Year 10–11 (Hong Kong F.4–F.5)
Ages 14+ to 16
The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) and International GCSE (IGCSE) are qualifications taken by pupils in Year Eleven. Preparation starts in Year Ten and pupils usually take from seven to twelve subjects, including Mathematics, English and Science. Most pupils at independent schools will earn at least 5 pass grades at A*–C and progress to a two-year A Level course.
Some pupils may opt for a one-year I/GCSE course, (usually for pupils who have completed F.4 in Hong Kong). This is an increasingly popular option enabling pupils to progress to A Level or other sixth-form courses. It also makes the transition to study in the UK easier and familiarises pupils with British culture. During this course, pupils study between three and seven I/GCSE subjects, including Mathematics, Science and English as a Second Language.
