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Key Stage 4

🎨 Art & Design

The Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in Art & Design develops students' creative, practical, and critical skills through a personal investigation and an externally set assignment.

Overview

The Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in Art & Design is a linear qualification that develops students' creative and critical abilities through sustained practical work, research, and personal investigation. Students explore a range of media, materials, and processes across their chosen specialist area.

What Students Study

International GCSE Art & Design — Creative Study Online

The Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in Art & Design enables students to develop creative, practical, and critical skills through a sustained body of personal work. Students explore a chosen area of art and design, developing their ideas through research and experimentation, and present a final portfolio alongside a response to an externally set assignment.

  • Fine Art, Photography, Graphic Communication, or Textile Design (student's choice of specialism)
  • Personal investigation and creative development
  • Exploration of media, materials, and processes
  • Critical and contextual understanding of art and design
  • Response to an externally set assignment under supervised conditions

Component 1: Personal Investigation (Portfolio)

60% of the total IGCSE. Internally assessed and externally moderated. Students develop a sustained body of work in their chosen specialism, informed by research into artists, designers, and movements. Work demonstrates creative and technical development over the two-year course.

Component 2: Externally Set Assignment

40% of the total IGCSE. Students receive a brief from Pearson Edexcel and have a preparation period to develop their ideas, followed by 10 hours of supervised time to produce a final creative response.

Course Details

Assessment

Assessment is split across two components. Component 1: Portfolio — 60%, internally assessed and externally moderated. Students produce a portfolio of work developed through personal investigation. Component 2: Externally Set Assignment — 40%, students are given 10 hours of supervised time to complete a final response to a brief set by Pearson Edexcel.

Course Duration

The IGCSE Art & Design is a two-year programme. During those two years, students have access to live online classes, academic mentor support, and one-to-one subject support.

Course Outcome

International GCSE qualifications enable successful progression onto International A Level and beyond. Upon completing the course, students will achieve a Pearson Edexcel qualification, providing that all examinations have been completed and passed.

Entry Requirements

No prior formal art training is required. Students should have an interest in creative practice and a willingness to develop skills in their chosen specialism. Students whose English is not their first language are required to either sit an internal English assessment or provide an English certificate at a minimum level B2.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Have questions about IGCSE Art & Design? Here are some of the key things families often want to know.

Next steps

Take the next step towards your future

Our IGCSE programme prepares students aged 14–16 for internationally recognised qualifications and a smooth progression to Sixth Form.