IGCSE Overview and Options

At the end of Year Nine, students follow the highly respected and internationally recognised Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) programme. By the end of Year 11, students will have worked towards achieving top grades in their International General Certificate in Secondary Education (IGCSE).

The choices students make at IGCSE should not be taken lightly, it is a time to consider what career you might choose beyond school. To accomplish this, they will need to have serious discussions with their tutor, subject teachers and of course family, all of whom can guide and support them in their decisions. During PSHE sessions students will have many opportunities to explore their academic strengths and personality profiles to aid in making the right decisions.

At King Henry VIII College, you will normally study between 8 and 10 IGCSEs. These are split into the ‘Core’ and ‘Optional’ subjects.

The ‘Core’, compulsory curriculum consists of;

Maths*
English**
Sciences* - Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Combined Science
Languages**
Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) - not examined
Games - not examined

*IGCSE Additional Mathematics is also an option, but participation is by invitation upon the satisfactory completion of a rigorous baseline test.

**English Language and English Literature are taught as one subject in the curriculum, but two separate examinations are sat in Year 11.

*Selecting 2 Science subjects is mandatory with the exception of EAL students who can opt to take Combined Science.

**Students are encouraged to select at least 1 language

Optional subjects - In addition to the core subjects, students will be asked to choose additional subjects from the full suite on offer. Options include: Art, Computer Science, Drama Geography, History, Music, Photography, Physical Education. Language Options include: French, Spanish, Bahasa First or Bahasa Foreign, Chinese First, Chinese Second or Chinese Foreign.

To provide students with a broad and balanced curriculum, we encourage them to study at least one humanity, one language and one technical and creative subject.

Malaysian students should select Bahasa as an option. They can also choose a second language if you wish.

How many subjects can I take at IGCSE?

This varies depending on the course pathways, most students take from 8 to 10 subjects. Guidance on the amount of courses taken will be given based on your choices and previous academic achievements.

What subjects could I choose?

At KH8 we are have a wide variety of courses to choose from, be sure to choose subjects that you are passionate about, ones that you find interesting, and ones that can place you on the pathway to your chosen career. See the list below, be sure to view the individual subject pages from the links on the top menu:

Art

Bahasa first

Bahasa Foreign

Biology

Business Studies

Chemistry

Computer Science

Drama

Economics

English

English Literature

French

Geography

History

Mandarin

Mathematics

Media Studies

Music

Photography

Physical Education

Physics

Spanish

PSHE

Should I choose what my friends are choosing?

This is not a good idea, choose subjects that you would like to take, not ones your friends are choosing, you might also find that you won't be in the same class.

I really like the teacher, should I choose that subject?

No doubt we have many excellent teachers at KH8 they can really make a subject come to life and ignite your passion. However choosing a subject based on a teacher is not a good way to go, you may even have a different teacher from the one you currently have now.

Who can give me advice about my choices?

You should engage in a conversation with your subject teachers as to your suitability to study at IGCSE level. Your tutor will also have a clear grasp on your strengths following the grade reviews over previous years. Ensure you browse the subject pages on this site to research into; course specifications, coursework requirements and any exams you might take.

I am not sure what career I would like to go into?

Again, engage in conversations with your subject teachers, tutor and parents and extended family, they will have lots of advice. Explore the internet and even go as far as contacting companies asking for advice. You can also take a simple careers quiz which can match you to jobs suited to your personality.

View this page for a list of careers and to listen to people working in those fields.

I 'd like a career in; Art, Media, Law, Health, Science, Engineering ...What subjects should I choose?

The UCAS site for careers give some excellent advice including typical salaries, university courses and more. Speak to your teachers and current Sixth Form student who will no doubt give you some excellent advice.

I am ready to choose my subjects

First off, ensure you have fully researched your chosen courses, once you are ready, complete the straw poll here before the 11th March. Select your top 4 subjects with a 5th subject for reserve. It is important to note that you may not receive all of your first choices as the most popular results will make up the option blocks for you to choose from.

When will I know what options I have been given?

Once the option blocks have been produced we will 'fit' as many students as we can with their first choices, inevitably, sometimes you might not be able to study your first choices as subjects might be grouped together in the same option block (you will then have to choose one or the other). Your tutor will be the first point of contact in dealing with any conflicts, they will guide you through the process throughout.

How do my IGCSE choices effect my A level's?

At this stage you might consider it too early to be thinking about A level choices, you should however continue to ask questions regarding courses beyond IGCSE. You will find more information for A level courses on offer at the top of this page.

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