The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is the most popular educational qualification all over the world. Developed in 1988 by Cambridge International Examinations, it has won recognition as an excellent international alternative to several well-accepted national curricula.
IGCSE Board at a glance
The Curriculum
When is it offered?
IGCSE examinations are held twice a year, in June and November. Candidates would get the results in August and January.
Assessment and grading
The assessment that happens shortly before the completion of the course covers oral and written tests, coursework and practical evaluation. There is no pass or fail in each subject. The certificate only indicates the grades scored by the test taker. The IGCSE is graded on an 8-point scale from A* to G that is internationally recognized. The highest grade is A*, and ‘U’ points to ‘Ungraded’.
International schools across the world generally allow students to study 5 to 14 IGCSE subjects. The minimum requisite qualification is a pass in five core subjects at C or above.
Recognition in India and abroad
A Cambridge IGCSE qualification opens up global opportunities in both education and career.
IGCSE is delivered in schools in over 140 countries and is accepted by colleges and universities worldwide – to a greater extent in the UK and other Commonwealth countries.
IGCSE is recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) at par with CBSE and ICSE.
In the UK, Cambridge IGCSE is accepted as equivalent to the GCSE. A significant number of UK universities recognize Cambridge IGCSE English Language qualification as proof of English language competency for university study.
Some colleges and universities in the United States and Canada accept learners with five Cambridge IGCSE subject passes at grade C or above.
Students stand as well a good chance of acceptance by premier educational institutions across the world including MIT, Harvard and Cambridge. Employers around the world consider it as a valuable certificate of achievement.