What we offer 

Academia International School in Basel offers from year 7 to year 12 a unique experience with a lower secondary and an upper secondary school leading to IGCSE and International A Levels. 

Year

Qualification

Subjects

Provides access to

7 & 8

Lower secondary school (Pre-IGCSE)

10 subjects for broad general knowledge; unique bilingual, project-based curriculum

  • our IGCSE programme 
  • our German speaking secondary school Academia Primar&Sek in Reinach 
9 & 10

IGCSE
(International General Certificate of Secondary Education)

6 to 10 subjects for broad general knowledge

  • our A-Level-programme*
  • further education colleges (UK) and junior colleges (US).
  • Höhere Fachschule HF in Switzerland or access to an apprenticeship with Berufsmatura
11 & 12

International A Levels (IAL)

3-4 subjects for in-depth study

Study at universities worldwide**

* Students must score a minimum grade at their IGCSEs in order to be accepted into our rigorous A-level-programme.
** Each University will specify the required grades and criteria for entry to its courses.

Lower secondary school: Pre-IGCSE

In lower secondary (years 7 and 8), the Academia curriculum is based on the Cambridge International Curriculum. This curriculum allows great scope for creativity while preparing students to enter the internationally recognised IGCSE programme in year 9.

Our students attend the following subjects in our lower secondary school: English, German, French, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, Art, Music, Physical Education

All academic subjects are taught in English. However, a considerable part of our teaching time is dedicated to German by layering our curriculum with project-based learning. This means that students not only attend German language lessons but also work on projects to reinforce learning in science and humanities, thus building a rich specialised vocabulary in German.

Key facts lower secondary school (Year 7 and 8)

  • International British Cambridge curriculum

  • Preparation for the IGCSE programme

  • Warm and caring atmosphere

  • Unique bilingual curriculum 

Upper secondary school: IGCSE

The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is the world’s most popular international curriculum for secondary education. Students take exams after their second year (year 10) to receive their IGCSE certifications in each subject (up to 10 subjects). From there on, various paths are open to our students, be it continuing their studies to attain International A Levels, entering a Junior College the US, entering a Further Education college in the UK or pursuing vocational training in Switzerland. 

We offer a broad range of subjects to meet the individual interests of our students. Our students can choose from the following IGCSE-subjects:

  • English (as a first language)
  • English (as a second language)
  • English Literature
  • French (as a foreign language)
  • Geography
  • German (as a first language)
  • German (as a foreign language)
  • History and Drama
  • Mathematics
  • Natural Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

Further subjects, such as the Advanced Level subject Edexcel Extended Project are offered on request. Exam-relevant subjects are supplemented by an attractive programme of electives and extracurricular activities.

Key facts upper secondary school (Year 9 and 10)

  • Broad curriculum offering flexibility and choice

  • Individual support in a warm and caring atmosphere

  • Holistic approach with innovative teaching and learning

  • Internationally recognized qualification with various pathways after just two years

  • An outstanding team of committed highly qualified teachers who have years of experience teaching the UK curriculum

  • More than 10 year’s experience of successfully teaching IGCSEs and International A Levels 

Upper Secondary: International A Levels

Building on the broad general knowledge acquired through the IGCSE, our International A Level programme allows students to focus on their individual strengths and interests. International A Levels are the most recognised qualification for university entrance world over. Naturally International A levels are recognised and accepted in all Swiss Universities. They are so highly regarded that in the USA, that good A-Level-grades often mean that students get credit and can directly enter their 2nd year of study. Students choose three to five subjects, which they study in depth and with a high degree of independence – an ideal preparation for university study.

We offer a broad range of subjects to meet the individual interests of our students. In Basel, students can choose from the following specialist subjects (A Levels).

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Economics
  • English (as a first language)
  • French
  • German
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology
  • Geography
  • Spanish

Additional subjects, such as the Advanced Level subject Edexcel Extended Project are offered on request. Exam-relevant subjects are supplemented by an attractive programme of electives and extracurricular activities.

Key facts International A Levels (Years 11 and 12)

  • A wide selection of A level subjects

  • Strength focussed programme

  • Qualification recognised by all Universities around the world

  • Gold standard for UK Universities

  • Individual support in a warm and caring atmosphere

  • Holistic approach with innovative teaching and learning

  • An outstanding team of highly qualified subject specialist teachers who have years of experience teaching the UK curriculum

  • More than 10 years’ experience in successfully teaching IGCSE/A Levels