All IGCSE subjects at HHIS have been selected to suit the needs and interests of our students, so that they can enjoy a broad range of academic challenge and achieve success. We know that choosing IGCSE subjects is an important step in every student’s educational journey.
There are a number of FAQs included below and we welcome any questions you may have.
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 recognised 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, Maths 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:
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 standardisation 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.
