Syllabus
Cambridge IGCSE™
Psychology 0266
Use this syllabus for exams in 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Exams are available in the June and November series.
Version 2
For the purposes of screen readers, any mention in this document of Cambridge IGCSE
refers to Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education.
,Why choose Cambridge?
We work with schools worldwide to build an education that shapes knowledge, understanding and skills.
Together, we give learners the confidence they need to thrive and make a positive impact in a changing world.
As part of the University of Cambridge, we offer a globally trusted and flexible framework for education from
age 3 to 19, informed by research, experience, and listening to educators.
With recognised qualifications, high-quality resources, comprehensive support and valuable insights, we help
schools prepare every student for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Qualifications that are recognised and valued worldwide
From the world’s top-ranked universities to local higher education institutions, Cambridge qualifications open
doors to a world of opportunities.
Setting a global standard
With over 160 years of experience in delivering fair, valid and reliable assessments to students worldwide, we
offer a global, recognised performance standard for international education.
Your path, your way
Schools can adapt our curriculum, high-quality teaching and learning resources and flexible assessments to
their local context. Our aligned offer helps Cambridge schools support every learner to reach their potential and
thrive.
Learning with lasting impact
Cambridge learners build subject knowledge and conceptual understanding, and develop a broad range of
skills, learning habits and attributes to help make them ready for the world.
Improving learning outcomes through data-led insight and action
Our trusted baseline and diagnostic assessments, together with our insights and evaluation service, help
schools turn data into knowledge and actionable insights, to inform teaching decisions and improve learner
outcomes.
Bringing together a community of experts
We bring together the collective knowledge of experts and our diverse community of educators worldwide,
supporting them to learn from one another and share ideas and information.
Tackling the climate crisis together
We believe that education is key to tackling the climate crisis. Together with Cambridge schools, we can
empower young people with the skills and knowledge to take action on climate change, helping them be ready
for the world.
School feedback: ‘We think the Cambridge curriculum is superb preparation for university.’
Feedback from: Christoph Guttentag, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Duke University, USA
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment September 2024
Cambridge International Education is the name of our awarding body and a part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, which is a
department of the University of Cambridge.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment retains the copyright on all its publications. Registered centres are permitted to copy
material from this booklet for their own internal use. However, we cannot give permission to centres to photocopy any material that is
acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within a centre.
,Contents
Why choose Cambridge?................................................................................................ 2
1 Why choose this syllabus? ......................................................................................... 4
2 Syllabus overview ........................................................................................................ 7
Aims 7
Content overview 8
Assessment overview 9
Assessment objectives 10
3 Subject content ..........................................................................................................11
4 Details of the assessment ........................................................................................ 38
Paper 1 38
Paper 2 38
Command words 39
5 What else you need to know .................................................................................... 40
Before you start 40
Making entries 41
Accessibility and equality 41
After the exam 42
How students and teachers can use the grades 43
Changes to this syllabus for 2027, 2028 and 2029 44
Important: Changes to this syllabus
For information about changes to this syllabus for 2027, 2028 and 2029, go to page 44.
www.cambridgeinternational.org/igcse 3
, Cambridge IGCSE Psychology 0266 syllabus for 2027, 2028 and 2029.
1 Why choose this syllabus?
Key benefits
Cambridge IGCSE is the world’s most popular international
qualification for 14 to 16 year olds, although it can be taken
by students at any age. Taught by over 5000 schools in 150
countries, it is tried, tested and trusted.
Students can choose from 70 subjects in any combination,
including 30 languages.
Our programmes promote a thorough knowledge and
understanding of a subject and help to develop the skills
learners need for their next steps in education or employment.
Cambridge IGCSE Psychology encourages learners to start
thinking like a psychologist. The syllabus presents opportunities
to explore the key methods, theories, explanations and concepts
that provide the foundations for the study of psychology. Learners are supported in developing key transferable
skills such as the interpretation of evidence and the application of knowledge, while studying a range of
stimulating topics relevant to contemporary international learners.
Our approach in Cambridge IGCSE Psychology encourages learners to be:
confident, developing the ability to communicate psychological explanations, concepts and findings to others
responsible, acknowledging the social, cultural and ethical context of research in psychology
reflective, about their own and the mental processes and behaviours of others
innovative, developing an ability to think psychologically to understand problems and respond to different
situations
engaged, developing a curiosity about human thinking and behaviour, including how research findings can be
used to understand the world around them.
School feedback: ‘The strength of Cambridge IGCSE qualifications is internationally
recognised and has provided an international pathway for our students to continue their studies
around the world.’
Feedback from: Gary Tan, Head of Schools and CEO, Raffles Group of Schools, Indonesia
Back to contents page www.cambridgeinternational.org/igcse 4
Cambridge IGCSE™
Psychology 0266
Use this syllabus for exams in 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Exams are available in the June and November series.
