IGCSE and GCSE - What is the difference?  (46 Posts) Lollybrolly
Sun 27-Jan-13 14:52:08  DDs school say they do IGCSE in a
majority of subjects and they are selling this as an advantage.
We have a meeting about course options in a few weeks so would
like to have a basic understanding. So far I know they do IGCSE
in science.  I know little about GCSE other than I was the 1st
year to do it back in 1986.  Can anyone explain simply what the
difference is and if there are any advantages/disadvantages
please.  bulby Sun 27-Jan-13 15:04:25  The I stands for
international and historically was taught In British
international schools meaning the curriculum is more suitable
for international candidates. An examplemight be that in IGCSE
Biology the pupils may not learn about how to brew beer as this
would not be appropriate in middle eastern countries. They are
no harder or easier than GCSE but some schools have jumped in a
band wagon to try make them selves seem more academic by
teaching them. I've taught both and 'hard