IGCSE

IGCSE stands for International General Certificate of Secondary Education. It is an internationally recognized qualification for students typically aged 14 to 16 and is designed as the international counterpart to the GCSE. The IGCSE is administered by Cambridge Assessment International Education, a department of the University of Cambridge, and is offered through thousands of schools worldwide. The program is usually studied over two years and culminates in examinations at the end of the course.

Curricula span a wide range of subjects, including first languages, other languages, mathematics, science, humanities, and the arts. For many subjects, Cambridge offers different syllabuses to suit local needs and teaching contexts. Some subjects provide Core and Extended tracks to accommodate different levels of ability. Assessment typically emphasizes end-of-course examinations, though a limited number of subjects include coursework, oral, listening, or practical components.

Results are reported on an A* to G scale, with A* the highest grade. The exact grade boundaries vary by subject and examination session. Cambridge provides grade descriptors and performance data to help interpret results.

Because of its international focus, the IGCSE is commonly used by international schools and by national programs as a pathway to further study, including Cambridge International A Levels and other pre-university qualifications. It is widely recognized by universities and employers as evidence of secondary-level achievement and can support admission to higher education or professional programs.