International Programme G.C.E. Advanced Level
GCE (General Certificate of Education) Advanced Level is the most long-standing British entrance programme established since 1951 – for all universities in the UK and abroad. A-level exams are an extension of this programme and they enable students to enter higher education.
The Programme has been in operation at Ekpedeftiki Anagennisi since 2014 with our students achieving entry into top universities abroad, such as:
| University of Cambridge | Univesity College London – UCL |
| Imperial College London | University of Glasgow |
| University of Warwick |
A-Levels provide entry to:
UK universities
Especially in UK institutions, A-Levels, being a part of the British educational programme, are widely recognised and Admission Tutors are particularly familiar with them.
In addition, universities of high academic status favour them, since they provide the specialisation and the depth that many disciplines require for their core subjects: 6 out of 7 Oxford University students gain entry after taking their A-levels.
US Universities
A-Levels are recognised by US universities as well, something proven by the fact that North American universities award a significant number of credits to students who have achieved a high score at their A-Level exams such as exemption from up to one year’s worth of subjects.
However, to gain entry to most universities in the US, a student would be additionally required to take SATs, even if s/he has attended IB or A-Level programmes.
English-Speaking universities in various countries
A-Levels are recognized and are the most widespread entry programme in all English-speaking European, Australian and Canadian universities. They are also recognised in Asian countries, such as in Singapore, India, Malaysia, to mention a few, where they constitute the national programme of secondary education and entry into universities.
A Levels are relevant to:
- Students who have decided that they wish to pursue a university degree abroad
- Students who have decided to pursue their university degree in Greece, but would also like to keep their options open regarding studying abroad by thoroughly preparing to enter English-speaking universities.
It is the only programme in Greece offering both options to students.
Programme Structure
1st Year of Greek High School (Year 11, 15-16 years old)
In order to best prepare students for their A-Levels, for which students work throughout their 2nd and 3rd year of senior high school, students in their 1st year can attend the International GCSE preparatory programme.
This programme covers the minimum requirement set by universities: all students must have GCSEs in Maths and English. It also contributes towards familiarising students with studying entirely in the English language, how A-Levels work and what is required of them. Through this preparatory year, students become aware of their strengths and weaknesses and decide whether they can cope with the demands of the programme, they build strong foundations and they increase the possibility of achieving a high score in their A-Levels in the following years.
Preparatory year subjects:
2 core subjects:
English
Mathematics
1 elective to be chosen from:
Biology
Physics
Economics
Art and Design
2nd Year of Greek Senior High School (Year 12, 16-17 years old)
In the 2nd year, students can choose 3 A-Level subjects and complete half of their curriculum (AS Units) from the following:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Economics
- Art & Design
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Modern Greek
- French
- Psychology
- Modern History
- Further Mathematics
- English Literature
3rd Year of Greek Senior High School (Year 13, 17-18 years old)
In their 3rd year, students continue to study the 3 subjects they chose in the previous year and complete the rest of the curriculum (A2 units), in the manner that A-Levels are taught in all schools in the UK.
Advantages of GCE:
- Fewer required subjects compared to other international programmes, offering students the chance to choose the ones they are strongest at
- Friendlier to students, since the curriculum is broken down into more examination periods
- Possibility to review students’ exam papers and RESIT if the student feels his/her grade does not correspond to their capabilities and expectations
- It is RUN IN CONUNCTION WITH the Greek high school curriculum, hence the students can attain a Greek high school Apolytirion while attending the GCE programme
- It does not rule out the possibility of a student re-evaluating his/her goal and sitting for the Panhellenic exams
- In the event that a student switches from the GCE programme after his/her 2nd year to the Greek National Entrance Exams system (Panhellenic exams), but does not succeed, he can make use of his/her AS Units grades along with the Greek High School Apolytirion to gain admission into a prominent foreign college
- In the event that a student chooses to do their undergraduate degree in Greece and pursue postgraduate studies abroad, AS Levels can increase their possibilities of getting accepted into foreign postgraduate programmes.
Awarded Titles
Ekpedeftiki Anagennisi is an approved teaching and examination centre. The institution that issues the exam questions, grades the exam papers and offers qualifications is PEARSON/EDEXCEL which is one of the largest organisations and offers qualifications on a global scale. GCEs or A-Levels acquired in Greece are equivalent to the English ones since students answer the same exam questions at the same time and are graded with the exact same criteria as in all exam centres worldwide. Additionally, Edexcel inspects all exam centres, ensuring the quality of the programme and the validity of the examinations.
Teaching staff
All GCE teachers are accomplished in their field and experienced, regarding the programme demands, subject curriculum and teaching methods. They are aware of their candidates’ needs and mindset drawing from their personal experience, too, as all our GCE staff are graduates of universities abroad. Our study and career advisors are also very experienced in dealing with overseas and European applications, monitoring the process every step of the way.
Our staff take pleasure in what they do, which is apparent in how enthusiastically they work, how they inspire their students, in the results and the achievements and the smiles they help bring to the students!
Additional Services
In addition, the GCSE and A-Level International Programme offers:
- A school trip to British universities for 1styear students
- Presentations from European and American university representatives to GCE students
- Academic, and career advice and information relating to university tuition fees, grants, accommodation, etc.
- Information regarding all entry requirements, such as required subjects, scores, additional entry tests, interviews, work experience, etc.
- Support in drafting and sending the UCAS British application or other equivalent applications to other countries; and monitoring the process, as well as intervening if necessary and offering guidance, such as putting a portfolio together, interview preparation, etc.
- Additional academic support to students who may have to take additional admission tests such as SATs, UKCAT, BMAT, HAT, MAT, LNAT, TSA, STEP, etc.
