Mature student GCSEs

[PurpleSleeves]

Wasn’t sure best place to post this! I am looking to change career and go to Uni to study. I have been told today I need a C in Science GCSE which I don’t have. I can’t find any courses around me in colleges either. Has anyone used an online website to gain a GSCE qualification? I’m looking at ICS but worried it won’t be enough as an “IGSCE”; is it the equivalent of a school studied GCSE? Can anyone recommend a website they have used and talk me through how you do exams - I imagine you would have to sit these somewhere rather then do them at home?! Feeling very old and overwhelmed! Thank you

There's a practical component you also have to do which makes online difficult. Do you have an FE college that does evening classes for adults?

I didn’t think about the practical! I can’t see anything around here.

Hopeful bump for any more experiences...

There are lots of online/ distance colleges offering all GCSEs.

National Extension College (Cambridge) is good.

www.nec.ac.uk

You usually have to attend a local centre (near you) for the final exams and the same may apply to any practical work.

Exams are usually in a local FE college where other adults are sitting the exams.

Bumping for you @PurpleSleeves :)

Thank you! I looked at NEC but the course I want is about £500 more expensive on there then another site, but then I worry is the other site not very good as seems so cheap! I’m going round in circles with it all.

IGCSEs are equivalent to GCSEs. Recognised in the same way for uni etc. (Private schools often take these exams). As they have no practical element they are often taken by home educated children.

You can study these entirely from home using books/materials yourself or through a course provider (such as ICS or Oxford home
learning) however you are then responsible for booking your own exam as a private candidate at a centre (at extra cost) and you will have to find the centre yourself and book/pay for the exam.

It is not as difficult as it may sound and I know many home Ed children that have done this successfully.

If it’s for primary teaching you may only need core science or even just biology as a single science which would be less work and cost.

@Mel2813 thank you, exactly what I needed to know!

I took my science GCSE in a college last year; when I called to speak to unis they refused to accept anything other than a GCSE for my course - so maybe check with a uni before you pay for something.

I found my local colleges didn't advertise the science GCSE because it was mainly adults that took it; I ended up finding 2 colleges - both 30 mins drive away from me that done it, so ended up going there

@PurpleSleeves

Thank you! I looked at NEC but the course I want is about £500 more expensive on there then another site, but then I worry is the other site not very good as seems so cheap! I’m going round in circles with it all.

@PurpleSleeves I'm sending you a PM

As above, you really do need to look at the uni entry requirements. Some schools do offer the IGCSE but not all unis accept these. There is a difference in the syllabus so it's really important to check before you sign up.

You'll be lucky if you get a local FE college to accept you as an external candidate as your grade affects their rankings etc.
Have you looked at Wolsey Hall? They are not the cheapest but in my experience (home edder) very good. They will also provide a list of exam centres who will accommodate you.

I've yet to find a uni that doesn't accept IGCSEs.

As said above, IGCSEs are easy to access privately.

@JinglingHellsBells I defy you to find one university anywhere who don't recognise IGCSEs as a standard and perfectly normal GCSE equivalent.