Diplomas

Our school offers various qualifications, both international and from different national educational systems. These respond to the different requirements of our students, as well as providing more choices for further education

The International Baccalaureate

In the late 1960s Ecolint was the first in the world to offer the International Baccalaureate to its students. There are now over 1,700 schools in more than 120 countries that are members of the International Baccalaureate Organisation. The diploma is recognised by universities and colleges around the world and many top universities make a point of recruiting IB diploma holders.

The diploma programme involves six Subjects
Candidates select one from each of the six subject areas below. They must follow at least three and not more than four at the “Higher” level the others at the “Standard” level.

  • Language A1 (first language) including the study of selections from world literature
  • Language A2, B, ab initio, second modern language
  • Individuals and societies History, Geography, Economics, Psychology and Business and Management
  • Experimental sciences: Biology, Chemistry Physics
  • Mathematics
  • Art, Theatre, Music or a third modern language, a second subject from individuals and societies or experimental sciences, computer sciences

The specific courses available and whether they are taught in English or French varies on each campus.

Theory of Knowledge is a required course of 100 hours over the two years that stimulates critical reflection upon the knowledge and experience gained inside and outside the classroom.
CAS (Creativity, Action and Service) is a fundamental part of the Diploma programme and involves completing 150 hours of activities. Students participate in a wide variety of projects for example theatre productions and music, sports and community service activities.
Extended Essay (some 4,000 words). Students undertake a piece of original research investigating a topic of special interest.

You will find more information about the IB on www.ibo.org.

The International Baccalaureate Career-related Certificate (IBCC)

Programmes

IBCC
As its name indicates, the IBCC is an International Baccalaureate Certificate intended for students who are keen to develop their career opportunities in particular fields. Students at the Campus des Nations have the opportunity to enrol in specific career studies in business or the creative industries.

The IBCC has three components: 

  • IB Diploma Programme courses
  • a professional qualification
  • the IBCC core. 
The core includes community and service, an approaches to learning (ATL) course, language development and a reflective project blended together to enhance individual critical thinking and intercultural understanding. Combined, these elements help students develop the communication and personal skills necessary for success.

Surrounding the IBCC core is the requirement of a minimum of two IB Diploma Programme courses. The core bridges the rigorous requirements of the IB Diploma courses and the targeted career-related studies chosen by the student.

At the Campus des Nations, students will be able to choose between a BTEC level 3 diploma in business or the same qualification art and design. We also expect students to participate in value added elements of a career-related course of study such as work experience.

For more information, please visit www.ibo.org/ibcc/.

Maturité suisse

Curriculum Guides

Maturité suisse

The Maturité suisse examination is taken at the end of Secondary education after 13 years of schooling and provides access to university and other higher education. Those taking the Maturité suisse sit Part One exams at the end of Year 12. These exams include Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), Humanities (Geography, History and Economics) and Visual arts. At the end of Year 13, Swiss national students sit Part Two exams which include French, a second Swiss national language language (Italian or German), English or a third language, Mathematics, a specific option (Visual arts, Economics and Law, Biology and Chemistry....) and a complimentary option (Economics, Geography, Mathematics, Physics...). Candidates also have to undergo a viva exam for their Maturité extended essay. This extended essay concerns a topic chosen by the student. 

It is possible to be awarded a diploma with a bilingual option (French/English). In this case the candidate sits the Humanities examinations in English.
 
Study for the Maturité Suisse covers a broad curriculum providing the student with a high level of general culture as well as academic independence resulting from a rigorous programme.

IGCSE

The International General Certificate of Education (IGCSE) is a two year qualification available in all subject areas in Years 10 and 11. Assessment is by terminal examination and the qualification is awarded in the form of grades. Most students take 10 IGCSEs. The IGCSE is recognised throughout the world and is often used as part of initial screening procedures for school or university applications.

The main benefits of taking IGCSEs are that they provide experience of formal examinations (and an exam period similar to that which will be experienced at the end of the IB Diploma) and the development of knowledge and skills directly relevant to the IB Diploma.programme in Years 12 and 13. The two year IGCSE course includes time for end of year exams in June of Year 10 and for practice exams in January of Year 11. IGCSE exams are completed by mid June after which students return to school for IB preparation courses and a week of work experience.

Diplôme National du Brevet (DNB)

The Diplôme National du Brevet, (or Brevet des Collèges) is awarded at the end of Collège in France (after the 4 first secondary school years) before the beginning of Lycée (which covers the 3 last years before the French Baccalauréat).

Our students may sit this examination at the end of Year 10. They are tested in 6 subjects (French, Maths, History/Geography, Languages, Biology and Art) and the examination takes place over 2 days in a local French Lycée (St-Julien). Our curriculum in Class 10 is flexible enough to allow preparation of this examination without any special tutoring.
 
As well as being prerequisite for continuing with secondary schooling in France, the Brevet provides good exam preparation experience. It can also be useful for facilitating entry into francophone universities and colleges as it proves the student has a good level of French and has met certain assessment criteria.
 
Over the last 20 years nearly all our pupils in the francophone Year 10 have sat this exam, with a success rate of between 80% and 100%. The total cost of taking this examination is approximately CHF 120. It is possible to sit the Brevet as an independent candidate. It is recognised in the EU.