chemical formulae
• Calculating concentration
• Calculating gas volumes

Section 7: Physical chemistry, Part 1

• Energy in reactions
• Energy level in diagrams
• Measuring energy changes
• Rates of reaction
• Catalysts

Section 8: Organic chemistry, Part 1

• Hydrocarbons
• Naming organic compounds
• Classifying organic reactions
• Oil
• Fuels
• Cracking

Section 9: Physical chemistry, Part 2

• Reversible reactions
• Equilibrium
• Changing reaction conditions
• Electricity and chemistry
• Electrolysis

Section 10: Organic chemistry, Part 2

• Alkanes
• Alkenes
• Alcohols
• Carboxylic acids
• Esters
• Polymers

Study IGCSE Chemistry with us and benefit from:

• Flexible learning
• Support from a personal tutor by email, phone or Skype
• Any time enrolment
• Our exam booking service
• Assignments with tutor feedback
• Ongoing support from Student Support
• Forums to discuss your course with other students

learn@nec

Choose when and where you access your course, using learn@nec our 24/7 learning platform.

This easy-to-use learning platform includes interactive checkpoints, quizzes and activities to help you evaluate your progress.

You’ll have access to support from a personal tutor. All NEC tutors are subject experts, with experience of supporting online learners.

Meet Jane who is just one of our first-class chemistry tutors:

“I have taught for NEC since the late 1970s on maths, sciences and engineering courses and have also been a tutor for the Open University in technology. Each student has different goals and I aim to help everyone succeed. When students find themselves in difficulty with their course, I endeavour to show them clearly the way to reach the correct answer. I have a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry and engineering. I have conducted research in chemistry and engineering and have a PhD in the latter. I completed the adult teaching qualification Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (now called Education and Training Level 3). I live in East Anglia.”

Exam board

• Edexcel 4CH1

Format

• Online learning with support from a personal tutor

Entry requirements

• No formal qualifications are required for this course
• An ability to read and write in English

Hours

• Complete at your own pace
• Approx. 120-150*  hours plus time for completing assignments

*The specification suggests that 150 hours is needed. You’ll also need time to complete assignments and prepare yourself for exams and some courses like English literature involve a lot of reading. Everyone is different so it’s impossible to say with certainty how long a course will take you, but you should expect to spend longer than 150 hours. Taken across the length of time we recommend, this equates to approximately 4 hours per week. This will increase if you choose to take it over a shorter time frame or may be less if you are retaking a subject and have covered a lot of of the course content.

Assignments

• 11 assignments (one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final grade
• 12 core practicals

Resources

• No additional set texts required

Requirements

• Internet access
• Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec

Our course fees are clear and transparent to help you plan for any additional costs.

Your course fee includes:

• 24/7 access to learn@nec platform and resources
• Expertly designed online course materials (including ebook versions of textbooks where specified) that you need to complete the course and written to cover the carefully selected awarding body specification
• Support from our Student Services team
• Structured assignments to help you track your progress throughout your course
• Guidance from your tutor for up to 18 months from your date of enrolment
• Constructive feedback on your assignments from your tutor, to help you improve and prepare for exams
• Guaranteed exam place
• NEC’s guide to study skills: How to Succeed as an Independent Learner
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar guide
• Time planner template to help you plan your study timetable
• Information on how to apply for exams

Your course fee does not cover:

• Any fees in relation to exam entries or assessments
• Centre Assessment Grades (CAG) in the event of exam cancellation
• Recommended textbooks for additional reading or set texts
• Equipment for core practicals

If you need more support, you can purchase:

• Online tutorials – if you need help with a specific topic you can arrange a 30 minute or 1 hour tutorial
• Additional past paper marking – to help with your exam preparation
• Revision tutorial –  to plan your revision and explore revision techniques
• Help with your UCAS application service

For further information on additional/optional support you can purchase, please visit our additional services page.

Exams (two):

• 61% of marks  (2 hours)
• 39% of marks (1 hour 15 minutes)

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

We know that our younger students often need an extra helping hand with their studies.  In our experience, learning online works best when the parents are involved, so when you enrol your child with NEC, you’ll have a unique set of services to help you to support your child.

This includes:

• Your own log in to learn@nec to access the course so you can view the course materials and other information for yourself.
• Access to your child’s gradebook to help you to monitor progress and provide appropriate and timely intervention and support
• You’ll receive emails and forum posts so that you have all the examination and assessment updates/information provided by the NEC team
• Dedicated Progress Portal Pages and targeted blogs with updates/information/help and advice on many aspects of home education.

Read more about how we work with young students who are studying at home or through a school.