IGCSE – International General
Certificate of Secondary Education
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education is aimed at students aged 14 to 16 and lays the groundwork for a successful academic and professional future. This is the age when ideas about the future become more concrete, talents are discovered and fostered, and decisions about university or a first-class vocational training need to be made.
At the same time, a young person’s options should remain open. At the Lyceum Alpinum, we know exactly how to promote special interests and help learners make long-term progress. The IGCSE course means students receive an education with world-renowned qualifications for their age group, opening up exciting opportunities.
A Cambridge programme
With the introduction of IGCSE, the Lyceum Alpinum is now one of over 4500 schools in more than 140 countries that teach according to the long-established Cambridge programme. As part of the prestigious University of Cambridge, Cambridge Assessment International Education has, through its IGCSE programme, established an international standard for education, which we aim to uphold at our school.
Since October 2020, the Lyceum Alpinum has been accredited to deliver the IGCSE, teach students according to the recognised Cambridge programme and conduct examinations. The IGCSE is recognised worldwide and therefore opens up a particularly wide range of opportunities for students. This demanding programme, with its prestigious qualification, increases students’ chances of gaining a place at leading universities and makes them attractive to top employers at an early stage of their school pathway.
The IGCSE – ideal preparation for the IB Diploma Programme
The IGCSE is equivalent to the GSCE (General Certificate of Secondary Education), but has an additional international focus. The certificate is highly regarded worldwide.
The IGCSE is the ideal preparation for the IB Diploma Programme for students in Grades 11 and 12.
Focus of the IGCSE programme
The IGCSE covers a wide range of school subjects. Each IGCSE accredited school is free to adapt the range of subjects to its own educational resources, in order to ensure the best preparation for its subsequent programmes.
At the Lyceum Alpinum, we therefore concentrate on our strengths as well as important core areas of the curriculum. These include first and second language studies, social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics and the arts. At the same time, our students develop their interests and skills through additional teaching and leisure activities.
Students wishing to participate in the IGCSE programme need to think carefully about their choice of subjects, as this can influence their future school pathway. At the Lyceum Alpinum, subject teachers, tutors and college counsellors are on hand to advise our students and support them in their choice of subjects.
The IGCSE syllabus is recognised worldwide and has stood the test of decades. Teachers at the Lyceum Alpinum possess the qualifications required by Cambridge and are completely familiar with all IGCSE content and teaching methods.
At the Lyceum Alpinum, the following six subject groups and subjects are available for selection at IGCSE, allowing students to tailor their programme to suit their individual interests and abilities.
The following six subject groups and subjects are available :
- Language A
English A, German A - Language B
English B, German B - Additional Languages
French, Chinese or Russian - Individuals & Societies
Humanities (Business, Economics, Geography and History) - Sciences
Biology, Chemistry and Physics (every student must choose two courses) - Mathematics
Mathematics Corse, Mathematics Extended, Mathematics Additional - Arts
Design Technology, Visual Art and Music (every student must choose one courses)
The curriculum also includes the non-examined subject Physical Education (PE).
Sciences
In Group 4/Sciences all three subjects (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) must be taken, although only two subjects are examined and therefore only two marks are awarded (Dual Award). The two examination subjects can be chosen by the student.
In traditional subjects such as Mathematics and modern disciplines such as Design and Technology, students acquire important skills for their future careers. These include not only self-confidence, commitment and a sense of responsibility, but also creativity and a spirit of innovation.
A balanced curriculum, learning in teams or alone, and differentiated assessment criteria for student performance are just some of the ways these soft skills are acquired.
Self-directed learning and flexibility enable students who complete the IGCSE programme to face challenges independently, deal with new and unfamiliar situations with confidence, and navigate life in a flexible and adaptable way.
Within the framework of the IGCSE programme, we encourage curiosity and a thirst for knowledge to further develop students’ cognitive skills and conceptual understanding. Students develop increased cultural understanding thanks to the international orientation of the programme which is delivered in English.
Self-discipline
As the IGCSE programme enjoys a very high reputation globally, the expectations on students are correspondingly high. We teach students the importance of punctuality and active class participation.
In addition, self-study complements classroom teaching, with students working independently on schoolwork and exam preparation. Of course, our teachers are always there to help and advise them.
Why the IGCSE programme?
The IGCSE gives 14 to 16 year-old students clear advantages in their future academic careers. Qualified teachers, a flexible yet ambitious curriculum, in-depth subject knowledge and personal development lay the foundation for students to continue their academic journey after IGCSE with confidence and a thirst for knowledge.
The IGCSE course is considered an ideal preparation for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (11th and 12th grade), which has been offered at the Lyceum Alpinum for 25 years and leads to university entrance.
For students seeking an exciting challenge, an international environment and a springboard to their future, the IGCSE programme is hard to beat.
Contact and registration
The Admission Team of Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz gladly accepts your registration for the IGCSE Programme and provides you any additional information about the programme if requested.