Today is a big day for many teens that attend  English National Curriculum schools in Dubai as the GCSE results are announced.

Year in year out schools in Dubai record fantastic results, many being well above the national average of the UK.   So what are the options in the choice of curriculum’s for the 16+ child in Dubai for September 2014.

A’ level
On completing Key Stage 4 dependent on grades achieved students can move on to studying for 2 more years (years 12 & 13) to attain qualifications for entrance to Universities across the world.  At A’ Level  a student normally studies between 3 & 4 subjects gaining a grade in each subject.

Schools in Dubai that offer A’level include:- Dubai College, Dubai English Speaking College, English College, Jumeirah College, Dubai British School

The Diploma Program
For students aged from 16 to 18+. The program is normally taught over two years and has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities. IB Diploma Program students study six courses at (3 at higher level & 3 at standard level). Students must choose one subject from each of groups 1 to 5, thus ensuring breadth of experience in languages, social studies, the experimental sciences and mathematics. The sixth subject may be an arts subject chosen from group 6, or the student may choose another subject from groups 1 to 5.

In addition the program has three core requirements that are included to broaden the educational experience and challenge students to apply their knowledge and understanding.

• The extended essay is a requirement for students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the subjects they are studying.

• Theory of knowledge is a course designed to encourage each student to reflect on the nature of knowledge by critically examining different ways of knowing (perception, emotion, language and reason) and different kinds of knowledge (scientific, artistic, mathematical and historical).

• Creativity, action, service requires that students actively learn from the experience of doing real tasks beyond the classroom. Students can combine all three components or do activities related to each one of them separately.

Students take written examinations at the end of the program, which are marked by external IB examiners. Students also complete assessment tasks in the school, which are either initially marked by teachers and then moderated by external moderators or sent directly to external examiners.
The diploma is awarded to students who gain at least 24 points, subject to certain minimum levels of performance across the whole program and to satisfactory participation in the creativity, action, service requirement. The highest total that a Diploma Program student can be awarded is 45 points.

Schools in Dubai which offer IB Diploma include:-  JESS Arabian Ranches, GEMS Wellington Silicon Oasis, GEMS Wellington International, Repton, Jumeirah Baccalaureate School, Greenfield Community School, Dubai American Academy, GEMS World Academy, Emirates International School, Emirates International School (Meadows), Dubai International Academy, Deira International School, Raffles World Academy and Universal American School

IBCC  – IB Career Related Curriculum

This is a qualification which combines aspects of the IB Diploma with a career related qualification (BTEC).  Students generally study 2 IB subjects (standard level) from those offered by that school in the IB Program plus a subject at BTEC level (levels offered vary in each school).  On top of these subjects students will also study the IB core programme helping students to develop their communication, thinking and language skills.

IBCC subjects offered in Dubai include subjects such as Media, Engineering, Business, ICT, Sports & Science and Performing Arts

Schools which offer the IBCC include:- GEMS Wellington Silicon Oasis, Deira International School and Greenfield Community School

There are many more curriculum’s for  nationalities in Dubai including American and Indian  Click here to learn more