The next stage of your Science studies
Have you begun to think about which courses you might study at IGCSE? Below you will find some information about the six Wolsey Hall Science courses that are available at IGCSE. Your Mid-Course Review would be a perfect time to discuss your options with your Science tutor.
At IGCSE level, you can take one, two or three of the separate Sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Or, you can take a course that includes all three Sciences and is worth one or two IGCSEs.
All of the courses are examined through three external written papers: Multiple-Choice, Theory and Alternative to Practical.
Separate Sciences - one IGCSE per subject
Extended tier only.
If you really love Science, you can study all three Sciences separately: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. If you struggle with one Science subject, or excel in one, you can study just one or two of the three Science subjects.
Note: In UK schools, currently students either study all three separate Sciences (GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics) or a Combined Science course in which they study all three Sciences together, worth two GCSEs (similar to the Wolsey Hall Coordinated Science qualification).
You can go on to study A Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics with Wolsey Hall if you get a Grade B (6) or above in the relevant Science subject at IGCSE.
Note: for A Level Biology, you also need to have gained a Grade B (6) or above in IGCSE Chemistry. For A Level Physics, we highly recommend that you take A Level Mathematics alongside. If you want to know more about IGCSE requirements for A Levels, have a look at the Wolsey Hall IGCSE grades needed to study A Level Links to an external site. page.
You will sit the following exams:
Paper 2 – Multiple-Choice - 45 minutes
Paper 4 – Theory - 1 hour 15 minutes
Paper 6 – Alternative to Practical - 1 hour
To read further information on the separate Science courses on the Wolsey Hall website, please click on the links below:
Cambridge IGCSE Biology course Links to an external site.
Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry course Links to an external site.
Cambridge IGCSE Physics course Links to an external site.
Co-ordinated Sciences - double award (worth two IGCSEs)
Currently Extended level only.
You will study all three Sciences, but in less depth than in the single Science option.
You can still go on to study any of the three Science options at A Level if you get Grade BB or above in IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Extended).
Paper 2 – Multiple-Choice - 45 minutes
Paper 4 – Theory – 2 hours
Paper 6 – Alternative to Practical – 1 hour 30 minutes
See IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences course Links to an external site. on the Wolsey Hall website for further information.
Combined Science - single award (worth one IGCSE)
Note: you cannot go on to study a Science A Level with a single Combined Science IGCSE.
This course is available at two tiers:
Extended level (A*-E) (9-3)
Extended Combined Science is of the same difficulty level as Co-ordinated Sciences, but it only covers half of the content.
You will sit the following exams:
Paper 2 – Multiple-Choice - 45 minutes
Paper 4 – Theory - 1 hour 15 minutes
Paper 6 – Alternative to Practical - 1 hour
Core level (C-G) (5-1)
Core level Combined Science is suitable if you wish to study Science at IGCSE* and have the potential to achieve a strong Grade C, but may struggle a bit with the Extended-style questions and content.
*Studying Science at IGCSE enables you to think about how and why things work and to develop important skills such as critical thinking and the organisation and interpretation of data.
You will sit the following exams:
Paper 2 – Multiple-Choice - 45 minutes
Paper 4 – Theory - 1 hour 15 minutes
Paper 6 – Alternative to Practical - 1 hour
See IGCSE Combined Science course Links to an external site. on the Wolsey Hall website for further information.