The IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) is an international qualification for 14-19-year-olds, offered in over 130 countries worldwide. It is recognised by universities and employers as a marker of high academic achievement.
In this article, we’ll be looking at why IGCSE Computer Science has become so popular amongst students worldwide and where this can take them.
What is IGCSE?
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is a qualification taken by students aged 16 to 19 and is the equivalent of the GCSE. The IGCSE was developed in England in 1988 as an alternative to A-levels for school pupils who were not going on to further academic study.
The exam board Edexcel offered the first IGCSE examinations in English language, mathematics and science subjects from September 1990. The Cambridge examination board followed suit with its own version of IGCSEs in 1991. Other boards set up their versions, too, such as Oxford University’s O-level qualifications or London Examinations Board’s CIE Advanced Levels. In 1994, it became possible for schools to offer these qualifications to students of any age.
Why has IGCSE in general become so popular among students wanting to study abroad?
One of the main reasons why IGCSE has become so popular among students wanting to study abroad is because it is an internationally recognised qualification. This means that not only will they be able to study at an educational establishment in their home country but will also be able to learn their chosen topic throughout the world, without the need to sit an additional entrance exam.
Another reason for its popularity is that IGCSE is available to students of all ages. This makes it ideal for those who want to progress onto A Levels and university but may have missed the traditional GCSE age limit.
Why has IGCSE Computer Science become so popular with learners?
Something we are all aware of is that technology is not going to go backwards, it will always go forward and IGCSE Computer Science will encourage learners to prepare for any technological advances that may occur in the future.
At the forefront of IGCSE Computer Science is computational thinking, which will help learners gain a knowledge of the fundamentals of problem solving when operating computers. With many of the top jobs, such as Application Analyst, Games Designer, Cyber Security Analyst, requiring advanced computer science skills, IGCSE easily progresses onto A Level Computer Science, which in turn leads onto a university degree.
These opportunities exist worldwide and with IGCSE being internationally accepted, its popularity has grown more and more with learners, who want to make sure they are in the best possible position to pursue a career in technology.
How the increase in exam centres worldwide has also contributed to the surge of IGCSE qualifications internationally.
The increase in exam centres worldwide has also led to increased uptake of IGCSE qualifications internationally. This is because students can now take the exams in their own location, which negates the necessity for them to travel to other countries. In addition, the increase in exam centres means that there is more competition between centres, leading to better quality services and more affordable prices.
There are now over 130 exam centres worldwide that offer IGCSE qualifications. The list of centres can be found on the Cambridge International Examinations website under ‘Find a Cambridge School’.
A large number of these centres are found in the UK, but there are also a growing number of centres located in other parts of the world, such as North America, the Middle East, Africa, Australasia and mainland Europe.
Final thoughts
The IGCSE has become popular among students wanting to study abroad because it is an internationally recognised qualification available for students of all ages. The increase in exam centres worldwide has led to increased uptake of IGCSE qualifications internationally, thus increasing computer science skills. When deciding where to take the IGCSE examinations, it’s important to choose an examination centre with a good reputation for quality service provision in order to reach your ultimate goal.