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About IGCSEs 

IGCSEs are currently being redeveloped. Find out more about the new IGCSEs for first teaching from September 2009 here. 

What are IGCSEs?

  • The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is an international qualification for school students (usually aged 14 to 16). 
      
  • IGCSEs, like GCSEs, prepare students for further study, including progression to GCE AS or A levels, BTEC or employment.
      
  • IGCSEs were created by Edexcel for those international schools which are unable to offer GCSEs. They embrace the best practice of GCE O levels and GCSE. 
      
  • Many IGCSEs have a distinct international element. Our specialists have developed subject content to allow teachers to base their work on their own region, where possible, to make it more relevant to their students. 
      
  • IGCSE exams are normally taken after two years' study, with the coursework (where taken) submitted in the second year.

What choices are available?

  • There are currently 22 IGCSE subject qualifications to choose from, increasing to 36 for the new IGCSE 2009 qualification suite available for first teaching in September 2009.
     
  • Double awards are available for science.

What are IGCSEs worth?

  • IGCSEs are recognised by academic institutions and employers around the world.
      
  • Ucas recognises IGCSEs as equivalent to the UK GCSE.

How are IGCSEs assessed?

  • IGCSEs are 100% externally assessed. This allows schools to offer an IGCSE qualification, even if teachers are not coursework specialists. Some IGCSEs contain a coursework option so that centres that do have the experience and expertise can offer coursework.
     
  • IGCSEs are graded in the same way as GCSEs (A* to G). For tiered subjects, Foundation tier papers are targeted at grades C to G, and Higher tier papers are targeted at grades A* to D. This allows students of all abilities the opportunity to gain good results.

Visit the IGCSE from 2009 pages for more information about the new IGCSE qualification suite.

Visit the current IGCSE area of the website for more information about our current IGCSE qualifications.