IGCSE vs CISCE: What’s the Difference?

Whether you're an IGCSE student considering your options or just curious about how the CISCE curriculum compares, you're in the right place. 

This guide offers a detailed side-by-side comparison of IGCSE and CISCE (ICSE and ISC), focusing on curriculum structure, assessment methods, subject flexibility, grading systems, and university recognition. We’ll also clarify common misconceptions and help you understand which curriculum aligns best with your academic goals.

Key Takeaways

• IGCSE: Designed for international students, offering a globally recognised curriculum with flexible subject choices and multiple exam sessions per year.

• CISCE: An Indian national board offering ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) with a strong academic focus, emphasising English proficiency and a comprehensive subject range.

• Both qualifications are academically rigorous and widely respected: The best choice depends on your location, future academic plans, and preferences for learning and assessment.

What Is the IGCSE Curriculum?

The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is a globally acknowledged qualification available through examination boards such as Cambridge (CIE) (opens in a new tab), Pearson Edexcel (opens in a new tab), and Oxford AQA (opens in a new tab). Aimed at students between the ages of 14 and 16, it is studied by learners across over 150 countries.

IGCSE is known for its wide subject choice, with over 70 subject options. Its curriculum is designed to be internationally relevant and emphasises a global perspective, making it suitable for students in various countries. It has a wide range of assessment methods, including written examinations, coursework, practical tests, and oral examinations, providing a comprehensive evaluation of a student's abilities. 

Additionally, multiple exam sessions each year, typically in May/June and October/November, accommodate local school timetables and provide opportunities for retakes.

Find out more about IGCSE exams and explore revision resources at Save My Exams.

What Is the CISCE Curriculum?

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) (opens in a new tab) is a non-governmental national-level board of school education in India that conducts the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) Examination (opens in a new tab) for Class 10 and the Indian School Certificate (ISC) (opens in a new tab)for Class 12.

ICSE (Class 10, Matriculation/Secondary class examination)

The ICSE curriculum offers a comprehensive education with equal emphasis on science, mathematics, languages, social studies, arts, and English language proficiency. It includes projects and experiments to balance theoretical knowledge with practical learning.

ISC (Class 12, Senior Secondary Examination)

The ISC curriculum allows students to choose from three broad streams: Science, Commerce, and Humanities, with a range of subjects, such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Accountancy, Business Studies, History, Political Science and Psychology.

IGCSE vs CISCE: Side-by-Side Comparison

Curriculum Structure and Content

IGCSE:

• Offered by multiple exam boards, including Cambridge (CIE) (opens in a new tab),  Oxford AQA (opens in a new tab) and  Pearson Edexcel (opens in a new tab)

• Emphasises global perspectives with broad, internationally relevant content

• 70+ subjects covering science, humanities and arts disciplines

• English is the primary medium of instruction, but 30+ language subjects are available as subject options

CISCE (ICSE & ISC):

• One exam board: Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) (opens in a new tab)

• Emphasises detailed, India-focused content

• ICSE subjects include science, mathematics, languages, social studies, arts, and English language proficiency

• ISC offers three broad subject streams: Science, Commerce, and Humanities.

• English-medium instruction is compulsory, with second languages, such as Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, and Urdu, offered depending on location and school

Assessment and Grading

IGCSE:

• Assessment includes a mix of externally-assessed written exams and internal assessments such as coursework, practicals, and projects. Externally-assessed exams carry the majority of the weight, though the exact balance varies by subject.

• Grading is done on a 9-1 scale (Cambridge (CIE) (opens in a new tab) sometimes uses also the A*-G scale)

• Multiple exam sessions offered, typically in May/June and October/November

CISCE:

• Assessment includes a mix of externally-assessed written exams and internal assessments such as projects, practicals, and oral tests. Although externally-assessed exams carry the majority of the weight, internal assessments still contribute significantly to the final grade. Continuous assessment is more significant for CISCE than IGCSE

• ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) are the two main examinations

• Grading is percentage-based, with marks out of 100

• Exams are typically held once a year in February/March

Subject Flexibility

IGCSE:

• Offers a wide range of 70+ subjects

• Students can mix subjects from different disciplines

• Easier to personalise subject choices based on interests and future academic or career aspirations

CISCE:

• ICSE (Class 10) has a broad subject range but with less flexibility. Subjects include: science, mathematics, languages, social studies, arts, and English language proficiency

• ISC (Class 12) offers students three predefined streams: Science, Commerce, and Humanities. While each stream has a set of core compulsory subjects, students also have the flexibility to choose from a variety of elective subjects within their stream. This allows students to tailor their curriculum to their interests and career goals, though some subject combinations may be restricted and schools may limit the total number of subjects a student can take.

University Recognition

IGCSE:

• Widely accepted by universities around the world, including in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia.

• Recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) (opens in a new tab) and many Indian universities, including Plaksha University, Mohali (opens in a new tab), Krea University, Sri City (opens in a new tab), and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (opens in a new tab).

• Recognised for its rigorous academic standards and global relevance.

CISCE:

• Recognised by universities in India and some international institutions, including University College London (UCL), UK (opens in a new tab), Saint Louis University (SLU), US (opens in a new tab) and University of Toronto, Canada (opens in a new tab).

• Known for its comprehensive curriculum and strong emphasis on English proficiency.

Language and Cultural Focus

IGCSE:

• International content focusing on global perspectives and case studies

• Offers specific subjects that support knowledge of international issues and ideas, including Global Perspectives and 30+ languages

CISCE:

• India-focused content covering Indian history, geography, literature, and politics.

• Emphasises English language proficiency and offers Indian regional languages, such as Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, and Urdu. Language options vary depending on location and school.

Who Is Each Curriculum Best For?

IGCSE:

These are the best choice for students who want to prioritise the following:

• Applying to universities in the UK, US, Canada, or other international institutions

• Flexible subject choices, with the ability to choose subjects from multiple disciplines

• Studying international issues and global perspectives 

CISCE:

These ideal for students who are focused on the following:

• Applying to universities in India

• Detailed, discipline-focused subject choices

• Studying India-focused history, geography, literature, politics and languages

Final Thoughts

Both IGCSE and CISCE offer rigorous academic programs with distinct advantages for different students. The best choice depends on your academic goals and preferred learning and assessment styles. Consider your options carefully to select the curriculum that aligns best with your interests and aspirations. Decided to go with IGCSEs? Kick-start your learning with Save My Exam’s top strategies for preparing for your IGCSE exams.