iGCSE Social Sciences
The content and assessment approach for this qualification has been designed to meet students’ needs in the following ways.
Two-paper assessment – a new, two-paper model gives students better opportunities to focus on real-life business scenarios covering small and large businesses. We will test knowledge, understanding, analytical and evaluation skills around five sections: Business Activity and Influences on Business, People in Business, Business Finance, Marketing and Business Operations.
Concepts and content – the content in both Paper 1: Investigating small businesses and Paper 2: Investigating large businesses is engaging and accessible for all students.
The content is appropriate and relevant for progression. It is appropriate for international students, building understanding and awareness of business concepts and applying them to real-life scenarios. The content develops students’ ability to participate effectively in global society as citizens, producers and consumers.
Clear and straightforward question papers – our question papers are clear and accessible for students of all ability ranges. Our mark schemes are straightforward so that the assessment requirements are clear.
Broad and deep development of skills – the design of the revised International GCSE aims to extend students’ knowledge by broadening and deepening skills, for example students will develop the ability to:
- read sources to interpret and evaluate business information
- write extended responses
- respond appropriately to a range of question types, including multiple-choice,
- short-answer, data-response and open-ended questions
- develop an understanding of business concepts and apply these concepts to real-life situations.
The Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in Business qualification enables students to:
- develop an interest in and enthusiasm for the study of business
- develop an understanding of business concepts, business terminology, business objectives and the integrated nature of business activity
- understand how the main types of business are organised, financed and operated
- develop and apply knowledge, understanding and skills to contemporary business issues in a wide range of businesses from small enterprises to large multinationals and businesses operating in local, national and global context
- develop critical-thinking and enquiry skills to distinguish between facts and opinion, calculating, interpreting and evaluating business data, to help build arguments and make informed judgements
- develop an understanding of the dynamics of business activity and the related considerations of ethics and sustainability for global businesses.
- Business activity and influences on business
- This section covers the various objectives of a business, changing business environments and the criteria for judging success. The focus is on the importance of having clear business objectives and how the business environment provides opportunities for, and imposes constraints on, the pursuit of these objectives.
- People in business
- This section looks at people in organisations, focusing on their roles, relationships and management in business.
- Business finance
- This section explores the use of accounting and financial information as an aid to decision making.
- Marketing
- This section focuses on identifying and satisfying customer needs in a changing and competitive international environment.
- Business operations
- This section examines the way organisations use and manage resources to produce goods and services.
Paper 1: Investigating small businesses:
Examination of 1 hour and 30 minutes, consisting of four compulsory questions, each worth 20 marks – total of 80 marks in Paper 1. The sub-questions are a mixture of multiple-choice, short-answer, data-response and open-ended questions. Calculators may be used in the examination.
Paper 2: Investigating large businesses
Examination of 1 hour and 30 minutes, consisting of four compulsory questions, each worth 20 marks – total of 80 marks in Paper 2. The sub-questions are a mixture of multiple-choice, short-answer, data-response and open-ended questions. Calculators may be used in the examination
Financial advisor, public relations, banking manager, sole entrepreneur, managing director, investment banker
Through the Cambridge IGCSE (9-1) Geography syllabus, learners will develop a ‘sense of place’ by looking at the world around them on a local, regional and global scale. Learners will examine a range of natural and man-made environments, and study some of the processes which affected their development.
They will also look at the ways in which people interact with their environment, and the opportunities and challenges an environment can present, thereby gaining a deeper insight into the different communities and cultures that exist around the world.
This syllabus is graded from 9 to 1 but is otherwise the same as Cambridge IGCSE Geography (0460). You will find past papers and other resources for Cambridge IGCSE Geography (0460); these may be useful for teaching Cambridge IGCSE (9-1) Geography (0976).
The aims describe the purposes of a course based on this syllabus.
The aims are to enable students to:
- an understanding of location on a local, regional and global scale
- an awareness of the characteristics, distribution and processes affecting contrasting physical and human environments
- an understanding of the ways in which people interact with each other and with their environment
- an awareness of the contrasting opportunities and constraints presented by different environments
- an appreciation of and concern for the environment
- an appreciation of the earth including its people, places, landscapes, natural processes and phenomena.
The syllabus is divided into three themes:
- Theme 1: Population and settlement
- Theme 2: The natural environment
- Theme 3: Economic development.
The themes are designed to develop an understanding of natural and human environments.
Paper 1 (1 hour 45 minutes)
- Geographical Themes 45%
- 75 marks, weighted to 100 marks
- Candidates answer three questions, each worth 25 marks. Candidates must answer one question from each section
- Externally assessed
Paper 2 (1 hour 30 minutes)
- Geographical Skills 27.5%
- 60 marks
- Candidates answer all the questions
- Externally assessed
Component 3
- Coursework 27.5%
- 60 marks
- Teachers set one centre-based assignment of up to 2000 words
- Centre-based assessment*
Paper 4 1 hour 30 minutes
- Alternative to Coursework 27.5%
- 60 marks
- Candidates answer two compulsory questions, completing a series of written tasks
- Externally assessed
Cartographer, Climatologist, Conservation officer, Demographer
The Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9–1) in Psychology will engage students as they explore human behaviour, get an understanding of themselves and others, and gain skills that will support progression to further study of psychology and a wide range of other subjects.
A wide range of optional topics – offering the full range of optional topics to make sure that you can meet the specific needs and interests of your students as they develop their understanding of human behaviour.
Engaging and contemporary selection of studies – selected contemporary and engaging studies relevant to today’s student and highlighted those which are suited to be carried out practically in a classroom setting.
