The Student Room Group

Self teaching

Hi, I'm planning on teaching myself GCSEs/IGCSEs at 16 as I did not go to school, I've began teaching myself IGCSE biology, and am now deciding what else I want to do alongside it. I've thought of doing history, but not sure whether or not its advisable to tackle by myself, I was also thinking of religious studies. Problem being, there are so many options and I can't decide. Advice would be appreciated.

I've found an exam centre already and I do understand that if the GCSE includes a practical or coursework element that it could complicate things, so I'd rather not go down that path. If anyone could help me out here I'd be grateful.
You can definitely self teach history if you want to, but it really is your choice.

For a few ideas, my home ed kids did so far...

GCSE OCR Classical Civilisation
GCSE OCR Ancient History
IGCSE CIE Environmental Management
IGCSE CIE Computer Science
IGCSE CIE History
IGCSE Edexcel English Language Spec B
IGCSE Edexcel English Literature
IGCSE Edexcel Biology
IGCSE Edexcel Maths

It really does depend on what you're interested in.

Reply 2

Thanks :smile:

Reply 3

Original post
by PinkMobilePhone
You can definitely self teach history if you want to, but it really is your choice.
For a few ideas, my home ed kids did so far...
GCSE OCR Classical Civilisation
GCSE OCR Ancient History
IGCSE CIE Environmental Management
IGCSE CIE Computer Science
IGCSE CIE History
IGCSE Edexcel English Language Spec B
IGCSE Edexcel English Literature
IGCSE Edexcel Biology
IGCSE Edexcel Maths
It really does depend on what you're interested in.

If you don't mind me asking, how did your children study IGCSE biology? is there any websites/study resources that you could recommend? Thank you.

Reply 4

Original post
by coherent-denial
Hi, I'm planning on teaching myself GCSEs/IGCSEs at 16 as I did not go to school, I've began teaching myself IGCSE biology, and am now deciding what else I want to do alongside it. I've thought of doing history, but not sure whether or not its advisable to tackle by myself, I was also thinking of religious studies. Problem being, there are so many options and I can't decide. Advice would be appreciated.
I've found an exam centre already and I do understand that if the GCSE includes a practical or coursework element that it could complicate things, so I'd rather not go down that path. If anyone could help me out here I'd be grateful.

Edexcel IGCSE history is just two exams with no coursework. Their topics are very interesting with a lot of options. I've been teaching this exam board for 13 years and find their exams fair but challenging.
Original post
by coherent-denial
If you don't mind me asking, how did your children study IGCSE biology? is there any websites/study resources that you could recommend? Thank you.


My daughter used a course provider that doesn't actually exist any more - the company shut down not long after she got her grade. I forget what it was called now.

My two eldest sons used Homemade Education (live online classes) but neither of them actually found it that good, so no recommendations there. Both of them decided at the 11th hour not to take the exam.

My youngest is currently self-studying using video courses from Graham Bray which are pretty good:
https://igcsesciencecourses.com/about/

Reply 6

Original post
by McKerrow_History
Edexcel IGCSE history is just two exams with no coursework. Their topics are very interesting with a lot of options. I've been teaching this exam board for 13 years and find their exams fair but challenging.

Great, I'll be sure to check this out further, I've seen that Edexcel IGCSE history has topics which interest me, and the exam centre I'll be doing it at also provides the examinations for it.

Thank you.

Quick Reply