GCSE On the Ofqual register · 8462From £39.99/mo paying today

GCSE Chemistry Online Course

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  • Cancel any time
  • 14-day money back on every payment

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Study the AQA GCSE (9 to 1) Chemistry 8462 online with a named UK tutor, and sit the same GCSE taken in UK schools at a Tutors & Exams centre near you. Two written papers at Foundation or Higher tier, with the required practicals examined on paper.

Course facts

GCSE Chemistry (AQA 8462) online with Lift College, with a named UK tutor: £359.99 a year (that is £30.00 a month) or £39.99 a month when you pay today, pay for 9 months and get 3 free, with your price fixed for life. Prefer to try it first? Free for 7 days, then £44.99 a month or £458.99 a year.

QualificationGCSE Chemistry
LevelLevel 1/2, grades 9 to 1
Awarding bodyAQA
Qualification number601/8757/8
ExamsExam entry and seat booking are through Tutors & Exams, and only on the +Exams plan.
Price£359.99 a year or £39.99 a month when you pay today: pay for 9 months, get 3 free, price fixed for life. Prefer to try it first? Free for 7 days, then £44.99 a month or £458.99 a year.
Typical duration12 to 18 months, or faster if you study more each week
AgeOpen to anyone aged 14 or over. Under 18s enrol with a parent or guardian's permission and support.
Who it suitsYou need a separate science GCSE at grade 4 or above for pharmacy, dental nursing, laboratory work or a science route at college.

Can adults take GCSE Chemistry online and sit the exam?

Yes. Adults of any age can study AQA GCSE Chemistry 8462 online with Lift College and sit the same two papers as school candidates, as a private candidate at a Tutors & Exams centre. There are no formal entry qualifications and no upper age limit. Adults usually take it because a route such as pharmacy, dental nursing, laboratory work or a college science course asks for a separate science GCSE at grade 4 or above. The 8 required practicals are examined in the written papers, so there is no separate practical grade. You sit both papers at Foundation or Higher tier, chosen with your tutor, in the May/June series, which is the only series for Chemistry. Most adults study 6 to 12 hours a week and finish in 12 to 18 months. On +Exams we enter you before the AQA deadline and book your seat; exam entry is only on +Exams. Our guide on sitting GCSEs as a private candidate explains the process.

How much does an online GCSE Chemistry course cost?

Pay today, pay for 9 months and get 3 free, with your price fixed for life. Pay monthly and start today for £5 a month less than after a trial. Prefer to try it first? Start for £0 today on the 7-day free trial.

GCSE Chemistry prices at Lift College
Study+Exams
Pay today, yearlyBest value3 months free, fixed for life£359.99 a yearthat is £30.00 a month£629.99 a yearthat is £52.50 a month
Pay today, monthly£5 a month less than after a trial£39.99 a month£69.99 a month
7-day free trial first£0 today, first payment on day 8£44.99 a monthor £458.99 a year£79.99 a monthor £815.99 a year

+Exams paid monthly has an expected term of 9 months, as exam fees are built in: cancel any time with no exit fee, but unused exam credit is lost. No term applies if you pay yearly.

  • 14-day money back
  • No contract
  • No credit check
  • No finance agreement
  • Cancel any time

How the cost compares

Open Study College charges £449 for the course, paid in full or in instalments. With Lift College you can start for £0 today, and a full year of Study is £359.99 when you pay today.

Full GCSE Chemistry course fees (not sale prices), from each provider's own website on 21 October 2026
ProviderCourse feeHow you pay
Lift College Lowest cost to start£359.99for 12 months, Study, paid today£0 today on the 7-day free trial. Monthly or yearly, no contract, no credit check, cancel any time
Open Study College£449In full, 3 payments with Klarna or PayPal, or monthly Direct Debit

None of these fees includes exams, and nor does our Study plan. Our guide to the best online GCSE Chemistry courses in the UK compares exam boards and exam arrangements provider by provider.

How exams work£0 today. Nothing is charged until day 8. Cancel any time from your account.
AQA
Awarded by AQAQualification number 601/8757/8. Same papers, same certificate as school candidates.
Tutors and Exams, exam centre partner
Exams at 10 Tutors & Exams centresOur official exam centre partner. On +Exams we enter you and book your seat.
Independent reviewsEvery review on our Trustpilot page is from a Lift College learner.
AQA
Awarding
body
How do you want to pay?

Start today with your named UK tutor from day one. 14-day money-back guarantee, or try it free.

£629.99/year · +Exams · £52.50 a month

14-day money-back guarantee on every payment

£629.99 today for 12 months. Change your mind within 14 days and we refund the full payment.
+ Add to basket and choose another course

Studying more than one course? 2 courses save 5%, 3 save 10%, 4 or more save 15%.

