International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)

IGCSE is a balanced international curriculum which is designed to encourage high academic standards through a practical approach to teaching and learning.

The curriculum consists of a course of study leading to an examination which is typically taken at the age of 16. Successful students receive an internationally recognised qualification, the International General Certificate of Secondary Education, which is equivalent in standard to the international GCE Ordinary level and British GCSE examination.

The curriculum is suitable for students of all nationalities and all levels of ability. It provides an ideal preparation for higher level courses such as the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), international GCE Advanced level, SAT and APT, International Baccalaureate, and for vocational training and employment.

IGCSE is used by schools in over 100 countries throughout the world and has been recognised as a qualification for matriculation purposes by universities in the United Kingdom and in many other countries.

IGCSE covers a broad range of subjects with syllabuses which are regularly reviewed to keep pace with developments in educational practice and to meet the needs of schools throughout the world.

Curriculum Structure

The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is a two-year course of study available to students at ACS (International) in Years 3 and 4 as an alternative to the GCE ‘O’ Levels. The IGCSE Foundation Years 1 and 2 at ACS (International) serves as the Preparatory Phase designed to meaningfully progress to the courses of study in IGCSE Years 3 and 4.

In IGCSE Foundation Years 1 & 2, all students take a balanced programme of subjects to establish the foundation of knowledge and to enable an informed choice of elective subjects in later years. They are:

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Physical Education and Life Skills
  • History
  • Geography
  • Religious Studies
  • Arts
  • Music
  • Foreign Language Group to choose one from:
    • Chinese
    • Bahasa Melayu
    • Hindi
    • French
    • German
    • Spanish
IGCSE Years 3 and 4 are organised with subjects offered as follows:

1st Language IGCSE English Language & Literature
Foreign / 2nd Language Choice of:
  • IGCSE Chinese
  • IGCSE Bahasa Melayu
  • IGCSE Hindi
  • IGCSE French
  • IGCSE German
  • IGCSE Spanish
Humanities Choice of:
  • IGCSE Business Studies
  • IGCSE Economics
  • IGCSE Geography
  • IGCSE History
Sciences Choice of:
  • IGCSE Biology
  • IGCSE Chemistry
  • IGCSE Physics
Mathematics & Additional Mathematics
Visual Arts Choice of:
  • IGCSE Art
  • IGCSE Music
Note:
All students must take Phyiscal Education and Life Skills.
Able students have the option of engaging all 3 Sciences subjects or additional Humanities subjects.