Oxford Home Schooling and Tuition

The Flexible Way To Learn

Trustpilot

GCSE and International GCSE Courses

GCSE home study courses for home-educated students

Our GCSE home study courses are designed for students who want to study GCSEs or International GCSEs from home, whether they are home educated full time, preparing independently for exams, or looking for a flexible alternative to classroom learning.

View GCSE Courses
How It Works

From £14.99 / month

  • Start studying online
  • Minimum 6-month subscription
  • Optional printed course packs
  • Tutor support and marking available

 

GCSE home study courses for home-educated students

Study GCSEs from home with flexible online courses designed for home-educated students.

Choose from a wide range of GCSE and International GCSE subjects. Study online at your own pace, add printed course materials where available, and get support as you work towards recognised qualifications.

From £14.99 / month

  • Start studying online
  • Minimum 6-month subscription
  • Optional printed course packs
  • Tutor support and marking available

Choose a Subject

Trustpilot

GCSE and International GCSE courses for home study

Our GCSE and International GCSE courses are designed for students who want to study from home, whether they are home educated full time, preparing independently for exams, or looking for a flexible alternative to classroom learning.

Each course provides structured online learning materials that guide students through the subject step by step. Many courses also offer optional printed course packs, and students can add tutor-marked assignments or extra support as they progress.

GCSEs and International GCSEs are recognised qualifications normally studied by students aged 14–16. They are widely accepted by colleges, sixth forms and employers, and are often the next step before A Levels, vocational courses or further study.

GCSE or International GCSE?

Some of our courses lead to GCSE qualifications and others lead to International GCSEs. Both are recognised qualifications and both are suitable for home study.

International GCSEs are often well suited to home-educated students because they are assessed mainly by written examination and do not usually require school-based coursework. This can make exam entry more straightforward for private candidates.

Each course page explains which qualification and exam board the course follows, so you can choose the right subject with confidence.

How our GCSE home study courses work

1. Choose your subject

Browse our GCSE and International GCSE subjects and choose the course that best fits your child’s interests, goals and exam plans.

2. Start studying online

Once enrolled, students get access to structured online course materials, with lessons, activities, self-assessment questions and assignments.

3. Add support when needed

Many students choose to add printed course packs, tutor-marked assignments or extra academic support as they work through the course.

4. Prepare for exams

Students work towards recognised GCSE or International GCSE qualifications and usually sit their exams as private candidates at an approved exam centre.

Exams and private candidate entry

Preparing for recognised GCSE and International GCSE exams

Our GCSE and International GCSE courses are written to match recognised exam board specifications, helping students work towards the same type of qualification studied by school pupils across the UK.

Home-educated students normally sit their exams as private candidates at an approved exam centre. This means the course is studied with Oxford Home Schooling, while the final exam is booked separately with a school, college or private exam centre that accepts external candidates.

Each course page explains which qualification and exam board the course follows. We also provide guidance through our Exams Hub to help families understand exam entry, exam codes and how to find a suitable exam centre.

What you need to arrange

  • Choose the right course and exam board
  • Check the exam entry code for your subject
  • Find an exam centre that accepts private candidates
  • Book and pay for the exam separately
  • Plan ahead for exam entry deadlines

Visit the Exams Hub

FAQs

Why should I choose Oxford Home Schooling?
  • Long-established educational company with experience supporting home-educated students
  • Rated “Excellent” on Trustpilot by students and families
  • Online and printed resources available on many courses
  • Flexible study with tutor support and interest-free monthly payments
Can my child study GCSEs from home?

Yes. GCSE and International GCSE courses can be studied from home using structured course materials. Our courses are designed for home-educated students and independent learners who want a flexible alternative to classroom study.

What is the difference between a GCSE and an International GCSE?

GCSEs and International GCSEs are both recognised qualifications. International GCSEs are often well suited to home study because they are usually assessed mainly by written exams and do not normally require school-based coursework. Each course page explains which qualification and exam board the course follows.

Are International GCSEs accepted by colleges and sixth forms?

Yes. International GCSEs are widely recognised and are commonly accepted by colleges, sixth forms and other education providers. They are designed to be comparable to GCSEs, although students should always check any specific entry requirements for their chosen course or institution.

When can we enrol?

You can enrol at any time. Once enrolled, students can begin working through their online course materials and study at a pace that suits their family and exam plans.

How long does a GCSE course take?

Many students study a GCSE or International GCSE course over one or two academic years, but the exact timescale depends on the subject, the student’s previous knowledge and the amount of time they can study each week.  On average we recommend 200 hours of study per GCSE/iGCSE course spread over at least 9 months.

Are exams included in the course fee?

No. Exam fees are paid separately to the exam centre where the student sits the exam. Home-educated students usually enter exams as private candidates at an approved exam centre.

How do we arrange the exam?

Students normally sit their exams as private candidates. We provide guidance through our Exams Hub, including information about exam entry, exam codes and finding an exam centre.

The final date for booking summer exams with the exam board without incurring late entry fees is the 21st of February. You should book your place at an exam centre well in advance of this date. Start looking once the autumn term begins.

All the information you need to book an exam centre can be found in our Exams Hub. Here you will find

  • detailed instructions
  • entry codes needed to book exams
  • our map of examination centres where our students have taken exams in recent years.

Tutors & Exams offers discounts to Oxford Home Schooling students and has ten current exam venues across the UK: Birmingham, Bolton,  Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Romford, St Neots, Taunton and Wimbledon.

Pearson Edexcel also publishes a list of exam centres that accept private candidates. This won’t list every available centre, so if there’s nothing shown in your area, we recommend contacting local schools and colleges directly.

Does the course include tutor support?

The course includes structured online learning materials. Tutor-marked assignments and additional academic support are available on all courses, so students can get feedback and guidance as they progress.

Can we get printed course materials?

All our courses offer optional printed course packs for students who prefer working from paper as well as online. Lonks to purchase options are shown on the individual course pages.

What is the minimum subscription period?

Our course subscriptions have a minimum subscription period of six months. After that, subscriptions can usually be cancelled in line with the subscription terms.

6 months is not how long we recommend the course takes.  Most students subscribe between 9 and 18 months before sitting their exams.