IGCSE Options Booklet

Welcome

This booklet is designed to support students in Year 9 (Grade 8) as they make important decisions about their subject choices for Years 10 and 11. These choices will shape your learning journey and prepare you for future education pathways, including A Levels, university and beyond.

Wycombe Abbey International School Bangkok has a clear vision to develop students into well rounded, future ready, and academically inquisitive young people. To prepare students for applications to the top universities around the world, and successful employment afterwards, the IGCSE programme ensures that all pupils explore a varied and exciting curriculum that provides the knowledge and skills needed for the next stage of their lives.

The UK curriculum and IGCSE pathway

The UK Curriculum and IGCSE Pathway

The UK curriculum provides a broad and balanced education, allowing students to develop knowledge, skills, and understanding across a range of subjects.

At Key Stage 4 (Year 10 and Year 11), students specialise by studying a combination of core subjects and optional subjects, leading to IGCSE qualifications. All students study English Language, Maths and Science at IGCSE. A choice of four further subjects should be made. (Thai passport holders must choose Thai). Classes will only run if there are sufficient numbers of students choosing the subject.

In addition students will have a Games programme and Pupil Pathway and Wellbeing sessions, alongside a varied co-curricular activity afternoon that focuses on leadership and service as well as important transferable skills.

Pearson Edexcel IGCSEs

What are Pearson Edexcel IGCSEs?

Most qualifications offered are Pearson Edexcel International GCSEs (IGCSEs), which are globally recognised and highly respected by schools, universities, and employers worldwide.

Pearson Edexcel IGCSEs are international qualifications designed to be:

Academically rigorous and challenging
Accessible to students worldwide
Assessed mainly through examinations at the end of Year 11
Focused on developing independent learning and critical thinking skills

For more information on each subject please see the Pearson website International GCSEs | Pearson qualifications. Further details of CAIE qualifications can be found at Cambridge IGCSE subjects

Core Subjects (Compulsory)

English Language (IGCSE)

Students develop essential communication skills through:

Reading a wide range of fiction and non-fiction texts
Writing for different purposes and audiences
Developing accuracy in grammar, punctuation, and spelling

Assessment: 100% examination

*English Literature (IGCSE)

Students study a variety of literary texts, including:

Prose (novels)
Poetry (anthology and unseen)
Drama (plays)

Students develop analytical and evaluative skills.

Assessment: 100% examination

Mathematics (IGCSE)

Key areas of study include:

Algebra and functions
Geometry and trigonometry
Statistics and probability
Problem-solving and reasoning

Assessment: 100% examination

Science (IGCSE)

Students are entered for the most appropriate route following their performance at the end of Year 10.

Combined Science (2 IGCSEs)

Covers Biology, Chemistry, and Physics in an integrated course
Ideal for students wanting a balanced science foundation

Separate Sciences (3 IGCSEs)

Biology

Topics include cells, human body systems, genetics, ecology

Chemistry

Topics include atomic structure, bonding, reactions, quantitative chemistry

Physics

Topics include forces, energy, electricity, waves, and space physics

All science courses develop practical skills and scientific understanding.

Assessment: 100% examination (practical skills assessed within written papers)

*All students will begin by studying both English Language and English Literature. Final decisions regarding whether students continue with English Literature or focus solely on English Language will be made later in Year 10.

Optional subjects

GCSE and IGCSE choices

Humanities

Geography (IGCSE)

Students explore:

Physical environments (e.g. rivers, coasts, climate)
Human environments (e.g. urbanisation, development)
Global issues such as sustainability

Assessment: Written examinations

History (IGCSE)

Students study:

Historical events and periods in the twentieth century
International and regional history topics
Source analysis and evaluation skills

Assessment: Written examinations

Languages

Thai (IGCSE CAIE)*

Thai students are required to study Thai. Non-Thai students may be allowed to study for the IGCSE subject to qualifying criteria.

