If you’re unfamiliar with IGCSE and wondering why you should consider it for your child, then this blog is for you.
Let’s talk about IGCSE
This shorthand name refers to the International General Certificate of Secondary Education, created by the University of Cambridge International Examinations over 30 years ago. One of the most popular international qualifications for teens aged 14 to 16. In addition to being world-class, it gives students more options than any other international qualification.
The Curriculum
The IGCSE curriculum is based on the British curriculum (GCSE) but adapted for an international student body and avoids cultural bias. The Cambridge IGCSE provides schools with a flexible and stimulating curriculum backed up by excellent resources and training, while students gain valuable skills in critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving.
The Cambridge exam board offers over 70 subjects including 30 languages. The aim is to welcome students from a variety of linguistic backgrounds to enroll and continue learning their mother tongue. Moreover, students are allowed to choose Core and Extended Curriculum papers as they see fit.
Generally speaking, teachers of some subjects find that students in the IGCSE program have a strong understanding of foundational concepts for some subjects, especially the sciences.
Assessment Pattern
Assessments are done through exams administered by the school chosen exam board. Popular exam boards include Cambridge Assessment International Education and Edexcel.
The Pathway
The IGCSE program lays the groundwork for foreign studies like the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and entry into international universities.
As discussed in the previous blog, a curriculum should be designed in a way that every grade is a building block for the next. Likewise, the IGCSE program lays the foundation for the IB diploma program. With regards to the content, it is an excellent platform for IB diploma students. This way students don’t feel overwhelmed with choosing the next best.
Why choose IGCSE?
A Student-Centric Approach
Since the curriculum is differentiated according to difficulty level, the IGCSE program is accessible to almost all ability levels. Teaching methods and practices focus on improving each child’s learning
Inquiry-based Learning
The program encourages every child to be curious about everything around them. The goal is for children to ask questions and research answers to help them discover more about themselves and the world around them.
Fair Assessments
The focus is not on what the child has memorized, rather on how well the child understands the subject.
International Recognitions
The certificate is recognized by many universities in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and other countries. The certificate will remain valuable throughout a lifetime of education and employment.
A Global Community
Due to the popularity of the IGCSE program among international school students, students have access to a worldwide community. It provides children with the skills to be inclusive and develop empathy for people from diverse backgrounds. As a result, students build a global outlook while becoming part of a more comprehensive and diverse global community.
