Cambridge International Examinations

Cambridge IGCSE

Overview

Cambridge IGCSE is the world’s most popular international curriculum for 14-16 year olds, leading to globally recognised and valued Cambridge IGCSE qualifications. It is part of the Cambridge Secondary 2 stage.

Schools worldwide have helped develop Cambridge IGCSE, which provides excellent preparation for the Cambridge Advanced stage including Cambridge International AS and A Levels and Cambridge Pre-U, as well as other progression routes. It incorporates the best in international education for learners at this level. It develops in line with changing needs, and is regularly updated and extended. Cambridge IGCSE teachers can draw on excellent resources, training and advice from subject experts.

Building a curriculum

Cambridge IGCSE encourages learner-centred and enquiry-based approaches to learning. It develops learners’ skills in creative thinking, enquiry and problem solving, giving learners excellent preparation for the next stage in their education. Schools can build a core curriculum, extend it to suit their learners and introduce cross-curricular perspectives. Clearly defined learning outcomes and content, mean Cambridge IGCSE is compatible with other curricula and is internationally relevant and sensitive to different needs and cultures.

Schools can offer any combination of subjects. Each subject is certificated separately. Over 70 subjects are available, including more than 30 language courses, offering a variety of routes for learners of different abilities. Cambridge IGCSE develops learner knowledge, understanding and skills in:

  • Subject content
  • Applying knowledge and understanding to familiar and new situations
  • Intellectual enquiry
  • Flexibility and responsiveness to change
  • Working and communicating in English
  • Influencing outcomes
  • Cultural awareness

Assessment for Cambridge IGCSE includes written and oral tests, coursework and practical assessment. Schools have the option of assessing learners using only external examinations or, in most subjects, combining examinations with coursework. Coursework is set and marked by the teacher and externally moderated by Cambridge.

Teachers who have received training from Cambridge, or who possess suitable experience of marking coursework may carry out this assessment. In most subjects there is a choice between core and extended curricula, making IGCSE suitable for a wide range of abilities. Each learner’s performance is benchmarked using eight internationally recognised grades. There are clear guidelines which explain the standard of achievement for different grades. Cambridge IGCSE examination sessions occur twice a year, in May/June and October/November. Results are issued in August and January.

Recognition

Cambridge IGCSE is taken in over 100 countries worldwide and are widely recognised by higher education institutions and employers around the world as evidence of academic ability. Cambridge IGCSE is equivalent to the GCSE in the United Kingdom. In some parts of the world, schools use Cambridge IGCSE as an international alternative to the local government’s examination.

Each learner’s performance is benchmarked using eight internationally recognised grades (A*-G). In some countries, IGCSE qualifications will satisfy the entry requirements for university. In others, they are widely used as a preparation for A Level, AS, International Baccalaureate and US Advanced Placement courses.

Grade C in IGCSE English (both First Language and Second Language) satisfies the English proficiency requirements of many universities in the UK and other anglophone countries.

IGCSE recognition

If you would like specific information on which institutions accept IGCSE, please use our Recognition Search.


Cambridge International AS and A Level

Overview

Cambridge International AS and A Levels are internationally benchmarked qualifications providing excellent preparation for university education. They are part of the Cambridge Advanced stage.

They are taken in over 125 countries and offer a choice of 60 different subjects. Cambridge International AS and A Level qualifications are widely recognised and valued by universities and employers alike. Some US universities give up to a year’s credit as a result. Every year, thousands of Cambridge International A Level students gain places at good universities worldwide – including the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

Schools and learners find Cambridge International AS and A Levels very flexible. Schools can offer almost any combination of the wide choice of subjects available. Learners have the freedom to select the subjects that are right for them – they either follow a broad course of study, or specialise in a particular area.

Cambridge International AS Level

Cambridge International AS Levels have half the content of the corresponding Cambridge International A Level and may be completed in one year. Schools can offer Cambridge International AS Level as a qualification in its own right or as a stage on the way to Cambridge International A Level. Learners can study Cambridge International AS Level alongside other subjects to increase breadth in the curriculum and build further knowledge and understanding to other subjects they are studying at Cambridge International A Level.

Flexibility

Schools and learners find Cambridge International AS and A Levels very flexible. Schools can offer almost any combination of the wide choice of subjects available. Learners have the freedom to select the subjects that are right for them – they either follow a broad course of study, or specialise in a particular area.

Learners can choose from a range of assessment options:

 

Assessment options

Option 1

Take all papers of the Cambridge International A Level course in the same examination session, usually at the end of the second year of study

Option 2

Take a ‘staged’ assessment route – take the Cambridge International AS Level in one examination session and complete the final Cambridge International A Level at a subsequent session*

Option 3

Take the Cambridge International AS Level only. The Cambridge International AS Level syllabus content is half an Cambridge International A Level programme.

 

 

* The staged assessment route is not possible in all subjects. The outcomes awarded for Cambridge International AS Level language syllabuses cannot be carried forward to Cambridge International A Level.

 

 

International recognition

Cambridge International AS and A Levels have widespread international recognition as educational qualifications. This recognition is because:

 

  • Cambridge International AS and A Level qualifications are recognised by universities as equivalent in value to UK AS and A Levels
  • good grades at AS and A Level can result in one full year of advanced standing or credit at universities in the USA and Canada
  • it is accepted as an entry qualification by universities of the European Union, on a par with the French Baccalaureate, the German Abitur, etc
  • good AS and A Level grades are vital for admission to all the world’s major English-speaking universities and many non-English-speaking universities
  • AS and A Levels are rigorous programmes that encourage high academic standards
  • AS and A Levels have a high profile amongst English-medium international schools around the world.

University courses for which there is not strong demand might accept students with grades between A*-E, but typical UK university entrance requirements are closer to three passes at grade C for academic courses in established universities. Minimum matriculation requirements are at least two pass grades. Very popular courses will often require higher grades. For example, medical schools in the UK often require grades of AAB and the highly selective universities of Cambridge and Oxford ask for at least AAB.

Cambridge International A Levels are taken throughout the world, sometimes as the national examinations of certain Commonwealth countries (such as Singapore and Mauritius), sometimes within international schools and sometimes in bilingual government schools alongside the national exams.