What's the difference between IGCSE and GCSE? (2024)

IGCSE vs GCSE

GCSEs, known as General Certificate of Secondary Education, are mandatory exams taken in the UK when a student finishes high school. Outside of the UK, IGCSEs (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) provide the exact same level of qualification as GCSEs but are available worldwide.

Though the key difference is in the word ‘international’, that’s not all that separates the two. Let’s take a look at the definitions of each qualification to get a better understanding.

What is a GCSE?

GCSE is a standardised qualification in the UK introduced in 1988 to replace O-levels and CSEs. Typically, they’re taken by students aged 14 to 16 when they complete high school education, although there are no age restrictions on the exams.

They aim to assess a student’s knowledge and skills in various academic areas and prepare them for further study, such as A Levels, before going to university. GCSEs are very important for your higher education and career prospects.

What is an IGCSE?

IGCSEs were developed by the University of Cambridge International Examinations to provide a more globally recognised qualification for students who live or study abroad.

Normal GCSEs are only offered in the UK and a handful of other countries, such as Canada, Australia, and India, whereas IGCSEs cover a much wider range of countries. They are also highly regarded by colleges and universities.

What are the differences between IGCSE and GCSE?

IGCSEs and GCSEs have many more differences than just the countries they’re available in. Here, we’ll delve into the top 5 differences to help you decide which one is right for you.

1. Course content and subjects

One of the biggest differences between IGCSEs and GCSEs is the choice of subjects. Both cover the mandatory core subjects of English, Maths, and Combined Science, but their optional exams are quite varied.

GCSEs tend to be slightly more limited, covering subjects such as History and Geography, whereas IGCSEs go beyond a UK-based curriculum to provide courses such as Economics and Computer Science. However, this is all dependent on the school and the options they provide.

Even when both qualifications cover the same subject, the course content can also be very different. That’s because GCSEs will have topics more relevant to UK-based students, such as Shakespeare and British history, whereas IGCSEs may be more generic.

2. Exam dates

The date you sit your exam can also vary between the two. GCSEs have a set date, with everyone in the UK taking it at the same time between May and June. These are typically held in school halls, with the exception of private or homeschooled students who may go to an examination centre.

IGCSEs are largely the same except some exams can be taken in November or January for certain subjects.

3. Availability by country

As we’ve discussed, IGCSEs and GCSEs are very different in where they are available.

GCSEs are primarily offered in the UK as well as some British overseas territories whereas IGCSEs are designed for an international audience and so are available in more countries. This makes IGCSEs a popular choice for students who live or study outside of the UK or for UK residents who want to study abroad.

UK-based students can take IGCSEs but they are usually only offered in private schools.

4. System of grading

In recent years, GCSEs changed their grading systems from letter to numerical. This is marked from 9 to 1, with 9 being the highest. On the other hand, many IGCSEs still have the letter system from A* to G, with A* being the highest. However, some schools and exam boards in England have now started using the 9 to 1 grading system for IGCSEs.

For comparison, a pass level at GCSE is a 4, whereas in IGCSE it’s a C. A grade 7, 8, or 9 in GCSE is equivalent to an A or A* in IGCSE.

Both grading systems are recognised by universities and many require a minimum grade for admission.

5. Coursework

Typically, GCSEs used to be more coursework focused than IGCSEs, which have no coursework requirements.
However, this has started to shift and there now isn’t much difference between the two qualifications. Coursework requirements tend to be more dependent on the subject you take rather than the qualification.

Is IGCSE harder or easier than GCSE?

In the past, IGCSEs were considered more challenging than GCSEs but now, it’s widely considered that both qualifications are the same difficulty wise.

Do universities prefer IGCSE or GCSE?

Because both IGCSEs and GCSEs are highly regarded by universities and employers worldwide, one is not preferred over the other.

Most higher education institutes recognise that students often don’t have a choice in the qualification they are taking and so it is unlikely to be a deciding factor for admissions.

What really matters for university admissions is the grade achieved by the student.

Which is better, GCSE or IGCSE?

Though there are differences in the two qualifications, one is no better than the other. Both are globally recognised and highly regarded by colleges, universities, and employers.

Choosing between a GCSE or IGCSE should come down to your future plans and whether the qualification will help you take the next steps in your educational and career journey.

IGCSEs offer more flexibility and a wider range of subjects that might be more in line with your career aspirations. What’s more, because they are globally recognised, they would suit students who want to pursue further education or work abroad. However, IGCSEs can be more expensive than GCSEs and are not always offered at state schools.

In summary, both GCSEs and IGCSEs offer the qualifications to help you reach your learning goals. It all comes down to the subjects you want to take and where you want to take them.

Once you’ve made your choice, Save My Exams can help you ace your exams. Our expert team has carefully researched each syllabus and exam board to create course-specific resources for you. Armed with these focused revision materials, you’ll be confident, prepared, and ready to succeed in your GCSEs or IGCSEs.

