When I first started studying in the UK, I was completely unaware of the British education system and the subjects I could choose. In the Hong Kong education system at the time, once you advanced to Form 4, except for the students who excelled and could choose science or their desired subjects upon streaming, others were assigned to arts classes. Of course, there were students who preferred arts, but I believe most were just sorted into this stream, myself included. Not wanting to advance into an arts class, I chose to continue my studies at a UK boarding school.
It was an era when science and commerce dominated. Upon arriving in the UK, I discovered that selecting subjects for GCSEs was based on personal preference! I kept asking the school whether I could really study subjects I had never touched before. They assured me it was fine, and I could choose whatever I wanted to study. I was thrilled because I could pick commerce, a subject I had no chance to choose in Hong Kong. I remember wanting to choose the commerce stream back in Hong Kong, but opportunities are only for those who are prepared, and I just missed mine. At that moment of selection, I profoundly felt the difference between the two education systems.
What is GCSE?
GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education and is a two-year program in the UK, equivalent to Hong Kong's Certificate of Education Examination (CEE) - both are public examinations. Many new-generation students might not know what the CEE is, as 2011 marked its last occurrence. Likewise, many might not be familiar with the GCSE. In the UK education system, GCSE is the first set of public exams students take, starting their subject selection process in Year 9 and beginning the courses in Year 10. Students must study at least 5 GCSE subjects, including compulsory English, Mathematics, and Science (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics), and they can choose 2-3 additional subjects besides the mandatory ones (some schools offer alternative English courses for international students instead of GCSE English, which should be verified when choosing a school). Moreover, most Hong Kong students opt to take the Chinese exam to secure another strong grade. After acquiring their GCSE certificates, students can progress to A-levels or some foundation courses in the UK.
Is There an International Version of GCSE (IGCSE)?
Besides the GCSE, students can also take the International GCSE (IGCSE) outside the UK, which holds the same recognition as the GCSE. The GCSE was initially designed for local British students, whereas the IGCSE caters to international students whose first language isn't English. Some might find the IGCSE curriculum more challenging than the GCSE, as some GCSE subjects include a mix of coursework and final exams for grading, while the IGCSE lacks the coursework component, making the final exam all the more critical. However, recent changes to the GCSE curriculum have reduced coursework assessment, narrowing the gap between the two. Currently, the main difference between GCSE and IGCSE is that the latter offers a variety of non-English language courses, including Korean, Portuguese, Italian, Japanese, and Latin.
Can International Students Easily Adapt to the UK Learning Environment?
My school offered the IGCSE course, which tends to be more accessible for international students. Being in a private boarding school where classes are smaller, there was more interaction in each lesson, making learning more absorbable. Even subjects I had never studied before became manageable.
Initially, adapting to an all-English teaching environment was quite challenging for me, coming from a Chinese medium school. However, with Prep Time (study time) every evening at the boarding school, I would look up new words and copy them down daily. Coupled with several good teachers and their patient guidance, I mastered the learning techniques within months, found my pace, and caught up with the curriculum. In comparison to Hong Kong's environment, I personally found the UK GCSE courses easier to grasp. The smaller class sizes allowed for immediate questions and discussions, offering different perspectives to explain concepts, making it easier for international students to understand and absorb.
Less Homework, More Learning?
Another aspect is homework; there's relatively less in the UK. It only took about one to two hours each evening to complete homework for the next day. Teachers also provided ample time for assignments, allowing students to complete them without rush and ask questions in class if needed, facilitating stress-free homework completion. And not every subject had homework every day, so compared to Hong Kong, the workload is indeed lighter in UK schools. This learning environment also meant I had time for extracurricular activities with friends after school and on weekends, like sports, maintaining a balanced lifestyle and learning soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication, and time management.
If students have any doubts about their current courses and think GCSE or IGCSE might suit them better, feel free to contact us for more information.
About Consultant Johnny:
After six years of studying in the UK, experiencing both the Hong Kong and UK public exams, and life in a UK boarding school, Johnny graduated from a UK university following a bridging program. With over ten years in educational consultancy, familiar with UK boarding schools and the academic pathways in both regions, he has assisted thousands of students and families in finding their educational directions.