A plain-English guide to the most common international school curricula, what they are, how they work, and which might suit your family best.
Curriculum guide
By Nik Higgins · Co-founder & CEO
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE is the main alternative to Cambridge IGCSE at British international schools. It's an internationally-adapted version of the UK GCSE, offered by Pearson Edexcel, with UK-aligned syllabuses and grading. Universities treat Edexcel and Cambridge IGCSE as fully equivalent.
Students take a full IGCSE suite (typically 8–10 subjects). Grading is 9–1 across most syllabuses, aligning with UK GCSE reforms.
Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Some schools prefer Edexcel because its syllabuses stay closer to UK GCSE content — useful if the school's teachers move between UK and international postings, or if a significant number of students plan to return to UK schooling. In practice, universities do not distinguish between the two boards.
Is Pearson Edexcel IGCSE right for your child?
It tends to suit families who…
It may be less ideal if…
The bigger picture
UK Read the full British curriculum guide Pearson Edexcel IGCSE sits inside the wider British pathway. See how it slots in with the other stages, how universities recognise it, and where to find British-curriculum schools by country. →Common questions
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