98
%Pass rate across GCSEs and IGCSEs in 2024
17
GCSE and IGCSE subjects to choose from
If you are just starting out, or want to make a career change, GCSEs can help you achieve your goals, your way.
Whether:
- you are a young person being educated at home
- studying for your GCSEs at school or college and wanting to add an additional subject
- you are an older learner who missed out on essential subjects earlier on
- want to study additional subjects to take your career in a new direction
or you have an interest in a subject and 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). IGCSEs are equivalent qualifications to GCSEs and are recognised all over the world.
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 your online GCSE and IGCSE NEC 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 subject specialist with a teaching qualification.
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 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. 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 get a better grade.
If you are looking at completing a GCSE in one year, check out our Structured GCSE Programme. If you need to improve on your GCSE Maths or GCSE English grade you may be interested in our Resit Courses.
Why study a GCSE
- 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.
Geography IGCSE
If you have an interest in our natural world and the impact of humans upon it, this is your opportunity to explore some of the most challenging issues facing the world today.
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.
A level Maths
Build a strong foundation in logic, reasoning, and problem-solving with our A level Mathematics course.
English Language Resit GCSE
Improve your exam results and excel at English. Is that pass grade holding you back from exciting future opportunities? This course is ideal if you have previously studied GCSE English Language but did not achieve a Grade 4.
GCSE Maths Resit
Improve your exam results and excel at maths. Is that pass grade holding you back from exciting future opportunities? This course is ideal if you have previously studied GCSE Maths but did not achieve a Grade 4.
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.
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.
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.
Experience you can trust
With a legacy spanning more than half a century, NEC has honed its craft in delivering exceptional online and distance learning experiences. Our extensive experience has equipped us with insights into the diverse needs of learners of all ages, allowing us to refine our approach to provide top-notch education that adapts to your individual pace and preferences.
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
All Student Stories
Mia’s NEC Experience and Her Pursuit of Knowledge
11 April 2025
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.
We teach you the core practicals that you need to be familiar with for your exam. This varies by course, but each core practical typically includes a method, list of equipment and some sample results. You can have a go at some of these practicals safely at home – we will let you know when this is the case. If the experiment is not safe to complete at home, or if you don’t want to complete the experiment yourself, our detailed description of the investigation will give you the information you need. Where appropriate, we also link videos demonstrating the experiment.
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 — NEC is ideal for international students. Many of our courses are available worldwide, but there are a few things to check before enrolling:
Exams: You’ll need to arrange a local exam centre. AQA does not offer international exams, so you’ll need to travel to the UK for those.
Qualification recognition: Ensure your chosen qualification is recognised in your country.
Our team is happy to help you explore your options.
