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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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Amal Elsayed
Kuwait
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152 responses
Hi, i’ m in year 10 and i am really not sure about something. I want to do medicine , so is it advised or required that i do A-level?
Hi Liana,
Usually that’s the requirement for university. You can always consider any A-Level equivalent.
Hi,thank you, like what for example?
For example: Pre-U courses, Foundation courses, IB, SAT (if you’re going to US), etc etc… There are really many of them. Try to search around, and you will find lots of them 🙂 … But we can tell you for sure that, A-Level is widely accepted.
Thank you , again :). Sorry one last question, If i do IB what would be the benefits of it, and what makes it different from other systems.
Hi Liana,
We are afraid we can’t answer this question. It would be good to look into the IB website or ask someone who had done it.
Okay, thank you though. I really appreciate your help.
I am considering going to Uni as a mature student to do a teaching degree. I would need a GCSE Science and would need to home study for this. The Uni have asked that the Science qualification be a full and complete GCSE. Please would you advise if the double science course is suitable? Thank you.
Hi Sue,
We can’t confirm on this. You must confirm with that university that you’re corresponding with.
Which subject did you choose?
Hello! I am a 10th grader and I plan to do medicine in the near future. I was wondering whether it would be possible to pursue my dream taking Biology and Chemistry but not Physics because I am not very interested to learn it. But if it is mandatory, I will take on the subject. I had done some research on some universities and it is not specified that I should take Physics. However, I would like a final clarity to make a decision I would not regret in the future. Thank you.
Hi Taniya,
For medicine, you do not need Physics. Most of the universities require Biology and Chemistry. And of course English and Maths.
Im taking coordinated science (double award) and i want you be an engineer,will i be able to go into college and then take engineering with double award ?
if not, what can I study in the university if taking the double award?
Hi Ahmad,
Engineering courses usually require Physics and Chemistry, Biology too if you are taking any engineering courses related to Biology. The best way to get confirmation is to call up the university that you wish to apply for, and ask for their entry requirements.
I guess you didnt understand my question, I meant that im at grade 10 and I’m taking the coordinated sciences (double award) and i’m wondering if I can study Engineering when I enter university, will they accept me or I cant enter this Specialty because i already took the double award, because im lost and i need to know what will this double award subject will open to me Specialty when i enter the university
It depends on the university. You need to research the qualification of engineering first. If they don’t accept double award, then change to another university cuz probably they accept OR change your course.
Double award do open to all kinds of science courses BUT it isn’t unnecessary to be recognised by all universities.
However, majority of universities accept triple award more than double award. But if you are already know what do you want to study/do in the future, it is better to take triple award if it’s related to science cuz it is unnecessary to take all science subjects for triple award, but for double award you must take all of 3 sciences. But if you only take 2 / 1 science for triple award, you will have only 2 / 1 grades.
For double award it’s for if you are unsure about what do you want to do in the future. Because for example if you only take Bio and Che but you want to engineering at the end, there should be a major problem.
I want to become a doctor in the future but I got put into double award science. Will I be able to go into college and then do medicine with double award.
Hello there,
It is advisable to take Triple Science if you wish to go into medicine.
Is it okay if I take trible science and I want to be a doctor?
Hi Najat,
Yes, triple science is what you need 🙂
what are its benefits to double award???
You will obtain 2 IGCSE grades with double award.
At school, I have passed unit 1 science with an A and I have been moved to triple award. I
plan to study psychology and become a psychiatrist in the future. Can you tell me the steps I would need to take to achieve this?
Hi Maddie,
Just do your best to achieve minimum Grade B / A for your subjects 🙂 … That is the most important thing for you now. When you have gotten your great result, then we can see what’s next 🙂