GCSE Online

GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. GCSEs are the exams which students following the British Curriculum take between the ages of 14 and 16. Students start preparing for GCSEs in Year 10 and usually take their exams at the end of Year 11.

GCSEs are usually a student’s first encounter with gaining a formal qualification, and so they prepare students for the pressures that come with higher education. They are an opportunity for students to expand their academic knowledge and develop their study skills too, as students can explore new subjects and discover their passions. Colleges, Sixth Forms and universities look to GCSEs to understand a student’s knowledge base, but also as an indication of a student’s personal attributes and study skills.

IGCSEs, which are what is offered at King’s InterHigh, are International GCSEs. Both GCSEs and IGCSEs are equally highly valued by universities and employers around the world. Most students take approximately 9 GCSE subjects and there may be a mixture of coursework and exams, depending on the individual subject. Take a look at the IGCSEs we offer on this page.

Yes, doing full-time GCSE studies online with a virtual school is now a viable and sometimes more suitable option for many students. The popularity of online GCSE courses is on the rise, offering the advantages of traditional schooling along with added flexibility. One of the key benefits is the ability to learn from anywhere in the world, coupled with the convenience of revisiting recordings of live, timetabled lessons at any time.

High-quality online GCSE courses are designed to mirror the traditional classroom experience while leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance the learning experience. With over 19 years of experience in delivering the British Curriculum online, King’s InterHigh provides students worldwide with a flexible approach to studying for their International GCSEs.

For those considering GCSE studies outside a physical school setting, an online school offers invaluable structure and support. Rest assured, every part of the official subject curriculum is covered, with expert and qualified teachers guiding students every step of the way. Studying online also means you can learn in smaller class groups, so you get all the support you deserve, in a distraction-free learning environment.

Online learning can be a great way to study for your GCSEs outside of a traditional school. Online schooling revolves around the individual. Along with the flexibility to study anywhere at any time, virtual schools, such as King’s InterHigh, offer students a broad range of subject options, plus the ability to learn from specialist, qualified teachers. In addition to live, timetabled lessons, the added flexibility of 24/7 access to recorded lessons means there is no need to worry about timetabling clashes or other commitments stopping our students from studying the exact choices they desire.

There are many reasons why students may wish to take GCSE subjects outside of a physical school setting. For starters, the curriculum options available at the local school may not include all the subjects that learners are interested in. Timetabling restrictions may also limit the number of GCSEs students can take up. Students are often looking outside of school to take all the subjects they want to, and cover topics needed for future careers and aspirations.

Studying for your GCSEs online could also mean you can get started with your GCSEs earlier than the British schooling system usually allows. King’s InterHigh alumnus, Kieran Bjegstrom, studied his GCSEs at age 13 and went on to study Theoretical Physics at Cambridge University by the age of 15. Other students might consider online GCSEs so that they can study at their own pace due to struggles in past schooling, commitments outside of their schoolwork, or if they are retaking their GCSEs. To see if online GCSEs could work for you, click here.

If you are already studying for your GCSEs, at home or at a local school, and are looking for extra support outside of school, King’s InterHigh’s 3-subject package allows students to enrol and select extra GCSEs. These additional GCSEs can be taken alongside in-school learning, or to support home educators studying their GCSEs from home. For more information on the support we offer for homeschooling online, click here.

In the British education system, GCSEs are usually completed in Key Stage 4, when students are aged between 14 and 16 years old. Key Stage 4 is the term given to the two years of education for students in Year 10 and Year 11.

GCSEs are assessed through coursework and exams and are taken by most Key Stage 4 students following the British Curriculum. Students will usually study for their GCSEs over two years, through Year 10 and most of Year 11, with most exams taking place towards the end of Year 11.

GCSEs are a very important stage in students’ academic life, and for many, it may be the first time taking external examinations to earn a qualification. GCSEs prompt students to explore different study methods, work alongside their peers and learn to cope with the pressures that come with exams. This means that when they come to progress to A Levels, BTECs, the IB Diploma or T Levels, students have not just a broad academic understanding, but have developed their personal skills to be able to cope with the next step up.

King’s InterHigh delivers the Key Stage 4 British curriculum of GCSEs to students around the world with highly qualified teachers. Find out more about who online GCSEs are for by clicking here.

Typically, there are no entry requirements for enrolling in online GCSE courses, mirroring the approach of traditional schools. While some online schools may require an entry test, at King’s InterHigh, we embrace inclusivity, welcoming students at the GCSE level without any academic prerequisites, except for a proficient level of English necessary for active participation in lessons and studies.

The purpose of GCSEs is to provide students with nationally and internationally recognised qualifications that allow higher education institutions, like colleges and universities, along with prospective employers, to gauge an individual’s intellectual aptitude relative to their peers. To uphold fairness, GCSE exams must remain accessible to students of all abilities, ensuring an equitable opportunity for every student to showcase their intelligence.

Beyond assessing academic ability, GCSEs impart invaluable skills that endure long after completion. They instil a sense of responsibility for your own learning journey, foster collaboration with peers through group projects, and acquaint students with the examination process, all of which serve as a foundational toolkit, equipping students for the challenges and opportunities for life after GCSEs.

