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Maths GCSE

Pearson Edexcel

GCSE Maths 2024

Study our GCSE Maths online course and secure the solid grounding you need to enter university, or embark on your ideal career.

Did you know that maths is essential for creating secure online transactions? Our Maths GCSE course will show you the surprising applications of maths in everyday life. Explore topics like algebra, geometry, and statistics. Develop problem-solving and analytical skills. Join us to unlock the power of maths in both practical and unexpected ways!

Excel in Mathematics with Our Online Foundation and Higher GCSE Maths Course. Discover the beauty and utility of mathematics with the National Extension College’s (NEC) Foundation and Higher GCSE Maths course. From basic arithmetic to complex algebraic equations, studying maths allows you to explore and solve a wide range of problems. Our online maths course offers you the flexibility to choose between foundation and higher levels, catering to your specific needs and goals.

Mathematicians are essential in fields such as engineering, economics, data science, and beyond. Supported by an expert personal tutor, you’ll delve into various mathematical topics using our online resources and engaging exercises. As you progress, you’ll see how mathematical concepts connect to everyday life and future career paths, understanding the significant role maths plays in our world.

Enrol in our online foundation and higher GCSE maths course today and start your journey to mathematical excellence, guided by expert tutors and enriched by interactive, high-quality learning materials.

Multi-buy GCSEs:

Purchasing more than one GCSE or IGCSE? Use voucher code GCSEMB10 to receive a 10% off at checkout.

Why study Maths?

Maths has a wide variety of practical and theoretical applications in areas as diverse as space travel, public health and predicting stock market prices. In addition, it’s an essential qualification for many future career paths.

By studying GCSE Maths online you’ll become better-equipped when it comes to problem-solving, critical thinking, analytical and interpretative skills. You’ll also learn the importance of maths in society, employment and study. Our Maths GCSE course is ideal if you:

  • Need to enhance your employability. GCSE Maths is essential for a host of career paths including nursing, teaching, accounting, IT and management.
  • Would like to access an apprenticeship or pursue AS/A Levels.
  • Want to study at university, as most course entry requirements include GCSE Maths.
  • Are working to broaden your skill set – particularly in the areas of problem solving, numeracy and innovative thinking.
  • Have an interest in mathematics and want to learn more about it.

Future opportunities

  • Studying Mathematics at AS/A Level.
  • A range of careers in fields such as accountancy, data analysis, financial management, financial trading, insurance, meteorology, nursing, quantity surveying, statistics, software development, architecture and education.
  • Government research suggests that individuals who have the best maths skills and achieve academic qualifications in this subject, generally go on to earn a higher wage.

Course content

Section 1

  • Working with numbers
  • Directed numbers
  • Fractions

Section 2

  • Decimals
  • Percentages and ratios
  • Beginning algebra
  • Angles

Section 3

  • Patterns
  • Coordinates and straight lines
  • Factors, multiples and primes
  • Shapes and symmetry

Section 4

  • Probability
  • Quadratics
  • Presenting data
  • Using graphs

Section 5

  • Indices and surds
  • Using data
  • Length and area

Section 6

  • Constructions and diagrams
  • Estimations
  • Pythagoras’ theory

Section 7

  • More graphs
  • Shapes and solids
  • Trigonometry

Section 8

  • Enlargements
  • Compound measure
  • More trigonometry

Section 9

  • Transformations
  • Variation
  • More probability and statistics
  • Vectors (Higher level only)

Section 10

  • Similarity
  • Everyday calculations
  • More algebra
  • Circle theorems – proof (Higher level only)

Study GCSE Mathematics with us and benefit from:

  • Flexible learning
  • Support from a personal tutor by email, phone or Skype
  • Any time enrolment
  • Our exam booking service
  • Assignments with tutor feedback
  • Ongoing support from Student Support
  • Forums to discuss your course with other students

learn@nec

Choose when and where you access your course, using learn@nec our 24/7 learning platform.

This easy-to-use learning platform includes interactive checkpoints, quizzes and activities to help you evaluate your progress.

