OXFORDAQA INTERNATIONAL GCSE GLOBAL SKILLS PROJECTS
Turn future skills into
a recognised qualification
Students earn an International GCSE through two practical projects exploring topics such as sustainability, technology and entrepreneurship. OxfordAQA develops and awards the qualification, with 8billionideas acting as OxfordAQA's teaching and learning partner for Global Skills Projects. We provide the structured lessons, resources and platform that support schools in delivering the qualification, building on the skills students develop through The Critical Curriculum.
FLEXIBLE BY DESIGN
Works with the curriculum
you already follow
Whether you follow a British, IB, American, Indian or another international curriculum, the qualification can fit alongside what you already teach, with the flexibility to introduce it at the point that makes the most sense for your school and your students.
- British curriculum
- IB curriculum
- American curriculum
- Indian curriculum
- Other international curricula
Choose where it fits
FOUNDATION ROUTE
Build the foundations in Year 7 before students begin the qualification in Year 8 and complete it by the end of Year 9.
Year 7
Foundation year
Years 8–9
International GCSE Global Skills Projects
ACCELERATED ROUTE
Year 9
Accelerated programme
An accelerated option for schools that want students to complete the qualification within Year 9.
TRADITIONAL ROUTE
Years 10–11
International GCSE Global Skills Projects
Deliver the qualification across Years 10 and 11 alongside the traditional GCSE years.
However your school is structured, we'll help you work out where the qualification fits best.
Students can start from Year 7, so the qualification doesn't have to add to the pressure of Years 10 and 11.
When we introduced the Global Skills Project at DBS Emirates Hills, the response from parents and students was incredible. Families immediately understood the value of developing these essential skills while working towards a recognised GCSE. With the large majority of our Year 9 students signing up to complete the GCSE qualification, the enthusiasm has been overwhelming. Seeing students so engaged in their learning, exploring their own interests has been fantastic. Our collaboration with 8billionideas, alongside their resources and hands-on support, helped us move quickly from the initial idea to launching the qualification, bringing our vision to life in a short space of time.
HOW THE QUALIFICATION WORKS
Students demonstrate
their learning
through
independent and group projects
The Global Skills Projects qualification is assessed through two projects rather than a traditional written exam. Students explore real-world topics, research their ideas, work independently and collaboratively, and demonstrate what they've learned through practical work.
INDIVIDUAL PROJECT
60%
Students choose a topic to investigate, carry out research and develop an individual project that demonstrates their understanding, ideas and ability to work independently.
GROUP SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PROJECT
40%
Students work together to explore a sustainability issue, plan a response and put their ideas into action through a collaborative project.
No written examination
Students are assessed through their project work, giving them the opportunity to demonstrate their learning in a different way.
What students do throughout the qualification
Research → Plan → Create → Present → Reflect
PROJECT THEMES
Explore the topics students can
investigate through their projects
Students can explore a wide range of real-world topics, from sustainability and technology to entrepreneurship and wellbeing. These themes offer inspiration for students to develop their own questions, investigate issues that interest them and shape their projects.
YEAR 1 · 60%
Individual Project
Students choose a topic that interests them and develop their own research question to investigate.
Explore an example research question
RESEARCH QUESTION
How can a young entrepreneur turn an idea into a successful business?
YEAR 2 · 40%
Group Project
Students work together on a student-led sustainability project, identifying a challenge that matters to them and developing solutions collaboratively.
PROJECT FOCUS
A collaborative project based on a real-world sustainability issue.
READY TO DELIVER
You don't have to build a
new course from scratch
Introducing a new qualification can mean planning lessons, creating resources and working out how everything fits together. As OxfordAQA's teaching and learning partner for Global Skills Projects, 8billionideas has already developed the teaching materials and learning structure to help your school deliver the qualification without having to build the course itself.
You can focus on teaching and supporting your students, rather than developing the course yourself.
What we've already prepared for your school
01
Ready-to-teach lessons
Clear objectives, teaching materials and activities, all prepared for you.
02
A structured learning journey
Planned learning that guides students through both projects.
03
Resources for teachers and students
Videos, activities and materials to support teaching and learning.
04
Guidance throughout the projects
Practical resources to support project work from start to finish.
Need help with centre registration?
We can also guide schools through the OxfordAQA centre registration and approval process where required.
THE PLATFORM
Run the whole qualification
in one place
Teachers and students have their own access to the 8billionideas platform, bringing lessons, resources and project work together in one place. Teachers can manage learning and follow student progress, while students can access their materials, complete activities and keep track of their next steps.
For teachers
Access teaching materials, guide students through their projects and see how their work is progressing.
For students
Find lessons and project activities, complete work and see what to focus on next.
GETTING STARTED
Everything is in place to help
your school get started
Introducing the qualification doesn't have to mean a complicated setup process. We'll help your school get everything ready, introduce your teachers and students to the platform, and provide support throughout delivery.
How we help you get started
01Share your student information
Your school provides the details we need to prepare teacher and student access to the platform.
02We set up your platform
We create the accounts and prepare access to the lessons, resources and qualification materials.
03We show your team how it works
Teachers and students are introduced to the platform so they know where to find everything and how to get started.
04Your Partnership Manager supports delivery
You'll have a dedicated point of contact to help with implementation, answer questions and keep everything moving.
05Ongoing guidance and support
We'll continue supporting your school throughout delivery, including key checkpoints and guidance when needed.
You don't need a specialist teacher
The lessons, resources and teaching structure are already prepared, so your existing teaching team can be supported to deliver the qualification without building a new specialist department.
Need help with centre registration?
We can also guide schools through the OxfordAQA centre-registration process where required.
WHY SCHOOLS CHOOSE IT
Give students another way to learn
and achieve a recognised qualification
Not every student learns or demonstrates their abilities in the same way. This qualification gives schools another option alongside their existing subjects, combining practical, project-based learning with a recognised International GCSE.
What this offers your school
A recognised qualification for practical learning
Students can work towards an International GCSE through research and projects, rather than treating this type of learning as an extracurricular activity.
A different approach to assessment
With no written examination, students have the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding through independent and collaborative project work.
Develop skills alongside academic subjects
Give students opportunities to practise research, communication, collaboration and problem-solving while continuing with their existing curriculum.
More flexibility in your curriculum
Introduce project-based learning at a point that suits your school, including the option to complete the qualification before the traditional GCSE years.
Something different to offer students and parents
Broaden your school's qualification offering with an additional pathway that connects classroom learning to real-world topics and challenges.
