Secondary IGCSE

IGCSE stands for ‘International General Certificate of Secondary Education’. It is an examination program offered by the University of Cambridge which has been specifically designed to meet the needs of students studying in International Schools. Cambridge IGCSEs prepare school students for life, helping them develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning. The Cambridge international qualifications are recognized by the world’s best universities and employers, giving students a wide range of options in their education and career. Every year, nearly a million Cambridge students from 10,000 schools in 160 countries prepare for their future with an international education from Cambridge International.  

Students begin their IGCSE studies at the start of Year 10, although the work completed throughout Key Stage 3 is in preparation for the step up to IGCSE level. Students study IGCSEs for 2 years with most of the final examinations taking place in May and June of Year 11. During the two years of IGCSE study, students complete regular practice and are provided feedback and support in order to prepare them for the final exams. In some subjects, there is a coursework element of the course. This work is submitted to Cambridge no later than April of their Year 11 year for external moderation.

Students can study up to 9 IGCSE qualifications. Some students may, however, study fewer to ensure that they can successfully pass the qualifications best suited to them. We want to challenge all learners to aspire and to achieve the very best they can.
An indicative program of nine IGCSE qualifications looks as follows and is a tremendous achievement;

• English Language and Literature which are two separate IGCSE qualifications;
• Co-ordinated Sciences - This is a Double Award which also provides students with two IGCSE qualifications; 
• Maths 
• A language IGCSE in either Thai, Mandarin or Spanish;
• Three option subjects that they select based on their interests and passions from a choice of eight. 

Please see the 'Options Subject' tab of this website for more details of option subjects available. 

For students that enrolled at HHIS for Key Stage 3, a supportive timeline of events and workshops are offered during Year 9. This includes taster lessons in subjects not offered in Key Stage 3 and an IGCSE information fair run by Year 10 students so that Year 9 can hear from students currently studying the courses they are interested in.  Teachers are on hand to guide and support students when they are selecting subjects, so that these choices suit their interests, talents, skills and aspirations. Parents are also invited to an IGCSE Options meeting in order to be fully informed and able to assist their child in their option choices. It is important that students select a balanced set of subjects that they will enjoy. Students should also consider the subjects that they feel they will be most successful at and also the subjects that they might like to do in the future, both in terms of further education and as a career. 

There are some subjects that all students study such as English, Math and Science. Students also study a language and there are also option subjects which students select. Students also continue to participate in Thai culture, PE and PSHE sessions. 

An overview of all IGCSE subjects is provided here and further details can be accessed using the subject pages:

• English First Language 
• English Literature
• English as a Second Language 
• Maths
• Science
• Thai
• Mandarin
• Spanish
• Art
• Business Studies
• Economics
• Global Perspectives 
• History
• Computer Science
• Music
• Physical Education

In some subjects there is a choice between core and extended curriculum papers. The core curriculum is within the ability range of a large majority of students. It provides a full overview of the subject and is targeted at students expected to achieve grades C to G. The extended curriculum is designed for the more academically able students who are expected to achieve grades A* to D. A decision on whether a student studies the core or extended curriculum will be confirmed between teachers, students and parents during Year 10 and 11. This is so that students have had time to develop confidence studying the IGCSE curriculum and are better informed to know the level they should target.

IGCSE grades range from A* to G.  These grades are determined by a range of assessments including coursework and exams. Every subject has a unique combination of exams and coursework. Please see the subjects tabs for more details of each subjects assessment framework.

Coursework is a portfolio of work done in school and is marked by teachers at HHIS. This is called internal assessment. When multiple teachers teach a coursework subject, a process of standardization and moderation occurs internally to ensure marking is consistent and inline with Cambridge's preset assessment criteria. A sample of work is then sent to Cambridge exam board for external moderation and marks are held or adjusted accordingly and these contribution to part of the overall grade.  The final examinations are completed between April and June of Year 11 and are sat in school before being sent to Cambridge for marking. This is known as external assessment.

The final results and grades are determined centrally by Cambridge using the marks from any coursework and the final examinations. The results are then communicated to the school and the students in mid to late August. The formal examination certificates are posted to school in October/November and will be presented to students shortly after.

Cambridge IGCSE First Language English is recommended for students who have first language proficiency and strong comprehension of English. The course offers students the opportunity to respond with understanding to a rich array of reading texts during the course as a whole. Students will use these texts to inform and inspire their own writing, and write in a range of genres for different purposes and audiences. Students will develop both their speaking and their listening skills, delivering presentations, responding to questions and engaging in conversations. Students are encouraged to become appreciative and critical readers, writers, speakers and listeners.