Next: secure payment with Stripe. Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted.

7-day free trial
14-day money back on every payment
No contract, cancel any time from your account
No credit check
Exams sat at 10 Tutors & Exams centres
LevelLevel 1/2, grades 9 to 1
SpecificationAQA 8462
Exams2 written papers, 1 hour 45 minutes each
TiersFoundation (5 to 1) or Higher (9 to 3)
Exam seriesMay/June
Typical duration12 to 18 months
CourseworkNone. 100% examined; 8 required practicals examined in the papers
How paying works

Try it free. Stay while it works for you. Leave whenever you like.

There is no course fee to find, no finance agreement to sign and no debt to worry about. Your first 7 days are free, then you pay for the month you are in, and every payment is covered by the 14-day money back guarantee. Prefer to pay today? Skip the trial and save up to 17%, with your price fixed for life, with the same 14-day guarantee.

+Exams on Monthly: Monthly comes with a 9-month expected term because exam fees are built in. Cancel any time, no exit fee; exam credit you have not used is forfeited and unbooked exams are void. Pay annually and no term applies.

The Lift College promise

You never sign a credit agreement with us, so there is no debt and nothing for anyone to chase. If you stop paying, you simply stop studying. No finance company, no loan and no letters.

Start your free trial
Your exams, handled

Ten centres across England. One partner. Your seat booked for you.

The hardest part of studying a GCSE outside school has always been the exam. Lift College and Tutors & Exams remove it: you study online with us, and you sit the same AQA papers as any school candidate at a professional Tutors & Exams centre, with your entry, venue and invigilation arranged through the partnership.

Tutors and Exams, exam centre partner
Specialist private-candidate exam centres. Lift College's official exam centre partner.
10dedicated exam centres across England, 10 approved for GCSEs
95%+of GCSE and A Level specifications assessed
63%of UK adults live within reach of a centre
DBSevery centre staff member trained and enhanced DBS checked
JCQ compliant and approved by
JCQ, Joint Council for QualificationsAQAPearson EdexcelCambridge OCREduqas, part of WJECCambridge International Education
Figures and approvals published by Tutors & Exams, tutorsandexams.uk, September 2026.
May/June seriesMay to June

Runs from May to June. The one series each year; all papers are sat in the same series.

On +Exams we enter you before AQA's deadline for the series you choose.

1
Enrol and study online

Start your free trial, meet your named UK tutor and work through the AQA specification at your own pace.

2
We enter you and book your seat

On +Exams, Lift College submits your AQA entry and books your place at the Tutors & Exams centre you choose, before the entry deadline.

3
Sit the same papers, get the same certificate

Trained invigilators, a room built for formal assessment, and an AQA certificate identical to a school candidate's.

BirminghamBoltonCoventryDoncasterHigh WycombeMitchamNewcastleRomfordSt NeotsTauntonFind your nearest centre →
On +ExamsYour AQA entry fee and centre fee are included in the monthly price. We enter you before the deadline and confirm your seat by email.
Access arrangementsExtra time, a reader or scribe, rest breaks or a separate room are arranged by Tutors & Exams' in-house SEN team, free at the point of delivery, with evidence of your normal way of working.
“The one thing we could not control was the exam day itself, and now we can. Our learners are in the safest possible hands.”Kate Strohm, Managing Director, Lift College
“No learner should find their opportunities limited simply because they study outside of a traditional school or college setting.”Ben Connors, Managing Director, Tutors & Exams
Who this is for

This course is for you if

  • You need a separate science GCSE at grade 4 or above for pharmacy, dental nursing, laboratory work or a science route at college.
  • You want to move on to A Level Chemistry and prefer the depth of the separate science to Combined Science.
  • You are home educating and want a full GCSE with a named tutor, marked work and your exam seat booked for you.
  • You are an adult returning to study who wants a recognised GCSE at your own pace, with a tutor who marks your work and a resit route if you need one.
What you will need

Entry requirements

  • Open to anyone aged 14 or over. Under 18s enrol with a parent or guardian's permission and support. There are no formal entry qualifications.
  • Recommended starting point: Key Stage 3 science and confident arithmetic, because quantitative chemistry uses ratios and rearranging simple formulae. This is recommended, not required, and the first unit revises atoms, elements and compounds.
  • A computer, tablet or phone with internet access, a scientific calculator (allowed in both papers), a ruler and a pencil.
  • The ability to attend a Tutors & Exams centre in England for your written papers.

