Description
The IGCSE Maths course is available with Cambridge or Pearson Edexcel and learners can sit these qualifications worldwide. You may be interested in completing IGCSE Maths for several reasons: –
- Looking to achieve a qualification equivalent to a GCSE in Maths.
- Require Maths for College/University.
- Require the IGCSE to progress onto A Levels.
- Would like to learn Maths on a more in-depth level.
- Need some additional help alongside your school IGCSEs/GCSEs
Maths is a core subject along with English and Science. You will be able to use the qualification for employment, college or university. If you find it is a course you enjoy, you may also consider progressing onto UK A Level Mathematics or International A Level Mathematics.
IGCSE Maths Core, Extended, Foundation and Higher tiers
Cambridge and Edexcel offer two tiers as follows:
Cambridge
Core (Access to grades 4 – 1 or C – G)
Extended (Access to grades 9 – 5 or A* – E)
Edexcel
Foundation (Access to grades 5 – 1)
Higher (Access to grades 9 – 4)
The IGCSE Maths course content and assessments will cover all tiers.
IGCSE Maths Calculators
For Cambridge IGCSE Maths, there are two papers. One paper will allow learners to take a scientific calculator into the exam and the other paper will be a non-calculator exam. With Edexcel IGCSE Maths, there will also be two exam papers, however learners will be able to take a calculator into both.
Find out more about the IGCSE or the differences between IGCSEs and GCSEs.
Cambridge Syllabus up to 2027 Exams
Cambridge Course Code(s):
IGCSE Mathematics (9-1): 0980
IGCSE Mathematics (A*-G): 0580
Please note, there is no difference in the course teachings for the two specifications
The only difference is the grade you will receive once you have taken the exams.
0980 is graded 9-1, 9 being the highest
0580 is graded A* to G, A* being the highest
Cambridge Exams: June & November
Cambridge Study Hours: 130 Hours
This IGCSE Maths Course will encourage the development of mathematical knowledge as a key life skill, and as a basis for more advanced study. The course will build your confidence by helping you develop a feel for numbers, patterns and relationships, and places a strong emphasis on solving problems and presenting and interpreting results. You will also also gain an understanding of how to communicate and reason using mathematical concepts.
Cambridge IGCSE Maths Modules
1 Number
- Types of number
- Sets
- Powers and roots
- Fractions, decimals and percentages
- Ordering
- The four operations
- Indices I
- Standard form
- Estimation
- Limits of accuracy
- Ratio and proportion
- Rates
- Percentages
- Using a calculator
- Time
- Money
- Exponential growth and decay (Extended only)
- Surds (Extended Only)
2 Algebra and graphs
- Introduction to algebra
- Algebraic manipulation
- Indices II
- Equations
- Inequalities
- Sequences
- Proportion (Extended only)
- Graphs in practical situations
- Graphs of functions
- Sketching curves
- Differentiation (Extended only)
- Functions (Extended only)
3 Coordinate geometry
- Coordinates
- Drawing linear graphs
- Gradient of linear graphs
- Length and midpoint (Extended only)
- Equations of linear graphs
- Parallel lines
- Perpendicular lines (Extended only)
4 Geometry
- Geometrical terms
- Geometrical constructions
- Scale drawings
- Similarity
- Symmetry
- Angles
- Circle theorems I
- Circle theorems II (Extended only)
5 Mensuration
- Units of measure
- Area and perimeter
- Circles, arcs and sectors
- Surface area and volume
- Compound shapes and parts of shapes
6 Trigonometry
- Pythagoras’ theorem
- Right-angled triangles
- Exact trigonometric values (Extended only)
- Trigonometric functions (Extended only)
- Non-right-angled triangles (Extended only)
- Pythagoras’ theorem and trigonometry (Extended only)
7 Transformations and vectors
- Transformations
- Vectors in two dimensions (Extended only)
- Magnitude of a vector (Extended only)
- Vector geometry (Extended only)
8 Probability
- Introduction to probability
- Relative and expected frequencies
- Probability of combined events
- Conditional probability (Extended only)
9 Statistics
- Classifying statistical data
- Interpreting statistical data
- Averages and range
- Statistical charts and diagrams
- Scatter diagrams
- Cumulative frequency diagrams (Extended only)
- Histograms (Extended only)
Cambridge Assessment
IGCSE Mathematics Cambridge is tiered to enable effective differentiation for learners. The Core subject content is intended for learners targeting grades 4 to 1 or C to G, and the Extended subject content is intended for learners targeting grades 9 to 5 or A* to E. The Extended subject content contains the Core subject content as well as additional content.
