international general certificate of secondary education
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education is based on the British curriculum (GCSE) but adapted for a more internationally-focused student-body. The two year key stage four course is a content-rich programme designed to prepare students for further study wherever they are situated in the world. The qualification is taken by fifteen and sixteen year olds to mark their graduation from the Key Stage 4 phase of secondary education. As an official Pearson Edexcel examination centre, The Algarve International School is able to prepare such students in Years 10 and 11 to take and sit their iGCSE's.
For the academic year beginning in September 2020 we have a great range of iGCSE subject choices that your student can chose from. It is expected that students undertake core subjects such as English, Maths, a Science and Portuguese whilst choosing certain others of their preference.
Key stage 4 information.
Examination boards
Subjects offered at AIS
Subjects offered at AIS
There are two main examination boards that offer the IGCSE, Cambridge Assessment International Education and Edexcel. At AIS we chose to offer the IGCSE through Edexcel. The content of the IGCSE changes very little, or not at all, between the exam boards. Universities do not place any weight on which exam board was used and achieving a high grade in either exam will be well-regarded by universities.
Subjects offered at AIS
Subjects offered at AIS
Subjects offered at AIS
This academic year 20/21 The Algarve International School is offering the following subjects for iGCSE:
- Accounting
- Art and design
- Biology
- Business
- Chemistry
- Digital communication
- English literarure
- English language
- French
- German
- Geography
- Global citizenship
- History
- Leisure and tourism
- Maths
- Physics
- Portuguese
- Sport.
Core subjects
Core subjects
Core subjects
Algarve International School students in this key stage are expected to take at least six iGCSE's in order to fulfil a balanced, full and healthy timetable. There are four core subjects that are suggested ... English, Maths, a Science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics) and Portuguese.
As every child and circumstance is different, we are always willing to discuss exceptions to the rule.
Study periods
Core subjects
Core subjects
For students entering key stage 4, 'free' or 'study' periods are a new concept. Depending on the number of iGCSE subjects taken your student may find gaps in their timetable. These 'gaps' should always be used for study, revision, research or reading. There will be sessions available at the beginning of each term to discuss time management, developing a personal study ethos and discussing the tools required for successful self study.