IGCSE Options Booklet 2024-25 - Curriculum Overview and Subject Selection Guidance

Sep 5, 2026

IGCSE Options Booklet 2024-25 outlines how students progress from Years 7–9 Key Stage 3 into two-year IGCSE courses completed at the end of Year 11, and how these pathways can lead to A level. The booklet explains assessment, grading (A*-G and 9-1), and the mix of theory, practical work, and coursework. It details compulsory subjects, optional subjects and language requirements for Malaysian students, and provides guidance for student and parent option choices, including staged support events and entry guidance for universities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages24

Reading Time1 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

Curriculum overview

Progression to IGCSE and A level

IGCSE grading and assessment

Choosing your subjects

Core subjects and language requirements

Optional subjects and subject combinations

Minimum entry requirements for UK universities

Guidance for option choices

Guidance for students

Guidance for parents

Options process timeline

IGCSE Options Booklet 2024-25 WWW.EPSOMCOLLEGE.EDU.MY/ACADEMIC/SENIOR-SCHOOL/YEARS-10-11 CURRICULUM OVERVIEW In Years 7-9 students have been studying the English National Curriculum Key Stage 3. As they move into Year 10 they start two-year courses leading to International General Certificate of Secondary Education examinations (IGCSEs) at the end of Year 11. These Key Stage 4 courses in turn lead on to A level courses . IGCSEs are highly valued by schools, universities and employers, so they will be useful whatever students are planning to do afterwards. IGCSEs have less British content than GCSEs so in many cases they are more accessible to international students who do not have knowledge of the UK. | APPROXIMATE ENTRY AGE
11 | YEAR
7 | ECIM COURSES
British National Curriculum
Key Stage 3 | | --- | --- | --- | | 12 | 8 | | | 13 | 9 | | | 14 | 10 | IGCSE | | 15 | 11 | | | 16 | 12 | A-level | | 17 | 13 | | All IGCSE subjects will receive either grades A*-G or 9-1 depending on the Examination board and specification. A* and 9 are the highest grades which can be awarded at IGCSE. The IGCSE qualification mainly involves studying the theory of a subject, with some investigative work. Some subjects also involve practical work or coursework. IGCSEs are studied full-time at school taking five terms to complete. IGCSEs are assessed mainly through written examinations and, in some cases, coursework. Some subjects, like Art and Design, have more coursework and fewer examinations. 3 CHOOSING YOUR SUBJECTS Everyone in Year 10 and Year 11 will study: | • English Language or English as a Second Language at IGCSE | | --- | | • Mathematics IGCSE and Further Mathematics (Depending on ability) | | • Science | If you are Malaysian, you are required to study Malay to age 16, but are not required to take the IGCSE examination. On top of this, students may also study English Literature and Further Mathematics at IGCSE if they are in the top sets. Students can choose up to 4 options depending on the language: | • | History | • | Chinese First Language | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | • | Geography | • | Chinese Second Language | | • | Economics | • | Mandarin Foreign Language | | • | Business Studies (which should not be taken with Economics) | • | Art | | • | Accounting | • | Computer Science | | • | Malay | • | Music | | • | French | • | Drama | | • | Spanish | • | Physical Education | Minimum entry requirement for UK universities is 5 good IGCSEs (grade C and above) including English and Maths. Pathways are varied and some examples can be found below. | ENGLISH LEVEL | POSSIBLE NUMBER OF IGCSES | POTENTIAL OPTIONS | | --- | --- | --- | | A student who is above B1-51 | 10 or 11 | English Language (English Literature), Science (Double or Separate), Maths (Further Maths depending on ability) plus any four option subjects. | | A student who has achieved between B1-41 and B1-50 | 9 | English as a Second Language, Science Double, Maths (Further Maths depending on ability) plus any four subjects | | A student who has achieved between A2-31 and A2-40 | 6 | English as a Second Language with EAL support added, Single Science, Maths (Further Maths depending on ability) plus any three options from Art, Music, Drama, Physical Education, Accounting, Chinese 1st Language, Chinese 2nd Language and Mandarin as a Foreign Language. | | A student A2-30 or lower | 5 | English as a Second Language with intensive EAL support added, Single Science, Maths (Further Maths depending on ability) plus any two options from Art, Music, Drama, Physical Education, Accounting, Chinese 1st Language, Chinese 2nd Language and Mandarin as a Foreign Language. | GUIDANCE FOR OPTION CHOICES Your tutors, subject teachers and Head of Key stage 3 and 4 will be able to help with advice on the best options available for you. The best advice is: • Close as few ‘doors’ as possible – look ahead at what courses and careers may no longer be easy

FAQs

What subjects are compulsory in Year 10 and Year 11?

Students study English Language or English as a Second Language, Mathematics IGCSE (and Further Mathematics depending on ability), and Science.

What are the grading and assessment formats for IGCSEs?

IGCSE subjects use grades A*-G or 9-1 depending on the examination board and specification, with A* and 9 as the highest grades. Assessment is mainly written examinations, with some subjects including coursework or practical work.

How many options can students choose and what subject combinations are restricted?

Students can choose up to 4 options, depending on language. Business Studies should not be taken with Economics.

What guidance does the booklet give for making option choices?

Students are advised to keep as few subjects dropped as possible, choose subjects they enjoy while reflecting on why, and select subjects they are likely to do well in without relying only on current grades. Parents are encouraged to support research, attend relevant meetings or interviews, and discuss interests and abilities with their child.

Sep 5, 2026

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