Short for ‘Advanced Level Qualifications’, A Levels are subject-based qualifications that lead to university study, further training or employment. They are usually taken by students aged 16 – 18 and are offered by schools and colleges both in the UK and internationally.

Students normally sit three or four subjects that they enjoy and are good at. Each subject has five to six hours of teaching per week. Class sizes are kept small so that you get the teaching you need to succeed.

A Levels are recognised and respected by universities around the globe. Students with A Levels gain places at leading universities worldwide, including in the UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

If you know what you would like to study at university, it is worth checking out entrance requirements for different courses. Some popular courses and universities will specify the subjects you should study. Please do ask our admissions team for advice on this if you need it, we would be delighted to help you make the right choice.

Our A Level Programme is made up of the following elements:

• A Level studies: Most students choose four A Level subjects in the first year and then carry three of these through to the end of the second year.
• The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ): This is an examined component and is usually an essay on a topic you are interested in. You will be mentored by a member of staff to help you succeed with this project (see below for further details)
• A certified language qualification: you will be able to choose between French or German and will be entered for the qualification when you are ready. You will be able to apply for local universities with this qualification.
• Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award: the globally recognised award allows you to demonstrate and be accredited for voluntary work, expeditions and other things that you do to help the community. It shows you are an all-round excellent student and is highly regarded by universities.

For an overview of all subjects, please check out the Subject Summary page or explore the individual subject pages and decide which to study at A Level:

Art and Design,  Biology,  Chemistry,  Computer Science, Drama,  Economics,  English Literature,  French,  German,  Geography,  History,  Mathematics,  Further Mathematics, Physical Education, Physics, Sociology and Spanish.

Students normally study three, or sometimes four, A Levels over the course of two years. The A Levels are assessed via a series of examinations and are graded A* – E. University offers are usually based on three A Levels. Alongside their A Levels, students may study other subjects and take other courses (e.g. languages), some of which may be examined.

Unlike other post-16 programmes of education such as the International Baccalaureate, French Baccalauréat or Swiss Maturité, there are no subject specific requirements for A Levels. This means that you are free to choose the subjects that you enjoy, that interest you the most, and in which you are most likely to succeed. In making your choices, you may be guided by the requirements for certain university degree courses or career paths. We can provide help and advice in making your choices.

There is considerable flexibility to cater for the needs and interests of individuals. For example, for some students it may be appropriate to start the Programme with three A Level subjects rather than four. Others may wish to pursue four subjects to the end of the second year and so finish with four A Level qualifications. This may be advantageous for certain university degree courses. The complementary studies offer a wide range of options and there is considerable scope for individuality in the choice of the extended project.

The EPQ is an excellent opportunity to explore an interest of your choice in depth. This is an independent research project. It is your chance to explore and add value to a topic that interests you deeply. It is very much about what you want to learn. Teachers will be there to mentor and guide you throughout the project. The final piece of work can take many different forms. It could be a written report, or a dissertation, but it may well be a more practical project output such as a design, artefact or production.

Top universities across the world as well as employers highly value this qualification as it extends and develops pupils’ skills in research and project management.

Content:

• Independent Research
• Supported by a teacher mentor
• Presentation/ report or practical project e.g.,

• • Video
  • Composition
  • portfolio
  • product
  • design

Students may choose the area of study with the support of their teacher.

Given our central location within Europe, GES is keen to see our pupils take full advantage of the benefits of our multilingual environment. The ability to speak a second language to a recognised standard gives you a significant competitive edge in your future career choices. It opens doors across the world. 

Enables application for a University course in Switzerland, France or Germany if appropriate grades are achieved. Not only will language skills open future doors for our students, but such a qualification is also a necessary entrance requirement for local universities.

• Can be one of your A level choices; or
• A B2/C1 qualification – i.e. DELF (Diplôme de l’étude de langue française) or DALF (Diplôme approfondie de la langue française)/TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache)
• Language chosen should be French or German

The Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is an opportunity to give recognition and value to your achievements and experiences outside the classroom. It enables you to develop new skills, be physically active, contribute to others and experience real adventures.

It is an excellent qualification to encourage breadth of experience and is highly valued across the world.

• 2 year course
• Gold standard is expected
• Outward bound expeditions
• Physical recreation skills
• Voluntary service

You will be part of a mixed Year 12 and Year 13 tutor group, looked after by one of the teachers, who will be your Tutor. Your Tutor takes an interest in your academic progress, your activities and projects, and in your general happiness and welfare. This is also who you should turn to whenever you have a concern or need some advice, and your Tutor will be the first point of contact between the School and your parents/carers.

In addition, your subject teachers will always be on hand to offer help and advice, and there is a School Counsellor who can be spoken to in confidence.

Careers guidance and university advice are available from the teaching staff, senior leadership team and external experts. We will provide you with the help you need to prepare for any aptitude or other special tests for university entry (e.g. SATs for universities in the USA).

Additional Studies

In addition to the strong academic programme, GES offers an extraordinarily varied range of options for broadening and deepening students’ experience. An A Level student could be hiking in the Alps for their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award one week, then representing the school at a Model UN conference the next. In between, she may well have practised for a Shakespeare play or met other pupils at a social gathering on the shores of Lake Geneva.

The additional studies are designed to provide a breadth of educational opportunity and to facilitate the acquisition of important skills and attributes, such as confidence and creativity.

Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship and Economic Education

A course that includes opportunities to discuss:

• well-being and relationships, 
• mental and physical health, 
• financial literacy, 
• university application,
• the move from school to university, 
• living away from home.

You will be our eldest year groups and as such will be treated like young adults. You will be allowed off site during lunch and, as the year progresses and you are meeting our academic expectations, will be allowed to work off site during the time you don’t have lessons. We will expect you to be role models to the rest of the school.

At GES, we pride ourselves on having a respectful, family atmosphere in which everyone plays their part and feels at home. As a student in Years 12 and 13, you will be a leader and senior member of that family, mixing with others in your year group but also working with students of all ages.

Choose GES for:

• Fantastic teachers – all highly qualified subject specialists who communicate with passion and inspire their pupils
• Modern teaching methods – pupil-centred, active and engaging, encouraging confidence and independence of thought
• Flexibility and individual attention – and a friendly, respectful school community in which everyone is known and valued
• A unique and innovative sixth form curriculum – in which the depth of gold-standard A Level qualifications is combined with choice and breadth of opportunity, opening doors to leading universities around the world
• Fun, friends, enjoyment and participation

If you are taking GCSEs and/or IGCSEs at the age of 16, GES will normally require you to get at least five GCSEs at grades 9 to 5. In addition, we recommend that you should have at least a grade 6 in the subjects that you want to study at A Level.

If you are not taking GCSEs, you will be required to reach an equivalent standard in assessments taken at the end of Year 11 (age 16).

We accept applications, for our A Level Programme throughout the year via our online application form.

You will be asked for:

• Preference for the subjects you would like to study;
• Your most recent school report and, where relevant, projected GCSE grades.

We will then ask you to attend an interview with a member of staff to check your suitability for the courses requested. This may include a written exam.

We have scholarships in the following disciplines:

• Art & Design
• Mathematics & Further Mathematics

Download our A Level Prospectus here: