EXPLORING INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION


choice of qualifications, which may suit families who are not yet sure of their next step. “The A Level system tends to suit students who are more certain of where their particular skills lie,” he says. “The IB is more rigid in its formula, stipulating that all students take maths, English, a language and a science. This makes it a brilliant qualification for all-rounders, but could be challenging for those who struggle in one of its prescribed subject areas. “As for


higher education, the majority of students


receiving UK university offers hold A Level qualifications, but IB and Pre-Us are both also highly regarded. American universities recognise these qualifications, but the IB could give those looking to study in the US a slight advantage. “This is because the SAT tests required by American universities include maths and English, both of which will have been maintained to a high level as part of the IB course.”


BENCHMARKING QUALIFICATIONS In 2008, the European Commission devised the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), which divides learning stages and qualifications gained into eight levels. The framework ranges from Level 1, ‘basic general


knowledge’, to Level 8, ‘knowledge at the most advanced frontier of a field of work or study’. Most qualifications around the world can be placed within these levels, to offer a guide to both the comparable levels of learning with an unfamiliar education system and the final exams on offer. The UK, along with many other EU member countries, has restructured its own qualifications framework in line with the EQF. As a general guide, those taking GCSEs with passes at grades D–G would sit within Level 1, Level 2 would include GCSE grades A*–C, AS and A Level, and the International Baccalaureate would be classified as Level 3. Level 6 would take in a bachelor’s degree, and Level 8 would represent those with a doctorate. UNESCO’s detailed breakdowns of international education systems and qualifications benchmarked against a similar structure to the EQF can be found at www.uis. unesco.org/en/isced-mappings


While there are many resources to help guide families to a better understanding of what they may face when choosing a state education system in their overseas destination, there is no substitute for discussing the specifics of the learning options with the schools and colleges themselves.


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Exhilarating, immersive education. Good Schools Guide


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Alongside academic excellence, Sevenoaks offers co-curricular breadth, strong pastoral care, innovative thinking and an inclusive global dimension inspired by the International Baccalaureate. A co-educational boarding and day school, we have offered the IB since 1978. Our average Diploma score is ten points above the world average, and our students go on to study at leading institutions worldwide, including Oxford, Cambridge and Ivy League.


www.sevenoaksschool.org Registered charity 1101358


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