Global English

International GCSE English

Three boards offer International GCSE English, and Cambridge alone offers four different English syllabuses. This page tells you which one you are taking before you revise for the wrong paper.

Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language

International GCSE English is not one qualification. Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel and OxfordAQA each set their own, and within Cambridge there are separate syllabuses for first-language English, second-language English and literature. Find your code before anything else.

The Cambridge International syllabuses

Cambridge publishes each syllabus as a dated document covering a stated block of examination years, so a syllabus is only correct for the years printed on its cover. Cambridge also runs paired versions of the same syllabus with different grading: an A*-G version and a (9-1) version. The content is the same; only the grade scale differs.

English as a Second Language: 0510, 0511, 0991 and 0993

Four codes, one subject. The pairs differ in how speaking is treated and how the qualification is graded. 0510 and 0993 are the Speaking Endorsement versions, where the speaking mark is reported separately and does not count towards the written grade. 0511 and 0991 are the Count-in Speaking versions, where it does. 0510 and 0511 are graded A* to G; 0991 and 0993 are graded 9 to 1.

This is the syllabus developed in full on this site. Open the complete guide.

First Language English: 0500 and 0990

For learners whose first language is English, or who use English at that level. Assessed on reading and writing rather than on set literary texts. Not interchangeable with English as a Second Language - a candidate is entered for one or the other, and Cambridge does not allow both in the same series.

Literature in English: 0475 and 0992

Set poetry, prose and drama texts, studied in full and examined by essay and passage-based questions. Chosen by the school from Cambridge's set-text list, so two schools taking 0475 may study different texts in the same year.

International GCSE English syllabus and specification codes

Codes as published by each board. Follow the link for the official page and the current specification document.
Board	Qualification	Code	Official page
Cambridge International	IGCSE English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement)	0510	Cambridge 0510
Cambridge International	IGCSE English as a Second Language (Count-in Speaking)	0511	Cambridge 0511
Cambridge International	IGCSE (9-1) English as a Second Language (Count-in Speaking)	0991	Cambridge programmes
Cambridge International	IGCSE (9-1) English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement)	0993	Cambridge programmes
Cambridge International	IGCSE First Language English	0500 / 0990	Cambridge programmes
Cambridge International	IGCSE Literature in English	0475	Cambridge 0475
Cambridge International	IGCSE (9-1) Literature in English	0992	Cambridge 0992
Pearson Edexcel	International GCSE English Language A	4EA1	Edexcel English Language A
Pearson Edexcel	International GCSE English Language B	4EB1	Edexcel International GCSEs
Pearson Edexcel	International GCSE English Literature	4ET1	Edexcel English Literature
OxfordAQA	International GCSE English Language	9270	OxfordAQA 9270
OxfordAQA	International GCSE English Literature	9275	OxfordAQA English
OxfordAQA	International GCSE English as a Second Language	9280	OxfordAQA 9280

Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language: the complete guide

Qualification guide

Codes, components, durations, marks, assessment objectives and grading, with the 2027-2029 changes set out separately.

Reading and Writing paper

All six exercises, what each one asks, how the marks are split, and how to work through the paper in two hours.

Writing formats

Informal email, article, report, review and essay: structure, register and openings that work.

Model answers

Original RCF answers at full marks and at middle marks, with the examiner's reasoning written out.

Speaking test

The interview, short talk and discussion, how long each part lasts, and the topics that come up.

International GCSE English past papers and specimen materials

Every link goes to the board's own page. Cambridge publishes a selection of recent papers, mark schemes and examiner reports openly; the full archive is on the School Support Hub for registered Cambridge schools. This site links and never hosts copies.
Board	Qualification	Code	Official papers
Cambridge International	IGCSE English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement)	0510	0510 past papers
Cambridge International	IGCSE English as a Second Language (Count-in Speaking)	0511	0511 past papers
Cambridge International	IGCSE Literature in English	0475	0475 past papers
Cambridge International	IGCSE (9-1) Literature in English	0992	0992 qualification page
Cambridge International	IGCSE First Language English	0500 / 0990	Cambridge programmes and qualifications
Pearson Edexcel	International GCSE English Language A	4EA1	English Language A
Pearson Edexcel	International GCSE English Literature	4ET1	English Literature
OxfordAQA	International GCSE English Language	9270	OxfordAQA 9270
OxfordAQA	International GCSE English as a Second Language	9280	OxfordAQA 9280

Papers for Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language

Official papers, specimen papers and mark schemes

Cambridge past papers, mark schemes, examiner reports, specimen papers and both current syllabuses, each linked to its official source and labelled with the syllabus, component and years.

RCF Model Paper 1 and marking guide

A complete original practice paper in the current format: six exercises, 60 marks, two hours, with a full marking guide and model answers. Unofficial RCF practice material, clearly labelled.

Resources being developed

Guides to Cambridge IGCSE First Language English (0500 and 0990), Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English (0475 and 0992), and the Pearson Edexcel and OxfordAQA International GCSE routes are in preparation, each with its own paper library and original RCF model paper.

They will be published one qualification at a time, in the same depth as the English as a Second Language guide, rather than as a set of outlines. RCF Model Paper 1 is the template being checked before the rest are written.

International GCSE English questions

What is the difference between Cambridge IGCSE 0510 and 0511?

The difference is what happens to the speaking mark. In 0510, English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement), speaking is assessed and reported separately on the certificate, graded 1 to 5, and does not contribute to the overall grade for the written components. In 0511, English as a Second Language (Count-in Speaking), the speaking mark counts towards the overall grade. The teaching content and the written papers are the same.

What is the difference between 0510 and 0993?

Only the grade scale. 0510 is graded A* to G; 0993 is the Cambridge IGCSE (9-1) version of the same Speaking Endorsement syllabus and is graded 9 to 1. Schools choose the version that suits the grading their students need. The papers are the same.

Can I take Cambridge IGCSE First Language English and English as a Second Language together?

No. Cambridge lists First Language English (0500 and 0990) among the syllabuses that cannot be combined with English as a Second Language in a single examination series, along with the other English as a Second Language codes, English as an Additional Language (0472 and 0772) and the O Level English syllabuses (1123 and 1158). Your school enters you for one.

Where can I get Cambridge IGCSE English past papers?

Cambridge International distributes past papers, mark schemes, examiner reports and specimen answers through the School Support Hub, which registered Cambridge schools can access. Ask your teacher or your school's examinations officer. Specimen papers for new syllabuses are published openly on the Cambridge International website. This site does not host copies of them.