GCSE Chemistry Higher Tier

Begin your GCSE Chemistry Higher Tier journey, right from the comfort of your home! Guided by your personal tutor, this course prepares you thoroughly for your exams, offering a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

Whether aspiring for A Level Chemistry or simply expanding your knowledge, our course caters to your needs. With flexible study options, you can start your education at your own pace, fitting your learning into your busy life seamlessly.

Covering topics from atomic structure to organic chemistry, our course materials are accessible and exam-focused, ensuring you're well-prepared for success. Our dedicated tutors provide personalised support, guiding you through each unit with expertise. Join us in exploring the fascinating world of chemistry and unlock your full potential. Whether aiming for grade 4 or striving for grade 9, our course equips you with the tools and knowledge needed to excel.

About This Course

Study for your GCSE Chemistry exams from the comfort of home! You’ll be guided by our exam experts to achieve your highest possible score.

Our GCSE Chemistry Higher Tier online course will set you up to pass your exams and reach your highest possible marks. Achieve a nationally recognised qualification from the comfort of home with our exam expert personal tutors, who will provide you with exam-informed study guides and self assessment exercises.

The higher tier of GCSE Chemistry will cover the more advanced aspects of GCSE Chemistry. Designed for students aspiring to pursue A Level Chemistry, enter chemistry-related fields, or simply expand their knowledge. The GCSE Chemistry Higher Tier is a more challenging version of the GCSE Chemistry Foundation Tier. Students are able to achieve grades in the range of 4-9 (with 9 being the upper limit).

Course Units

Unit 1: Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table

• Atomic structure, including subatomic particles (protons, neutrons, and electrons)
• Atomic number and mass number
• The arrangement of elements in the periodic table
• Group and period trends in the periodic table

Unit 2: Bonding, Structure, and the Properties of Matter

• Types of chemical bonding (ionic, covalent)
• Properties of different types of substances
• Structure and properties of metals, ionic compounds, and covalent compounds

Unit 3: Quantitative Chemistry

• Conservation of mass and balancing chemical equations
• Calculations involving mass, moles, and concentration
• Percentage composition and empirical formulas

Unit 4: Chemical Changes

• Chemical reactions and energy changes
• Acids, bases, and neutralisation reactions
• the pH scale

Unit 5: Energy Changes

• Exothermic and endothermic reactions
• Energy level diagrams

Unit 6: The Rate and Extent of Chemical Change

• Factors affecting reaction rates
• Collision theory

Unit 7: Organic Chemistry

• Introduction to organic chemistry
• Alkanes, Alkenes, and Alcohols
• Functional groups and homologous series

Unit 8: Chemical Analysis

• Methods of chemical analysis, including chromatography and spectroscopy
• Qualitative and quantitative analysis

Unit 9: Chemistry of the Atmosphere

• Composition and structure of the Earth’s atmosphere
• Greenhouse gasses, climate change, and pollution

Unit 10: Using Resources

• Sustainable use of resources
• Recycling and reducing waste

Assessment

To successfully achieve a Chemistry GCSE, you will be required to sit and pass two GCSE written exams, as well as a practical examination. These exams will be held at an official exam centre, where you will be supervised throughout. There is a separate fee for booking your exams, which will be paid directly to the exam centre at the time of booking. We’ll help you with booking your exams when you’re ready, and they’ll take place in May and June.

Paper 1

Paper 1 will assess your understanding of units 1-5 (Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes). It is made up of multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response questions.

Paper 2

Paper 2 will assess your understanding of units 6-10 (The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources). It is made up of multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response questions.

Practical Assessment

Practicals are required to achieve this qualification but if you are unable to participate, you can enrol on the IGCSE Chemistry instead. In this qualification, you would not be required to complete the practicals, however examination is still required.

There is no entry requirement for GCSE Chemistry Higher Tier.

Assessment

You will first complete the assessments included in your course materials. These will be marked by your dedicated tutor and will prepare you for your exam.

Exams

You are required to complete 2 written exams that take place in May and June. Each exam is worth 50% of your overall GCSE mark.

• Paper 1: 1hr 45mins written exam, 50% of GCSE, 100 marks
• Paper 2: 1hr 45mins written exam, 50% of GCSE, 100 marks

Exam Fees

There is a separate fee for the examinations paid directly to the exam centre at the time of booking. We’ll help you book them when you are ready.