Understanding the Grade 9 10 IGCSE Curriculum: What Your Child Will Actually Study
Grade 9 IGCSE curriculum structure is organized into five subject groups with flexible pathways
Professional visual showing the five subject groups (Languages, Humanities, Sciences, Mathematics, Creative/Technical) in a clear, organized layout that parents can easily understand.
Let me walk you through how the Grade 9 IGCSE curriculum works, because it’s more flexible than you might think.
Group 1: Languages
Your child will take English Language (nearly every university worldwide wants at least a grade 6/B in this), and they can add a foreign language like French, Spanish, Mandarin, or even Hindi. Think about it: your 16-year-old graduating with functional proficiency in two or three languages. That’s powerful.
Group 2: Humanities and Social Sciences
This is where subjects like Geography, History, Economics, and Business Studies live. These aren’t just textbook subjects; they develop research skills and analytical thinking. If your child is the type who loves debating current events or understanding how the world works, they’ll thrive here.
Group 3: Sciences
Here’s where you need to pay attention to Core vs Extended. Core covers the basics and allows grades C to G. Extended includes everything in Core plus more complex material, allowing grades A* to E. And here’s the critical part: Cambridge explicitly states students cannot achieve above a C grade if entered for the Core curriculum.
So if your child is eyeing medicine at Cambridge or engineering at MIT, Extended Science subjects with grades 7-8 (A/A*) are non-negotiable.
Group 4: Mathematics
Same deal here. Core Mathematics vs Extended Mathematics, with Additional Mathematics available for high achievers. For competitive university programs in engineering, medicine, economics, or computer science, Extended or Additional Mathematics is essential.
Group 5: Creative, Technical, and Vocational
Computer Science, Accounting, Art & Design, Music, Drama, Design & Technology. This is where your child can explore interests that might become careers. My own daughter discovered her passion for computer programming through IGCSE Computer Science—something that never would have happened in a traditional curriculum.
Continued: next week 4. Continued: next week 3. Grade 9 IGCSE Curriculum Overview (grade-9-curriculum) 9th November 2025