IGCSE: advantages and how to achieve it in Spain
All parents are looking for a solid education for their children, an education that will allow them not only to develop as future adults and to socialize properly with other children, but also to be able to channel their future work through an educational system that will really serve them both in the present and in the future.
In this sense, the accreditation or validation of qualifications is an added bonus that can be very useful, and one of the most widely recognized international programs is the IGCSE, the International General Certificate of Secondary Education.
What is the IGCSE certificate
The IGCSE is the international version of the General Certificate in Secondary Education (GCSE). It is an internationally recognized diploma awarded at the end of the last year of secondary school. It is awarded to students who complete the 4th year of ESO.
The IGCSE Spain is dedicated to students between 14 and 16 years of age who have to complete grades 9 or 10, i.e. 3rd or 4th of ESO. It lasts two years, although there is the possibility of attending only one year. This occurs when students enter this program in the second year.
This training provides an ideal preparation for the International Baccalaureate and is highly valued by universities and companies around the world. This curriculum offers several itineraries to suit students of all profiles. The focus is on different languages, not only English, and some core subjects are taken as a basis.
From there, other subjects can be introduced to promote multidisciplinary learning in which interconnections between subjects are prioritized. The IGCSE prepares students for more advanced stages of education by developing essential educational skills such as speaking, problem solving, teamwork and research.
Each academy, school or teaching center has the freedom to develop its own subjects, but the programs must respond to a clear objective, that of training students to obtain an international profile while avoiding cultural biases.
Advantages of the IGCSE certificate
Once we know the IGCSE and what it is, it is time to talk about its advantages. What does it bring to families that their children get this international accreditation? First of all, we are talking about a diploma that is recognized practically all over the world by companies and universities. Many schools of higher education, especially in the United Kingdom, request this diploma in the administration process.
The students, during the two academic years of this program, face the challenge of overcoming the subjects included in the curriculum, but in addition to this they gain flexibility and the ability to adapt to change, as the educational environment promotes intercultural relations.
At the same time, students develop their ability to work and communicate in another language. Since the program is eminently practical, the idea is to prepare students for new educational challenges and favor their inclusion in training centers in other countries. Finally, this program develops students’ intellectual curiosity.
How to get it in Spain: IGCSE in SLAM
There are many centers in Spain that offer the possibility of obtaining the IGCSE. However, at SLAM School we want to highlight our own program. We offer the Pearson International GCSEs, with globally recognized qualifications and academic and assessment content designed specifically for international students.
Pearson is the largest awarding body for qualifications in the UK. Across the various educational programs, not just at GCSE, students achieve OTHM qualifications (approved by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation in England).
Grades 9 and 10 at SLAM School, which are the grades to pass to obtain the IGCSE, have the following subjects:
- English 1
- Geometry
- Chemistry
- World History
- Foreign Language
- Computers
- English 2
- Algebra 2
- Physics (or equivalent science)
- American
- Government/Economics
- Foreign Language
- One subject of the student’s choice
Upon completion of these two courses, the student obtains IGCSE accreditation to continue their education. At SLAM School we offer the option to continue in the system with grades 11 and 12, which is a full approach to the International Baccalaureate.
What are the requirements to obtain the IGCSE?
From an academic point of view, students wishing to access this program must have passed all subjects of 1st and 2nd year of ESO. In addition, it is essential to have a good level of English, since classes and exams are conducted in this language.
At SLAM School we also offer courses prior to the IGCSE with grades 7 and 8. There, students can gain skills in English and get closer to practical and experiential learning.
The IGCSE is one of the most internationally recognized accreditations in education. Passing this program can serve as a springboard to be accepted in universities in Anglo-Saxon countries and gain weight in the labor scenario. From SLAM we encourage you to know our itineraries in this area.