Parents and learners

Pearson Edexcel qualifications are recognised by leading global universities

As parents, we know you have a big influence on your children's education journey and want to ensure they thrive at school, gaining the skills and knowledge they need to progress onto university and enhance their global employability prospects.

On this page you will find the support you need to understand our qualifications and curricula and hear from learners who have already progressed with Pearson Edexcel. You can also sign up to our newsletters to receive regular updates by email to help you learn more about what we do.

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We are trusted by thousands of international schools worldwide

As the world's leading learning company and the UK's largest awarding organisation, we partner with international schools worldwide to put learners at the centre of the learning process, equipping them for success, whatever stage they are at in their education journey.

Our Pearson Edexcel International GCSE and International A level qualifications are most closely aligned to the British education system and are recognised by and accepted for entry to the leading universities worldwide.

Why a British education?

Your child's learning journey with Pearson Edexcel

Our qualifications offer a pathway to renowned higher education institutions and exciting job opportunities.

More than 3.4 million students study our qualifications worldwide. Our International A levels and BTECs are recognised by leading universities across the world. Through our work with higher education stakeholders and employers, we ensure qualifications equip learners with the skills they need to enhance their employability.

Programmes such as the Extended Project and Global Citizenship allow learners to pursue their interests while building the skills for future success.

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iProgress at every age

iProgress is our international academic pathway based on the latest UK national curriculum. It delivers a consistent learning journey for students aged 3 to 18 with fully integrated curriculum support, teaching and learning resources and assessment via our world recognised Pearson Edexcel iPrimary, iLower Secondary, International GCSE and International A level qualifications.

iPrimary curriculum (3-11)

Our iPrimary programme provides young learners with an international education based on the latest UK national curriculum in Maths, English, Science, Computing and Global Citizenship. Schools following our curriculum receive free teacher professional development and programme support so they spend less time navigating the curriculum and more time inspiring your children.

iPrimary

iLowerSecondary curriculum (11-14)

Our iLowerSecondary programme provides students with an international education based on the latest UK national curriculum in Maths, English, Science, Computing and Global Citizenship. Schools following our curriculum receive free teacher professional development and programme support so they spend less time navigating the curriculum and more time inspiring your children.

iLowerSecondary

International GCSEs (14-16)

Our International GCSEs are equivalent, grade for grade, to UK GCSEs and are studied in over 80 countries. They provide your child with the skills and knowledge they need to progress to International A levels, onto university and employment. Transferable skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, leadership and collaboration, are integrated throughout.

International GCSEs

International A levels (16-18)

Pearson Edexcel International A levels are designed for students aged 16–18 who want to progress to the best universities around the world. They use the popular and flexible modular approach which means exams are taken at the end of each unit of study or throughout the programme of study when students feel prepared and ready. They are recognised and accepted by universities around the world.

International A levels

Students and their parents value our qualifications highly

"I would recommend Pearson Edexcel IALs as the information is very up-to-date. The course was rigorous and enabled me to think critically to stretch myself further."

Joseph Kah Seng, Medicine undergraduate, 
International Medical University, Malaysia

"It is like a global passport; it offers me recognition and I can go anywhere with my Pearson Edexcel qualifications."

Nikita Jha, Pearson Edexcel International GCSE student, Sayfol International School, Malaysia

"We really like that the Pearson Edexcel curriculum encourages her and teaches her how to think, not what to think. It has revealed her own character, which prepares her for what might lie ahead of her.”

Mother of Denise, International GCSE student, Potterhouse School, Kenya

"...with Pearson (Edexcel) International A levels I can literally do anything. You can study in hundreds of countries and it always counts – I mean, I will have British A levels!”

Malenka, International A level student, Academia International School, Zurich

Learners make progress in their lives with Pearson Edexcel

Where can our iProgress international curriculum and Pearson Edexcel qualifications take your children?

Browse some of the inspirational stories from learners around the world who have achieved success with our Pearson Edexcel iPrimary, iLowerSecondary, International GCSE and International A level qualifications.

Browse Pearson Edexcel learner stories

Share your Pearson Edexcel learner story with us!

Are you a Pearson Edexcel International GCSE or International A level student? Have you received an Outstanding Pearson Learner Award for your achievements in your studies or have you simply had a great experience on your Pearson Edexcel international pathway?

If so, we would love to hear your success story: what you loved about your Pearson learning journey and where your qualifications have taken you!

Share your Pearson Edexcel learner story

Share your Pearson Edexcel learner story with us

Support for your child's Pearson Edexcel learning journey

Find qualifications support

Qualifications support

Find all the information you need about our qualifications and the support we offer you as a parent or learner.

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Access exam timetables

Find exam dates for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE and International A level examinations.

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Download past exam papers

Our easy-to-use past paper search gives you instant access to a large, free library of past exam papers and mark schemes.

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Our international schools blog

Read our latest news and articles for parents on our international schools blog. Sign up to receive a fortnightly email digest.

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Good to knows about Pearson Edexcel as an awarding body

We are the largest...

Pearson is the UK's largest awarding body; each year we mark over 9 million exam scripts on behalf of the UK Department for Education and more than 3.4 million students study our qualifications worldwide. Our heritage stretches back over 150 years and our first examinations were awarded in 1905.

...the most accurate

Pearson Edexcel delivers the most accurate exam results in the UK with 99.2% of grades accurate on results day (2017 data). Our examiners mark one anonymised question at a time, submitting marks as they go to removes potential bias based on a student's answers to previous questions.

...the most innovative

We are developing onscreen assessment solutions that have the power to be truly transformative for today’s learners. We are uniquely placed to do this because we have extensive experience of delivering digital assessments around the world.

Learn more

...and the most informative

Take a look at our #examsspelledout videos, they're super-short explains of how different aspects of exams marking and grading work designed to shine a light on the assessment process and post-results support for students, parents and carers. 

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Read more about your child's learning journey with us

Your child’s international school education

Your child's education journey

This guide for parents explains how to get the best from your child's Pearson Edexcel education from early years stage through to international A levels.

Read the guide

Why choose Pearson qualifications?

Your child's education is in safe hands: Pearson qualifications are studied by more students than than those from any other awarding organisation.

Read the guide

A guide for parents in the Middle East

This guide for parents and students in the Middle East explains why a learning pathway with Pearson international qualification is the best route to success.

Read the guide

Progress to universities worldwide

Pearson Edexcel International A levels are widely recognised by universities worldwide for entry onto undergraduate degree programmes. 

Find out more

Latest news and blog

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