Astronomy IGCSE
Our IGCSE Astronomy Course is the perfect introduction to astronomy for stargazers, budding cosmologists and those fascinated with the beauty of space.
- Unlimited Tutor Support
- Get as much help as you want from your expert personal tutor
- Fast Track
- In a rush? You can complete this course under a year at no extra charge
- 98% Pass Rate
- Students have enjoyed a 98% pass rate
- Exam Pass Guarantee
- If you don't pass first time, we'll support you for free until your next exams
- Online Learning
- Study on your own terms with our our learning platform, MyOxbridge
Course Introduction
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.
Course Info
- Duration
- Study Hours
- Difficulty
- Outcome
- Syllabus Code
- Units
-
9–24 months
-
150
-
Level 2
-
Edexcel iGCSE
-
1AS0
-
17 units (view units)
Awarding Body: Edexcel
Edexcel 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.
What you will learn
Below is an outline of the course material you will study:
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
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
Unit 3: Planet Earth
- The internal structure of the Earth and Moon
- The atmosphere
- Determination of longitude
Unit 4: The Lunar Disc
- The Moon’s features
- Surface features
- Lunar libration
Unit 5: The Earth-Moon-Sun System
- Eclipses
- Tidal forces
- Precession
- Precession of the Earth’s axis
- Erathosthenes and aristarchus
- Measuring the Solar System
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
Unit 7: Solar System Observation
- Observing the Sun safely
- Comets and meteors
- The movement of planets
- Scale and size of the Solar System
Unit 8: Celestial Observation
- Star maps, charts and planispheres
- The Celestial Sphere
- Constellations
- Asterisms
- Local sidereal time
- Celestial coordinates
Unit 9: Early Models of the Solar System
- Gravity and the Inverse Square Law
- Calculating gravity
- Kepler’s laws
Unit 10: Exploring the Moon
- Inside the Moon
- The far side of the Moon
- Travelling to the Moon
- Exploring the Moon
Unit 11: Solar Astronomy
- Structure of the Sun
- Sunspots
- Solar wind
- Wavelengths of the Sun
- Nuclear fusion
Unit 12: Exploring the Solar System
- Mercury
- Venus
- Earth
- Mars
- Jupiter
- Saturn
- Uranus
- Neptune
- Dwarf Planets
- Astronomical units
- Recent space missions
- Telescopes
Unit 13: Formation of the Planetary Systems
- The formation of planetary systems
- Tidal and gravity factors
- Building planetary systems
- Atmospheres
- Exoplanets
- Aliens
Unit 14: Exploring Starlight
- The fifty brightest stars
- Classification
- Stellar spectrum and magnitude
- Hertzprung-Russell diagram
- Parsecs and distances
- Radio astronomy
Unit 15: Stellar Evolution
- Labelling stars
- The Messier Objects
- Types of stars
- Gravity and pressure
- Emission and absorption nebula
Unit 16: Our Place in the Galaxy
- The Milky Way
- Types of galaxies
- Active galaxies
- Formation of galaxies
Unit 17: Cosmology
- Doppler effect
- Origins of the Universe
- Dark Matter
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.
Progression Routes
Completing IGCSE Astronomy can open many doors. If you wish to progress onto higher education, you will be well positioned to study courses like A-level Physics, A-level Mathematics and A-level Computer Science.
Examinations and Assessments
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.
Exam FAQs
Are exams required to pass the course?
For A-levels and GCSEs you will need to sit an exam. You can purchase your exams when you enrol on a course, or you can book them later via MyOxbridge. Either way, once you're on board with us, your tutor will guide you through the process.
Where are the exams held?
Exams will require attendance at a physical exam centre, with detailed information available on our Exam Centres page. We offer guaranteed exam spaces at our partnership centres across the UK, or you can register as a private candidate at a centre of your choice, keeping in mind that fees may vary by location.
When do exams take place - are there set dates?
Exam dates are set nationally and cannot be changed, so it's important to plan accordingly. They are usually late spring to early summer. For example, forthcoming A-level exams are scheduled from 1st March to 31st May 2025, while GCSE exams will run from 5th May to 25th June 2025.
Can exams be taken online?
For A-level and GCSE courses, exams must be taken in person at a designated exam centre.
Are mock exams available? Are they compulsory?
Yes, we offer both compulsory Internal Mocks in the autumn (included in your course fees and delivered online) and optional External Mocks in the spring (for an additional fee, taken at an exam centre). Mock exams are a great way to prepare for the real thing, and we encourage you to take advantage of them.
How and when do I register for exams?
Exam registration opens in the autumn before the summer exam period, so if you plan to take exams next summer, you should register by November of the preceding year. You can complete the exam registration form in your student portal, and our Student Support team is available to help with the process.
Can you take exams outside of the UK?
While our MyOxbridge learning portal is accessible worldwide, most exams must be taken within the UK. Check with us for specific exam requirements to avoid any surprises.
Do I have to buy the exam from Oxbridge in order to study with you?
No, you are not obligated to purchase your exam through Oxbridge. You can either book your own exam centre independently, or take advantage of our partnerships with exam centres for a more streamlined process.
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.