There is no minimum study time. Most learners spend 6 to 12 hours a week and finish in 12 to 18 months, or faster if you study more each week. Assignments are for feedback and do not count towards your grade; the qualification is 100% examined.

Studying this at home?

Home education from age 14

  • From age 14 with a parent or guardian's permission; the parent holds the account.
  • Exams booked for you at a named Tutors & Exams centre on +Exams.
  • Your named tutor can be your UCAS referee.
New
For parents and guardians

Follow every step in the parent portal

Every family studying with us can have its own parent portal. See how your child is getting on week by week, agree a study plan together and get a short summary in your inbox, without ever having to ask "have you done any work?".

  • Progress at a glance. Study days, lessons finished and progress against their target.
  • Their work and marks. Everything they hand in, with the mark and their tutor's feedback.
  • A plan you make together. A weekly study plan, an alert if it slips and a weekly summary.
A quick tour of the parent portal
Download the parent guide
What you'll study

Every topic in the AQA 8462 specification, in one course

The AQA 8462 specification has ten content topics, examined across two papers at your chosen tier. Higher tier adds the content marked Higher. Open each content area to see what it covers.

Two equally weighted papers, 1 hour 45 minutes and 100 marks each

1Atomic structure and the periodic table
Topic 4.1 · Paper 1
  • Atoms, elements, compounds, mixtures and the model of the atom
  • The periodic table, groups 0, 1 and 7
  • Transition metalsHigher
2Bonding, structure and the properties of matter
Topic 4.2 · Paper 1
  • Ionic, covalent and metallic bonding
  • States of matter, structure and properties
  • NanoparticlesHigher
3Quantitative chemistry
Topic 4.3 · Paper 1
  • Conservation of mass, relative formula mass and moles
  • Concentration of solutions
  • Yield, atom economy and gas volumesHigher
4Chemical changes
Topic 4.4 · Paper 1
  • Reactivity of metals and reactions of acids
  • Electrolysis
5Energy changes
Topic 4.5 · Paper 1
  • Exothermic and endothermic reactions
  • Cells, batteries and fuel cellsHigher
6The rate and extent of chemical change
Topic 4.6 · Paper 2
  • Rate of reaction, collision theory and catalysts
  • Reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium
7Organic chemistry
Topic 4.7 · Paper 2
  • Crude oil, hydrocarbons and cracking
  • Alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters and polymersHigher
8Chemical analysis
Topic 4.8 · Paper 2
  • Purity, formulations and chromatography
  • Identification of common gases and ions
9Chemistry of the atmosphere
Topic 4.9 · Paper 2
  • Composition and evolution of the atmosphere
  • Carbon dioxide, methane, climate change and pollutants
10Using resources
Topic 4.10 · Paper 2
  • Sustainable development, potable water and waste water
  • Life cycle assessment and recycling
  • Corrosion, alloys, ceramics, polymers, composites and the Haber process

The 8 required practicals

  1. Making salts
  2. Neutralisation (titration)
  3. Electrolysis
  4. Temperature changes
  5. Rates of reaction
  6. Chromatography
  7. Identifying ions
  8. Water purification
Step 1Choose your tier with your tutor

Foundation covers grades 5 to 1. Higher covers grades 9 to 4, with grade 3 allowed. Both papers are sat at the same tier and you do not have to decide until entry.

Step 2Learn the required practicals on paper

Each practical is taught with a video demonstration, a method sheet and real data, then examined through marked questions in the style of the papers.

Step 3Sit both papers in one series

On +Exams your entry and your seat at a Tutors & Exams centre are booked for you and the fees are included.

Read the full AQA specification ↗Lift College teaches to the current AQA specification, so what you study is exactly what is examined.
Assessment

How you are assessed

Two written papers of 1 hour 45 minutes, each 100 marks and worth 50%, sat at the same tier in the same May/June series. Paper 1 covers topics 1 to 5 and Paper 2 covers topics 6 to 10. Required practicals are built into the specification and examined in the written papers. There is no separate practical exam and no coursework; questions on the practicals account for at least 15% of your written marks. You learn each practical through video demonstrations, method sheets and real data, then answer questions on method, apparatus, errors and results. Foundation tier awards grades 1 to 5; Higher tier awards grades 4 to 9 with an allowed grade 3.

PaperLengthMarksWeightingContent
Paper 1 (8462/1F or 8462/1H)1 hour 45 minutes100 marks50%Topics 1 to 5: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure and properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; Energy changes.
Paper 2 (8462/2F or 8462/2H)1 hour 45 minutes100 marks50%Topics 6 to 10: Rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; Using resources.
Study support

A named UK tutor from enrolment to exam day

Your named tutor

The same qualified UK subject expert supports you from enrolment through to your exam series.

