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International School Searching Made Easy
American Common Core, National Curriculum for England, International Baccalaureate…. So many options! What are the differences, and how do I choose which one is best for my child?
For families living in cities with multiple international school options, curriculum is often the most important factor in selecting a school. As a parent you may gravitate towards choosing an international school which follows the national curriculum of your home country. While that curriculum is familiar to you, it may not necessarily be the best choice for your child, and it is important to understand your options.
Below you will find an overview of the most common curriculums taught around the world. This will provide you with only a smidgeon of information that you should know when choosing the best international school for your student, so we encourage you to do further research or contact our school guidance providers for assistance.
AICE is a set of challenging college-level classes for high school students. It was developed by Cambridge Assessment which is a non-profit, non-teaching department of the University of Cambridge in England.
AICE encompasses the ‘‘gold standard’ Cambridge International AS & A Level qualifications, and offers students the opportunity to tailor their studies to their individual interests, abilities and future plans within an international curriculum framework.
Ages: 16 – 19
Recognition: Worldwide
The A Level is a subject-based qualification which is part of the General Certificate of Education, as well as a school leaving qualification, offered by the educational bodies in the United Kingdom.
Obtaining an A Level is generally required across the board for university entrance in the UK system, with universities granting offers based on grades achieved. Several countries use A Levels as a school-leaving qualification. The A Levels taken by students in other countries may differ from the A Levels taken in the United Kingdom.
Ages: 16 – 18
Recognition: Worldwide
Advanced Placement is a program in the United States and Canada created by the College Board which offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students. American colleges and universities may grant placement and course credit to students who obtain high scores on these examinations. There are currently 38 courses and exams available through the AP Program.
Ages: 15 – 18
Recognition: Worldwide
Founded in 1984 by two teachers who had a vision to improve learning, Fieldwork Education offers 3 independent programmes of education:
For more than 30 years, Fieldwork Education has partnered with over 1,000 schools around the world to improve learning in the classroom and wider school community.
Ages: 2 – 14
Recognition: Worldwide
The French Baccalauréat (Bac) is the diploma that marks the completion of a French high school program and follows the curriculum guidelines established by the French Ministry of Education, a pre-university program of study taught entirely in French. Students must choose a specialized program of study within a core curriculum. The diploma is obtained at the end of grade 12, after externally assessed examinations are taken, and is the essential credential for entry into any university worldwide for students educated in the French language.
Ages: 16 – 18
Recognition: Worldwide
GCSEs are the main qualification taken by 14 to 16-year-olds in the United Kingdom, but are available to students of any age in the UK. GCSEs are offered in a wide range of academic and work-related subjects. The qualification mainly involves studying the theory of a subject, together with some investigative work, while some subjects also involve practical work. They are usually studied full-time, taking five terms to complete.
Many international schools offer a similar IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) developed by Cambridge. More information on IGCSEs can be found below.
Ages: 14 – 16
Recognition: United Kingdom
The IB is a nonprofit foundation headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It offers four educational programmes:
According to the IB, its main aim is “to help students learn how to think critically and independently, and how to inquire with care and logic.” These themes are highlighted throughout the four programmes, with an emphasis on autonomous work and a holistic approach to learning.
Ages: 3 – 19
Recognition: Worldwide
The IGCSE is a Cambridge International programme attended by Year 10 and Year 11 students at International Schools. It is also the most popular international qualification for students aged 14-16 worldwide.
The programme is recognised by educational institutions around the globe, having been developed and tested for more than 25 years. Schools all over the world consider it a well-tried path for students’ academic progress.
Ages: 14 – 16
Recognition: Worldwide
Schools in England that are funded by the Government must teach the National Curriculum, but many International Schools teach this as well (also known as UK Curriculum or British National Curriculum). The National Curriculum begins in Early Years for students 3 – 5 years old. After that it is organized into blocks of years called “Key Stages”:
The aim of the National Curriculum is to ensure that all children receive the same, quality education which teaches them the knowledge, skills and processes they need to be successful in education and throughout their lives.
Ages: 3 – 16
Recognition: Worldwide
The US (or American) Curriculum is a rigorous, standards-based system that aims to educate the whole child. Within the United States, each individual State maintains the right to deliver “Common Core” standards of its choosing, relevant to the state and region. American schools abroad that offer the American Curriculum have the opportunity to choose the most recent and rigorous standards that are relevant to an international community within the host country, but they must be accredited in the United States by one of the six accreditation authorities.
Ages: 4 – 18
Recognition: Worldwide
