Schools certificates

Rather than just spending a single school year abroad, more and more students stay on to take their university entrance qualifications. In the UK students can choose between two certificates: the British A-levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB)

A-levels

In the first year of the upper school section (year 12) students choose four subjects at AS-level and take the national examination in these subjects at the end of the school year. In the second year (year 13), only three of the original four subjects are continued. These are also examined at the end of the school year (A2 exams). The marks obtained at AS Levels carry through to the A2 exams.

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an internationally recognised and highly regarded educational program administered by the IB Organisation in Switzerland. Here students take six subjects, three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level.

Recognition

Recognition of the various certificates is subject to different regulations in every country. For this reason it is best to find out in advance whether a particular certificate is recognised in your country.