GCSE in Canada for international students

Modern parents are aware of the value of quality education, so they strive to send their children to study in foreign countries. Private schools offering programs that are distinguished by high academic standards are in particular demand. GCSEs become the first step to a higher education in the best universities.

The General Certificate of Secondary Education is a high school program, which completes the compulsory stage of education. It is designed for children aged 14-16. During 2 years students master compulsory and elective subjects, and then take exams and receive a GCSE certificate. The high marks allow the graduates to continue their studies on pre-university education programs (A-Level or IB), and then enter universities of the whole world.

Admission to GCSEs is only possible at the age of 14. Some schools offer a shortened version - One Year GCSE, for 1 year, which is available for students aged 15 years. The content of the program does not differ from the two-year course, but it is held in an intensive mode. An excellent knowledge of English and high marks in academic subjects are required for admission.

Testing twice a trimester, state exams in the second year. Upon successful passing of the exams, the student goes to the A level or IB (International Baccalaureate) program.

For the first three, all students pass exams. In addition to the compulsory courses, 6-7 electives must be taken. The choice depends on the school: the number of possible options is one of the factors that distinguish a prestigious educational institution from an ordinary one. Schools and colleges with GCSE, in addition to standard lessons, offer more specialized courses.

Optional disciplines allow you to outline a range of interests and start moving towards the area of ​​interest. Some of them are focused on practice (design, technology, music, theater, culinary skills), others are more theoretical (foreign languages, history of world civilizations, religious studies, astronomy, statistics, engineering, electronics, etc.).

The two-year GSCE program ends with exams, the results of which significantly affect students' chances of going to universities. Most universities require at least five tests to be passed.

Each exam is graded on a scale from 1 to 9. The final score is based on the final test results and the student's progress during studying.

The highest mark - 9 - is given for an exceptionally high level of knowledge. In 2018, only 4.5% of children were able to get the maximum score. However, 5-6 is enough for admission to universities.

After receiving the GCSE certificate, yesterday's students have a variety of prospects: they can start working right away, enroll in an apprenticeship program, or enter a vocational school (BTEC and NVQ certificates). Those who are aimed at obtaining higher education continue their education on academic programs: A-Level or IB.

GCSE grades can affect your choice of high school boarding school

When a child enters high school after high school, he or she will definitely be asked about his or her GCSE scores. The requirements of schools range from a four or five grade C (or 4-5 in the new system) with a possible B in the subjects in which the pupil plans to specialise, to six A grades at the most elite private boarding schools.

The GCSE certificate will be a "calling card", through which admissions representatives will understand how well a student will cope with the high school program - A-Level or IB. The lower your GCSE grades, the fewer schools will open their doors to you. Also, many high schools assess a student's potential based on their GCSE scores. 

GCSE can be your pass to university

GCSE grades count towards your admission to university - it's worth remembering that. Because university applications are made long before you receive your secondary school diploma, admissions officers may rely on your GCSE results in their admissions decisions.

Regardless of which field of study a pupil wants to pursue in higher education, he or she must get at least a C (under the new 4-5 system) in the core subjects at GCSE level - English, mathematics and science. And some universities even ask for diplomas with certain grades in the major subjects. 

The GCSE certificate can affect your future career

Of course, at the age of 14-15 not everyone is still thinking about their professional career and future place of work. But employers take GCSE grades extremely seriously. 

And in competitive fields like medicine, an excellent GCSE grade will be an advantage, with many institutions expecting A*-A grades in English, math and science from their applicants.

Anna Parkhomenko

Ridley College Admission Manager

What does make Canadian schools special? Why do parents from all over the world choose Canada primary and secondary schools for their children?

First of all, it is a high level of education, which is recognized throughout the world. Canada is the most educated country on the planet, so the culture of education is at the highest level here. All schools in Canada - public, private, independent - follow a provincial curriculum, and all educators are required to hold a teaching degree and certification. All these factors convince families that no matter which school they choose, their children will receive a first-class education.

