Cambridge IGCSE

Cambridge The world’s most popular international curriculum for 14–16 year olds

IGCSE Global Perspectives

Syllabus code 0457

Cambridge IGCSE
Global Perspectives (Syllabus code 0457)

Developing skills through Developing thinking and

connecting learning with communication skills
real-world issues Through their study of Cambridge IGCSE Global
Perspectives, learners consider a range of global
Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives develops
issues, and develop personal, national and global
independent thinking, learning and communication
perspectives. They do this through investigation,
skills. It focuses on issues relevant to today’s
dialogue and collaboration with others. The
learners and helps them shape their world
emphasis is on developing the skills and ability
perspective by connecting learning with
to think critically about issues where there is
real-world issues.
always more than one point of view. This means
The course is built around a series of topics, each communicating with students next to them, in the
containing issues of global importance. The topics same class and across the globe as they interact
provide a meaningful and stimulating context in and exchange information and ideas with learners
which learners can begin to develop the skills they from other cultures.
need as active, global citizens and for practical
Outcomes of study could be as diverse as writing
application in further study.
to the United Nations about climate change,
This could mean considering issues as organising a school workshop on the importance of
wide-ranging as how the role of the family is water to different societies, introducing a
changing, what national identity means in a school-wide Fair Trade policy or even meeting
global world and how education can contribute government ministers.
to a higher life expectancy.

Recognising that life is not always about the 'right'

answer, Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives
is about encouraging and challenging learners to
present their points of view clearly and explaining
their position on things that matter to them.

It really gives us
the feeling we are all
part of this global
community and we are
all global citizens.
Student,
MacLeans College,
New Zealand
Freedom to explore
Teachers and learners can explore a range of Teachers and learners have the freedom to explore
different global topics: relevant issues and structure their study around
their own interests using information from different
• Belief systems sources – newspapers, books, TV programmes,
• Biodiversity and ecosystem loss films, guest speakers and websites.That means
• Climate change the course remains exciting and varied and enables
• Conflict and peace students to develop skills to become active, self-
• Disease and health directed learners.
• Education for all
• Employment Drawing on links across
• Family and demographic change
• Fuel and energy
the curriculum
• Humans and other species Our experience is that teachers from a variety of
• Language and communication disciplines teach the syllabus. They are all linked
• Law and criminality by a broad interest in global issues. The role of the
• Poverty and inequality teacher is a key part of Cambridge IGCSE Global
• Sport and leisure Perspectives. The emphasis is on the learner’s
• Technology and the economic divide skills rather than on specific knowledge. Teachers
• Trade and aid will be managing this skills development and
• Tradition, culture and identity facilitating their students’ work, helping them on
• Transport and infrastructure their journey through the learning process. We
• Urbanisation suggest resources and guidance on introducing
• Water, food and agriculture Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives in our
teacher support package.

Students have
become massively more
independent as learners.
They ask some of the
questions they wouldn’t
have considered in
the past.
Head teacher, Caistor
Yarborough School, UK
 Cambridge IGCSE
Global Perspectives (Syllabus code 0457)

Assessment at a glance
The assessment has three components. Cambridge uses an eight-point grade scale: A*, A,
B, C, D, E, F and G. Grade A* is awarded for the
Individual research study: students choose
highest level of achievement, and grade G indicates
from the topics of study and submit individual
minimum satisfactory performance.
research reports for the topics they have chosen.

Group project: working in groups, students

choose one further topic of study and prepare Taking steps on your Cambridge
a group report. Each student also produces an Global Perspectives journey
individual evaluation of the group project.
Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives can be
Written exam: testing the skills the students the first step on an exciting and rewarding journey.
have learned during their study. We are developing a new Cambridge International
AS Level in Global Perspectives and learners
The assessment objectives cover how well the
wishing to develop their knowledge and skills
learner has:
further can take Cambridge Pre-U in
• R
 esearched, understood and presented global Global Perspectives and Independent Research.
issues from different perspectives.
This prepares students with the knowledge,
• A
 nalysed and evaluated issues, exploring skills and in-depth understanding they need to
causes, current conditions and suggesting make a success of their later studies at university.
possible consequences and courses of action. Learn more about Cambridge Pre-U Global
•  xplored and reflected on their personal
E Perspectives and Independent Research at
perspective and the perspectives of others. www.cie.org.uk/cambridgepreu

• P
 articipated in group discussions and
cross-cultural collaboration, including planning,
creating and evaluating an outcome.

It’s about real life.

You can relate to that
everywhere. It’s not about
reading a textbook and
studying that. It’s about how
you see the world and how
it’s constantly changing.
Student, Bangalore
International School, India
Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives around the world
Cambridge teachers and learners give their insight into what they have gained through their study.

