Students start the IGCSE in Year 3 Mainstream. The two-year programme leads to externally set, marked and certificated examinations from Cambridge Assessment. It is a unique no-gap programme provided to thousands of schools around the world.
IGCSEs are known for developing vital educational knowledge, understanding and skills. They are established qualifications that keep pace with educational developments and trends and so provide an ideal preparation for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in the Senior Division. Recognised throughout the world by academic institutes and employers, the IGCSEs are a mark of quality and evidence of real ability. IGCSE is taken in over 100 countries by an annual candidate entry of more than 250,000. Grade C in IGCSE English (either First Language or Additional Language) satisfies the English proficiency requirements of many universities in the UK and other Anglophone countries.
All students in Year 3 and Year 4 follow an eight- or nine-subject programme for two years before sitting for the final IGCSE examinations. Students follow a core curriculum of Mathematics, English Language or English as a Second Language, one Science, one Humanities, their Mother Tongue or Foreign Language (as per the School Language Policy) and Physical Education (PE).
Students who take English as a Second Language choose two additional subjects while those who take English as a First Language choose three more.
The English course that the students take will be determined by the outcome of their end-of-year Year 2 examination. The Second Language that they take will remain the same as their Year 2 choice. For Pre IGCSE students, they choose a Second Language from Beginner (Mandarin) Chinese or First Language (IGCSE) Chinese.
Singaporean and Singapore PR students follow the MOE MTL framework. All other students are required to study a foreign language, including local students who are exempted from MTL.
With the exception for language classes, all instructions and class content are delivered in English.
The one-year Foundation IB (FIB) course aims at preparing English-speaking students who have not been undertaking the IGCSE. Students complete the equivalent standard of work that Mainstream students are completing. The FIB course prepares these students for transition into the Senior Division, enabling students who migrate from a northern hemisphere school calendar to successfully enter the southern hemisphere school calendar.
For students who are still developing and acquiring their English language skills, the Pre IB course, similar to the FIB course, provides additional English classes that set the foundation for the students to complete their IBDP in the Senior Division.
To understand more about the IGCSEs and the details about the curriculum please follow the links below:
Cambridge IGCSE
IGCSE Presentation 2023
ACS (International) IGCSE Programme Overview
Year 3 IGCSE Subject Information Booklet for 2025 Examinations
2024 Year 3 Subject Options (Online Form)
Year 4 Foundation International Baccalaureate (FIB) Programme Overview
Year 4 Foundation International Baccalaureate (FIB) Syllabus Information
Year 4 Pre-International Baccalaureate (Pre-IB) Programme Overview
Year 4 Pre-International Baccalaureate (PIB) Syllabus Information
Year 4 IB Information (AEP)
