When looking at studying GCSEs as a Private Candidate, you will often see the option of GCSE or International GCSE, but what is the difference? Historically, the differences were in the content of the courses and the requirements. A student studying traditional GCSEs would have the need to be in a class environment with a lot of emphasis and work put on coursework and exploratory work to do with the subject. Whereas with International GCSEs, as these were created and designed originally for International students, there was less focus on coursework and fieldwork and more focus placed on learning the subject and preparing for examination.
Now, with the development of online learning and the far reaching uses for GCSEs, the two course types have become much of a muchness and are now very similar in nature. GCSE courses always have been and always will be for the study within a classroom environment and provide students a chance to develop their knowledge of a subject in a more practical way over a two year period before sitting examinations. Whereas with International GCSEs, these courses are very much more for the student who is looking to prove they hold the required knowledge within the subject, they aren’t interested in exploring its possibilities further in preparation for higher study, instead they wish to hold the qualifications to improve their CVs or demonstrate knowledge for education progression.
Although referred to as International GCSEs, it is actually possible to sit for these exams in the UK and they are accepted equally in place of traditional GCSEs by both employers and universities, so students opting to take International GCSEs do not need to worry that their qualifications will be viewed in a dim light when compared to GCSEs.
What Subjects can I take International GCSEs in?
Basically, if there is a GCSE in a subject, chances are you can sit the International GCSE version without any issue. In fact in some cases, the International GCSE versions offer students more options with certain subject areas, for example, when it comes to the sciences, in traditional GCSEs there is a growing trend for students to complete the GCSE in Combined Science, which sees all three subjects combined, whereas with the International GCSE version of the course, you can either do Combined Science or sit for the three subject (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) separately.
If you would like more help and information on International GCSE courses and studying them online with an online college, get in touch with our helpful team and discuss your options in more detail today.