Anyone know anything about (modern) GCSE Science (and online courses)

KylieNotMinogue

Hi. In preparation for a possible job-career change before I get too old (if not already) I need to get a GCSE "in a science subject". I did not get this qualification at school (many years ago) and have probably forgotten a lot of what i did learn - so will practically be starting from scratch.

I am a bit confused about the various options. I have seen combined Science and also what seemingly look like separate ones in Chemistry, Biology and Physics.
Does anyone have any advice in which would be the best to go for? As in maybe the "easiest/quickest" option (given I had not studied for more over 20 years).
I think this summer 2023 might be stretching it a bit (even though I could study 1 hour every day per week) given my position. So maybe an exam in summer 2024 might be more achievable.

I should also say that as i cannot commit to a class in one area (plus the inflexibility of having to wait until September to start). I am looking to do this by distance learning (online) with the presumption that I will have to do some kind of exam or practical at a given location at some stage.
Does anyone have any online recommendations for official courses (I have seen a wide range of courses and prices). A personal tutor is out of my price range given the hours needed and costs 30 pounds per half hour seems standard - basic maths says just 30 mins a week would be 1560 pounds a year. 

I think that is about it. Looking to start asap of course. Thanks.

SiliconChip

My Local Authoritie's education service included Biology GCSE in it's adult education programme, so it may be worth checking if yours has something similar. Costs are usually reasonable (I'm actually doing GCSE Maths at the moment to refresh my knowledge and skills 49 years after getting Maths O-level, which is free of charge) and it's likely that delivery will be virtual, or at least have that as an option, although I'm unsure if any practical work is required which might require attendance in person.

https://www.learnbaes.ac.uk/biology-gcse

I've looked into Physics GCSE as my next field of study as that's the only science I don't have a qualification in and it appears to be very difficult to study if you're not attending school or college, the most likely method is an International GCSE but I haven't got as far as locating the cost yet. I suspect Chemistry may be similar, although you may find a General Science course is possible. Here's one example:

https://www.oxfordaqa.com/qualifications/international-gcse-physics/  

simongregson

The new GCSE courses have a requirement for students to have the opportunity to complete set practical work, there is nothing to stop adult ed providers offering this but it is obviously a barrier to offering the courses as many do not have their own venues and those they use may be reluctant to hire out labs, there would also be the cost of technician support to factor into the course cost.

IGCSE still has questions involving practicals but the centres don't have to run the practicals as far as I know. So it may be an easier alternative route. 

There are 2 GCSE routes - you can study each GCSE separately e.g. GCSE physics etc. or you can sit 'combined science' in which case you study less material but still across all 3 Sciences and get 2 GCSE grades that show your average attainment across the 3 sciences

You can do the same with IGCSE although the exam arrangements are different.

Savvy_Sue

I'm just wondering if a local Uni or the Open University might offer an Access Course which would be GCSE equivalent?

SiliconChip

I'd also say that your 1 hour per day of study may well be less than the minimum required to complete the course. For my Maths GCSE I do 2 lessons per week of 2.5 hours each plus between 3 and 7 hours of independent study (so a total of 8 - 12 hours), and that's for a subject that I've previously studied to A-level, and while I hadn't used a lot of techniques for many years, and there are some new methods of working since my day, I think I was in a better starting position than you will be, so you may need to put in even more time.