Marked practice in every unit

Exam style tasks with individual written feedback within 5 to 7 working days.

Progress you can see

Unit scores and topic strengths on your dashboard, which your tutor uses to tailor feedback.

Exam readiness check

A timed mock paper and a written summary of what to focus on before you are entered.

Pricing

Choose how you want to study

Every option includes the full course, tutor marking and study support. The difference is whether we handle your exams. Pick your option, then try it free for 7 days or pay today and save up to 17%, with your price fixed for life.

How do you want to pay?

Start today with your named UK tutor from day one. 14-day money-back guarantee, or try it free.

£629.99/year · +Exams · £52.50 a month

14-day money-back guarantee on every payment

£629.99 today for 12 months. Change your mind within 14 days and we refund the full payment.
+ Add to basket and choose another course

Studying more than one course? 2 courses save 5%, 3 save 10%, 4 or more save 15%.

Next: secure payment with Stripe. Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted.

Both options include
  • Full course content and tutor marking
  • Named UK tutor and study support
  • Exam entry and centre fees included
  • Exam booking handled for you

Learner reviews

What our learners say

Six of our latest reviews, as posted on Trustpilot.

See all our reviews onTrustpilot
5 out of 5 · Verified

Lift College is very flexible

Lift College is very flexible, allowing me to study GCSE Biology while working full time. The course is straightforward and include helpful tips for passing the exams.

LalaineGCSE Biology · 2 Nov 2026
5 out of 5

I have just enrolled with Lift College

I have just enrolled with Lift College today on a free trial. So far so good, I have accessed my course (GCSE Maths) on my platform and everything looks great. Also met my tutor who is very friendly and helpful too. Will update the reviews when I am further down the line.

Read more on Trustpilot
Paul S.GCSE Maths · 2 Sep 2026
5 out of 5 · Verified

A Level Psychology On Line Course Lift College

I have enrolled on this on line course and the support/response to queries that I have received to date have been timely and effective. The college also provides a learning plan to comlete the course and mock exams, together with helpful reminders of allocated study days (you self select them and they send you a reminder to keep you on track). The modules are clear and easy to understand and a broken down into sections including question and answer sections and model answers and where applicable worked out calculations. There is a need to take notes from the online materials as there are no PDF work books to download. The assigments are completed in a text box and marked accordingly and saved into your records. Once you get used to using the learning portal (which is not too difficult) it is a fairly straightforward learning process. It is worth paying the money for this course and the level of support provided by the college.

Read more on Trustpilot
Simon G.A Level Psychology · 11 Nov 2026
5 out of 5

Prompt Assignment Feedback

I have been studying with Lift College for the past month, and so far, my experience has been positive. The team provides excellent support, and assignments are marked with helpful feedback, usually within three working days. This quick turnaround is particularly valuable as it helps me manage my studies alongside my workplace commitments.

Read more on Trustpilot
ChinthakaLift College learner · 11 Nov 2026
5 out of 5

Excellent customer service

Excellent customer service and the enrolment process was very smooth. Started my course three weeks ago and I’m loving it.

George B.Lift College learner · 6 Nov 2026
5 out of 5 · Verified

Clearly structured and designed for learning

I recently started the CMI Level 5 course through Lift College. I was attracted to this provider due to the clean and modern design of their website. I asked the support staff a few questions before enrolling, and their responses were fast and informative. When I started the course, I was impressed by how well organised the material was and how the lessons were structured. I have taken many online courses before, including postgraduate courses from UK universities. What I expected was a few videos made using a webcam, plus several dozen PDF files that had to be read. However, the materials provided by Lift College are of excellent quality, well designed, and purpose-made. As a teacher myself with 20 years' experience, I recognised clear and deliberate efforts to help students learn more effectively. Lift College isn't just giving you a load of reading material and letting you get on with it. They have designed prompts, revision boxes, spot quizzes, and other features to ensure that learning is actively facilitated.

Read more on Trustpilot
Derek H.CMI Level 5 · 6 Nov 2026
See all our reviews onTrustpilot

Exam preparation

Sitting your exams soon? See our breakdown of GCSE Chemistry Paper 1: topics and assessment.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same GCSE Chemistry as in schools?

Yes. It is the same AQA 8462 specification, the same papers, the same grading and the same certificate as the GCSE sat in UK schools and colleges. The only difference is how you study: online, at your own pace, with a named tutor.

How old do I need to be?

Open to anyone aged 14 or over. Under 18s enrol with a parent or guardian's permission and support. There are no formal entry qualifications.

Do I have to do the required practicals?