Version 2
For the purposes of screen readers, any mention in this document of Cambridge IGCSE
refers to Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education.
,Why choose Cambridge?
We work with schools worldwide to build an education that shapes knowledge, understanding and skills.
Together, we give learners the confidence they need to thrive and make a positive impact in a changing world.
As part of the University of Cambridge, we offer a globally trusted and flexible framework for education from
age 3 to 19, informed by research, experience, and listening to educators.
With recognised qualifications, high-quality resources, comprehensive support and valuable insights, we help
schools prepare every student for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Qualifications that are recognised and valued worldwide
From the world’s top-ranked universities to local higher education institutions, Cambridge qualifications open
doors to a world of opportunities.
Setting a global standard
With over 160 years of experience in delivering fair, valid and reliable assessments to students worldwide, we
offer a global, recognised performance standard for international education.
Your path, your way
Schools can adapt our curriculum, high-quality teaching and learning resources and flexible assessments to
their local context. Our aligned offer helps Cambridge schools support every learner to reach their potential and
thrive.
Learning with lasting impact
Cambridge learners build subject knowledge and conceptual understanding, and develop a broad range of
skills, learning habits and attributes to help make them ready for the world.
Improving learning outcomes through data-led insight and action
Our trusted baseline and diagnostic assessments, together with our insights and evaluation service, help
schools turn data into knowledge and actionable insights, to inform teaching decisions and improve learner
outcomes.
Bringing together a community of experts
We bring together the collective knowledge of experts and our diverse community of educators worldwide,
supporting them to learn from one another and share ideas and information.
Tackling the climate crisis together
We believe that education is key to tackling the climate crisis. Together with Cambridge schools, we can
empower young people with the skills and knowledge to take action on climate change, helping them be ready
for the world.
School feedback: ‘We think the Cambridge curriculum is superb preparation for university.’
Feedback from: Christoph Guttentag, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Duke University, USA
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment September 2024
Cambridge International Education is the name of our awarding body and a part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, which is a
department of the University of Cambridge.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment retains the copyright on all its publications. Registered centres are permitted to copy
material from this booklet for their own internal use. However, we cannot give permission to centres to photocopy any material that is
acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within a centre.
,Contents
Why choose Cambridge?................................................................................................ 2
1 Why choose this syllabus? ......................................................................................... 4
2 Syllabus overview ........................................................................................................ 7
Aims 7
Content overview 8
Assessment overview 9
Assessment objectives 10
3 Subject content ..........................................................................................................11
4 Details of the assessment ........................................................................................ 38
Paper 1 38
Paper 2 38
Command words 39
5 What else you need to know .................................................................................... 40
Before you start 40
Making entries 41
Accessibility and equality 41
After the exam 42
How students and teachers can use the grades 43
Changes to this syllabus for 2027, 2028 and 2029 44
Important: Changes to this syllabus
For information about changes to this syllabus for 2027, 2028 and 2029, go to page 44.
www.cambridgeinternational.org/igcse 3
, Cambridge IGCSE Psychology 0266 syllabus for 2027, 2028 and 2029.
1 Why choose this syllabus?
Key benefits
Cambridge IGCSE is the world’s most popular international
qualification for 14 to 16 year olds, although it can be taken
by students at any age. Taught by over 5000 schools in 150
countries, it is tried, tested and trusted.
Students can choose from 70 subjects in any combination,
including 30 languages.
Our programmes promote a thorough knowledge and
understanding of a subject and help to develop the skills
learners need for their next steps in education or employment.
Cambridge IGCSE Psychology encourages learners to start
thinking like a psychologist. The syllabus presents opportunities
to explore the key methods, theories, explanations and concepts
that provide the foundations for the study of psychology. Learners are supported in developing key transferable
skills such as the interpretation of evidence and the application of knowledge, while studying a range of
stimulating topics relevant to contemporary international learners.
Our approach in Cambridge IGCSE Psychology encourages learners to be:
confident, developing the ability to communicate psychological explanations, concepts and findings to others
responsible, acknowledging the social, cultural and ethical context of research in psychology
reflective, about their own and the mental processes and behaviours of others
innovative, developing an ability to think psychologically to understand problems and respond to different
situations
engaged, developing a curiosity about human thinking and behaviour, including how research findings can be
used to understand the world around them.
School feedback: ‘The strength of Cambridge IGCSE qualifications is internationally
recognised and has provided an international pathway for our students to continue their studies
around the world.’
Feedback from: Gary Tan, Head of Schools and CEO, Raffles Group of Schools, Indonesia
Back to contents page www.cambridgeinternational.org/igcse 4
