IGCSE Entry Requirements and Eligibility

IGCSE is designed for learners typically aged 14–16, but there are no strict age or prior qualification rules from the boards—eligibility is mainly about registering through an approved centre.

Who Can Enter?

• School candidates: Students at a Cambridge- or Edexcel-approved school; the school enters them.
• Private candidates: Anyone can register through an authorised exam centre (e.g. British Council or Pearson centre).
• Homeschoolers, retakers, adult learners are all eligible as private candidates.

Age

• Boards do not set a minimum or maximum age.
• Many candidates are in Year 10–11 (or equivalent); others are older (retakes, adult learners) or younger (early entry).
• Centres may have their own policies (e.g. under-16 arrangements); check with your centre.

Prior Qualifications

• You do not need previous qualifications to sit IGCSE.
• Some schools use IGCSE as a natural step after lower secondary; private candidates can start with any subject.

What You Actually Need

• ID (and sometimes proof of date of birth) for registration.
• Fees paid by the centre’s deadline.
• For private candidates: a centre that accepts private entries and offers your chosen subjects and session.

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Tutopiya: For All IGCSE Candidates

Tutopiya supports school and private candidates of all ages preparing for Cambridge or Edexcel IGCSE. Find out more.