What we offer
Academia International School in Zürich 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 |
|
| 9 & 10 | IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) |
6 to 10 subjects for broad general knowledge |
|
| 11 & 12 | A Levels (IAL) | 3-5 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 to enter its courses.
Lower secondary school: Pre-IGCSE
In lower secondary (years 7 and 8), the Academia curriculum is based on the Swiss curriculum Lehrplan 21 and the Cambridge International Curriculum. The British 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, Geography, History, Mathematics, Science, 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)
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. Students can choose from the following IGCSE-subjects:
- Business Studies
- English (as a first language)
- English (as a second language)
- French (as a foreign language)
- Geography
- German (as a foreign language)
- German
- History
- Mathematics
- Natural Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
Further subjects, such as Italian, Russian or Portuguese 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)
Upper Secondary: International A Levels
Building on the broad general knowledge studied in the IGCSE, our International A Level programme allows students to focus on their individual strengths and interests. International A Levels are worldwide the most recognised qualification for university entrance. Naturally, International A levels are recognised and accepted in all Swiss Universities. They are so highly regarded that in the USA, 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 autonomy: An ideal preparation for university study.
We offer a broad range of subjects to meet the individual interests of our students. Students can choose from the following specialist subjects (A Levels).
- Biology
- Business Studies
- Chemistry
- English (as a first language)
- French
- History
- Geography
- German
- Mathematics
- Physics
Further subjects, such as Italian, Russian or Portuguese are offered on request. Exam-relevant subjects are supplemented by an attractive programme of electives and extracurricular activities.
