Choosing Your Subjects
Everyone in Year 10 and Year 11 will study:
- IGCSE English Language
- IGCSE English Literature
- IGCSE Mathematics
- Core PE and PSHE – these subjects are not examined.
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Languages You must choose one language |
Sciences You must choose two subjects |
Humanities You must choose one subject |
Electives You must choose two subjects not already selected |
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* To ensure that students have a broad and balanced range of subjects to prepare them for Post-16 study, students may choose to study Business Studies OR Economics, but not both.
** At the end of Year 9 students complete a GCSE in Arabic. The Year 10 and Year 11 Arabic IGCSE course above is designed for native speakers and offered in Year 10 and Year 11.
After choices are made, a timetable is produced. While every effort is made to ensure that students get to study their first choices, this is not always possible. Students who do not get their first choice will be contacted and alternatives will be discussed.
To maximise the opportunity for students to succeed in subjects requiring significant coursework or high foundation of prior learning, requests to study the following subjects are subject to additional checks:
- IGCSE Arabic - students must achieve at least Grade 7 in GCSE Arabic in Year 9.
- IGCSE Art & Design - must have technical skills to enable development of a substantial portfolio.
- IGCSE Drama - must be confident to perform on stage in front of peers and on camera (as performances have to be recorded).
- IGCSE Further Pure Maths - students must be achieving at least a Grade 7 in Mathematics in Year 9. Please note that Set 1 Maths are on an accelerated course and will not be required to choose this as an option.
- GCSE Music - must already play an instrument or take voice lessons. Must be working at a grade 4 by the end of Year 11.
- IGCSE Physical Education - must play a range of sports to demonstrate skill and technical proficiency.
Progression to IBDP from IGCSE
Some subjects at IB level do not require that the students will have studied the corresponding course at GCSE level. These subjects are listed below with requirements and recommendations. As always, these subjects will only be available if there is sufficient demand. It should be noted that most University courses linked to Economics and Computer Science do not require the student to have studied IB Economics or Computer Science.
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Subject |
Requirements/Skills Needed |
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Sciences |
Students should have GCSE in the science they wish to pursue at IBDP |
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Economics |
A grade 8 or 9 in IGCSE Mathematics is recommended |
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Computer Science |
A grade 8 or 9 in IGCSE Mathematics is recommended for HL. |
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Art |
Entry to IB Visual Arts requires a portfolio of work showing sustained project development to at least a Grade 7 standard |
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Music |
Music teachers will need to assess student capability |
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Theatre Studies |
Drama teachers will need to assess student capability |
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Mathematics Analysis and Approaches |
HL: Grade 5 or higher in IGCSE Further Pure Maths is required SL: Grade 8 or higher in IGCSE Mathematics is required |
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Mathematics Analysis and Approaches |
HL: Grade 9 in IGCSE Mathematics is required |
Advanced information to help you choose your Languages options at IBDP level:
- Arabic B, French B and Spanish B are designed for students who have studied the language at GCSE level.
- French and Spanish Ab Initio are designed for beginners (who have not studied the language in Senior School).
Please note that the availability of all subjects is dependent on demand for the subject. If not enough students choose the subject at IB level then the subject may not be available.