Modern English School Cairo

Curricula, explained

• A Level

  Last 2 years of school · Ages 16–18

  The British university-entrance qualification: usually 3–4 subjects studied in depth for two years; UK universities make offers on these grades.

• IGCSE

  Ages 14–16, 2 years · Ages 14–16

  A subject-by-subject qualification taken around age 16 in British-style schools — usually 5–10 subjects studied over two years.

• EYFS

  Early years · Ages 2–5

  The early-years stage of British schools: play-based learning of language, social skills and early reading and number.

• British curriculum

  Early years to sixth form · Ages 3–18

  Follows the English National Curriculum; pupils usually take IGCSEs around age 16 and A Levels in the last two years.

• American curriculum

  Kindergarten to Grade 12 · Ages 5–18

  Grade-by-grade like US schools; students graduate by earning course credits, often with AP courses in high school.

• US high school diploma

  Grades 9–12 · Ages 14–18

  Awarded when a student completes the required credits of a US-style high school; universities look at GPA, courses and test scores together.

Ages are the usual bands; schools can differ.Curriculum basics guide