Course Content

For the reading paper, students will read a variety of short text materials [including fiction and non-fiction]  suitable to a Year 10 and 11 reading level of skill and maturity. Texts will include letters,  articles, speeches, newspapers and extracts from classical fiction novels. Students will be required to draw on a wide range of reading skills including (but not limited to): identifying explicit and implicit information, explaining the meaning of words, identify synonyms in a text, write extensive analytical paragraphs, decode and infer meaning, summarise and use spelling, punctuation and grammar accurately.

For the writing paper, students will write in a variety of styles – including informative, descriptive, narrative  and imaginative. This paper will require a wide range of advanced vocabulary to be used accurately and imaginatively to depict various settings, characters, emotions and messages. Furthermore, students will be expected to write extensively using a range of linguistic and structural devices to build imagery, tension and suspense for readers. Spelling and grammar are important along with the accurate use of a wide range of punctuation types to create effect for the reader.

Assessment

All students study the same content and focus on the same topics for IGCSE First Language English. Students take two exams at the end of Year 11. These exams are:

• Reading - This is a 2 hour exam worth 80 marks. Questions will be based on three reading texts.

• Directed Writing and Composition - This is a 2 hour exam worth 80 marks. This exam includes an extended writing question and a composition task.

Both exams are worth 50% of the IGCSE qualification achieved by students. The exams are both externally assessed by Cambridge with the overall grade communicated to HHIS in August, after the exams.

All students also have the opportunity to study the IGCSE Literature in English course. This is an additional subject to English First and Second Language with a separate IGCSE grade awarded.

Students will study an anthology of 15 poems, a fictional novel and two plays from the options published by Cambridge for their examination year. Please note that the texts on the list change every year and therefore each cohort of year 10 students could be studying different texts.

The syllabus enables learners to read, interpret and analyse a wide range of  texts in thorough detail and requires students to write extensive essays using a range of academic vocabulary with confidence and precision.. Learners develop an understanding of literal meaning, relevant contexts and of the deeper themes or attitudes that are expressed through the art of literature in the process of understanding the experiences of humanity through history.

Through their studies, they will build upon their previously acquired knowledge of word types and techniques to closely analyse quotations from poetry, prose and plays to recognise and appreciate the ways in which writers use English to convey their own personal messages and experiences. The syllabus also encourages the exploration of wider and universal issues, promoting learners' better understanding of themselves and of the world around them.

Course Content

During Year 10 and 11 students will study a range of literature, with the aim to develop learners who:

• Enjoy the experience of reading literature;

• Understand and respond to literary texts in different forms and from different periods and cultures;

• Communicate an informed personal response appropriately and effectively;

• Appreciate different ways in which writers achieve their effects;

• Experience literature’s contribution to aesthetic, imaginative and intellectual growth;

• Explore the contribution of literature to an understanding of areas of human concern.

Assessment

All students study the same content and focus on the same topics for IGCSE Literature in English There are two exams for IGCSE Literature in English which are completed at the end of Year 11. Both exams are worth 50% of the IGCSE qualification achieved by students. The exams are both externally assessed by Cambridge.

• Poetry and Prose - This is 90 minute exam worth 50 marks. There are two questions that students answer on two different texts: one poetry and one prose. Students will spend 45 minutes answering each question writing an extensive essay for each. 

• Drama - This is 90 minute exam worth 50 marks. There are two questions that students answer on two drama texts.

All students at HHIS study IGCSE Maths. Students develop mathematical knowledge as a key life skill, and as a strong basis for more advanced study. The syllabus aims to build learners' confidence by helping them develop competence and fluency with mathematical concepts, methods and skills, as well as a feel for numbers, patterns and relationships. 

The syllabus also places a strong emphasis on solving problems and presenting and interpreting results. Learners also gain an understanding of how to communicate and reason using mathematical concepts.

Course Content

All candidates will study the following topics: number, algebra and graphs, geometry, mensuration, co-ordinate geometry, trigonometry, matrices and transformations, probability and statistics.

Calculators are allowed throughout the course. Learners should know when and how to use their calculator, how to check their answers and how to apply rounding appropriately when solving problems. Learners should also be able to show their working and be able to communicate mathematically, using appropriate notation and structure to communicate their reasoning.

