International A Levels
Our academic program is comprised of two parts: two years of IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) which is a broad curriculum encompassing a range of subjects and two years of A Level study called AS and A2 (Advanced Study).
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education is the world’s most popular international curriculum for secondary education. Students take exams after their second year (grade 10) to receive their IGCSE certifications in each subject (up to 10 subjects). From there students choose up to 4 subjects to study to A Level.
International A Levels are the world’s most widely recognised qualification for university entrance, allowing access to both Swiss and international universities. The International A Levels (IAL) are known in Switzerland and worldwide for their high academic standards. Often referred to as the ‘gold standard’ for entrance to UK universities they are the most frequently completed university entrance qualification in the world and are offered by Cambridge Assessment International Examinations and Pearson Edexcel at over 10,000 schools in 160 different countries. International A Levels are recognised and earn credit at more than 500 US universities including Ivy League schools such as Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Princeton and Yale. For admission to Swiss universities and universities of applied sciences (excluding ETH), 3 A levels with grades BBC or higher and 3 IGCSEs scoring 5/9 are generally required. One of the A Level subjects must be mathematics or a science subject. Another should be German or French. Otherwise a language certificate at level C1 or higher must be presented to the respective university. This can also be prepared and completed at our school.
Year | Qualification | Subjects | Provides access to |
1 & 2 | IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) |
6 to 10 subjects for broad general knowledge | Study at further education colleges (UK) and junior colleges (US). Study at a Höhere Fachschule HF in Switzerland or access to a Berufsmatura |
3 & 4 | A Levels (IAL) | 3-4 subjects for in-depth study | Study at universities worldwide* |
* Each University will specify the required grades and criteria to enter its courses.
Admission to our program
We welcome applications from students who are interested in studying in an international, multi-cultural environment with a proven level of B1+ English. We will require reports from previous schools on admission. All students will be assessed in English on entry and students wishing to enter into year 10 or 11 will be asked to take subject entry assessments.
A Levels, IB or Matura?
There are different ways to access university: a Matura or Abitur, the International Baccalaureat (IB) or the British A Levels. We have opted for the British way because
- it enjoys an excellent reputation at universities around the world,
- the students are encouraged in their strengths and
- the IGCSE offers an internationally recognized qualification after two years of study that opens doors to further education abroad and in Switzerland.
We have put together an overview of the special features of IB, Swiss Matura and A Levels for you.