Achieve a GCSE Physics Higher qualification and study a subject that explores the science behind the world around us…
GCSE Physics Higher Tier
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Course overview
- Gain a fully recognised AQA GCSE Physics Higher qualification from the comfort of your own home.
- Explore physics topics such as atomic structures, energy transfers, electromagnetism and orbital motions and expand your knowledge.
- With this GCSE Physics Foundation course, you'll be able to achieve up to a grade 9.
- Prepare for future physics studies at a higher level including A Level Physics and beyond.
- Study from the comfort of your own home, without needing to attend classes in person.
Physics is the study of nature, matter, and energy; it is the fundamental study of the science behind not only the world we live in, but everything that has ever and will ever exist.
This GCSE Physics Higher Tier course is ideal for anyone considering a career in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) industries as well as medical and teaching fields too!
Open your mind to a world of possibilities with our AQA GCSE Physics qualification.
Please note: this GCSE Physics Higher Tier course will allow you to achieve up to a grade 9; in comparison, the GCSE Physics Foundation Tier course will allow you to achieve up to a grade 5.
You can also choose to add your exams and practical sessions to your enrolment. If you choose this option, we will book and pay for your exams and practical sessions for you, taking the hassle out of booking and paying for these yourself. Both the exams and the practical sessions are compulsory for you to achieve your GCSE Physics qualification.
Course content
- Energy changes in a system
- Ways energy is stored before and after changes
- Conservation and dissipation of energy
- National and global energy resource
- Current, potential difference and resistance
- Series and parallel circuits
- Domestic uses and safety
- Energy transfers
- Static electricity
- Changes of state and the particle model
- Internal energy and energy transfers
- Particle model and pressure
- Atoms and isotopes
- Atoms and nuclear radiation
- Hazards and uses of radioactive emissions and of background radiation
- Nuclear fission and fusion
- Forces and their interactions
- Work done and energy transfer
- Forces and elasticity
- Moments, levers and gears
- Pressure and pressure difference in fluids
- Forces and motion
- Momentum
- Waves in air, fluids and solids
- Electromagnetic waves
- Black body radiation
- Permanent and induced magnetism, magnetic forces and fields
- The motor effect
- Induced potential, transformers and the National Grid
- Solar system
- Red-shift
- Stability of orbital motions
- Satellites
Exam details
AQA specification code: 8463
Type: Written examination
Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Weighting: 50% of GCSE
Total marks: 100
Question type: Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.
Assessed: Topics 1-4, including energy; electricity; particle model of matter; and atomic structure.
Type: Written examination
Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Weighting: 50% of GCSE
Total marks: 100
Question type: Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.
Assessed: Topics 5–8, including forces; waves; magnetism and electromagnetism; and space physics. Questions in paper 2 may draw on an understanding of energy changes and transfers due to heating, mechanical and electrical work and the concept of energy conservation from energy and electricity.
You will undertake required practical activities to enhance your investigative thinking, improve techniques and consolidate understanding of key scientific concepts. You will be required to attend the exam centre laboratory to conduct the practical session. This is a mandatory component of the qualification. Although you will not be assessed on your performance, there will be questions in your written exams related to the practical activities.
Extra information
You will have up to one year to complete your GCSE Physics course. With this course, you will have the flexibility to study at your own pace, and your only deadlines are the GCSE exams, which typically take place during the summer exam period (May/June).
This course will be studied entirely via distance learning, meaning you will complete your learning either from home or a place that suits you. Full tutor support will be available via email, so if you have any questions or need some guidance, your tutor will be here to help. Your course materials will include a series of self-assessment exercises and tutor-marked questions to allow both yourself and your tutor to monitor your progress.
The study method you choose depends on your personal learning style. Your options are:
- Study pack: if you choose the study pack option, you will be sent a set of printed course materials.
- Study online: if you choose this option, you will be sent your login details to our online portal through which you will access your course materials digitally. You can access your course via a desktop/laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone.
In order to successfully complete your AQA GCSE Physics Higher Tier course, you will need to pass two written examinations and undertake a practical session. These must be conducted under supervision at an approved examination centre and should never be attempted at home. Questions in the written exams will draw on the knowledge and understanding students have gained by carrying out the practical activities listed below. These questions will count for at least 15% of the overall marks for the qualification.
A range of skills for this course will be assessed through written exams. This course comes with the option of including the practical session and exams in the cost of the course. We will book and pay for these on your behalf when you’re ready to take them if you choose to add on exams.
If you choose to add your exams and practicals to your enrolment, you will need to sit your exams at our GCSE exam centre in Birmingham.
If you choose not to add on your exams and practicals, you will need to book and pay for these separately.
Upon successful completion of your exams, you will receive your GCSE Physics qualification.
The GCSE is awarded by AQA and it is recognised by universities, schools, and employers globally.
Please note: If you choose to study this course you will need to take the higher-level examinations which means the highest grade available is a grade 9. You can take this course without completing the exams and practicals, but you will not receive the GCSE accreditation.
FAQs
Yes. This qualification is exactly the same AQA GCSE you would receive from a traditional school. The only difference is you are able to study this course at your own pace, in your own environment, with the support of a remote tutor via email.
You will need to sit the official exams and practicals to achieve the full GCSE qualification. If you add on your exams and practicals, we will book and pay for these for you.
If you choose to add your exams and practicals on to your enrolment, you will need to sit your exams at our GCSE exam centre in Birmingham.
Please note, the highest grade you can achieve with this course is a grade 9.
- Personal tutor support.
- Dedicated learner services.
- Assignment marking and feedback.
- FREE XO Student Discounts membership.
- FREE CV critique service.
- FREE employability guide to help you impress future employers.
- Study pack, including pen, highlighter, and notebook*
*Not included with the online study option.
If you don’t add on your exams and practicals with us, you will need to pay for your exam and practical fee separately. This will need to be paid directly to the relevant centre.
It's not a problem. We offer a course replacement service, so if you get into trouble and your course pack is lost or damaged, our Learner Services Team can provide you with a new set of materials for a one-time additional fee.
That's not a problem. We want to make sure you're 100% confident about enrolling on the course and starting your study. So, just give our team of education specialists a call on 03300 563 100 and they'll do their best to help.
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