International GCSE Curriculum Guide 2025/26 - Subject Selection and Exam Structure

Sep 5, 2026

International GCSE Curriculum Guide 2025/26 outlines how students should choose I/GCSE subjects for Year 10 and explains the structure from Key Stage 3 through Key Stage 4. It clarifies compulsory, optional and complementary subject categories, the key questions students should use when selecting options, and how external assessments differ from school-based testing. The guide also summarizes exam timing, global scheduling constraints, and provides information on examination fees and key school personnel.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages24

Reading Time1 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

Welcome and I/GCSE subject categories

Compulsory, optional, and complementary subjects

Choosing optional subjects

Student self-check questions and advice

Assessment and examination differences

External setting, exam board regulation, global dates

School structure across Key Stages

Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4 overview

Examination fees and scheduling constraints

Key personnel

International GCSE Curriculum Guide August 2025 [www.oryxschool.qa](www.oryxschool.qa) Respect | Integrity | Excellence | Compassion | Responsibility INTERNATIONAL GCSE CURRICULUM GUIDE 2025/26 Welcome to Oryx International School Dear parents and students, Choosing the correct subjects for I/GCSE examinations is vital when preparing students for their future careers and employment opportunities. We offer a range of subjects to cater for all areas of interest whether these are in sciences, technology, arts, humanities, languages or other non-subject related areas of study. This ensures that our students’ interests and strengths are utilised whilst taking the first step towards I/ GCSE qualifications. Our experienced staff will guide you and your child through this next stage of school, making sure that all your questions are answered and that sound advice is given to you and your child. Subjects are split into the three categories, shown below, which are explained later in this document. 1. Compulsory subjects: Maths, English, Arabic language and Islamic studies (for Arabic passport holders only) . 2. Optional subjects: your choice of optional subjects. 3. Complementary subjects: compulsory but without any examination, e.g. PE and PSHE The three questions students should ask regarding which optional subjects to choose are: 1. Do I enjoy this subject? 2. Am I good at this subject? 3. Will it help me towards my future career pathway? The advice we give is that students should keep their range of subjects as wide as possible at this stage to allow for any future changes in career pathway, e.g. not to choose all technology or all art subjects. The main differences between current assessments and I/ GCSE examinations are that they are now external, not school-based. The specification and examinations content are prepared by the national examination centre in the UK (The Joint Council for QualificationsCIC -JCQ) and regulated by Ofsted. This ensures that all children sitting these exams are measured against each other using the same standards, no matter which country they live in. The other main difference is that the exam time and dates are set by the examination board and are not flexible. Students must sit the same subject exams on the same days throughout the world. This will mean that some exams will be taken outside the usual operating times of the school and possibly on Fridays. As the exam dates are set by the examination board, students must be available up to the last day of Term 3 and possibly even beyond that date. The school will be informed of the exam dates at the start of each academic year, i.e. September. Examination Fees: Finally, the examination board charges a fee for each International GCSE, which is not included in our school fees. The approximate cost per exam is QAR 550. Please note that this changes year on year and is provided only as an approximation for your information at this time. The examination board will inform the school of the fees at the start of each academic year, after which we will inform you of the cost and the payment methods in Year 11. I hope you will find this booklet an informative first step to deciding your child’s I/GCSE examinations for Year 10. Regards, Imran Sidat Assistant Vice Principal-Head of Secondary Secondary school structure | Key Stage 3 | Year 7 | UK National Curriculum plus regulatory requirements of the MOE&HE, Qatar | Termly school exams and GL Assessments | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | Year 8 | UK National Curriculum plus regulatory requirements of the MOE&HE, Qatar | Termly school exams and GL Assessments | | | Year 9 | UK National Curriculum plus regulatory requirements of the MOE&HE, Qatar | Termly school exams and GL Assessments Students choose I/GCSE subjects for KS4 | | Key Stage 4 | Year 10 | First year of I/GCSE courses with Edexcel Pearson Examination Board
UK National Curriculum plus regulatory requireme

FAQs

Which subjects are compulsory for I/GCSE examinations?

Compulsory subjects listed are Maths, English, Arabic language, and Islamic studies (for Arabic passport holders only).

How should students decide which optional I/GCSE subjects to choose?

Students should ask: whether they enjoy the subject, whether they are good at it, and whether it helps their future career pathway. The guide advises keeping a wide range of subjects at this stage to allow future changes.

What are the main differences between current assessments and I/GCSE examinations?

Current assessments are described as school-based, while I/GCSE examinations are external. Specification and examination content are prepared and regulated by UK bodies, exam time and dates are fixed by the examination board, and students must sit the same subject exams on the same days worldwide.

Sep 5, 2026

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