Wondering how to ace your GCSE exams? Start by laying a strong foundation early on – ideally, in year 10. Whilst you are learning, you may find it helpful to take notes throughout the year, including example questions and answers, while the topic is still fresh in your mind. Later, when mock or real exams approach, revisit these notes to help with your revision.

At King’s InterHigh, all students also have access to recordings of all live lessons. Lesson recordings and other learning resources are available 24/7.

We would also recommend that you create a revision plan with what you plan to revise, and when, which will help you manage your revision time and enable you to focus on what is most important at each point in the academic year. It also means you won’t run out of time or forget to cover a crucial topic right before the exam.

Tackling challenging topics requires patience and perseverance. Break them down into manageable chunks, practicing with past exam questions until you feel confident in your abilities. Regular practice builds confidence, empowering you to navigate exam day stress with ease.

Dedicate ample time to subjects and topics where improvement is needed most. While it’s tempting to focus on strong areas, prioritising the areas you find more challenging ensures well-rounded preparation. Create checklists for difficult topics within each subject, setting achievable milestones to tackle one step at a time.

Studying GCSEs online offers additional benefits. Access a library of online lessons and resources to revisit challenging topics as needed until you feel confident. With consistent effort and planning, success in your GCSE exams is within reach.

The education team at King’s InterHigh are experts in helping students prepare for their exams and are on hand to answer any questions you may have to ensure you are fully prepared ahead of your GCSEs.

Studying with an online school opens the door to a wide range of GCSE subjects. This includes the core GCSE subjects of Mathematics, English and Sciences, as well as languages, humanities and more. Most GCSEs that are taught in traditional schools can now be found online, with the same British curriculum.

At King’s InterHigh, we cover 18 different International GCSE subjects online, as well as 7 assured subjects to complement your IGCSE curriculum. These are more vocational subjects, such as Art & Design or Photography, which will allow you to develop practical skills, explore a particular interest or help in producing a creative portfolio. IGCSEs, or International GCSES, are recognised as equivalent to GCSEs by employers and top universities around the world.

Our 18 online International GCSE subjects include:

• Core subjects (English Language, English Literature, and Mathematics)
• Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Further Mathematics, Computer Science)
• Modern Foreign Languages (French, German, Arabic, and Spanish)
• Humanities (Geography, History, Business Studies, Psychology and Religious Studies)

This covers a broad spectrum of the British Curriculum, with plenty of choice when it comes to picking GCSEs that will prepare you for A Levels or college, and beyond. Click here to view the range of online GCSE subjects we offer at King’s InterHigh.

Usually, students take between 7 and 9 GCSE subjects. This number is recommended so that you can develop a broad academic understanding, whilst not overloading you when it comes to taking your exams. Most schools will request GCSE Maths and GCSE English as compulsory subjects, as most Sixth Forms and Colleges have an entry requirement of these subjects at grade 4 or above. In addition to this, most will want you to have at least 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above.

Universities are now increasingly looking at GCSE results, as well as A Levels or BTEC, to decide who they offer places to. Lots of Sixth Form and College students apply to universities with similar A Level or BTEC results, so succeeding at GCSEs is another way to prove yourself a worthy candidate to universities.

You can always take more subjects if there is a certain topic you would love to learn more about. Online learning gives you the opportunity to take extra GCSE subjects, which isn’t possible at most traditional schools. Online lesson recordings are especially useful for revisiting tricky topics or to catch up on lessons you miss due to timetable clashes or personal commitments.

Whilst it is tempting to try and study as many subjects as possible at GCSE, make sure you are not overworking yourself. It is more important to focus on better grades in fewer subjects, than trying to take on too much and sacrificing your grades. If you would like advice on choosing your GCSE options or what subjects are recommended for certain progression pathways, click here to get in touch with our admissions team.

No GCSE subject is ‘better’ to take than another. Most universities and employers will ask for the core subjects of English and Maths, as these develop the vital skills for you to be able to take the next steps in your studies. In these core subjects, you develop your analytical skills, learn to problem solve and think creatively. Alongside these core subjects, you are free to choose a selection of subjects which you feel you will enjoy and that will set you up for your future education and career.

It is important when choosing your subjects to think about what you want to do after studying your GCSEs, and which subjects will align best with these future plans. Thinking ahead to your future career, or the industry you would love to work in can be a great starting point, and you can plan from there. Try researching your ideal A Levels or degree choices. Universities, Colleges and Sixth Forms will usually have on their websites the subjects they would recommend taking for various careers or university courses.

For example, if you would love to study Economics at university, you might see that this requires you to have studied Maths, Business and/or Economics at A Level. With this in mind, you want to choose GCSE subjects which will prepare you for this. Alongside Maths, which is a compulsory GCSE option at most schools, you may want to take Business Studies at GCSE too, so that you can start to develop your understanding of the subject and the skills needed to succeed in it as soon as possible.

If you are not set on a future pathway just yet, there is no need to worry. A good starting point is to consider what you really enjoy learning. Often, the subject you enjoy the most will be the one you have the highest grades in, and potentially lead to a career you enjoy too!