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      • Why us?
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      • AIS School brochure 22/23
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Key stage 4 - igcse

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, AIS is able to prepare such students in Years 10 and 11 to take and sit their iGCSE's.

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 21/22  AIS is offering the following subjects for iGCSE:


  • Accounting
  • Art and design
  • Biology
  • Business
  • Chemistry
  • English literature
  • English language
  • French
  • German
  • Geography
  • Global citizenship
  • History
  • ICT
  • Maths
  • Physics
  • Portuguese
  • Sport/Physical Education


Core subjects

Core subjects

Core subjects

AIS students in this key stage are expected to take at least six iGCSE's in order to fulfill 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' or free periods 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.



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