IGCSE Subject Requirements: How Many Do I Take?

The IGCSE is a highly-respected qualification that many schools — especially international, independent and some grammar schools — teach to students aged 14+. 

It is the “international” equivalent to the British GCSE, and in my experience there is absolutely no difference in difficulty between IGCSEs and GCSEs. Typically, sixth-form colleges and Universities treat both qualifications identically (even Oxbridge and the prestigious Russell Group universities). 

In the UK, the most popular IGCSE courses are provided by two examination boards, Cambridge International Education and Edexcel. There are some minor differences between the content of these IGCSE courses, but both are equally highly regarded.

Whichever exam board, the number of IGCSE qualifications that you gain matters greatly! Find out how many IGCSE subjects you need, the differences between core and elective subjects, and how to choose the subjects that are best suited to you.

How many IGCSE subjects are required?

Most schools require you to take five or six IGCSE subjects. Three of these will be the compulsory “core” subjects, English, Mathematics and Science. If you wish to continue studying after you are 16, the number of IGCSEs that you take will depend: different schools, colleges and universities will all have slightly different requirements. 

Generally, most post-16 courses will ask students for a minimum of five IGCSEs at Grade 4 (C) or above.

Core vs elective IGCSE subjects

Both Cambridge International Education and Edexcel require students to study the following “core” subjects:

• English (Language and Literature)

• Mathematics

• Science 

Outside of the core group, students are free to choose from a wide range of “elective” subjects from subject areas, including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), the arts, humanities and sports. Most students study between nine and twelve IGCSE subjects in total.

International IGCSE requirements

Different countries may have slightly different IGCSE requirements. Certain countries, for example, do not restrict students younger than 14 from studying IGCSE courses, while others will offer a one-year course instead of two. 

In some subjects, such as Mathematics and Science, high-achieving students may take “Extended” or “Higher” examinations to earn top grades. These options are available in the UK, but may not be in other countries, so if you are moving between countries it is a good idea to check what is available in the country you will be studying in.

Aside from these few differences, the IGCSE allows students travelling between countries a great deal of freedom. Unlike GCSEs, the IGCSE qualification is taught in 150 different countries. It was designed initially for international students, so it is simple for IGCSE students to transfer between countries during their studies.  

What do universities look for?

As with GCSEs, the grades you get always matter more than the specific subjects.  

Most Higher Education courses will ask students for a minimum of five IGCSEs at Grade 4 (C) or above.

Whether or not you are graded from A*-G or 9-1 depends upon your course and region, but universities do not distinguish between these different grading systems.

How to choose elective IGCSE subjects

Again, universities and colleges rarely care what specific IGCSE subjects you take outside of the core subjects. There may be specific requirements for certain subjects (Medicine and Veterinary applications, for example, may prefer more STEM subject choices), but your grades always matter far more than your course choice. 

Here are three tips to help you make the best choices for you: 

1. Choose the subjects that you enjoy

In my experience, the most important thing is to play to your strengths. Your IGCSE options should reflect your personality and interests. You will always achieve better results and enjoy a more enriching educational experience when you study what you love. 

2. Consider your post-16 education options

Check whether your prospective college or university has any requirements for students applying for certain subjects. Most universities will care more about your A Level or IB grades, but they may also consider your IGCSE subject choices too. 

3. Research your possible career plans

As a general rule, your IGCSE options won’t limit your future career options.

Of course, it’s fine not to have a firm career plan when you are just 14. However, if you do have an idea of what kind of area you’d like to work in when you’re older, it’s always a good idea to see if jobs in that sector have any specific IGCSE requirements. At the very least, this kind of research can be really enjoyable and might give you extra motivation for your studies!

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