IGCSE and GCSE are both secondary qualifications, but they differ in boards, format, and where they’re used. Here’s how they compare for 2026.

GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education)

• Used mainly in: England, Wales, Northern Ireland
• Exam boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC
• Curriculum: Closely aligned to the UK National Curriculum
• Assessment: Mix of exams and coursework; reform has reduced coursework
• Grading: 9–1 (9 highest) in England

IGCSE (International GCSE)

• Used mainly in: International schools, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, many countries
• Exam boards: Cambridge (CIE), Edexcel (Pearson)
• Curriculum: International focus; less tied to UK curriculum
• Assessment: Mostly exams; some subjects have coursework
• Grading: A*–G (or 9–1 for some syllabuses)

Key Differences

Aspect	GCSE	IGCSE
Primary market	UK	International
Curriculum	UK-focused	International
Coursework	Less now (reforms)	Varies by subject
Exam format	Varies by board	Varies by board
Recognition	UK, international	Widely international

Which Do International Schools Use?

• UAE, Singapore, Malaysia – Mostly IGCSE (Cambridge or Edexcel)
• UK schools – GCSE; some offer IGCSE in specific subjects
• British international schools – Often IGCSE for flexibility and portability

Recognition

Both GCSE and IGCSE are widely recognised for:

• A-Level entry
• IB Diploma
• University admissions (UK and abroad)

For May/June 2026

If you’re sitting Cambridge IGCSE in May/June 2026, you’ll use the Cambridge timetable and administrative zones. Edexcel IGCSE has its own schedule.

Tutopiya helps students prepare for IGCSE exams through expert one-to-one online tutoring. We offer the world’s largest AI-powered IGCSE resources bank to support your revision and exam success. Always confirm which board and syllabus you’re taking.