GCSE and Pre-GCSE

• GCSE / IGCSE
• Pre-GCSE

• At age 14, most students in the UK start a two-year GCSE programme, leading to their first formal academic qualifications - General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) on a path to university. On average, students choose to study 8-10 GCSE subjects, and are graded from A* to G. The compulsory national curriculum include the following ‘Core Subjects’ and ‘Foundation Subjects’.
  • Core subjects:
    • English
    • Math
    • Science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology
  • Foundation subjects:
    • Design and Technology (Woodwork, Metalwork, Cookery, Textiles etc.)
    • Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
    • History
    • Geography
    • Music
    • Art
    • Physical Education
    • Modern Foreign Language
    • Humanities
    • Citizenship
    • Religious Education (RE)
    • Sex Education
    IGCSE (International GCSE) is an international version of the GCSE developed by University of Cambridge International Examinations for international students. It works the same way as the GCSE, offering over 70 subjects. The IGCSEs are taken in over 120 countries, and are internationally recognised qualification for student aged 14-16.   GCSE qualifications prepare students for entry to further education courses, including A-levels, and then to higher education undergraduate degree courses.
• This course is designed to prepare students for study at GCSE level. It aims to help learners whose first language is not English and want to build a solid foundation in preparation for studying GCSE. It’s primarily for international students aged between 13 and 15 coming to the UK to study GCSEs. Generally, there are no formal entry requirements for UK students, though subject to internal interviews of respective school or college. For international students, a minimum of IELTS 2.5 score is usually required. The course involves reading, writing and communication, including spelling, punctuation and grammar work to the level and type of work that a GCSE demands. Students will work in a small group, in pairs or individually with an experienced tutor, to develop the skills required for GCSE studies through reading, writing, practical tasks, games, role-play, discussion as well as computer-based work. The length of the course is flexible depending on student’s English language level. This unique course has been specifically designed to help students rapidly increase their English language proficiency. Many Pre-GCSE programmes will also introduce GCSE subjects defined by national curriculum to prepare students as well as to give students a taste of GCSE study.

Non-European students can only study GCSEs/Pre-GCSEs at an UK fee-paying independent school, and a Tier 4 (Child) Visa is required. Click the link to read more about UK independent schools, and to compare the performance of top UK independent schools.