Start-Up - 2027 Finalist
International GCSE Global Skills Projects
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
International GCSE Global Skills Projects by 8billionideas Ltd
The International GCSE Global Skills Projects is a coursework-based qualification designed to sit alongside core GCSE subjects and formally assess transferable, future-ready skills through applied project-based work.
Developed by OxfordAQA with 8billionideas as the delivery partner bringing it to life in the classroom.The qualification combines academic rigour with structured, real-world learning experiences that move beyond traditional examination models.
Students complete two substantial projects over the course of two academic years, one individual and one collaborative, in which they investigate real-world issues, develop ideas, communicate solutions and reflect on their learning process. Assessment is based not only on final outcomes, but also on the quality of thinking, application, collaboration and communication demonstrated throughout the process.
The qualification is mapped to the core skills of 8billionideasʼ Critical Curriculum, which provides thematic structure across entrepreneurship, careers literacy, wellbeing, leadership, performance, financial literacy, sustainability and technology. These themes are used as lenses for interdisciplinary, project-based learning that can be adapted across different school contexts.
For schools, the qualification provides a structured framework that enables the integration of applied learning into existing GCSE pathways without requiring curriculum redesign. Implementation support, assessment guidance and ready-to-use frameworks ensure consistency across international contexts.
Following the launch of this partnership in 2026, early adoption interest has emerged across multiple regions, particularly in international schools seeking more applied approaches to secondary assessment.
The qualification creates a formal bridge between academic study and real-world application, enabling students to demonstrate capability in ways that reflect how skills are used beyond school.
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