GCSEs require an in depth study of between 5 and 10 subjects. English and Maths are compulsory in all schools, but in some it is required to study Science, IT and English Literature. The advantage of GCSEs is that a student chooses most of the subjects (4-6) himself, with the support of teachers, higher education consultants, and parents. The list varies and depends directly on the school. The main subjects offered are: physics, chemistry, biology, geography, foreign languages (Spanish, Chinese, German), business, accounting, higher mathematics, drama, computer science, art, statistics, etc.

At the end of GCSE pupils take examinations for the Certificate of Secondary Education. The final tests are in a test format for each subject studied. Pupils receive grades from A* to G, where A* is the highest grade and G the lowest. Those who fail the exam are awarded a U. All grades are divided into 2 groups: high (A* to C) and low (D to G). In mathematics, a three-level scale is used: advanced (A* - C), intermediate (B - T) and basic (D - G). A special feature of the classical GCSE programme is that the quality of the coursework influences the final grade. The final grade is made up exclusively of exam results, and the highest grade is an A, not an A*.

To enter the A-Level or International Baccalaureate pre-university programmes you need a minimum of a C in 5 subjects.

When choosing schools in Canada for international students, you must clearly define several criteria. The school can be public or private. In addition, all schools in in Canada are divided into institutions of a mixed or separate type (for boys or girls). Private schools have a number of advantages. First of all, it is the teaching staff. Paid private institutions employ highly paid teachers.

At the same time, an individual approach to each student is practiced here using special training programs. Each student learns according to the program that best suits his educational needs. Canadian private schools are located in closed areas with truly luxurious landscapes and developed infrastructure.

However, many of the private schools in Canada for international students set specific entry requirements for potential students. These can be certain tests or special requirements for applicants for places in prestigious schools.

At the same time, there are private schools in Canada that focus on admitting foreign students. The scheme of admission to international boarding schools is slightly adapted for international students. In addition, Canadian schools provide a high level of student safety and effective adaptation among new peers. Children in such schools are always supervised. In live communication, the transition to a foreign language occurs faster. Private schools also practice placing foreign students in local families, which helps children get used to Canadian life as quickly as possible.

Many public schools are open to foreign students. These are institutions that are part of special school associations. They are free for Canadians, and children from abroad study for money. Foreign students live with local families and study with their Canadian peers.

Despite the fact that Canada is a bilingual country, a great deal of Canadian schools teach in English. Unlike public institutions, private educational institutions offer not only 2-semester, but also 3-semester programs. This allows students to graduate more quickly.

Private schools in Canada accept students from a very young age, but most often they come here to study in high school. As in public, in private there is a system of loans: in order to receive a diploma of secondary education, a student must collect a certain number of credits (subjects). In high school, the student chooses most of the subjects on his own based on his abilities and plans to enter the university.

Experts in education abroad advise to enter schools in England from the age of 13 years - a year before the beginning of the program GCSE. During this period, the teenager will be able to adapt to the system of secondary education   and understand what subjects he would like to study in the future. As a result, by the transition to high school the child will already be confident and without an accent speaking in English, will have an excellent knowledge base, and be able to enter the GCSE program without any problems.

To enter GCSEs, children from other countries will need a translation of their school record from the last 2 or 3 academic years at their school. In addition, all applicants will take an English language test which is designed by the individual school. Admission takes place after the scores on the exams and the school grades have been calculated. Passing grades vary from school to school, too.

At the end of the program, students receive a GCSE certificate, which allows them to continue their education on vocational courses or academic programs, as well as to start an apprenticeship or work in a profession.

If you are aiming for higher education, you should know that most universities and colleges require GCSEs with grades of A* to C in math, English and at least three other subjects. You only have a chance of getting into a prestigious university with high grades.

The price of a GCSE education course depends on the rating of the individual school and the length of the program. On average, GCSE tuition costs between $25,000 and $36,000 per year.

Taking a GCSE qualification from one of the schools offers the opportunity to integrate your child into the education system and lay the foundation for further study at A-level and university.