Pick your board, how many subjects, and which sitting — see an estimated total cost, the standard and late-entry deadlines, and exactly how much a late registration actually adds.
| Board | Per-subject fee | Admin fee | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge International IGCSE | Per subject: £50–120 | £30–100 | +20–25% (up to +50% very late) |
| Pearson Edexcel International GCSE | Per subject: £45–100 | £25–80 | +25–50% |
| Cambridge International A-Level | AS Level: £80–150 · A2: £90–160 · Full A-Level: £100–180 | £40–120 | +20–25% (up to +50% very late) |
| Pearson Edexcel International A-Level (IAL) | AS Level: £70–130 · A2: £80–140 · Full IAL: £90–160 | £35–100 | +25–50% |
Cambridge and Edexcel IGCSE fees sit close together, with Cambridge typically a little higher. International A-Level fees run above IGCSE fees for both boards, since a full A-Level entry costs more than a single IGCSE subject. Sciences with a practical component and languages with a speaking test usually cost more than a written-only subject — ask your centre for the exact per-subject breakdown.
It's close, and varies by country. Cambridge IGCSE typically runs £50–£120 per subject versus Edexcel's £45–£100 — a modest difference, usually not enough on its own to decide between boards. International A-Level fees run higher for both boards than IGCSE, since a full A-Level entry costs more than a single IGCSE subject. Use the calculator above to compare your specific subject count and board.
Typically 20–25% extra in the first late window, rising to 40–50% for a very late entry (where a board offers a second late window at all — not all do). On a 6-subject entry costing £480 on time, a 25% late fee adds around £120; a 50% very-late fee adds around £240. Registering by the standard deadline is meaningfully cheaper, not just more convenient.
Boards publish exact deadlines for the next 1–2 series only, roughly 6-12 months ahead. For sessions further out, this calculator uses the typical multi-year pattern (e.g. Cambridge's May/June deadline usually falls in mid-February) as a planning estimate, clearly labelled — never presented as a confirmed date. Once a board publishes the real date for that series, treat that as authoritative instead.
No — the entry fee is the board's base charge per subject. Most centres add a separate administration fee on top (included in the calculator's total), and some subjects carry extra charges for practical components or speaking tests. Private candidates registering directly (e.g. through British Council) should ask for the complete fee breakdown before committing, since it varies significantly by country and even by centre within the same country.
Yes — private candidates can register and pay directly through British Council or another authorized exam centre. See our full guide to private candidate registration for the step-by-step process, or the Remark or Resit Decision Tool if you're asking about a resit rather than a first-time entry.
Registering as a private candidate?
Our complete guide covers finding a centre, documents, and the full registration process.