IGCSE vs GCSE: What's the Difference?

IGCSE vs GCSE: the short answer

An IGCSE is the international version of a GCSE. GCSEs and IGCSEs are usually taken at age 16, both cover the same stage of secondary education and sixth forms, colleges and universities treat the two qualifications as the same academic level.

The differences are in the detail: who sets and regulates them, how they're assessed, when the exams run and how they're graded. For a family that's home educating, those details matter more than they do for a school pupil.

What is a GCSE?

The General Certificate of Secondary Education was brought in for first teaching in 1986, with the first exams in 1988. It replaced the old O level and CSE exams with one qualification for everyone.

In England, GCSEs are set by four exam boards: AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel and WJEC Eduqas. The subject content is fixed by the Department for Education and every GCSE is regulated by Ofqual, so a GCSE from one board covers the same core content as the same subject from another.

There's no minimum age, but most students start their GCSE studies in Year 10 at age 14 and sit the exams at the end of Year 11. Wales and Northern Ireland have their own versions, set mainly by WJEC and CCEA, which still use letter grades.

What is an IGCSE?

The IGCSE was created for schools outside the UK that wanted a qualification based on the British curriculum at the same level as the GCSE. Cambridge first examined it in June 1988, the same summer as the first GCSE exams.

Today two exam boards run almost all IGCSE examinations. Their versions are separate qualifications with their own specifications.

Cambridge IGCSE

The Cambridge IGCSE is the original. It's taught in international schools in well over 100 countries and in many independent schools in the UK. Each subject has its own syllabus code, such as Geography 0460.

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE

Pearson calls its version the International GCSE, though most people still say Edexcel IGCSE. Examples are Biology 4BI1 and Geography 4GE1. It's graded 9-1, just like a GCSE in England, and Pearson says it's equivalent to a GCSE grade for grade.

IGCSE vs GCSE side by side

The main differences between IGCSE and GCSE

Who regulates them

Every GCSE in England is regulated by Ofqual. Most IGCSEs aren't. Pearson says its International GCSEs are regulated by Pearson itself and an independent review by UK NARIC (now Ecctis) found them comparable to GCSEs. Cambridge sets its own standards too.

The main effect is on schools: IGCSE results no longer count in school performance tables in England, so most state schools only offer GCSEs. It makes no difference to what a student can go on to study at A Levels or university.

Course content

The two cover the same core ideas in most subjects, but the content isn't identical. GCSE English Literature has to include a Shakespeare play and British texts, while an IGCSE English Literature course can draw on writers from around the world. IGCSE history and geography use more global case studies too, because the curriculum is written for students in many countries.

In maths and the sciences the overlap is large. There are small differences topic by topic, so always learn from the exact specification your student will be examined on.

Coursework and practicals

This is the difference that matters most at home. GCSE sciences in England include required practicals that a centre has to confirm the student has done. GCSE geography needs two days of fieldwork that's then examined in a written paper.

Edexcel IGCSE sciences have no compulsory lab sessions: practical skills are tested in the written papers. Cambridge IGCSE subjects with coursework often have a written "alternative to coursework" paper instead. In Cambridge IGCSE Geography 0460, for example, Paper 4 is a 1 hour 30 minute written fieldwork paper that replaces the coursework.

Grading

GCSEs in England are graded 9-1. A 4 is a standard pass and a 5 a strong pass. Ofqual lines the old letters up so that a 4 matches the bottom of the old C and a 7 the bottom of the old A.

Edexcel IGCSEs use the same 9-1 grading. Cambridge offers some syllabuses graded 9-1 (such as Geography 0976 and Economics 0987) and others graded A* to G (such as Geography 0460). The content is the same; only the grading differs.

Exam dates

The main exam season for both is May/June, with results in August. GCSEs in England only run again in November for English language and maths.

Cambridge IGCSE has a June and a November series every year and Pearson Edexcel runs some International GCSE subjects in January or November as well as June. That gives home educating families more choice about when to sit an IGCSE exam.

Are IGCSEs harder than GCSEs?

Neither is harder overall. Some students find IGCSE papers more predictable, because the questions are written for students all over the world and use plain wording. Others find them tougher, because more marks rest on one or two final exams.

It really depends on the subject, the student and their academic strengths. The best test is to try a past paper from each board and see which style suits them. Both boards publish specimen and past papers on their websites for free.

Do sixth forms and universities accept IGCSEs?

Yes. Sixth forms and colleges accept IGCSEs for A level entry in the same way as GCSEs. UK universities accept both and most Russell Group universities, including Oxford, say they make no distinction between the two.

