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GCSE Astronomy as an Adult

I would like to take GCSE astronomy and study online independently, however I don't know where to start. How/where do I book an exam? Are there any good online course providers?

Reply 1

GeT_iN_SHinJI

Well you could probably start by looking at exam boards. I just quickly searched up 'gcse astronomy' and the 1st thing I got was the Edexcel course:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/astronomy-2017.html
You should probably look through the spec and there's also course materials on there too. There's also a course on this website:
https://www.nec.ac.uk/courses/astronomy-gcse/
(it's not free though but that's up to you)
Also if you're looking to take up astronomy, I personally think taking an A-level/uni course would probably be better, but that's also totally up to you.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 2

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by ArtemisEden

I would like to take GCSE astronomy and study online independently, however I don't know where to start. How/where do I book an exam? Are there any good online course providers?

As far as I have seen, you can do GCSE Astronomy only with EdExcel. See their spec: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/astronomy-2017.html

To book any exam as a private candidate, you need to:

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Go to the private candidate section of the exam board's website e.g. https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-topics/registrations-and-entries/academic-registrations-and-entries/private-candidates.html/EO

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Go to the list of approved exam centres e.g. https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-topics/registrations-and-entries/academic-registrations-and-entries/private-candidates/entry-procedure-for-private-candidates.html where it will point you to the following: https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/information-for-candidates-documents

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Find the appropriate exam centre (near you ideally) and liaise with the assigned exam officer of the centre

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From there, you will book your exams for the upcoming summer/autumn depending on the exam. You will need to pay the admin fee and exam fee for your specific exam (all of these are determined by the exam board, not the exam centre). You might need to book for a practical assessment if your specific subject requires it (I don't think GCSE Astronomy requires it)

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For the list of fees, see the following page: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-topics/centre-administration/fees.html

The problem with some of the exam centres is that they don't respond to you, so it's sometimes difficult to find one who would be willing to let you do the exams at their centre.

The 2 ways to study independently is to 1) Buy the appropriate textbook and go through the material yourself 2) Go through an online course.
If you choose the former option, you will need to get a textbook that is up to date with the specification (i.e.2017 onwards) e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/GCSE-9-1-Astronomy-Pupils-Teachers/dp/0995648301/ref=sr_1_1. Whether you feell you need to get any revision resources for this is up to you.
If you choose the latter option, you will need to google for the courses yourself. The prices of the courses don't usually say whether they would include the booking for exams, but if they do they will specify it as a specific package (or call up the online college yourself) and you won't have to do any of the above.

If you google for "GCSE Astronomy online course" you will come up with a number of pages that offer the couse. Some of the courses that I have found include the following:
https://oxbridgehomelearning.uk/course/astronomy-gcse/
https://www.gcseastronomy.uk/
https://forkhillphysicstuition.learnworlds.com/course/gcse-astronomy
https://www.nec.ac.uk/courses/astronomy-gcse/

The main online colleges that I have found that offer a range of subjects include ICS, NEC, Oxbridge Home Learning, Oxford Open Learning, LearnDirect, Distance Learning Centre, Learn Now, Elearn/Stonebridge, Cloud Learn, NCC Home Learning, Open Study College, UK Open College, Oxford College of Education, Study from Home. There could be more depending on the subject and level, so do more googling yourself.
The courses will go by the exam board that they want to teach in (as there is only one for GCSE Astronomy, this is redundant for you), so I would check the individual courses before enrolling.
I would be wary of looking at reviews for the college as a whole because the quality of the course can vary based on the tutor, not the college. As I have not done the GCSE or gone through the GCSE course with an online course provider, I can't say or give a fair comment on the quality of the courses.

Having said all the above, I would be obliged to point out the following:
You do not get any benefit in terms of employment or university application from a GCSE in Astronomy. Unless you are specifically studying it to further your interest and knowledge on the topic or teach the GCSE at the school you are employed at, a GCSE in Astronomy is pretty redundant as far as I know.
The only GCSEs of interest to university applications are English Language and Maths. The A Levels universities care about are Physics and Maths (and ideally Further Maths where possible). To go into astronomy, you are looking at Physics/Astrophysics/Astronomy degrees at undergrad and master's+PhD/PhD levels (along with a lot of luck and very high grades).
If you have an undergrad in engineering, physics, maths, you should likely be more than adequate to go and do a postgrad in Astronomy (depending on how the admissions team of the course will judge you and their entry requirements of course).