Two organisations award the great majority of iGCSEs worldwide: Cambridge International (whose exam board is often referred to as CIE) and Pearson Edexcel, through its separate Edexcel International GCSE. They're both commonly called "iGCSE" in conversation, but they're distinct qualifications with their own syllabuses and grading conventions.
Because "iGCSE" gets used as a catch-all term, it's easy to assume there's one single exam behind it. There isn't — and knowing which one your child is actually sitting matters when you're looking for past papers, checking a syllabus, or comparing notes with another family.
Cambridge International (CIE)
Cambridge International is part of the University of Cambridge, and its exam board — often shortened to CIE (Cambridge International Examinations) in everyday conversation — awards the Cambridge IGCSE. It's the older and more widely used of the two internationally, with a long history of being the default choice for British-curriculum schools overseas.
Cambridge IGCSE syllabuses are generally graded on the traditional A*–G scale. Cambridge also offers a parallel qualification, Cambridge IGCSE (9–1), for some subjects, using the numeric scale — so it's worth checking which version a specific school has entered your child for.
Pearson Edexcel International
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE is Edexcel's separate international qualification, distinct from the standard UK GCSE that Edexcel also awards (see our guide to the UK exam boards). It was built to be closely aligned with the UK GCSE in content, which makes it a popular choice for schools that want a qualification recognisably close to what a UK-based student would sit.
Some Edexcel International GCSE subjects are available on the 9–1 scale, matching the UK GCSE grading system, while others remain on A*–G — so again, check the specific subject and syllabus code with the school.
The two boards side by side
| Cambridge International (CIE) | Pearson Edexcel International | |
|---|---|---|
| Awarding body | Cambridge International | Pearson |
| Common grading | Mostly A*–G, with a 9–1 option for some subjects | Mix of 9–1 and A*–G depending on subject |
| Typical setting | International/British-curriculum schools worldwide | International schools and some UK independent schools |
| Relationship to UK GCSE | A separate, internationally-designed qualification | Closely aligned in content with the standard UK GCSE |
Why this matters for revision and past papers
Because these are genuinely separate syllabuses, past papers, mark schemes and specification documents are not interchangeable between them, and neither are interchangeable with standard UK GCSE past papers, even in the same subject. Before your child (or a tutor) starts working through practice papers, confirm:
- Which board — Cambridge or Edexcel International.
- Which syllabus/specification code — printed on the school's scheme of work or available from the exams office.
- Which grading scale — A*–G or 9–1 — applies to that specific subject.
Getting this right avoids the common trap of revising from a resource that covers the right topic but the wrong exam structure.
Where this fits in the bigger picture
If your child is moving between school systems, or you're trying to understand how an iGCSE stacks up against a standard GCSE overall, start with GCSE vs iGCSE: what's the difference. If your main question is about university admissions, see is iGCSE recognised by UK universities. And if your child is at an international school specifically, our dedicated guide covers what's different about that route.
FAQ
What does CIE stand for?
CIE stands for Cambridge International Examinations — the exam board within Cambridge International that awards the Cambridge IGCSE, along with other qualifications like Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Lower Secondary and Cambridge International A Level.
Is Cambridge iGCSE the same as Edexcel International GCSE?
No — they're two separate qualifications, each with their own syllabuses, grading conventions and exam papers, run by two different organisations. Both are widely described using the general term "iGCSE", but a certificate will say specifically Cambridge IGCSE or Pearson Edexcel International GCSE.
How do I find out which iGCSE board my child's school uses?
Ask the school directly, or check a subject's syllabus code on any past papers or resources the school has issued — Cambridge and Edexcel International both publish their syllabus codes and specification documents online, and the school's exams office will confirm exactly which board and syllabus each subject follows.
Related reading
- GCSE vs iGCSE: what's the difference?
- GCSE exam boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC
- Is iGCSE recognised by UK universities?
- iGCSE for students at international schools
Duke Harewood built aitutors.me for his own KS3 daughter — a tutor that meets a child wherever their actual syllabus is, not a generic version of it. Published 11 September 2026.