Entry requirements are set course by course, so it's worth checking the admissions pages for the places your student might apply to. The usual ask is a 4 or a 5 in English and maths, whichever qualification it's in. Employers and apprenticeship providers look at the grade, not the letter in front of it.

• Sixth forms and colleges: GCSEs and IGCSEs are both accepted for A Levels and other post-16 courses.
• UK universities: both are recognised at the same level in admissions.
• Universities abroad: IGCSEs are widely recognised, as they're designed to be used around the world.
• Employers: both count as the same level of qualification.

O levels vs GCSE: where do O levels fit?

O levels were the UK's exams at 16 until 1987. GCSEs replaced them for exams from 1988, so anyone who took O levels in the UK did them before that.

Cambridge still offers Cambridge O Level in some countries. Cambridge says it's equivalent to the Cambridge IGCSE grade for grade, so for a student today O levels, IGCSEs and GCSEs all sit at the same level.

Taking IGCSE exams as a home educated student

If your child isn't at school, the qualification is still available to them. They sit their exams as a private candidate at an exam centre that accepts private candidates. That's often a college, an independent school or a private exam centre. The steps are the same for a GCSE or an IGCSE exam.

1. Choose the subject and the exact specification code, such as Biology 4BI1.
2. Study the course, using the specification as your checklist.
3. Find a centre that takes private candidates for that board and subject.
4. Book the entry well before the deadline, which is usually months before the exams.
5. Ask about access arrangements early if your child needs extra time or other support.
6. Sit the exams at the centre, then collect results and the certificate through the centre.

Fees are set by each centre, so ask for a full price per subject before you book. Our home education guide explains the costs, the timeline and how many GCSEs to take in more detail.

IGCSE or GCSE: which should you choose?

For most students at school the choice is made for them. For home educating families it's a real decision. Ask these questions about each subject:

• Is it exam-only? If a GCSE needs practicals or fieldwork that a centre must sign off, an IGCSE is usually simpler.
• Can you find a centre that offers that board and subject to private candidates?
• Which exam series suits you? An IGCSE can give you a November or January option.
• Does the content suit your child? Compare the specifications side by side.
• Do any sixth forms or colleges you're aiming for say anything about IGCSEs? Most don't mind.

Lots of families mix the two: IGCSE sciences and geography, say, with a GCSE in a subject like psychology or sociology that's already exam-only.

Real examples: how two biology exams compare

Biology shows the difference well. Both qualifications below are full biology courses at the same level.

• Pearson Edexcel IGCSE Biology 4BI1: two papers, Paper 1 (2 hours, 110 marks) and Paper 2 (1 hour 15 minutes, 70 marks). No compulsory lab sessions to arrange.
• AQA GCSE Biology 8461: two papers of 1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks each. Students must also complete the required practicals, which a centre has to confirm.

Both are good courses. The IGCSE is just much easier to arrange as a private candidate, which is why our course list flags the practicals before anyone picks AQA science.

Our GCSE and IGCSE courses

We offer both, so we're not pushing one over the other. Our IGCSE courses include Pearson Edexcel Biology, Business, Economics and Geography, plus Cambridge IGCSE Geography, Economics, Environmental Management, Marine Science, Psychology, Sociology and Travel and Tourism.

Our GCSE courses are AQA Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Psychology and Sociology. Every course has short online lessons, quizzes, games and flash cards on each lesson. You can see the full list on our courses page.

Prices are on our pricing page. You can also try some of our material first on the free resources page.

IGCSE vs GCSE FAQs

What does IGCSE stand for?

International General Certificate of Secondary Education. Pearson calls its version the International GCSE.

Is an IGCSE equivalent to a GCSE?

Yes. They're at the same level and sixth forms, colleges and universities accept them in the same way. A grade 4 is a grade 4 whichever one it's in.

Can you take IGCSEs in the UK?

Yes. Many independent schools teach them and home educated students sit them as private candidates at exam centres across the UK.

Is IGCSE better for home education?

Often, yes, because most IGCSE subjects are written exams only. There are no science practicals or coursework for a centre to supervise, so they're easier to arrange.

Can you mix GCSEs and IGCSEs?

Yes. Each one is a separate qualification in one subject, so you can take an IGCSE in one subject and a GCSE in another.

When are IGCSE exams?

The main series is May/June. Cambridge IGCSE also runs in November and some Pearson Edexcel subjects run in January or November. Check the board's timetable for your subject.

Do IGCSEs use 9-1 grades?

Edexcel IGCSEs do. Cambridge IGCSEs come in two versions: some syllabuses are graded 9-1 and others A* to G.

Are IGCSEs recognised by universities?

Yes. UK universities recognise GCSEs and IGCSEs as the same level and most make no distinction in admissions. Check each course's entry requirements to be sure.