With Oxford Home Schooling you can choose either AQA GCSE Maths or Edexcel International GCSE Maths.
Both courses enable students to master basic mathematical skills, before progressing to more challenging, advanced material as their abilities develop. The courses are divided into two parts: the first is Foundation level, studied by all students; the second part is optional and is for those who will be taking the Higher tier of the examination.
Our flexible study means that students have no need to choose which tier they are planning to take until they are ready to enter for the examination. Your tutor will happily provide advice on this choice when the time comes.
Each lesson begins with a set of clearly-stated objectives and an explanation of its place in the overall programme of study.
Effective learning is encouraged through frequent activities and self-assessment questions.
Both courses include a practice examination paper.
What factors should I take into account when choosing the Maths course to study?
You should consider the points made below before you decide to choose either the GCSE or the IGCSE, but please remember that GCSE and IGCSE are not interchangeable once you begin your studies. At the point of enrolment, you must decide on one or the other and discussion with one of our experienced Student Advisers will help you to make your choice.
Course Content
Both courses are similar with the only difference being slightly different emphasis on specific topics. These tend to be the harder topics found at the end of the course.
Because the DFE requires all students to cover the same mathematical content, there are also only slight differences in the topics covered in the AQA or Edexcel Foundation and Higher tiers. Course content is therefore not really a deciding factor.
Examination Structure and Availability
Here, there are differences. The GCSE is examined by three examinations of 1 hour 30 minutes whilst the IGCSE is examined by two exams of 2 hours. The location and distance to your exam centre could therefore influence your choice.
Another difference is that Private Candidates can take an IGCSE examination abroad but GCSE exams are usually only offered in the UK.
Qualification Recognition
These days there is no difference in recognition between GCSEs and IGCSE. They are both academically rigorous Level 2 qualifications recognised by employers and further education institutions alike.
Anything else to consider?
You may want to think about what other exams you will be taking at the same time and, if possible, perhaps take all IGCSEs or all GCSEs.
If they agree to help Private Candidates, most exam centres will offer both GCSE and IGCSE, so it is quite possible to mix them. However, if you are taking three or four other IGCSEs, then it makes sense to choose the Maths IGCSE as well. All your results will appear on one certificate and, should you ever lose your certificate, you will only need to replace one.
The Maths GCSE course
The course is split into Foundation and Higher tiers. All students will study the Foundation Tier which allows them to achieve grades from 1 to the best pass level of 5. At this level the questions are straight forward but a high degree of accuracy is required. Students looking for higher grades will continue to the Higher Tier where the topics are more complicated and they will be able to achieve grades up to 9, the highest. Be aware that if you take the higher papers then the lowest grade you can be given is a 4 (a low pass) and below this is an ungraded “U”.
Foundation Tier
- Module One: Numbers
- Module Two: Money
- Module Three: Measurement
- Module Four: Basic Algebra
- Module Five: Basic Trigonometry and Vectors
- Module Six: Basic Geometry
- Module Seven: Further Geometry
- Module Eight: Probability and Statistics
Higher Tier
- Module Nine: Further Numbers and Equations
- Module Ten: Higher Algebra Topics
- Module Eleven: Further Geometry and Trigonometry
- Module Twelve: Further Probability and Statistics
- Module Thirteen: Your Exam
This course will prepare you for the AQA Mathematics specification 8300
The Maths International GCSE course
Like the GCSE course, all students will study the Foundation Tier which allows students to achieve grades 1 to 5. Again, those looking for the highest grades will need to study the Higher Tier and, as with the GCSE, if you take the Higher papers, the lowest grade you can be awarded is a 4 and below this is an ungraded “U”.
Foundation Tier
- Module 1: Numbers
- Module 2: Money
- Module 3: Measurement
- Module 4: Basic Algebra
- Module 5: Basic Geometry
- Module 6: Further Geometry and Trigonometry; Probability
- Module 7: Graph work and Statistics
Higher Tier
- Module 8: Probability and Experimental Work
- Module 9: Further Numbers and Equations
- Module 10: Advanced Geometry and Trigonometry
- Module 11: Further Graph work, Statistics and Number Work
- Module 12: Your Exam
This course will prepare you for the Edexcel International GCSE in Mathematics (Specification A, 4MA1)
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GCSE Exams and Assessment
The Maths GCSE course prepares students for the AQA 8300 examinations.
The student is assessed by 3 written examinations of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Paper 1 is a non-calculator paper, whilst students are allowed a scientific calculator for Papers 2 and 3. Each paper contributes 33.3% of the final mark.
IGCSE Exams and Assessment
Regardless of which tier you choose to study, you will take 2 two hour examinations.
First Examination: Paper 1F or 3H: 2 hours – 50% of the total marks.
Second Examination: Paper 2F or 4H: 2 hours – 50% of the total marks.
Course price
Our Maths (I)GCSE course fee is £395.
You may pay using our interest-free easy payment scheme. Pay a £79 deposit followed by eight monthly instalments of £39.50.
You will receive support from a fully-qualified tutor holding either a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or a degree in education.
