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Many students and parents are confused when it comes to choosing the science subjects. What do single award, double award, and triple award sciences really mean?
In this post, we will help you to understand these:
First, let us take a look at one of the frequently asked questions in this topic.
It is noted there are different courses (e.g single award, double
Keith Wong
award & triple award) in coordinated sciences. My son will study IGCSE
Coordinated Sciences (Double Award) 0654 next year. May I know the
meaning of “double award” please?
Is triple award the best compared with double or single award?
All sciences have core and extended curriculum. Students either follow the core curriculum or the extended curriculum. For schooled students, the decision is derived from school’s assessments or teacher’s recommendation. Private candidate (homeschooled students) can freely choose the type of curriculum to follow.
Please bare in mind that, students who follow core curriculum are only eligible for grades C to G. While extended curriculum students are eligible for grades A* to G.
Single Award science, also known as Combined Science, is a subset of Co-ordinated science. It covers biology, chemistry and physics. Students learn the basic principles of each subject through a mix of theoretical and practical studies.
Students are awarded ONE IGCSE, from grade A* to G.
Double Award science, also known as Co-ordinated Science, is a subset of Triple Award Science. It covers biology, chemistry and physics. Students learn clearly defined biology, chemistry, and physics sections, while also developing an understanding of the scientific skills essential for further study.
Students are awarded TWO IGCSEs, with 2 identical grades, for example: AA or CC.
For Triple Award science, students are taking 3 separate sciences in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students are learning in-depth topics for each subject, and will be awarded separate grades for each subject. For example: A for Biology, B for Physics and C for Chemistry.
This is considered as THREE separate IGCSEs.
Double Award and Triple Award sciences will open more doors for you if you plan to further your study in science related courses, such as engineering, medicine, pharmacy, pure/applied sciences fields etc., in A-level or university.
Other wise, Single Award science is good enough – if you plan to take non-science related courses such as Law, Accounting, Business Administration etc…
If you’re not sure what is your future plan, we would recommend you to take Triple Award science or at least Double Award science – to keep more doors open for you in the future.
So Keith, this is our A to your Q. Hope you enjoy it. If you do, share it with your family and friends. Best is, sign up at here to receive our free email course, and awesome exam tips!
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152 responses
Hello IGCSEcentre!
I’m a grade 9 student currently in the middle of my IGCSEs. I take five core subjects for my school(English A Lang&Lit, Maths, Science Double Award, German A, History) and I chose Geography and French as additional IGCSEs. Next year I’m also taking Additional Mathematics IGCSE (it’s not offered this year yet, I’m doing it self-taught). In the future I would like to study medicine in England and before that, I want to take the International Baccalaureate. My subjects would be: HL Chem, HL Bio, HL Maths, HL English, SL Geography, SL French. Is it worth switching to the Triple Science Award now? My average in double award is always above 92% and I find the curriculum quite easy. I would have 5hours of science per week (for double award, as my entire class is taking double award) and one lesson more to cover the additional topics with my teacher. Is it too much with Additional Mathematics or should I go for it?
Im sorry for the super-long text, I hope I explained myself clearly.
Hello Matthew,
We would like to confirm if you are taking Cambridge IGCSE? or Edexcel? It looks like you’re taking Edexcel?
I’m taking the Cambridge IGCSE; my schools is an international schools in Germany, approved by Cambridge. Hope that helps:)
If you would like to study Medicine, it is advisable to take Biology 0610 and Chemistry 0620.
I am in year 9 now and we are choosing our subjects for next year and Double or Triple award is the biggest strugle for me. I don’t really want to be a doctor I’m mainly looking towards Teacher, Lawer and Psycology. Which do you think would be better for the jobs i am looking into. Also I’m not very good at Chemistry but i do enjoy Biology and Physics very much.
Hi Amaryllis,
You can consider Co-ordinated Science (Double Award). Just to let you know that, there is still a small portion of Chemistry in Co-ordinated Science and Combined Science. Otherwise, you can always take Biology and Physics separately.
hi IGCSE,
I am in grade 9 and I am having a doubt , I want to a be doctor and want to choose coordinated science , so will the university afterwards ask me to have a individual marking for biology as I want to go for medical field ? can you please inform me. thank you
Hi Bisma,
If you intend to go into medical field, it is better to take Biology and Chemistry, not Co-ordinated Science.
Dear Madame/Sir,
I am in year 9 and we are meant to choose what courses we want to take for IGSCE 2015-2017. On one of the courses it asks if we want to do double award science or triple. I really want to become a Doctor and go to Stanford University. But I am afraid that if I take triple I am going to fail, and regret not choosing double award science. Also another thing is if I should worry so much because it is only my IGCSE Courses for 2015-2017. Or does that not make a difference and I should care a whole lot cause this could affect my future. What do we learn in double and triple science? What is the difference between these two? How are the tests? Are they multiple choice? I dont understand the Grades? What grade do I get in double? What grade do I get in triple? Explain to me everything about double award science and Triple.
I don’t know what to do, please help me. I used to go to an American School and then I moved countries and I go to an English school where they do IGCSE’s and I don’t understand anything.
Hello Iris,
Calm down 🙂
IGCSE is the best international platform. Nothing to be afraid of 🙂
First of all, if you want to be a doctor, you ought to take Biology and Chemistry, separately (so called Triple Award/Science). NOT any Combined Science nor Co-ordinated Science. They are not difficult. The syllabus for Biology and Chemistry are wider, means you study more topics, comparing to Combined Science or Co-ordinated Science.
The video above have already explained very clearly about the differences for Combined Science, Co-ordinated Science and the Triple Award.
Iris you found this to
Hi i am m?didon,
This year I am supores to chove beberem doubl? or triplo Award science. I am in doubt because In science I am only interesses in biology and I mau watt to be a doutor someday I am not really fond of chemistry and I absolutely jate physics would it really afeito me to take doubl? science if I watt to v? a fico-te someday because I am afraid of tadinha triplo science and failing physics as ir is harder .!!??
My name is madison and I am rewritting my unclear question. I am supposed to choose between the double and the triple award science(6 or 9) pedriods of science per week. I don’t know what to choose because I maybe want to be a doctor and biology is the only thing I like about science I am terrible in physics and if I were to choose the triple awrd science I qould also have to take more physics. I would like to know if by taking the double science I may not pass to some universities ?!
If it qould takemy chances of passing ?!
Hi Madison,
Double award science includes Physics. If you do not like Physics, please take the individual science subject: Biology 0610, Chemistry 0620.
You don’t have to register for Physics 0625.
But if you are attached to a school, you might need to follow the requirement from your school. Please check this part with your school.
hello i am an igcse student i finished my IGCSE subjects last year in year 11 but didn’t take biology. am currently doing AS exams for physics chemistry maths and ict.
I will never go near medicine so will not taking bio affect me ?
Hi Omar,
If you’re not taking anything related to Biology in university, not taking Biology will not affect you at all. But be sure you’re not going near any engineering courses that are related to Biology, e.g: Food Engineering, Biotechnology, etc…