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  • Cambridge IGCSE World Literature (0408)

Cambridge IGCSE World Literature (0408)

Syllabus overview

Cambridge IGCSE World Literature encourages learners to explore literature from different countries and cultures. Through study of great novelists, poets and dramatists from around the world, learners acquire lifelong skills in interpreting and evaluating texts. They learn how to develop and communicate an informed personal response to literature. 

The syllabus has been designed to be flexible: schools and teachers can choose texts relevant to their learners' circumstances and teachers' own specialist interests. The aims of the syllabus are to develop learners' ability to enjoy, understand and respond to literature written in English or in English translation from different countries and cultures.

Syllabuses

The syllabus year refers to the year in which the examination will be taken.

  • 2022 - 2024 Syllabus (PDF, 342KB)
    • 2022-2024 Syllabus update (PDF, 149KB)
  • 2025 - 2027 Syllabus (PDF, 360KB)
    • 2025-2027 Syllabus update (PDF, 144KB)

Syllabus updates

  • Summary of the changes
    • We review all of our syllabuses regularly to make sure they continue to meet the needs of our schools and are up-to-date with current thinking. We have updated this syllabus and all assessment materials for first examination in 2022.

      How has the syllabus changed?

      We have:

      • updated the syllabus to emphasise our focus on World Literature, including the continuing availability of texts in translation
      • updated the set texts lists. We will continue to include an interesting range of literature from around the world. Section 3 of the syllabus lists the set texts for examination in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Please make sure you consult the set text list for the relevant year of examination as texts can change from year to year.

      How has the assessment changed?

      • The Assessment Objectives (AOs) have changed and are now equally weighted at 25% for all tasks and across the syllabus. This is consistent with the approach taken across our suite of English qualifications and provides good progression to Cambridge International AS & A Level.
      • The Oral Response task has been removed from Component 1: Coursework. Learners must now study one Drama text and one Prose text for coursework.
      • Paper 2 format has changed. This paper will assess unseen poetry only. The question type has also changed.
      • All learners will now study Poetry, Prose and Drama across the syllabus. Studying all three forms makes sure that learners have a well-rounded experience of the study of literature.
      • We have made changes to the number of marks available and the weightings components.
      • Marking criteria have been updated.

      When do these changes take place?

      The updated syllabus is for examination from June 2022 onwards. Please see the 2022-2024 syllabus above for full details.

  • Teaching and learning resources
    • Support

      We have a comprehensive range of materials to help you teach the 2022-2024 syllabus including:

      • Scheme of work
      • Speaking test handbook
      • Coursework handbook.

      These materials are available on our School Support Hub.

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Important notices

  • English for every learner
    • Find out more about our range of English syllabuses to suit every level and ambition.

  • Grade descriptions
    • For some subjects, the syllabus states that Grade Descriptions will be made available after first assessment in 2020, 2021 or 2022.

      Publication of grade descriptions was paused in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the temporary changes to the grading standard that have been in place for 2020, 2021 and 2022. We are currently working on producing these grade descriptions. This work will make sure that grade descriptions reflect examination outcomes appropriately and are based on the more stable grading standard that we expect to have in place for June 2023 onwards.

  • Front covers
    • From 2020, we have made some changes to the wording and layout of the front covers of our question papers to reflect the new Cambridge International branding and to make instructions clearer for candidates - learn more.

School Support Hub

We provide a wide range of support so that teachers can give their learners the best possible preparation for Cambridge programmes and qualifications. For teachers at registered Cambridge schools, support materials for specific syllabuses are available from the School Support Hub (username and password required).

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