Which International Schools in Tokyo Teach IGCSE? Schools and Pathways Explained

What is IGCSE?

IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) is an international secondary qualification for ages 14 to 16. Cambridge International describes Cambridge IGCSE as a qualification for ages 14 to 16. There are over 70 subjects, and schools can offer whichever combination they like.

IGCSE is a qualification by subject, not a framework that decides how a whole school learns. For that reason, even within the same school, the board and syllabus can change by subject. The difference from the MYP is set out in our MYP vs IGCSE comparison.

How Cambridge IGCSE differs from Pearson Edexcel International GCSE

For example, in Cambridge IGCSE First Language English, a coursework portfolio makes up half of the overall mark. In English as a Second Language there is a Speaking test of about 10 to 15 minutes. Both are "IGCSE English", but the way to prepare is completely different.

Pearson explains that its International GCSE is equivalent to the UK GCSE grade for grade. However, this is Pearson's own explanation, and how universities and schools treat it individually is a separate matter.

The name IGCSE alone does not tell you the exam system

Cambridge IGCSE is for ages 14 to 16, and the school chooses the combination of subjects. Assessment is not only written; oral, coursework and practical elements differ by subject. Many subjects have Core and Extended, and according to Cambridge's explanation, Core is designed to target grades C to G and Extended grades A* to E. Which one a student studies changes the highest grade they can obtain. For how grades are expressed, there are also subjects where you can choose between A* to G and 9 to 1.

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE is a qualification from a different exam body. Grades are 9 to 1, and in addition to the linear approach of studying for two years and sitting exams at the end, some subjects have a modular approach with exams unit by unit. The modular approach is said to have started in English, economics, history and others from September 2023. Which approach is used for teaching is chosen by the school, so even among Pearson schools the practice differs.

In other words, "an IGCSE school" does not tell you whether it is Cambridge, Pearson or a mix of boards by subject. The two cannot be swapped as if they were the same qualification. The differences in assessment compared with the MYP are covered in more detail in our MYP vs IGCSE comparison.

What we could confirm at Tokyo schools

There are other schools in Tokyo involved with IGCSE. In this article we have limited ourselves to two schools whose content we could confirm on their official websites. For other schools, check the board and grades on each school's official page.

K. International School Tokyo

KIST uses Pearson Edexcel IGCSE in Grades 9 to 10. The school explains that assessment includes external written exams at the end of the course (generally two papers per subject) as well as coursework such as projects, fieldwork, artwork, and experiments or investigations.

The school's policy is to tune IGCSE as preparation for the DP. In other words, it uses the IGCSE content not only to acquire knowledge but also to develop the skills needed in the DP. The school's character is set out in our guide to KIST. You can also check the address, grades and key application points on KIST's school profile (a Japanese-language page).

For a transferring family this has three implications. First, because the school uses the Pearson Edexcel syllabus and past papers, a child who has studied Cambridge IGCSE will find the content and exam format different even for a subject with the same name. Second, because there are external exams at the end of two years of study, for a transfer in Grade 10, the learning and coursework already completed affect the result. Finally, the official page has no list of subjects, so you need to ask the school directly about the board and level for each subject.

The British School in Tokyo

BST uses a curriculum that combines GCSE and IGCSE in Years 10 to 11. External exams are taken at the end of Year 11. The official page does not name the boards, and says only that the exams are set by independent, internationally recognised bodies. Because GCSE and IGCSE courses are combined, the qualification and board can differ by subject.

In Years 12-13, students can choose between the IBDP and the BST Diploma. The BST Diploma is said to be WASC-accredited, and in some cases BTEC subjects can be chosen. The school's character is set out in our guide to BST. You can also check the address, grades and key application points on BST's school profile (a Japanese-language page).

BST is an example of what the phrase "offers IGCSE" does not mean. A school using IGCSE does not mean that every subject is IGCSE. Nor does it mean every subject has the same board, or the same form of assessment. The qualification for each subject can be checked in the school's (I)GCSE Options Booklet, according to the school.

Where do students go after IGCSE?

Some schools set conditions on subjects and grades for progressing to the next programme. If you have a pathway in mind, ask the school early so that you can work backwards and choose your IGCSE subjects.

Questions to ask a school before you transfer

What to check when looking at an "IGCSE school"

Take particular care with mid-course transfers

At KIST, for example, general applications for the start of Grade 10 are in principle accepted until 31 May. Applications after that are limited to transfers from other schools' IGCSE programmes whose subject options match KIST's (KIST Admissions Handbook). Even if a seat is available, if the combination of subjects does not match, the conditions for acceptance are not met. This is KIST's policy and does not necessarily apply to other schools.

Even when a seat is available, there are cases where learning cannot work. If the subject is different, your child will start a new subject partway through a two-year course. If the board is different, preparation of the syllabus and past papers has to be redone. If coursework already completed cannot be carried over, part of the grade will be missing. Exam entries may not have been made, or may be too late. If you are transferring in Grade 9 or Year 10, check the part that has already begun. In Grade 10 or Year 11, checking progress on coursework and exam entries comes first.

The documents to check are collected in our curriculum checklist for transfers. If you are moving between IGCSE and the MYP, our MYP vs IGCSE comparison may also help.