By Dr. David Maina, IGCSE Specialist · March 2026 · 10 min read
Three major curricula dominate international homeschooling: Cambridge IGCSE, Kenya's CBC, and the American Curriculum. Each has different assessment philosophies, university pathways, and costs. Here is the honest comparison.
IGCSE is a 2-year programme at ages 14–16, assessed almost entirely through end-of-course exams. Recognised by every major university globally. Rigorous, exam-focused, academic-heavy. Requires 7–10 subjects for a strong transcript.
CBC is a 12-year pathway from Grade 1 to KCSE at Grade 12. Assessed through continuous work, projects, and national exams at Grade 6, 9, and 12. Emphasises seven core competencies including creativity and digital literacy. Strong in East Africa; less recognised globally.
American curriculum spans Grades K–12 with high school (9–12) producing a GPA and SAT/ACT scores for university. Broader than IGCSE in subject range, more flexible in pacing, but less internationally uniform in rigour. Recognised everywhere, though US universities favour US applicants.
IGCSE grades are accepted by every major university on the planet. US universities accept all three but heavily prefer American curriculum + SAT from their domestic market. UK universities strongly prefer IGCSE + A-Level. CBC is the default for Kenyan universities; for international routes, CBC students typically add a foundation year.
IGCSE = highest exam pressure, lowest coursework volume. CBC = moderate exam pressure, high project workload. American = lowest single-exam pressure, high continuous-assessment volume spread across 4 years of high school.
CBC homeschooling is cheapest — roughly $300–600/month. IGCSE sits in the middle at $450–750/month. American curriculum homeschooling is pricier at $500–900/month because most licensed American homeschool programmes (K12, Connections Academy) include teacher support and accreditation fees.
Pick based on where your family's future is, not on curriculum prestige. IGCSE for international ambitions, CBC for East African rootedness, American for US-bound families. Commit once and let your child build mastery.
None. Each is rigorous at full depth. American curriculum looks easier because assessment is distributed; IGCSE looks easier because there is less coursework; CBC looks easier because projects feel softer than exams. Taught properly, all three produce strong students.
Yes, but disruption compounds. Switch once if needed, ideally before Grade 8. Repeated switching is very harmful.
IGCSE followed by A-Level or IB, for UK and global universities. For US universities, US curriculum + strong SAT works equally well.