What's the difference between IGCSE and GCSE? (2024)

FAQs

Is there any difference between IGCSE and GCSE? ›

GCSEs are primarily offered in the UK as well as some British overseas territories whereas IGCSEs are designed for an international audience and so are available in more countries. This makes IGCSEs a popular choice for students who live or study outside of the UK or for UK residents who want to study abroad.

Is it difficult to score in IGCSE? ›

Is IGCSE harder than CBSE? Honestly, IGCSE is tougher. Overall CBSE is easier to score at because it depends much more on textual knowledge but not as much as IGCSE on your critical thinking, problem-solving skills, etc.

What is the easiest IGCSE to take? ›

The easiest IGCSE subject to get a star in varies by individual, but English as a Second Language (ESL) is often considered manageable due to its practical focus. Mathematics without coursework and Business Studies are also viewed as relatively straightforward for many students.

Does Cambridge look at IGCSE? ›

Yes they do! Mostly, universities see A level grades rather than your IGCSE grades. However, top universities consider both IGCSE/O Level as well as AL grades, for example Cambridge or Oxford.

What is the IGCSE equivalent in the US? ›

Typically offered in early high school, Cambridge Pre-Advanced (IGCSE) prepares students for college-level courses and exams. A full complement of Cambridge IGCSE courses is equivalent to a US high school diploma.

What is the GCSE equivalent? ›

NVQs at levels 1 and 2 are the most equivalent to GCSEs. NVQs at level 3 are equivalent to 2 A levels. Taking NVQs at level 4 is equivalent to a higher education certificate, while NVQs at level 5 are equivalent to a higher education diploma.

What is 90% in IGCSE? ›

IGCSE Grades to percentage mark range
GradePercentage Uniform Mark Range
A*90-100
A80-89
B70-79
C60-69
4 more rows

What grade is 70% in IGCSE? ›

Cambridge O Level – IGCSE grade boundaries: The Grading
GradePercentage
A80-89
B70-79
C60-69
D50-59
2 more rows
Oct 12, 2021

What is the hardest subject in IGCSE? ›

Therefore, the importance of thoughtful subject selection cannot be overstated as it serves as a catalyst for achieving academic success and fulfilling career aspirations.
  • 1 - Mathematics. ...
  • 2 - Physics. ...
  • 3 - Chemistry. ...
  • 4 - Biology. ...
  • 5 - Foreign language: Mandarin. ...
  • 6 - History. ...
  • 7 - Literature. ...
  • 8 - Economics.
Apr 14, 2024

Is Cambridge IGCSE harder than GCSE? ›

While traditionally IGCSEs were considered to be more difficult, owing to the fact that grades were fully dependent on final assessments, since the 2017 GCSE reforms that eradicated coursework, there is now a negligible difference in the assessment methods of the two.

Is IGCSE math easy? ›

Is IGCSE maths hard? Although most people find Maths difficult, proper preparation can make the study process easier and help students achieve a successful grade. Additionally, CloudLearn has a Guarantee Pass to ensure that all students studying with us will achieve passing marks.

What is the lowest passing grade in IGCSE? ›

2. What Are The IGCSE Grade Levels? IGCSE grade levels range from A* to G in the traditional grading scale, where A* is the highest and G is the lowest passing grade. In the newer 9-1 scale, grades range from 9 (highest) to 1 (lowest), with U indicating ungraded in both systems.

Can you go to Harvard with IGCSE? ›

It is offered by three different exam boards including Cambridge Examinations, Pearson Edexcel and Oxford AQA. Students with IGCSE qualifications are recognised worldwide including at top universities such as Oxford, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, etc.

Do US universities care about IGCSE? ›

Leading universities in the US require Cambridge International AS & A Levels for admissions, but some colleges and universities will accept students with five Cambridge IGCSEs or Cambridge O Levels at grade C or above.

Does Oxford accept IGCSE? ›

Yes, iGCSEs are accepted as equivalent to UK GCSEs. A good set of grades shows that you're a good all-round student. Your three (predicted or achieved) A levels are far more important.

Is IGCSE equivalent to GCSE in UK? ›

IGCSE stands for “International General Certificate of Secondary Education”. It is equivalent to the GCSE qualification which is taken by students in Year 10 – 11 in the UK to prepare them for further pre-university level study, such as A-levels.

Is GCSE O level? ›

It was primarily an examinations-based qualification, with a grading system that changed over the years. In the United Kingdom, the O-Level qualifications were replaced in 1988 with the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE).

What grade is IGCSE? ›

As an international curriculum, it prepares students for a globalised world. At GIIS, you can choose the Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme (CLSP), for Grades 6-8, which is the natural progression for the Upper Secondary programme – IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education), for Grades 9-10.

What is the difference between GCSE and A level? ›

The biggest difference between GCSE and A-level is the inclusion of some of the optional topics that are not covered at GCSE. These include Beliefs in Society, Global Development and Health. However, if they wish, students can avoid these topics at A-level and develop their knowledge of the topics they studied at GCSE.

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