What is IGCSE Global Citizenship?

If you’ve ever looked at the news and thought, “oh boy”, you’re not alone. IGCSE Global Citizenship is the subject that helps you make sense of the headlines and understand how major global issues affect different communities. You explore the big challenges shaping the future of our world, from human rights and climate change to global inequality, conflict and cultural diversity.

The course helps you understand different perspectives, build strong arguments and think about how real change happens. In this guide, we’ll explain what you’ll study and why Global Citizenship is a powerful choice if you care about the world and the people in it.

Key Takeaways

• IGCSE Global Citizenship explores major global issues and asks how individuals and communities can make a difference.

• You study four key themes: Politics and Governance, Economic Development and the Environment, Culture and Community, and Technology.

• The subject helps you understand different viewpoints, analyse evidence and build balanced arguments.

• It develops valuable skills for the future, including critical thinking, research and communication.

What Does Global Citizenship Mean?

Global citizenship is about understanding how your life is connected to people and places across the world. 

Edexcel uses Oxfam’s working definition of a global citizen. According to Oxfam (opens in a new tab), a global citizen is someone who understands the wider world, values diversity and is willing to take action to help make the world fairer and more sustainable. They are aware of their responsibilities and take part in their community at local, national or global level.

In simple terms, a global citizen is someone who:

• notices the challenges facing the world today

• understands that countries and communities are connected

• thinks about fairness, rights and responsibilities

• wants to make a positive change in the world, even in small ways

So, what is IGCSE Global Citizenship? The subject aims to help you build these skills so you can take part in discussions and make informed, balanced decisions about the big issues shaping our future. Along the way, you’ll begin to grow into an active and responsible global citizen yourself.

What Is Covered in IGCSE Global Citizenship?

Edexcel’s IGCSE Global Citizenship (opens in a new tab) course is organised into four main themes. Each one helps you explore how global issues affect people, communities and countries.

The course teaches you to investigate issues, analyse evidence, explore different viewpoints and think about practical solutions that could work in real life.

You will explore four major themes:

Politics and Governance

• How governments and political systems work

• Rights, justice and the rule of law

• Democracy, participation and power

• Global organisations such as the United Nations and the European Union

Economic Development and the Environment

• Poverty, wealth and inequality

• Globalisation and world economic links

• Sustainable development

• Climate change, resource use and environmental protection

Culture and Community

• Identity, diversity and belonging

• Migration and population change

• Human rights and social justice

• How communities respond to global issues

Technology

• The impact of digital technology on society

• Access, privacy and online rights

• The role of technology in development

• Opportunities and risks in a digital world

These themes are explored through case studies and real examples so you can see how global issues affect people every day.

Global Citizenship in the Real World

IGCSE Global Citizenship connects classroom learning with real events happening around the world. You will cover topics such as:

• Climate change and how different countries respond

• Migration and how communities adapt

• Global inequality, including access to healthcare and fair trade

• Conflict and cooperation, and the role of international organisations

• Human rights, and how they are protected or violated

• Digital technology, and its impact on privacy, democracy and opportunity

If you want to explore issues like climate change, migration or global inequality in more depth, you may also find our IGCSE Geography revision resources helpful.

As part of the course, you’ll undertake a Citizenship Community Action Project. Your teacher will help you choose a suitable focus. Examples suggested by Pearson Edexcel include:

• helping newly-arrived refugees to learn English

• reducing local food wastage

• raising local awareness of technology addiction

• exploring the risks linked with social media use, such as cyberbullying

• campaigning on the global issue of drone missile use

The project helps you explore how solutions to global challenges may be found in your own community.

How Is IGCSE Global Citizenship Assessed?

Edexcel IGCSE Global Citizenship is assessed through one written exam at the end of the course. There is no coursework.

The exam lasts 2 hours 30 minutes and is worth 100 marks. It is divided into four sections.

Section A: Citizenship Community Action Project (20%)

This section asks about the project you completed during the course. You must show that you can:

• explain your project’s aims

• describe what you did

• reflect on your impact

• analyse what you learned about active citizenship

You do not submit the project itself.

Sections B and C: Key Themes (30% for each section)

These sections cover the four main themes covered during the course:

• Politics and Governance

• Economic Development and the Environment

• Culture and Community

• Technology

Expect a mix of:

• short-answer questions

• questions based on sources

• longer structured explanations and evaluations

Section D: Synoptic Assessment (20%)

This final section brings everything together. You will answer extended questions that require you to:

• link ideas from across all four themes

• use evidence effectively

• make clear arguments

• evaluate viewpoints

Tips for Succeeding in IGCSE Global Citizenship

• Be ready to discuss your project
  Know what you did and why it mattered.

• Learn key terms
  Concepts like human rights, sustainability and governance appear often across the paper.

• Use real-world examples
  Linking ideas to current events or case studies can help you score higher.

• Practise analysing sources
  Learn to identify different viewpoints, bias, and key evidence.

• Practise writing balanced arguments
  Show different perspectives before reaching a conclusion.

• Review past papers
  This helps you understand the timing and question styles to expect.

Why Choose IGCSE Global Citizenship?

IGCSE Global Citizenship is an excellent choice if you want a subject that feels connected to real life. Instead of memorising long lists of facts, you explore issues shaping the world today.

You learn to think critically about global issues

You explore challenges such as climate change, conflict, and inequality, and learn how different groups understand them.

You build skills that are useful for many subjects

The course develops research, communication, argument analysis, decision-making and problem-solving skills.

You become more aware of the world around you

You learn how events in one place can affect people elsewhere and how change can happen.

You get the chance to take action

The Community Action Project allows you to explore an issue you care about and try to make a difference.

If you are curious about global issues or want a subject that connects directly to the future of the world, IGCSE Global Citizenship is a strong, meaningful choice. Our guide to choosing your IGCSE subjects may help you make your decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IGCSE Global Citizenship the Same as IGCSE Global Perspectives?

No. They are different subjects. 

IGCSE Global Citizenship focuses on global issues, active citizenship, human rights, ethics and how people can take action.

IGCSE Global Perspectives focuses more on research skills, comparing viewpoints and completing a team project.

Do Universities Value IGCSE Global Citizenship?

Yes. Universities value the skills you develop, especially critical thinking, communication and understanding multiple perspectives.

While universities focus more on your post-16 qualifications, IGCSE Global Citizenship supports applications by showing that you can think independently.

What Careers Can Global Citizenship Lead To?

Global Citizenship builds a foundation for careers where understanding people, societies and global systems matters. 

The subject links well to careers in international relations, law, journalism, teaching, human rights, environmental work, public policy, and international development.

Ready to Explore the World?

IGCSE Global Citizenship helps you understand the world and your place in it. By studying global issues, exploring different perspectives and learning how change happens, you develop skills that are useful far beyond the exam. It prepares you to engage confidently with real-world challenges and become an informed, active global citizen.

Save My Exams offers expert-written IGCSE revision resources, including revision notes, practice questions and past papers, helping you stay organised and confident throughout your studies.

References

• What is Global Citizenship? | Education resources | Oxfam GB (opens in a new tab)

• Edexcel International GCSE Global Citizenship | Pearson qualifications (opens in a new tab)