You need to understand them, because at least 15% of the marks in each paper test practical knowledge, and the papers ask about the required practicals directly. There is no practical exam and no practical endorsement at GCSE, so nothing is assessed in a laboratory. The course walks through every required practical with method, results and evaluation.

Foundation or Higher tier?

Foundation tier covers grades 1 to 5 and Higher tier grades 4 to 9. You sit both papers at the same tier, and you choose the tier with your tutor once your mock results show where you are. On +Exams we enter you at the tier you and your tutor agree.

When can I sit the exams?

Every GCSE on this page apart from English Language and Mathematics is examined once a year, in the May/June series. All papers are sat in the same series. On +Exams we enter you and book your seat at a Tutors & Exams centre for the series you are ready for; on Study you can arrange your own entry as a private candidate.

Where will I sit the exams?

At one of the ten Tutors & Exams centres across England: Birmingham, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Mitcham, Newcastle, Romford, St Neots and Taunton. Use the centre finder on this page to see your nearest. Exams are always sat in person at an approved centre; no GCSE can be sat online.

How does paying work?

You pay monthly by subscription, or annually up front at the price shown in the plan card, which saves 15% against paying monthly. Every option starts with a 7-day free trial, there is no contract and no credit agreement, and you can cancel from your account at any time. Every payment is covered by 14-day money back. On +Exams the AQA or Eduqas entry fee and the Tutors & Exams centre fee are included in the price.

What does the Study option include?

The full course, your named UK tutor, marked practice in every unit, mock papers and AI Study Support.

What if I stop paying?

You simply stop studying. There is no contract, no credit agreement and no debt. You can cancel from your account at any time and there is 14-day money back on every payment.

Can I sit the exams as a private candidate?

Yes. Lift College learners are entered as private candidates. On +Exams we handle the entry and book your seat at a Tutors & Exams centre, and the entry and centre fees are included. On Study you can enter yourself at a centre that accepts private candidates; you are responsible for that entry and the fees.

How long does the course take?

Most learners take 12 to 18 months from enrolment to sitting the exams, studying 6 to 12 hours a week. There is no minimum study time and no term dates: you can go faster if you study more each week, or take longer, and your subscription runs for as long as you need it. Marked work is returned within 5 to 7 working days.

How much does GCSE Chemistry cost online with the exams included?

On Lift College's +Exams plan, GCSE Chemistry is £69.99 a month or £629.99 a year when you pay today, save up to 17% for life, or £79.99 a month or £815.99 a year after a 7-day free trial, with your AQA entry and Tutors & Exams centre fees included and your seat booked for you. The Study plan is £39.99 a month or £359.99 a year when you pay today (£44.99 or £458.99 after the trial); exam entry is only on +Exams.

Should I take GCSE Chemistry or GCSE Combined Science?

Take GCSE Chemistry if your route asks for chemistry as a separate science; it is one GCSE with two papers. GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy covers all three sciences in six papers and gives two GCSE grades, so check which one your course or employer names.

How much does an online GCSE Chemistry course cost in the UK?

Lift College's GCSE Chemistry is £359.99 for 12 months when you pay today, or £0 today on the 7-day free trial and then £44.99 a month, with no contract and no credit check. Open Study College charges £449 for the course, from their own websites on 21 October 2026. None of these fees includes exams, and nor does our Study plan.

Is GCSE Chemistry Ofqual regulated?

Yes. GCSE Chemistry at Lift College is the AQA GCSE, specification 8462, on the Ofqual register with qualification number 601/8757/8. You sit the same papers and get the same certificate as school candidates. Lift College teaches the full course online with a named UK tutor, from £39.99 a month on the Study plan when you pay today.

How is GCSE Chemistry assessed?

By two written papers of 1 hour 45 minutes, each 100 marks and worth 50%, sat at the same tier in the same May/June series. Paper 1 covers topics 1 to 5 and Paper 2 topics 6 to 10. The required practicals are examined in the written papers, so there is no separate practical exam and no coursework. On the +Exams plan Lift College enters you and books your seat.

Can I start GCSE Chemistry today?

Yes. You can start GCSE Chemistry with Lift College today on the 7-day free trial: you pay £0 today, meet your named UK tutor and start the course, and nothing is charged until day 8. Prefer to pay today? Skip the trial and save up to 17%, with your price fixed for life. After the trial, the Study plan is £44.99 a month, with no contract and 14-day money back on every payment.

Not sure if GCSE Chemistry is right for you?

A UK adviser calls you back within 2 working hours, Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. No sales script.

Revising for the first exam? See the full list of Chemistry Paper 1 topics with what's examined in each.

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