Lower Secondary and IGCSE

IGCSE, or the International General Certificate of Secondary Education, is an international curriculum and evaluation programme, designed by the highly-regarded Cambridge Assessment International Education for students aged 15-16. The IGCSE curriculum is robust, varied and ultimately leads to high-quality, globally-accepted secondary school qualifications across several subjects.   

The IGCSE subjects and IGCSE exams are typically offered to students attending an international school in Years 10-11 (Grade 9-10). 

The international curriculum IGCSE grading system used at AIS, HCMC, ranges from for A*, the highest grade, to G. All assessments and examinations will be graded using this system. 

The IB Diploma is offered to students in their final two years of study (Years 12 and 13). The IGCSE curriculum covers material from Years 10 & 11. Both courses of study, however, are tremendously positive experiences for your child and offer rich learning opportunity for academic growth, upon which your child can build. They are also both international curriculums that are highly respected and recognised around the world. 

In truth, there is little difference between IGCSE and GCSE. Whilst there are minor content and assessment differences, typically, IGCSE subjects and IGCSE exams are offered by international schools around the world. The GCSE curriculum course is offered predominantly by schools in the United Kingdom.

There are a few reasons why a student should choose IGCSE qualifications: 

1. (I)GCSEs subjects have rigorous content culminating in formal IGCSE examinations at the end of Year 11 (Grade 10). 
2. Following the IGCSE examinations, students will gain international qualifications that are recognised in more than 140 countries worldwide. 
3. IGCSE subject content provides a thorough educational background as a student enter their final two years of schooling. 
4. IGCSE content provides a well-balanced, varied academic programme, requiring students to study across a range of areas. Entrants onto the IB diploma will select more specific areas of interest, gleaned from their IGCSE experience, however in fewer subject areas for the duration of the IB Diploma. 

The IGCSE qualifications are recognised globally and are undertaken by students in 140 schools on all 6 continents. AIS, Ho Chi Minh City, is proud to have it as part of the curriculum. 

Whilst a student's individual program and pathway is considered, typically, a student will study for a minimum of six IGCSE core and optional subjects across Year 10 and 11.  

The IGCSE international curriculum is offered by eight schools in Vietnam. AIS is proud to offer the IGCSE course and has a proven record of accomplishment of achieving outstanding results in all IGCSE subjects. Some AIS students have even been awarded the Top in Vietnam Award for excelling in assessments. 

AIS tuition fees for students who enrol at the beginning of Year 10 (Grade 9) are US$26,000 per year*.  Please contact the Admissions Team via the enquiry form for more information.