Our course tutors

You’ll have access to support from a personal tutor. All NEC tutors are subject experts, with experience of supporting online learners.

Meet Colleen who is just one of our first-class Maths tutors

“As a small child I loved Maths and that has never changed! As well as my own passion for the subject I love to teach the subject to others, helping them overcome any fear of the subject and showing them just how rewarding the study of Maths can be.

My approach to teaching has always been to help students to be the best they can possibly be; no question is too trivial, there is no such thing as a dumb question, the dumb thing to do is not to ask! I have a keen interest in how students learn.

I have been involved in education throughout my career, specialising in Mathematics and IT as a teacher in schools, as a distance learning tutor and also a trainer so I am used to teaching all ages. I also have a great deal of examining experience and am a Member of the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors.”

What you need to know

Exam board

  • Edexcel 1MA1

Format

  • Online learning with support from a personal tutor

Hours

  • Complete at your own pace
  • Approx. 120-150*  hours plus time to develop your skills and for completing assignments

*The specification suggests that 150 hours is needed. You’ll also need time to complete assignments and prepare yourself for exams and some courses like English literature involve a lot of reading. Everyone is different so it’s impossible to say with certainty how long a course will take you, but you should expect to spend longer than 150 hours. Taken across the length of time we recommend, this equates to approximately 4 hours per week. This will increase if you choose to take it over a shorter time frame or may be less if you are retaking a subject and have covered a lot of of the course content.

Assignments

  • 11 assignments (one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final grade

Resources

  • No additional set texts required

Requirements

  • There are some recommendations you may wish to refer to for additional reading
  • Internet access
  • Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec

What's included?

Our course fees are clear and transparent to help you plan for any additional costs.

Your course fee includes:

  • 24/7 access to learn@nec platform and resources
  • Expertly designed online course materials (including ebook versions of textbooks where specified) that you need to complete the course and written to cover the carefully selected awarding body specification
  • Support from our Student Services team
  • Structured assignments to help you track your progress throughout your course
  • Guidance from your tutor for up to 18 months from your date of enrolment
  • Constructive feedback on your assignments from your tutor, to help you improve and prepare for exams
  • Guaranteed exam place
  • NEC’s guide to study skills: How to Succeed as an Independent Learner
  • Spelling, punctuation and grammar guide
  • Time planner template to help you plan your study timetable
  • Information on how to apply for exams

Your course fee does not cover:

  • Any fees in relation to exam entries or assessments
  • Centre Assessment Grades (CAG) in the event of exam cancellation
  • Recommended textbooks for additional reading or set texts
  • Equipment for core practicals

If you need more support, you can purchase:

  • Online tutorials – if you need help with a specific topic you can arrange a 30 minute or 1 hour tutorial
  • Additional past paper marking – to help with your exam preparation
  • Revision tutorial –  to plan your revision and explore revision techniques
  • Help with your UCAS application service

For further information on additional/optional support you can purchase, please visit our additional services page.

Exams and assessment

This is a tiered qualification. You must choose which tier to enter for:

  • Foundation – grades 1 to 5. Grade 5 is the highest award you can achieve at this tier.
  • Higher – grades 4 to 9. Grade 9 is the highest award you can achieve at this tier.

Exams (three):

  • 33.3% of marks  (1 hour 30 minutes) (non-calculator)
  • 33.3% of marks (1 hour 30 minutes) (calculator)
  • 33.3% of marks (1 hour 30 minutes) (calculator)

There is no non-exam assessment (NEA) for this course

Additional support if you’re under 18

We know that our younger students often need an extra helping hand with their studies. In our experience learning online works best when either a parent or guardian are involved. This is why NEC has developed our unique Progress Tracker to help you to support your child.

NEC’s Progress Tracker will allow you to easily track your child’s progress across their subjects and gain insight to how well they are doing through access to their assignment grades and tutor feedback.  

Read more about how we work with young students who are studying at home or through a school.

Arrange a callback with a member of our Course Advice Team.

Would you like to talk to our Course Advice Team about the best route for you? Visit our Contact Us page, fill in the form and a member of the team will get back to you!