Singapore International School, Hong Kong Caistor Yarborough School, UK

Students at the school follow a modified Caistor Yarborough School is a state school in
Singapore curriculum which prepares them north-east England. The inclusion of Cambridge
for Cambridge IGCSEs and the International IGCSE Global Perspectives – taught alongside
Baccalaureate. the UK national curriculum – allowed the school
The school chose Cambridge IGCSE Global to add an exciting dimension to its portfolio of
Perspectives because the subject allows subjects. The school chose Cambridge IGCSE
students to study global issues in a ‘real life’ Global Perspectives as the syllabus offers the
context through engagement with other learning pathways that support its teaching
schools in other countries. across other subjects – including critical thinking,
“Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives is totally independent learning and understanding and
in line with our school’s mission to develop respecting global issues and cultures. The
lifelong learners.” Noel Ong, Cambridge IGCSE students’ learning has been enriched in various
Global Perspectives Co-ordinator. ways including a visit to China and contact with
“The Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives schools in France, Italy and Finland.
course has honed my writing and research skills. “Our Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives
It has also been an enriching and eye-opening students have risen brilliantly to the challenge
experience for me, allowing me to understand of exchanging ideas and understanding research
current global issues in depth.” Oliver Jiang, themes and topic issues that affect our global
student at Singapore International School. community.” Jackie Burton,
CIE Co-ordinator at the school.

Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Churchill College, Mexico

Southern Africa, Swaziland Churchill College is an independent day school in
Waterford Kamhlaba is part of the United World Mexico City. The college teaches Cambridge
Colleges (UWC) group of schools. The school IGCSEs, the IB Diploma and the Mexican national
chose to include Cambridge IGCSE Global curriculum. The school decided to teach
Perspectives as the subject reinforces its value Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives because it
and fits well with the ethos of the school and felt it offered excellent preparation for the IB
the UWC movement. The school feels that it Diploma by encouraging development of group
brings a more active, thinking-based course to work, student-centred learning and critical thinking
its students. As part of their study, the students skills. Developing students’ critical thinking skills
had a visit from a BBC journalist, were with particular emphasis on critical reading is an
interviewed and had their views broadcast on important part of teaching at Churchill College.
the BBC World Service. Students are encouraged to develop responsibility
“Waterford Kamhlaba nurtures in its students for their learning through the timetable created by
the ability and desire to be socially responsible the Global Perspectives teachers.
citizens of the world. Our decision to include “A focus of Cambridge IGCSE Global
Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives in our Perspectives is critical analysis and we have
curriculum supports this vision 100 per cent.” tried to teach this across everything we do.”
Dominique Cave, Cambridge IGCSE Global Cristina Camacho, teacher for the first cohort of
Perspectives teacher. Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives students.
 Cambridge IGCSE
Global Perspectives (Syllabus code 0457)

Cambridge IGCSE Resources to support your

– foundation for success teaching of Cambridge IGCSE
Cambridge IGCSE is the world’s most popular Global Perspectives
international curriculum for 14–16 year olds.
Teaching Pack
Cambridge IGCSE is an international curriculum
A comprehensive guide for those who are teaching
that develops learners’ skills in creative thinking,
Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives. As well
enquiry and problem solving, and gives them
as a general introduction for teaching the syllabus,
excellent preparation for the next stage in
the guide also includes sections on the Project,
their education.
the Portfolio and the Written Examination.
Schools can offer any combination of subjects.
Discussion Forum
Each subject is certificated separately. Over 70
subjects are available, offering a variety of routes A dedicated discussion area on www.cie.org.uk
for learners of different abilities. Schools can build for teachers to exchange ideas and information.
a core curriculum, extend it to suit their students The forum also allows teachers to post resources
and introduce cross-curricular perspectives. that they have developed and which have worked
well in class. To access the forum, you need a
Schools worldwide have helped develop password which you can get from the CIE
Cambridge IGCSE. It incorporates the best in co-ordinator within your school.
international education for learners at this level.
Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives
It develops in line with changing needs, and is
– an overview
regularly updated and extended. Cambridge
A DVD giving an overview of Cambridge IGCSE
IGCSE teachers can draw on excellent resources,
Global Perspectives with views from teachers
training and advice from subject experts.
and students who have been teaching and studying
Cambridge IGCSE has wide recognition from for the qualification. Ideal as an introduction for
higher education institutions and employers parents or students to explain the basics of
around the world as evidence of academic ability. the syllabus.

Cambridge IGCSE
Global Perspectives
Teaching Pack

CAMBRIDGE
Cambridge
IGCSE
Cambridge IGCSE
Global Perspectives
SECONDARY 2
an overview

From left to right; Teacher

Support website, Teaching
Pack and overview DVD.