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2,337 Replies to “What is IGCSE?”
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Greetings to all. I’m a Bangladeshi student studying in U.A.E and I have completed my IGCSEs this year with 8A*s Al7amdulillah. It is my dream to study medicals in the UK. I would be grateful if you would guide me more about some good medical universities in UK which offer scholarships as I am aware that pursuing higher education in the UK needs tremendous financial stability. I would also like to know if I could apply for citizenship incase if I study in the UK.
Hi Rahatara,
Congratulation on the great achievement! You can try to apply the University of Cambridge. They do provide scholarship. Studying in the UK will only grant you a student visa, not citizenship. You may find more information on this with your nearest British Council. They too can provide you more information on universities.
Thank you so much. Will go through the details. 🙂
Greerings
I want to become an engineer, specifically the ones that require physics such as electrical/ mechanical/aeronautical. I will decide the one field later.
I have got a distinction in my IGCSE 2014 may/ june results. Do univerisities accept IGCSE students directly for their undergraduate programmes? Or do I have to undertake IB or A levels?
Also, could I get a scholarship as I have got distinction?
I am from Tanzania and have no much knowledge about the universities in UK. Could you provide me examples of specific Universities that can take me straight to their undergraduate course with my IGCSE qualifocation only?
Hi Abbasdharamsi,
Congratulation for the excellent achievement!
Yes, there are universities that accept IGCSE straight to their undergraduate programmes. You may want to sit with your city’s British Council, and go through with them all the available universities. They can also advise you in terms of visa and application, etc…
At the same time, you will also find out which universities do offer scholarships for undergraduate.
Other wise, taking A-Level would open more doors for you to choose on your preferred universities.
Which one is better IGCSE or GCSE? and i was wondering if colleges look at Grades or marks ? i have currently finished my 7 igcse subjects (biology , Chemistry , physics, English as a second language ,maths , ICT & business studies ) and i got 1A* , 5As,1B , however will students be able to know their scores as well or only grades . Moreover will colleges look upon your grades or marks ? & if i was planning to apply for medicine after i finish my A level , what kind of grades do i require ?
i have a lot of inquiries and it would be great if all of them were answered , thank you
Hi Lana,
IGCSE is available for international students. GCSE is for UK schools. Both have same weight in terms of quality and acceptance.
You will only know your grades, such as : A* to U. Grades will be the only one colleges and universities look upon.
It all depends on which universities you’re applying. If you want to enter Cambridge, straight As is required for your A-Level. Some other universities might accept Bs with some As. Check with the universities that you want to apply. Ask them what do they want, that’s the best way to go.
i live in the United Arab Emirates and colleges here require a score not just grades , and i was reading through the grade boundaries of 2014 and i realized that about 73% (minimum) is an A* in Biology which is a loss of about 44 , so i was wondering will decent colleges accept me if i got a 73% ? even though i have all A*s & As?
Hi Lana,
We strongly suggest you to talk to the colleges that you want to apply, and find out what are their requirements. All colleges have different entry requirements. Instead of assuming, the best is ask direct.
Yes , Thank you
how many times can we resit in igcse esl o levels
Hi Rauf,
Gor IGCSE, so far there is no limit as one could sit for the exam. But the newest result will be used, even though your old result was at a higher grade.
Hi, our son is home-schooled in the UK. We have been following an American curriculum, but are now interested in iGCSE’s to get him qualifications before going on to A-level. We are aware of examination centres in our area. We have a couple of questions:
1. Are IGCSEs age-restricted here in the UK? He will be 16 in November.
2. How long would it typically take to work through the syllabus for one subject? ie, we were thinking he could study 3 subjects this year to sit next June, and another 3 the following year (subject to the answer to my first question). Is this realistic? Might he be ready instead to sit the exams in January?
Thanks for your help
Mark
Hi Mark,
Here are the answers to your questions:
1. There is no age restriction for IGCSE. He can take the exams at any age. Though IGCSE is being taken by students typically at age 16.
2. The syllabus for all IGCSE subjects is being designed as 2-year course, for schools to follow. If you would like to speed up the process, you probably could do it in one and a half year or less depending on the student’s ability. We do not typically encourage parents to try to speed things up. We encourage parents to follow the syllabus design, and let the student decides if he/she wants more or less. Remember, the most important thing is, the student must feel confident enough to take the exams. If not, no sweat, take your time to deepen your understanding of each subject and take the exam later. DO NOT make decision based on peer pressure.
Lastly, there are no examinations available in January. IGCSE examinations are being set twice a year, once in May/June, and another one in October/November. Check with your examination centre when you should enrol your son for the next session.