The aims and objectives of this qualification are to enable students to:
- use specialist vocabulary, psychological concepts, terminology and convention to engage in the process of psychological enquiry
- acquire knowledge and understanding of psychology, developing an understanding of self and others, and how psychological understanding can help to explain everyday social phenomena
- understand how psychological research is conducted, including the role of scientific method and data analysis
- present information, develop arguments and draw conclusions through a critical approach to psychological evidence, developing as reflective thinkers
- develop an understanding of the relationship between psychology and personal, moral, social and cultural issues, and develop an understanding of ethical issues in psychology
- develop an understanding of psychological issues, the contribution of psychology to individual, social and cultural diversity, and how psychology contributes to society.
The content contains three sections:
- Section A: Compulsory topics Students must study all topics in this section. These topics will be examined in Paper 1. The contexts in these topics will also be used in in Paper 2 for research methods (Topic 11: Research methods – How do you carry out psychological research?).
- Section B: Optional topics Students must study two of the topics in this section. These topics will be examined in Paper 2.
- Section C: Research methods Students must study the topic in this section. The knowledge and understanding of research methods will be assessed in both papers.
- Paper 1: Students may be asked to apply their knowledge and understanding of research methods and how studies are conducted in new contexts. Any detail students need to know about a study will be detailed in the question.
- Paper 2: Students’ knowledge and understanding of research methods will be assessed in depth in this section. The contexts used in question papers for this topic will draw on the contexts used in the compulsory topics for Paper 1.
- In the examination, students could be asked to design a research study and/or evaluate how a study has been carried out from stimulus material, drawing on any of the terms in 11.1.
Paper 1 (Paper code: 1PS0/01))
- Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes
- 55% of the qualification
- 98 marks
Paper 2 ((Paper code: 1PS0/02))
- Written examination: 1 hour 20 minutes
- 45% of the qualification
- 79 marks
Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Social worker, Counselor, Educational psychologist, Human resource manager, Teacher, Research roles.
Through the Cambridge IGCSE Sociology syllabus, learners explore aspects of social relationships, processes and structures and develop a greater understanding of human societies and the role of continuity and change in social life.
The syllabus: develops learners’ critical evaluation of different social, economic and political structures builds understanding of sociological research methods develops learners’ ability to assess different forms of information and evidence can be related to schools’ local context, enabling learners to use the knowledge and understanding acquired to analyse their own lives.
The aims are to:
- promote candidates’ awareness, knowledge and understanding of human societies
- develop candidates’ understanding of sociological methods, including the collection, analysis and interpretation of data
- provide an introduction to sociological concepts, theories and research findings
- stimulate awareness of the range and limitations of sociological theory and research
- promote candidates’ understanding of continuity and change in social life
- encourage a critical awareness of social, economic and political processes, and their effects
- develop the capacity for critical evaluation of different forms of information and evidence
- promote an appreciation and understanding of individual, social and cultural diversity
- enhance candidates’ ability to apply sociological knowledge and understanding to their own lives and their participation within society
The Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in Sociology comprises seven topics:
- Topic 1: Theory and methods
- Topic 2: Culture, identity and socialisation
- Topic 3: Social inequality
- Topic 4: Family
- Topic 5: Education
- Topic 6: Crime, deviance and social control
- Topic 7: Media
- Paper 1 will draw exclusively from topics 1-3
- Paper 2, which is more holistic in nature, builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills covered in topics 1-3 in addition to the content specified in topics 4 to 7
Paper 1 (2 hours)
- 54% of the qualification
- 80 marks
Paper 2 (1 hour and 45 minutes)
- 46% of the qualification
- 70 marks
Banker, Business analyst, Consumer relations specialist, Human resources manager, Market analyst, Merchandiser/purchaser, Project manager, Quality control manager.
Cambridge IGCSE Travel and Tourism is designed to help meet the need for skilled and knowledgeable individuals in this rapidly diversifying industry.
- provides an understanding of the nature of travel and tourism globally, nationally and locally
- develops the concepts, models and theories used within the industry
- highlights the importance of sustainability, resilience, the customer, destinations and marketing in travel and tourism
- enhances learners’ analysis, interpretation and evaluation skills.
The aims of the Cambridge IGCSE Travel & Tourism syllabus are to provide candidates with:
- Writing
- theoretical knowledge of the industry and related sectors, including knowledge of travel and tourism products and services, the infrastructure on which they depend and the transport system needed to operate them
- practical ability in a range of skills and procedures related to working in the travel and tourism industry, including knowledge of the essential personal and professional skills required by individuals working in the service sector
- critical awareness of the physical, social and economic environments in which travel and tourism takes place, including understanding of the global, regional and local perspectives of travel and tourism.
The syllabus develops a clear understanding of the relationship between the theory and practice of working in travel and tourism. Candidates are encouraged to develop an understanding of tourist industry operations and problems, and competence in identifying procedures and solutions, by using best practice from industry, established business techniques and information systems. Through investigation, candidates apply their knowledge and skills in a detailed study of a particular aspect of the travel and tourism industry.
- Unit 1: The travel and tourism industry
- Unit 2: Features of worldwide destinations
- Unit 3: Customer care and working procedures
- Unit 4: Travel and tourism products and services
- Unit 5: Marketing and promotion
- Unit 6: The marketing and promotion of visitor services
Paper 1 (2 hours)
- Core Paper
- Short answer question paper (60% of total marks) 100 marks
Paper 2 (2½ hours)
- Alternative to Coursework
- Short answer question paper, based primarily on Unit 5 of the syllabus (40% of total marks) 100 marks
Paper 3
- Coursework Investigation (max 3000 words)
- Centre-based assessment, directed towards Unit 6 of the syllabus (40% of total marks) 60 marks
Travel Agent, Event & Conference Organiser, Tour Guide