Assessment

The IGCSE Maths course is tiered into core and extended content. This enables effective differentiation for students, so they study the appropriate level of Maths and complete exams where they can achieve success. 

The core content is intended for students targeting grades C – G, and the extended content is intended for students targeting grades A* – D. A decision on whether a student studies the core or extended content will be confirmed between teachers, students and parents during the IGCSE. This is so that students have time to develop confidence studying the curriculum and are better informed to know the level they should target.

For both the core and extended content, students complete 2 exam papers in Maths. These papers are completed at the end of Year 11 and are externally assessed by Cambridge. 

• For the core content, students complete Paper 1 and Paper 3. Paper 1 is 35% and Paper 3 is 65% of the overall grade awarded.

• For the extended content, students complete Paper 2 and Paper 4. Paper 2 is 35% and Paper 4 is 65% of the overall grade awarded.

Science Courses

Students gain an understanding of the principles of Biology, Chemistry and Physics through a mix of theoretical and practical studies, while also developing an understanding of the scientific skills essential for further study. Students will learn how science is studied and practised, and become aware that the results of scientific research can have both good and bad effects on individuals, communities and the environment. As well as focusing on the individual sciences, the syllabuses helps learners to understand the technological world in which they live, and take an informed interest in scientific developments. 

All students at HHIS study IGCSE Science.  From August 2025, Year 10 students will have the option of studying either Triple Science (separate Sciences: Biology, Physics and Chemistry) or IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award Science). Both pathways provide students the opportunity to study Biology, Chemistry and Physics within a cross-referenced, scientifically coherent syllabus. 

IGCSE Separate Sciences

IGCSE Separate Sciences is the more rigorous course, covering more topics in more depth. Students will complete 3 exams in each of the Sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. They will therefore sit a total of 9 Science exams across the three Science disciplines. Students therefore have to be fully focused, motivated and show a high level of scientific skill and knowledge in order to complete these demanding qualifications.  Students will receive a separate IGCSE qualifications in each of the Science subjects. 

Students will have 11 lessons of Science in Year 10 and 12 lessons of Science in Year 11, evenly divided between each separate Science.  

This pathway should be considered for any student who is passionate about Science and is considering studying at least one Science at Higher Level for IB and or going on to do a Science based degree at university. 

Separate Science Assessment

Students complete three components for each of the Sciences.  

• A 45-minute multiple choice exam worth 30% of the qualification. This is externally assessed.

• A 1 hour 15 minute written exam worth 50% of the qualification consisting of short-answer and structured questions. This exam is externally assessed.

• A practical style component of the qualification that is worth 20% and assesses a student’s ability with experiments and investigations. This exam is externally assessed.

As with all IGCSEs the grades available range from A*-G. 

A total of 3 IGCSEs are awarded in Separate Sciences

IGCSE Co-ordinated Science

Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Science is a double award qualification meaning that students will receive two IGCSEs, at grade A*A* - GG.  All three Science disciplines will be examined in each exam paper and an overall grade awarded for Science that is then 'doubled' meaning this qualification is worth 2 IGCSEs.  Students will sit 3 exam papers in total for Co-ordinated Science instead of the 9 sat for Separate Science. 

If studying Co-ordinated Science, students will have 7 Science lessons per week in Year 10 and 8 Science lessons per week in Year 11. These will be evenly divided between each of the Sciences. 

It is possible for students who find Co-ordinated Sciences too challenging, to sit the 'Core' tier paper. This still allows students to gain two IGCSEs in Science but allow students more time to focus on the basic principles and consolidate their knowledge and understanding. Students sitting the core paper will be able to achieve grades C-G.

The decision to complete either the double IGCSE in Co-ordinated Sciences Extended or Core will be confirmed between teachers, students and parents during Year 10 and 11, once students have had time to develop confidence studying the Science curriculum.

Co-ordinated Science Assessment

Students complete three components for both the Co-ordinated and Combined Science IGCSE:

• A 45-minute multiple choice exam worth 30% of the qualification. This is externally assessed.

• A 2-hour written exam worth 50% of the qualification consisting of short-answer and structured questions. This exam is externally assessed.

• A practical style component of the qualification that is worth 20% and assesses a student’s ability with experiments and investigations. This exam is externally assessed.

As with all IGCSEs the grades available range from A*-G but students earn 2 IGCSEs for this course.