GCSE, IGCSE and A Levels in Cairo: A Complete Guide for Expat Families

British external qualifications — IGCSE at 16 and A Levels at 18 — are taken by tens of thousands of students in Cairo every year through Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) and Pearson/Edexcel. The international versions of these qualifications are equivalent in rigour and recognition to their UK counterparts, and results gained at Cairo examination centres carry the same weight with universities in the UK, US, Canada, Australia and across Europe.

This guide explains how the programmes work within Cairo's school system, which schools offer them, and what families moving from other curriculum systems need to know.

Understanding IGCSE versus GCSE

GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) is the domestic UK version, sat at schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) is the version designed for international schools. It covers the same core content as GCSE but with some modifications for international contexts (e.g., different literature texts, globally relevant examples in humanities). Cambridge IGCSE and Edexcel International GCSE (iGCSE) are both available in Cairo.

For university purposes, IGCSE is treated as equivalent to GCSE by UK universities and by admissions bodies internationally. Families need not worry that a Cairo IGCSE is in any way inferior to a UK GCSE.

The IGCSE Programme in Cairo (Years 10–11, Ages 14–16)

Students typically begin IGCSE subjects in Year 10 (age 14) and sit examinations in May–June of Year 11 (age 16). The examination period follows the Cambridge international examination schedule, which is aligned broadly with UK timing.

Subject Selection

Most Cairo schools select subject entries in the autumn term of Year 10. Students and parents work with a form tutor or academic head of year to finalise subjects. A typical IGCSE subject set includes:

• Core mandatory: English Language (usually Cambridge First Language or Second Language English depending on student profile), Mathematics
• Sciences: Double Award (Combined Science) or separate Biology, Chemistry, Physics
• Humanities: History, Geography or similar
• Language: Arabic (as a second or foreign language), French, or another modern language
• Options: Business Studies, Economics, Art and Design, Drama, ICT, Psychology — varies by school

The total subject count is typically eight to ten.

Grading

Cambridge IGCSE uses a 9–1 grading scale (equivalent to the UK GCSE 9–1 system introduced from 2017): 9 and 8 are equivalent to the former A*, 7 is equivalent to A, 4 is the pass threshold (equivalent to C). Edexcel IGCSE uses A*–G, as does Cambridge's older grading option still used at some schools.

When applying to UK universities via UCAS, IGCSE grades appear on the UCAS application alongside A Level predictions. Universities use them to assess a student's academic trajectory.

Examination Registration

Schools registered as Cambridge or Edexcel examination centres manage the registration of students for IGCSE examinations. Parents do not need to register separately. Examination fees are typically charged as part of the school's extras in Year 11 — ask the school for the per-subject fee and total expected examination cost (EGP 2,000–6,000 per subject is a reasonable indicative range, subject to CAIE rate changes).

A Level Programme in Cairo (Years 12–13 / Sixth Form, Ages 16–18)

Following IGCSE, students who pursue the British pathway enter Sixth Form. In Cairo, this is Year 12 (Lower Sixth / AS year) and Year 13 (Upper Sixth / A2 year). The majority of schools in Cairo teach linear A Levels — the full A Level examined entirely at the end of Year 13 — in line with the current UK system.

How Many A Levels?

Most A Level students take three full A Levels. Some take four, particularly if applying to mathematically intensive courses at competitive UK universities, or if preparing a dual US/UK university application that requires breadth. Three strong A Levels are sufficient for entry to any UK university, including Oxford, Cambridge and Russell Group institutions.

Subject Choices and Availability

A Level subject availability in Cairo varies by school. The major Cairo British schools typically offer the following subjects:

Broad Area	Common Subjects Available
Languages and Literature	English Literature, French, Arabic
Mathematics	Mathematics, Further Mathematics
Sciences	Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Social Sciences	History, Geography, Economics, Psychology, Business
Creative	Art and Design (varies by school)

Less common subjects (Music A Level, Drama, Classical subjects, additional modern languages) may not be available at all Cairo schools. If your child has a specific A Level requirement — particularly an unusual language or creative subject — verify availability before selecting a school.

Predicted Grades and UCAS

For Year 12 students applying to UK universities via UCAS, the school provides predicted A Level grades, typically in October–November of Year 12. These predictions are based on internal assessment, mock examinations and teacher judgement. A Level-offering schools in Cairo are experienced with UCAS timelines and have university counsellors or heads of sixth form who guide this process. See /guides/university-admissions-cairo-international-schools for full UCAS guidance.

Schools Offering IGCSE and A Levels in Cairo

School	Board	Location	Notes
British International School Cairo (BISC)	Cambridge (IGCSE)	6th October City	Long-established; offers the IB Diploma — not A Levels — in Sixth Form
Cairo English School (CES)	Cambridge	Maadi / New Cairo	Consistently strong IGCSE outcomes
El Alsson NewGiza (British section)	Cambridge / Edexcel	NewGiza	British and American sections on one campus
Modern English School Cairo (MES)	Cambridge	New Cairo	Also offers IB Diploma and US Diploma
Maadi British International School (MBIS)	Cambridge	Maadi	Primary–IGCSE; A Level — verify current Sixth Form status
New Cairo British International School	Cambridge	New Cairo	Budget-tier; A Level provision — verify

Always confirm current examination board registration and Sixth Form availability directly with each school, as these can change.

Joining Mid-Programme: Curriculum Matching

Families arriving in Cairo with a child already mid-IGCSE face the challenge of matching subject combinations. The core subjects (English Language, Mathematics) transfer easily across Cambridge schools worldwide. Option subjects vary. Key steps:

1. Obtain a transcript from the previous school listing current IGCSE subjects and progress grades.
2. Share it with Cairo school admissions at least six weeks before the intended start date.
3. Confirm subject mapping — some subjects may need to be dropped if the Cairo school cannot offer them, and an additional subject may need to be added.
4. Discuss internal catch-up — schools with experienced IGCSE teams can often accommodate a student who has missed some syllabus content through catch-up lessons or independent study.

If the subject mismatch is severe (e.g., a student joining Year 11 who has studied a completely different examination board), the school may recommend repeating Year 10. This is better than a compromised Year 11 examination result.

How Global Investments Can Help

Families relocating to Cairo with IGCSE or A Level students often need to move quickly — school places, particularly in Sixth Form or Year 11, are limited. Our team can help you identify and secure a property in the right area relative to your chosen school so that the accommodation side of your move does not delay school enrolment. Explore /locations/egypt and /listings, or contact us directly.

School fees, examination schedules and subject availability change annually — verify directly with each school and with Cambridge Assessment International Education or Pearson/Edexcel. University admissions requirements are set by individual institutions and change; check directly with universities or UCAS. Property values can fall as well as rise.