Skip to content
IGCSE·Tuition
EN

Subjects

Online Tuition

Study Resources

Browse

Choosing computing and humanities subjects

Computing subjects reward building and testing, humanities subjects reward evidence and argument, and students can prepare for the wrong one.

Online one-to-one IGCSE tuition for your child
On this page
  1. Computer Science or ICT?
  2. How do the humanities subjects relate?
  3. How do I study across the family?
  4. Where do I go next?

This family covers five subjects that look unrelated: Computer Science (0478, with a newer 0265 to check), ICT (0417), History (0470), Geography (0460) and Global Perspectives (0457). What links them is that none can be revised by memorising alone.

Computer Science or ICT?

Computer Science is about how computing works: logic, data representation, algorithms and programming. ICT is about using software well: spreadsheets, databases, documents and web tools on practical tasks. A student who enjoys problem solving with code finds Computer Science more natural, while a student who wants confident, practical software skills may prefer ICT.

They are separate subjects. Do not use generic Computer Science lessons to prepare for ICT, or the reverse. For Computer Science, confirm whether your exam year falls under 0478 or a newer code, and check the Cambridge subject page for that.

How do the humanities subjects relate?

History, Geography and Global Perspectives each ask you to handle evidence. History concerns the past and its sources, Geography links places, processes and data, and Global Perspectives asks you to research an issue and compare viewpoints. In all three, good answers separate facts, viewpoints and your own reasoning.

Your school decides which options, topics and assessment route you follow, so ask before you revise. For Global Perspectives, entry rules matter, so confirm them early.

How do I study across the family?

  • Computing: practise by doing, then explain your method aloud.
  • Humanities: practise full answers under timed conditions, not only notes.
  • Start from the code and year your school gave you.

Where do I go next?

See choosing subjects for support if you are deciding where to focus.

Subject guides

Questions people ask

Is ICT the same as Computer Science?

No. Computer Science 0478 is about how computers work and how to program them, while ICT 0417 is about using software for data, documents and web tasks. They are separate qualifications. ICT lessons will not replace Computer Science, and the reverse is also true.

Does the Computer Science 0265 code replace 0478?

Cambridge lists a newer code, 0265, in this area. Which one applies depends on your exam year, so confirm it with your school and read the Cambridge subject page for the exact version before you rely on any date.

What is Global Perspectives 0457?

It is a skills-based subject about research, evidence, perspectives and reflection on global issues. The 2025 to 2027 syllabus does not allow private-candidate entry, so check with your school and Cambridge for later years. Tuition cannot work around entry rules.

How should I revise History and Geography?

Both need accurate facts, but the marks come from using them: sources, cases, cause and consequence. Practise writing answers to real question types. Check which topics your school has chosen, because not every candidate studies every topic.

Sources

  1. Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives 0457 subject page
  2. Cambridge Global Perspectives 0457 syllabus for 2025 to 2027 (private candidate rule)
  3. Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0478 subject page

Updated:

Your next step

A paid one-hour trial lets a teacher look at your actual work and show how to turn what you know into what the exam asks for.

Paid one-hour trial at your assigned teacher’s confirmed rate, starting from RM80. Other fees, schedules and ongoing arrangements are confirmed directly with your teacher after the trial class.

Book a paid trial for your child

9,000+ students helped through our service