IGCSE Curriculum is one of the world’s most popular international curricula for students aged 14-16-year-old. It is a 2-year program where students have the freedom to choose from 70 subjects including 30 languages. It is a 30-year-old curriculum developed by Cambridge University Examinations and is a registered trademark of the University of Cambridge.
The IGCSE curriculum covers various aspects such as application of knowledge, inquiry-based learning etc. It is widely accepted and recognised by top institutions and employers around the world.
Students have to take a minimum of 5 and maximum 14 subjects which must include the 3 compulsory subjects of English, Science and Math. Students who pass 7 subjects stand to gain an International Certificate of Education or ICE.
Group 1:- Languages
Group 2:- Humanities and Social Sciences (History, Geography etc)
Group 3:- Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology etc)
Group 4:- Mathematics
Group 5:- Creative, Technical and Vocational Subjects. (Business Studies, Computer Studies, Accounting, Music etc)
● IGCSE is graded from A – G. U grade means ungraded.
● Students have to score a grade threshold which is the minimum number of marks that they need to obtain in each subject.
● Students are awarded one certificate for each subject of the IGCSE Curriculum where it merely indicates the grades scored, and not pass or fail.
● Students have to get a minimum C in all the core subjects to move on to the next level. Five scores of ‘C’ or higher grades means a student is ready to pursue +2 level qualifications.
● The core curriculum is easy and suitable for students who can achieve grades C to G. The extended curriculum is a specialization in a particular subject which is more challenging and designed for highly intellectual students who can achieve grades A+ to C.
● IGCSE has a practical approach towards learning and involves unconventional assessment methods such as oral, listening and written exams.
● IGCSE Curriculum is a balanced and flexible course that suits the learning capability of all types of students.
● The core level is well suited for average students while an extended curriculum is best for students who want to do specialization.
● IGCSE Curriculum is one of the recognised boards in the world that develops and encourages many skills like inquiry based learning, critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, etc.
● It promotes leadership skills by sharpening a student’s application of knowledge.
● IGCSE School is known for its consistent academic excellence. It provides innovative and interactive learning tools and great resources which encourage students to excel.
● It is known for quality education and best practices, the schools constantly upgrade their offerings to meet the needs of students.
With the international curriculum gaining popularity and the number of Cambridge IGCSE schools growing, there has been a tremendous increase in students seeking admission to these schools. So it is important where students should know how to select subjects for IGCSE Curriculum.
● How interested are you in a particular subject?
● If you do not consider a certain subject will it affect your future courses for eg:- AS and A-level / IB DP?
● If you do not pick a certain subject then are you closing your career path?
● Have you selected a balanced subject to showcase your strengths and interests?
● IGCSE Curriculum subject choices should be chosen wisely. It should be based on your interests, your higher studies and career goals.
● It should be remembered that top-ranking universities will only consider top grades and the overall performance attained through the IGCSE course and not the quantity of subjects.
● For eg:- if a student wants to pursue engineering in future then they must choose subjects which help them to gain more knowledge or better prepare them for the same. If a student who wants to study medicine must choose Biology along with other Science subjects.
● Most of the time students do not have clarity of what career they wish to select later on, so such students should go with subjects that they have interest in.
In Languages the option will differ depending upon the school. Most of the Cambridge IGCSE schools have German and Spanish language options; Out of which If you are an English or French mother-tongue speaker, Spanish is likely to be easier to pick up than German. You need to invest time to become proficient in the language so select wisely.
There is a strong relation between Spanish and French so if you start improving in one of the languages, you are likely to improve in another also.
It is an extremely enticing subject to learn and explores both natural and manmade phenomenons on earth. This is a perfect subject for students who are curious to know the reasons behind everything that happens. It opens your eyes to the world, in a way that other subjects do not.
If you hate writing vast amounts of information then you will hate it as the exam requires you to be able to communicate vast amounts of information in a very short time.
It takes students from the beginning of World War I to the Gulf War over the span of two years. They will learn to be open-minded and consider interesting perspectives from many angles. There will be a lot of writing assignments and it will improve students’ essay writing skills.
Students are required to take all three sciences, whether separately or combined.
It is interesting, challenging, enjoyable and rewarding. It strikes a very good balance between intelligence and memorization. Students will perform many experiments which will entice them to learn more. Since it is technical, it is their job to ask questions and clear doubts and have a better understanding.
It is an interesting subject in Cambridge IGCSE to know more about how our body and nature works from a scientific perspective. You will learn all sorts of things, from classifying species to using certain enzymes to speed up a process and even dissect a heart.
If you are planning to become a vet or a doctor, taking Biology is crucial. It is easier for students who love facts and diagrams.
It is an introduction to the world of physics where students learn more in depth. Students will learn equations and will require good memorizing skills. If it doesn't entice you then you can choose a combination of science subjects.
Here students will get to learn all 3 science subjects but not in much depth.
IGCSE Mathematics is a vital subject for all students which boosts the development of mathematical knowledge as an important life skill, and as a solid basis for more advanced study.
Two years is a long time to prepare for IGCSE Curriculum which is why you should rather spend it studying and learning subjects that interest, challenge and inspire you for your further aspirations.
Hope now students can make informed choices after reading and understanding this article and can confidently choose the subjects they want to take for Cambridge IGCSE.
Top ten great features of Kuala Lumpur International Schools
Top ten great features of Kuala Lumpur International Schools
Gross Family Income RM 120K to RM 250K
Malaysia is a country filled with diverse cultures, delectable foods and an accomplished education system.
Malaysia is a country filled with diverse cultures, delectable foods and an accomplished education system.
There are plenty of scholarships available for children.
There are plenty of scholarships available for children.
Are you thinking of sending your toddler to a kindergarten school?
Are you thinking of sending your toddler to a kindergarten school?
If your child is an athlete in an international school, you would be a proud parent.
If your child is an athlete in an international school, you would be a proud parent.
Quoting Swami Vivekanand, ‘Education is the manifestation of perfection, already existing in a man’- since birth every child has certain qualities within him/her and with right education and nurturing
Quoting Swami Vivekanand, ‘Education is the manifestation of perfection, already existing in a man’- since birth every child has certain qualities within him/her and with right education and nurturing
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Ms. Ranido is the PYP coordinator and the GMP coordinator for GIIS East Coast Campus. She has over 20 years of teaching experience in different international and bilingual schools in Southeast Asia. She spent the last 11 years leading the implementation of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) as a coordinator and teacher. She completed her Masters of Arts in Education from Sheffield Hallam University, UK in 2015. Ms. Ranido joined the Global Indian International School, EC Campus in July, 2019.