Mandarin (IGCSE)

In languages students develop skills in:

Listening and understanding spoken language
Speaking with increasing confidence
Reading authentic texts
Writing accurately in the target language

Assessment: Listening, speaking, reading, and writing examinations

Creative and Performing Arts

Art and Design (IGCSE)

Students:

Develop practical artistic skills across a range of media
Build a portfolio of coursework
Complete a final exam project

Assessment: Coursework + final project

Drama (GCSE)*

Students:

Perform scripted and devised pieces
Develop acting and theatre skills
Analyse live theatre performances

Assessment: Practical performance + written examination

Music (GCSE)*

Students:

Perform solo and ensemble pieces
Compose original music
Study and analyse different musical styles

Assessment: Performance + composition + written examination

Technology and Computing

Computer Science (IGCSE)

Students study:

Programming (typically Python or similar)
Algorithms and problem-solving
Computer systems and data representation

Assessment: Written examinations

Design and Technology (GCSE)*

Students:

Design and manufacture products
Work with different materials (e.g. wood, metal, plastics)
Learn about sustainability and innovation

Assessment: Coursework + written examination

Business Studies (IGCSE)

Students learn about:

Business organisation and structure
Marketing and operations
Finance and decision-making

Assessment: Written examinations

OR

Economics (IGCSE)

Introduction to how economies operate
Topics include:
Supply and demand
Market systems
Government intervention
Globalisation and international trade

Assessment: Written examinations

Sport, Psychology and Independent Study

Psychology (GCSE)*

Students explore how people think, behave, and learn. Topics include:

Memory and cognitive processes
Social influence and behaviour
Development and learning
Research methods and data analysis

Students develop analytical, evaluative, and research skills.

Assessment: Written examinations

Physical Education (IGCSE CAIE)*

Students study both practical and theoretical aspects of sport, including:

Anatomy and physiology
Fitness, training, and health
Sports psychology and performance
Practical performance in a range of activities

Assessment: Practical performance + written examination

Higher Project Qualification (HPQ)*

Learners choose and plan a project, including identifying risks. They record the activities they undertake during the project and monitor the progress of the project against the original plan. Leaners will carry out research and apply it to the project outcomes, presenting them in an appropriate format. They will then review the project, analysing information, drawing their own conclusions and reviewing their own performance.

The taught skills of the HPQ will take place in one period per week but the rest of the project will be undertaken independently.

Assessment: Coursework only

*These subjects are not offered by Pearson IGCSE; an alternative specification will be available.

How to choose your subjects

Choose thoughtfully

Making the right choices is important. Consider the following:

Your interests

Choose subjects you enjoy — you are more likely to succeed when you are engaged and motivated.

Your strengths

Think about the subjects you perform well in and where your skills lie.

Your future plans

Some careers or courses require specific subjects.

Balance

Aim for a balanced combination of subjects including academic, creative, and practical options.

Option blocks

The option block below will be used to guide your choices.

When you make your choices, you will be asked whether there are any subjects you could not choose because of the subject combinations as it might be possible to take a different combination of subjects.

All Thai passport holders must choose Thai as an option.

Block A	Block B	Block C	Block D
Business Studies	Psychology	Psychology	Business Studies
History	Geography	Economics	Computer Science
Computer Science	Art	Drama	Art
Music	Thai	Thai	Mandarin
Thai	D.T.	Mandarin	P.E.

Assessment and Grading

Pearson Edexcel IGCSEs are graded on a scale from 9 to 1, where:

9 is the highest grade
1 is the lowest grade

Most subjects are assessed through final examinations at the end of Year 11, although some subjects include coursework components.

Key Dates

Subject information session for students and parents: Monday 25th May 6-7pm

Options submission deadline: Friday 29th May GCSE Options choices for 26/27 Fill out form Opens in a new tab

Final thoughts

The best choices fit the pupil

Choosing your IGCSE subjects is an important step. The best choices are those that suit your interests, strengths, and future goals. Please research the subjects and ask questions at the information session.