All candidates take two components.
CORE IGCSE Maths
Paper 1: Non-calculator
1 hour 30 minutes
80 marks
50% of the total IGCSE
Structured and unstructured questions
Use of a calculator is not allowed
Paper 3: Calculator
1 hour 30 minutes
80 marks
50% of the total IGCSE
Structured and unstructured questions
A scientific calculator is required
EXTENDED IGCSE Maths
Paper 2: Non-calculator
1 hour 30 minutes
80 marks
50% of the total IGCSE
Structured and unstructured questions
Use of a calculator is not allowed
Paper 4: Calculator
1 hour 30 minutes
80 marks
50% of the total IGCSE
Structured and unstructured questions
A scientific calculator is required
Edexcel Syllabus
Edexcel Course Code(s): 4MA1
Edexcel Exams: June & November
Edexcel Study Hours: 130 Hours
This IGCSE Maths Edexcel Course is assessed through two papers, with two tiers of entry to allow students to be entered for the appropriate level. Focusing on mathematical skills, techniques and concepts and how to use them to solve problems, it’s designed as a two-year course, however through distance learning it can be completed much quicker. For this specification, grades 9-1 are available.
Edexcel IGCSE Maths Modules
1 Numbers and the number system
- Integers
- Fractions
- Decimals
- Powers and
- Roots
- Set language and notation
- Percentages
- Ratio and Proportion
- Degree of accuracy
- Standard form
- Applying numbers
- Electronic calculators
2 Equations, formulae and identities
- Use of symbols
- Algebraic manipulation
- Expressions and Formulae
- Linear equations
- Proportion (Higher Tier only)
- Simultaneous linear equations
- Quadratic equations
- Inequalities
3 Sequences, functions and graphs
- Sequences
- Function notation (Higher tier only)
- Graphs
- Calculus (Higher Tier only)
4 Geometry
- Angles, lines and triangles
- Polygons
- Symmetry
- Measures
- Construction
- Circle properties
- Geometrical reasoning
- Trigonometry and Pythagoras’ theorem
- Mensuration of 2D shapes
- 3D shapes and volume
- Similarity
5 Vectors and transformation geometry
- Vectors (Higher tier only)
- Transformation geometry
6 Statistics and probability
- Graphical representation of data
- Statistical measures
- Probability
Edexcel Assessment
IGCSE Mathematics Edexcel is tiered to enable effective differentiation for learners.
The foundation tier paper will allow access to marks 5-1.
The higher tier paper will allow access to marks 9-4.
All candidates take two components.
FOUNDATION TIER IGCSE Maths
Foundation Tier Paper 1
2 hours
100 marks
50% of the total IGCSE
Structured and unstructured questions
Use of a calculator is allowed
Foundation Tier Paper 2
2 hours
100 marks
Structured and unstructured questions
Use of a calculator is allowed
Each paper will assess the full range of targeted grades at Foundation Tier (5–1).
50% of the total IGCSE
HIGHER TIER IGCSE Maths
Higher Tier Paper 1
2 hours
100 marks
50% of the total IGCSE
Structured and unstructured questions
Use of a calculator is allowed
50% of the total IGCSE
Higher Tier Paper 2
2 hours
100 marks
Structured and unstructured questions
Each paper will assess the full range of targeted grades at Higher Tier (9–4).
Use of a calculator is allowed
50% of the total IGCSE