Why offer IGCSEs/International GCSEs?

The IGCSEs from Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) are studied at more than 9,000 schools in more than 160 countries, while the International GCSE qualifications offered by Pearson Edexcel are studied in more than 80 countries. The British Council can connect you to these exam boards and help you to offer world-class qualifications to your students.

IGCSEs and International GCSEs usually take two years to complete. Students are assessed with a mixture of written and oral tests, as well as practical exams and coursework.

IGCSEs and International GCSEs are available in more than 70 subjects, covering core topics such as maths, English and the sciences, as well as specialist subjects such as environmental management and global perspectives. 

Students typically choose to study eight to 10 subjects, though this depends on their goals and the local education system.

Find out which IGCSE subjects CIE offers.
Find out which International GCSE subjects Pearson offers

Exams are offered by two main exam boards – CIE (Cambridge International Examinations) and Pearson Edexcel. 
CIE offer IGCSEs, while Pearson Edexcel offer International GCSEs.

Find out which board is right for your school.

The IGCSE core curriculum is suitable for students who expect to achieve grades C to G. An extended curriculum offers more challenging content for students aiming for grades A to C.

Students are assessed using a mixture of written and oral tests, coursework and practical assessments. In some cases schools can choose to only use external examinations, or to combine coursework with examinations. 

Results are awarded using the internationally recognised A* to G grades. Pearson’s International GCSE uses the globally recognized 9-1 grading, which is the new worldwide standard and allows greater differentiation of top performing students. Coursework and exam papers are all marked centrally in the UK.

Results are sent to schools or your nearest British Council office several weeks after the final exam or coursework submission. 

• You can register your students in bulk to save time.
• You can register online or by completing the paper application form.
• Register before the deadline or you may have to pay a penalty fee.
• Your local British Council office can help you register students for their exams.

The British Council handles all of the exam administration on your behalf, from registering students to delivering exam papers to your school.

We also make sure you receive:

• past papers and practice exams
• full syllabus details for every subject
• up-to-date marking and rule information
• examiner reports and important news.

We also provide access to all of the support and materials you need to help your students study for and pass their IGCSEs/International GCSEs – from study guides to exclusive learning websites.