Courses / GCSE / IGCSE Astronomy

IGCSE Astronomy

Edexcel IGCSE
Our IGCSE Astronomy Course is the perfect introduction to astronomy for stargazers, budding cosmologists and those fascinated with the beauty of space.
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Overview

Studying IGCSE Astronomy will help you cultivate fundamental skills both universities and employers value highly, such as scientific thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to evaluate observations and methodologies.

A qualification in astronomy opens the doors to a diverse range of scientific careers such as becoming a meteorologist, a planetarium director, a science museum curator or even an engineer! It’s the first step into astronomy but a giant leap for your future.

What you will learn

  1. Unit 1 - Essential Maths Skills for Astronomy

    • Decimal arithmetic
    • Standard form arithmetic
    • Ratios, fractions and percentages
    • Logarithms
    • Squares, square roots and cubes
    • Significant figures
    • Arithmetic means
    • Specialist units
    • Light year calculations
    • Probability
    • Order-of-Magnitude calculations
    • Use of symbols
    • Rearranging equations
    • Use of appropriate units
    • Solving equations
    • Graphical and numerical information
    • Plotting variables
    • Slopes and intercepts
    • Angles
    • Degrees, minutes and seconds
    • Subtended angles
    • Right ascension & declination

  2. Unit 2 - Aided and Unaided Observations

    • Observation tasks guide
    • How to observe the night sky
    • Lunar features
    • Meteor shower
    • Lunar or solar eclipse
    • Celestial event
    • Light pollution
    • Sunspots
    • Variable star
    • Stellar density
    • Shadow stick
    • Stellar density
    • Messier objects
    • Sidereal day

  3. Unit 3 - Planet Earth

    • The internal structure of the Earth and Moon
    • The atmosphere
    • Determination of longitude

  4. Unit 4 - The Lunar Disc

    • The Moon’s features
    • Surface features
    • Lunar libration

  5. Unit 5 - The Earth-Moon-Sun System

    • Eclipses
    • Tidal forces
    • Precession
    • Precession of the Earth’s axis
    • Erathosthenes and aristarchus
    • Measuring the Solar System

     

  6. Unit 6 - Time and the Earth-Moon-Sun Cycles

    • Finding your place on Earth
    • The Horological Solution
    • The equation of time (EOT)
    • Timezones
    • Sundials and shadow sticks
    • Phases of the Moon

  7. Unit 7 - Solar System Observation

    • Observing the Sun safely
    • Comets and meteors
    • The movement of planets
    • Scale and size of the Solar System

  8. Unit 8 - Celestial Observation

    • Star maps, charts and planispheres
    • The Celestial Sphere
    • Constellations
    • Asterisms
    • Local sidereal time
    • Celestial coordinates

  9. Unit 9 - Early Models of the Solar System

    • Gravity and the Inverse Square Law
    • Calculating gravity
    • Kepler’s laws

  10. Unit 10 - Exploring the Moon

    • Inside the Moon
    • The far side of the Moon
    • Travelling to the Moon
    • Exploring the Moon

  11. Unit 11 - Solar Astronomy

    • Structure of the Sun
    • Sunspots
    • Solar wind
    • Wavelengths of the Sun
    • Nuclear fusion

  12. Unit 12 - Exploring the Solar System

    • Mercury
    • Venus
    • Earth
    • Mars
    • Jupiter
    • Saturn
    • Uranus
    • Neptune
    • Dwarf Planets
    • Astronomical units
    • Recent space missions
    • Telescopes

  13. Unit 13 - Formation of the Planetary Systems

    • The formation of planetary systems
    • Tidal and gravity factors
    • Building planetary systems
    • Atmospheres
    • Exoplanets
    • Aliens

  14. Unit 14 - Exploring Starlight

    • The fifty brightest stars
    • Classification
    • Stellar spectrum and magnitude
    • Hertzprung-Russell diagram
    • Parsecs and distances
    • Radio astronomy

