0500 is the code for Cambridge IGCSE English First Language. It identifies the qualification on entry forms, syllabus documents and past papers, and it is the first thing to confirm before you choose what to revise.
This page states only what is stable and tells you where to check the rest. The official source is always the Cambridge subject page linked below.
What does the code tell you?
The code names the qualification, not the exam year. The same code appears year after year, and Cambridge issues syllabus documents that apply to specific exam years. So the code alone is not enough to pick a syllabus: you also need your exam year.
A document labelled for another exam year may describe requirements or wording that differ from your own. Treat older notes and books as “check first” until you have compared them with your document.
Is 0500 English as a Second Language?
No. First Language English 0500 is a different qualification from English as a Second Language, which has its own entry codes. The two are not interchangeable, and a textbook or worksheet written for one may not suit the other.
If your school materials mention both, read the English as a Second Language learning guide to see the difference, and ask your teacher which code is on your entry.
How do I confirm my syllabus in five steps?
- Ask your school or exam centre for your entry code and exam year.
- Open the Cambridge 0500 subject page and find the syllabus document listed for that year.
- Record the document name and year at the start of your revision file.
- Use the syllabus navigator to write down what you confirmed and what is still unresolved.
- Compare versions with the syllabus version viewer if you are using older notes or textbooks.
What should I check with my exam centre?
Your exam centre handles what we and this site cannot. Ask them:
- Which exam series are you entered for? Do not assume May/June or October/November.
- Which assessment components and any coursework or speaking choices apply to your entry?
- What are the registration and entry deadlines?
- Are there access arrangements you should request through the centre?
Some components are route-specific, so confirm with your centre whether they apply to you before you spend revision time on them. The page on checking whether speaking belongs to your entry route shows how to ask. Private candidates deal with the centre and Cambridge directly.
A short example of using the code
A student has a workbook called “IGCSE English” and a worksheet headed “ESL”. The entry form says 0500 and gives an exam year.
The student opens the 0500 subject page, downloads the document for that year, writes its name at the start of the revision file and marks the ESL worksheet “check first”. Skills on it that match the 0500 document stay in the plan and the rest is set aside.
The habit matters more than the answer: the code decides what goes into the revision plan.
What do we not state here?
Take paper numbers, durations, weightings and grade thresholds from the current Cambridge syllabus for your exam year. Those belong to Cambridge and can change between syllabus versions. The Cambridge subject page and the current syllabus document are where to read them.
Where to go next
Build a plan with the study route guide, read about the paper route in the assessment guide and see the whole subject in the English First Language learning guide.
Once your code and year are confirmed, online one-to-one English First Language tuition can start from the right syllabus instead of a guess.