This support includes:
- Marking all assignments for the course
- Written answers to specific study problems
- Telephone contact
When you begin this course, you will agree an examination date or dates with your Student Adviser. Your support period lasts up to this examination date.
Meet Our Tutors
I’m happy to let you know that I am fairly ancient, which is good news, as it means I have experience! I’ve worked for many years as a secondary school Mathematics teacher, and then switched to private tuition for a while, before leaving teaching outside to teach at home! That is to say, I home-educated my children.
My other interests are Nordic Walking – which I recommend to everyone, whatever your age, as well as home-based activities of knitting, gardening, and reading.
Fzeelah Rajput
Additional Equipment
You will need
- A ruler with metric markings (centimetres), protractor, and a pair of compasses. For graphwork, you will need some squared paper, which is available from most stationers.
- A Scientific calculator. Since a calculator is allowed on two of the written exam papers, it is important that you become familiar with the operation of your calculator at an early stage. Further details can be found in the course introduction.
Course duration and Study time
When you enrol with Oxford Home Schooling we will agree on an intended examination date with you. Your support will last all the way up to this examination date, regardless of whether you decide to do the course in 9 months or 30.
200 hours of study are recommended for this course.
FAQs
Why should I choose Oxford Home Schooling?
- Oxford Home Schooling is a long-established educational trust that prides itself on
- treating every student as an individual
- customer service
- course quality.
- We’re rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot by students who have studied with us.
- We provide online and printed resources so you can study your way – other providers do not give you that choice.
- We make it easy for you to home-educate your children with our flexible schedule, tutor support, and interest-free payment plan.
- Every year we help hundreds of children who have left mainstream education obtain the qualifications they need to progress and achieve their goals.
- Oxford Home Schooling is part of a not-for-profit trust so you can be sure that your course fees are spent on either your child’s tuition or on improving our courses.
Foundation or Higher IGCSE Maths?
The Maths course (whether GCSE or IGCSE) is split into two examination tiers, Foundation and Higher. Students sitting the Foundation Tier can achieve grades 5-1 and students sitting the Higher Tier can achieve grades 9-4.
The good news is that you don’t have to decide on a tier straight away. All students will receive physical copies of the foundation modules and access to the foundation and higher modules in the Online Classroom when they enrol.
When you are nearing the end of the Foundation modules, your individual tutor who knows your capabilities will give you advice about going on to the Higher Tier, but ultimately which exam you take is your choice and we will support you.
When can I enrol?
You can enrol any time you like, the earlier the better. The important thing to think about is when you wish to sit your exam and to give yourself plenty of time to work through your materials and revise successfully. Our cut-off dates for enrolment are usually November for the following summer exams or March for November sittings.
Once you have enrolled, you will get immediate access to your course online and your printed course materials will arrive a few days later.
When will I sit my exam?
The Maths GCSE and IGCSE exams are held in the Summer and Autumn. The Summer series typically runs from mid-May to late June and the Autumn series is in November.
How and when do I book an exam?
The Maths GCSE and IGCSE exams are held in the Summer and Autumn. The Summer series typically runs from mid-May to late June and the Autumn series is in November.
All the information you need to book your exam with an exam centre can be found in our Exams Hub. Here you will find
- detailed instructions on what to do and how to approach exam officers if there is no online booking system
- the entry codes needed to book exams
- our map of examination centres that have helped our students in recent years.
Our experienced Advisers are also always available with a wealth of knowledge about how to locate exam centres and book exams.
OHS students have the advantage of not being tied to sitting with any one centre or organisation and several offer discounts to our students. Please see our map of possible exam centres in the Student Hub. Tutors & Exams is one of the biggest operators and a good choice if you have special educational needs. They offer a discount to OHS students and they have nine exam venues across the UK in; Birmingham, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Romford, St Neots, Taunton and Wimbledon.
You should start to look for an exam centre as soon as possible after enrolling and preferably in the Autumn term before your summer exam. There is a lot of demand for Private Exam places and many centres are already booked up well before Christmas. The AQA Exam Board’s final date for booking summer exams without incurring late entry fees is the 21st of February, for Edexcel IGCSE it is actually the 21st March but most centres use AQA’s deadline and do not expect to find many places willing to help at this late stage.
How much does a Maths GCSE/IGCSE examination cost?
Your exam fees aren’t included in the course cost as they’re paid directly to the exam centre and they can vary a lot, depending on which centre you choose. Dedicated examination centres will be more expensive than a local school or college. Prices range from £100 to £350 per subject, which is why we always advise people to start looking early and if they have the time and patience, to shop around.
What is the enrolment process?
First fill out our application form giving as much relevant information as possible about your child and at this stage you have not committed to anything. Once the application has been received and assessed by our Admissions Department, a Student Adviser will contact you to discuss the application, answer any more questions you may have and confirm your subject selections before you get started.
We want you to be comfortable with your choice and clear about the way forward, therefore we do not employ any high pressure sales techniques and you are free to take your time before you commit to spending any money.
Once you are ready, you can pay your Student Adviser in full or arrange to pay in instalments.
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