  15. Unit 15 - Stellar Evolution

    • Labelling stars
    • The Messier Objects
    • Types of stars
    • Gravity and pressure
    • Emission and absorption nebula

  16. Unit 16 - Our Place in the Galaxy

    • The Milky Way
    • Types of galaxies
    • Active galaxies
    • Formation of galaxies

  17. Unit 17 - Cosmology

    • Doppler effect
    • Origins of the Universe
    • Dark Matter

  18. Unit 18 - Preparing for the Exam

    • Practice Paper 1 – Naked Eye Astronomy
    • Practice Paper 2 – Telescopic Astronomy

Awarding Body

edexcelEdexcel is the UK’s largest awarding organisation offering academic and vocational qualifications in schools, colleges and workplaces in the UK and abroad. Edexcel is a multinational education and examination body covering A-Level Courses and GCSE Courses.

Course Outcome

Upon successful completion of this home learning course, you will receive an Astronomy IGCSE (1AS0) qualification issued by Edexcel. This syllabus has been specifically chosen because it is best suited to distance learning.

How is this course assessed or examined?

You can enrol now for examinations for Summer 2024.

You will be required to complete the two standard IGCSE Astronomy standard written exams:

  • Paper 1: 1 hour 45 minutes, 50% of IGCSE, 100 marks.
  • Paper 2: 1 hour 45 minutes, 50% of IGCSE, 100 marks.

We provide a guaranteed exam space in one of our exam centres around the country to take away the hassle of needing to find your own.

During your course, you’ll be required to complete various assignments. These do not contribute to your final grade but provide you with an opportunity to submit work to your tutor for marking and feedback. This will help you to monitor your progress and will be used to produce predicted grades (CAGs) if needed.

You’ll also need to complete two observational tasks: one unaided and one with the aid of a telescope. You can use your own telescope if you wish; however, you’ll be given a login for the National Schools’ Observatory, so you can complete your observations via the website.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this level two Astronomy course, but you will need the ability to carry out observations of the night sky. You’ll also need to have a fairly good grasp of maths.

IGCSE Astronomy

Edexcel IGCSE
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Can GCSEs help you get a place at university?

Gaining GCSEs is the first step toward sitting a uni degree. You’ll need GCSE courses or IGCSE courses to progress to A-level courses, which remain the most prevalent means of accessing higher education. At Oxbridge, we offer both GCSE and IGCSE courses, which are qualifications of equal merit with the added benefit of being internationally recognised. Both GCSEs and IGCSEs can be studied by adults online.

How long does it take to gain a GCSE as an adult?

GCSEs are typically studied across a period of 2 years however, our fast-track GCSE option enables you to complete and qualify for your chosen GCSEs within a year.

Do Universities prefer IGCSEs or GCSEs?

Universities prefer neither iGCSEs or GCSEs. Universities recognise both iGCSEs and GCSEs and treat them equally.

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Why Study GCSE courses or IGCSE courses online?

GCSEs remain a basic requirement for further education and some workplaces, so adding them or an IGCSE equivalent to your CV can be essential for personal success. Studying these GCSE qualifications online has opened up a world of possibilities for people who haven’t been able to learn around their jobs or family commitments before. If traditional education has held you back long enough, take the reins and build a future you’re proud of.

Is IGCSE harder than GCSE?

International General Certificate of Secondary Education courses (ICGSEs) cover some of the same subjects as GCSE’s such as Geography, English Language and the sciences, but they are recognised internationally. The level of difficulty is equal to a GCSE course, and universities view both qualifications as equal.

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What does GCSE stand for?

GCSE stands for: General Certificate of Secondary Education and IGCSE stands for 'International General Certificate of Secondary Education'. Whatever your aspirations and goals for the future, you’ll most likely need GCSEs to get there. Introduced in 1988, the General Certificate of Secondary Education remains the UK’s primary recognised certificate of foundation-level education and is viewed by employers, colleges and universities as the minimum expected standard for prospective candidates.

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