The main difference between GCSE and IGCSE is that GCSE mainly focuses on secondary school students in the United Kingdom, while IGCSE focuses on secondary school children around the world.
GCSE (The General Certificate of Secondary Education) and IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) are two academic qualifications that share many similarities. In this article, we will focus on the difference between GCSE and IGCSE.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is GCSE
– Definition, Features
2. What is IGCSE
– Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between GCSE and IGCSE
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between GCSE and IGCSE
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
General Certificate of Secondary Education, GCSE, International General Certificate of Secondary Education, IGCSE
What is GCSE
The acronym GCSE stands for The General Certificate of Secondary Education. Generally, GCSE is completed by secondary school students in the United Kingdom. However, GCSE is also offered in other educational institutes around the world like Australia, Canada, and India. Since GCSE is identified as an internationally recognized qualification, it acts as an official high school qualification to do further higher academic studies in the United Kingdom. Students who are fourteen years old and fourteen years above complete GCSE before entering universities. The results of GCSE are very important since they affect many aspects of students’ life, such as the subjects they are going to take and their eligibility for university entrance.
Furthermore, GCSE includes subjects like English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Geography, History, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. In addition, if the candidates are willing to take non-English subjects like Arabic, Chinese, French, and Spanish, they have the freedom to do so. Each year, GCSE exams take place in June/July, but Mathematics and English Language exams are also held in November. At state schools in the United Kingdom, English, English Literature, Mathematics, and Science are compulsory for all students. With these major subjects, the students can follow several subjects in the fields of arts, humanities, and sports.
What is IGCSE
The acronym IGCSE stands for International General Certificate of Secondary Education. This qualification is similar to the GCSE qualification. Since IGCSE is an international qualification, many countries around the world offer IGCSE to their students. Nevertheless, in the United Kingdom, most international and private schools provide IGCSE. IGCSE qualification is also valid to follow higher academic education in the United Kingdom as well as in other countries.
Students who are fourteen years old and above fourteen years old can sit for IGCSE. In addition, when it comes to university entrance, some courses in some universities require certain requirements related to IGCSE. In some cases, employers also expect their applicants to meet certain requirements in Mathematics and English in IGCSE. IGCSE subjects include a wide range of also such as English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Economics, Geography, History, Biology, and Chemistry. Moreover, IGCSE is accredited by either Cambridge or Edexcel exam boards.
Similarities Between GCSE and IGCSE
- Only students who are fourteen years and above fourteen years can sit for both GCSE and IGCSE.
- Both GCSE and IGCSE are academic qualifications with international recognition.
- There is a wide range of subjects in both GCSE and IGCSE.
Differences Between GCSE and IGCSE
Definition
GCSE or General Certificate of Secondary Education is taken by secondary school students in the United Kingdom, while IGCSE or International General Certificate of Secondary Education is taken by secondary school students around the world.
Access
Although GCSE caters mostly to secondary school children in the United Kingdom, IGCSE caters to all secondary school children around the world.
University Requirements
Some university courses expect certain requirements of IGCSE, whereas universities do not pay much attention to the requirements related to GCSE.
Timing
Although GCSE candidates face the exam during May/June, IGCSE candidates face the exam in November and January.
Compulsory Subjects
There are compulsory subjects for GCSE candidates, whereas there are no compulsory subjects for IGCSE candidates.
Conclusion
The main difference between GCSE and IGCSE is that GCSE mainly caters to secondary school children in the United Kingdom, while IGCSE caters to secondary school children around the world. Moreover, while there are compulsory subjects for GCSE candidates, there are no compulsory subjects for IGCSE candidates.
Reference:
1. “General Certificate of Secondary Education.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Books-bookshelf-library-education” (CC0) via Pixabay
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