International GCSEs
Taking IGCSEs as a private candidate
An IGCSE private candidate studies outside the centre that enters them for the exam, such as a home educated student or an adult studying independently. Lift College's International GCSEs are open from age 14 with no formal entry qualifications, and on +Exams Lift enters you and books your seat at a Tutors & Exams centre in England.
What a private candidate is
Pearson defines private candidates as students who have not studied with the exam centre that makes their entry, such as home educated students and adults who studied independently. The centre makes your entry, issues your timetable and results, and charges you the exam fees.
Entry requirements
- Age 14 or over. Under 18s enrol with a parent or guardian's permission and support.
- No formal entry qualifications.
- A computer, tablet or phone with internet access.
- For Maths, a scientific calculator (not a graphical or symbolic one), a ruler, protractor and compasses.
- The ability to attend a Tutors & Exams centre in England for your written papers.
Recommended starting points
These are recommended, not required. The first unit of each course revises the basics.
| Subject | Recommended starting point |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | A comfortable grasp of arithmetic, fractions and basic algebra |
| English Language | Confident everyday reading and writing in English |
| English Literature | Confident everyday reading and writing, ideally alongside or after English Language |
| Biology | Key Stage 3 science |
| Chemistry | Key Stage 3 science and confidence with basic algebra |
| Physics | Key Stage 3 science, basic algebra and rearranging equations |
| Science (Double Award) | Key Stage 3 science and confidence with basic algebra |
How to apply for IGCSE exams
On the +Exams plan, Lift College submits your Pearson Edexcel entry before the deadline for the series you choose, books your seat at a Tutors & Exams centre and confirms it by email. The entry fee and centre fee are included in your price.
On the Study plan, you book directly with a centre as a private candidate and pay its published fee. Pearson notes that centres may add their own administration fees. Exams run in the May/June and November series. Registration as a private candidate is made by the centre, not by you directly with Pearson. Lift College tells you the entry deadline for your series.
Access arrangements and centres
Extra time, a reader or scribe, rest breaks or a separate room are arranged by Tutors & Exams' in-house SEN team, free at the point of delivery, with evidence of your normal way of working.
There are ten Tutors & Exams centres for International GCSEs: Birmingham, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Mitcham, Newcastle, Romford, St Neots and Taunton. If you live outside the UK, you need to travel to a centre for the exam series. Home educating families can read more in private candidates for home educators.