INTERNATIONAL SECTION UPPER SECONDARY PROGRAMME

IGCSE

IGCSECambridge IGCSE, the world’s most popular international qualification, provides a curriculum for learners aged between 14 and 16, enrolled in Grades 9 and 10. This level opens the Upper Secondary Stage, which aims to prepare students for university by allowing them to choose between two study routes: Sciences or Humanities.

Students in Grade 9 are enrolled in 7 subjects for which they will be externally assessed at the end of Grade 10. These subjects must be chosen from 5 groups: Languages, Mathematics, Sciences, Humanities and Professional & Creative. English as a Second Language and Mathematics are compulsory subjects for study at this level, the other subjects being on choice, depending on the route chosen.

In addition to the subjects that prepare students for their Cambridge Assessment in International Education, Maarif International School of Bucharest High School students also have Art, Physical Education and Counselling classes, designed to support their well-being and harmonious development as individuals, as well as part of the community.

AS & A Level

The Cambridge Advanced Level curriculum, covering Years 12 and 13, is designed for students aged between 16 and 18 and represents the last stage in Upper Secondary education. Students access this stage by passing their Cambridge IGCSE examinations with a minimum grade of C, which guarantees their ability to study their subjects of choice at an advanced level.

Upon entering Year 12, students choose a total of 4 subjects of study, depending on their choice of study for university or specific requirements set for university admission. Hence, the A-level stage does not restrict choices, since it aims to encourage students to focus on their future and acquire specialized knowledge. At this level, sciences also include practical exams which are prepared in the lab, under the teacher’s supervision. In Year 13, students are allowed to continue with 3 subjects of their choice, as three are mandatory for university admission abroad.

Maarif International School of Bucharest High School follows the staged assessment path for Cambridge Assessment in International Education at Advanced Level. Our students pass the Cambridge Advanced Subsidiary Exam in the May/June session, at the end of Year 12, which represents 50[199614101996] of the syllabus, and complete their diploma at the end of Year 13, by sitting an assessment for the other 50[199614101996] of the syllabus.

Beyond preparation for external assessment, students are also offered career counselling and support for university application to enable them to reach their full potential.

How are Cambridge Advanced exams equivalated to the Romanian Baccalaureate exam?

The Romanian Ministry of Education, via the Office for the Recognition of Diplomas (CNRED), recognizes the studies for Maarif International School of Bucharest High School students who have obtained a passing grade in minimum two Cambridge Advanced exams and issues the documents necessary for admission in Romanian universities.

With the documents issued by the Romanian Ministry of Education, students may register to Romanian universities, provided they meet the admission requirements of the different faculties.

If students aim to go to university in Romania, the following aspects must be considered before choosing the Cambridge Advanced subjects to be studied beginning with Year 12:

The profile of the faculty that the student wishes to attend - some faculties require Advanced levels in specific subjects. For example, for Medicine, it is mandatory to study Biology and Chemistry; for Engineering it is mandatory to study Mathematics and Physics.

1. The profile of the faculty that the student wishes to attend - some faculties require Advanced levels in specific subjects. For example, for Medicine, it is mandatory to study Biology and Chemistry; for Engineering it is mandatory to study Mathematics and Physics.

2. Cambridge Advanced results are issued in the third week of August, well past the July admission session in Romanian universities. In consequence, students must contact the universities to check if seats may be reserved for the July session or to determine if the university also offers a September session, which would be accessible for Cambridge Advanced graduates.

3. The Romanian Ministry of Education equivalates the Cambridge exams passed with minimum E, but not all Universities may accept for admission a grade of C.

We strongly advise students to contact the university/ faculty of their choice before choosing their subjects for Cambridge Advanced studies at the beginning of Year 12.