1. Cambridge IGCSE overview
Media Information
What is Cambridge IGCSE? IGCSE in the UK
The International GCSE was developed by University More than 300 independent schools in the UK
of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) more currently teach Cambridge IGCSE and many more
than 20 years ago. It was developed as an state-maintained schools are awaiting a decision on
international alternative to the UK GCSE and is now funding for the qualification.
the world’s most popular international qualification for
14 – 16 year olds. University of Cambridge International Examinations
(CIE) is recognised as an awarding body, by
Cambridge IGCSE is taken by students in more than OFQUAL, the regulator of examinations in England.
125 countries and has been developed in partnership
with schools and governments around the world. Sixteen of the most popular Cambridge IGCSE
syllabuses have received OFQUAL accreditation at
CIE qualifications are renowned for their breadth of Levels 1 and 2 on the National Qualifications
subject choice, academic rigour and the highest Framework and are directly comparable in standard
standards of assessment. to the UK GCSE. The accreditation provided
independent and official confirmation of equivalence
Worldwide recognition both in the design and implementation of the
Cambridge IGCSE is recognised by employers as a qualification. The accredited Cambridge IGCSE
reliable record of a student’s achievement. syllabuses are listed on the UK National Database of
Accredited Qualifications (NDAQ) as Cambridge
Cambridge IGCSE is accepted by UK universities as International Certificates.
directly equivalent in standard to UK GCSE – one of
the key qualifications needed to meet the entry Benchmarking standards
requirements for some universities and many Cambridge’s Principal Examiners have extensive
vocational higher education institutes. experience of teaching UK GCSE students and of
marking GCSE examinations. This ensures that the
Cambridge IGCSE is listed in UCAS publications standards of Cambridge IGCSE, both in terms of the
which state: 'The qualification is equivalent in knowledge, skills and understanding to be assessed,
standard to the GCSE and may be considered and the rigour with which they are assessed, are in
acceptable at Grades A*, A, B or C in lieu of GCSE line with UK GCSE.
on a subject for subject basis.'
CIE carries out regular comparability studies.
While most universities will require passes at Experienced senior examiners, who are familiar with
International A or AS Level for admission, five GCSE and Cambridge IGCSE, compare the standard
Cambridge IGCSE passes at grade C or higher are of work submitted in examinations by candidates who
accepted for freshman level courses in some US gained the same grade in particular subjects in each
universities. of these qualifications.
Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language Worldwide growth
at grade C or above is recognised by almost all UK Growth in recent years has been impressive.
universities - and many in the US, Canada, Australia Worldwide entries in the 2009 June examination
and New Zealand, as evidence or adequate session were up by almost 20 per cent.
competence in the English language for university
entrance purposes. By working with schools and educators globally, CIE
has created a balanced international curriculum that
develops successful learners through a skills-based
approach to teaching and assessing. Cambridge
IGCSE was developed to help schools provide both

2. Cambridge IGCSE overview
Media Information
international and local contexts for teaching and • Intellectual enquiry
learning. Syllabuses use international examples and • Ability to apply understanding to unfamiliar
avoid terminology only used in one country. situations
• Research and critical thinking
How does Cambridge IGCSE differ from • Communication and influencing skills
UK GCSE? • Multi-cultural awareness
The structure of Cambridge IGCSE is very different • Personal and social responsibility
from GCSE:
• Courses are linear and assessment tends
to take place at the end of the course. UK Media responses to Cambridge IGCSE
• Content is not split up into modules and
examination papers cover content from
throughout the course.
• The course is not interrupted by regular
School drops 'easy' GCSEs
assessment points, as with the new
modular GCSE. A leading private school is becoming the first
• The examination is not unitised, so the country to opt wholesale out of GCSEs.
students do not retake individual parts.
By Graeme Paton and Warwick Mansell, The
Cambridge IGSCE is internationally recognised as Telegraph
being equivalent to the UK GCSE but offers a far Manchester Grammar School will drop GCSE exams from
greater range of subjects. this September in almost all subjects.
There are also significant differences in content and It will move pupils onto the rival International GCSE,
assessment: which is widely seen among independent school heads as a
• Most Cambridge IGCSE subjects have an more challenging course.
optional coursework element, whereas with
many GCSE subjects it is compulsory.
• The content of Cambridge IGCSE subjects
is tailored to the multi-cultural, multi-lingual GCSE rival to gain state
student-body they serve, in a way the UK
GCSE is not. acceptance
• Cambridge IGCSE subjects can be taken
as individual subjects or as qualifications By Richard Garner, Education Editor, The
towards the International Certificate of Independent
Education, unlike UK GCSEs.
Growing numbers of independent schools - including some
Benefits for students of the most famous such as Winchester and St Paul's have
Cambridge IGCSE programmes provide an excellent already abandoned GCSEs in some subjects in favour of
foundation for further study. Apart from offering an the International GCSE (IGCSE).
internationally recognised qualification taught and
assessed in the medium of English, Cambridge
IGCSE rewards students for showing what they
Media Contact
know, understand and can do. They help students
develop a range of skills that have value throughout
Geraldine Seymour
their lives:
International Communications Manager
• Ability to study, work and communicate with Tel: +44 (0) 1223 553554
others Email: seymour.g@cie.org.uk
• Subject knowledge and understanding
• Flexibility and responsiveness to change