Pre-University Education
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Pre-University Education takes place at BSB Nexus, our purpose-built campus for students aged 16 to 18.
Our educational model at this stage aims to prepare students for the real world in an environment that allows them to develop 21st century skills, through learning techniques that encourage creativity and innovation, resilience, lifelong learning and unlearning for continuous growth.
Two Curriculum Pathways
All-round Development
Careers & Futures Guidance
Access to Best Universities
A Levels
Advanced Level Examinations (A Levels)
The British Curriculum is a highly personalised programme that allows students to tailor their studies by choosing subjects that best suit their interests.
Advanced Level (A Levels) is a subject-based qualification from the United Kingdom. It is the standard entry qualification for undergraduate programmes by universities worldwide. Studies are now specialised and in much more depth than at (I)GCSE. Entrance to University depends upon attaining good grades at A level together with results already achieved at (I)GCSE.
At this stage, students are required to study a minimum of four A Levels (including Spanish), with very few restrictions on which subjects can be taken. The majority of examinations are taken at the end of Year 13.
Pass grades are awarded from A* to E. For University entrance, good results in 3 subjects are required.
Subjects offered are:
Art
Biology
Business Studies
Chemistry
Computer Science
Drama
Economics
English Literature
French
Further Maths
Geography
German
History
Information Technology
Mathematics
Physics
Politics
Psychology
International Baccalaureate
International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP)
The British School of Barcelona is an accredited IB World School offering International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) for students aged 16-18/19. The IBDP is an international and enquiry-based programme that takes students onto a journey of becoming academically independent learners. In addition to excellent academics, IBDP “aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect”.
IBDP is highly recognised and respected by the world’s leading universities due to its multidisciplinary approach which gives students a more global perspective, helping them make key decisions about their future.
The curriculum is made up of the DP Core and six subject groups.
- The DP core consists of Theory of Knowledge (TOK); Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) and Extended Essay (EE).
- There are different courses within each subject group which students must choose from. All IBDP students will study two languages, one science, one maths and one humanistic subject. The sixth subject can be the arts. In case students do not wish to choose arts, they have the option of choosing a second science or second humanistic subject (depending on the blocks).
Out of six subjects they choose for their IB Diploma, three of those subjects must be studied at the Higher Level (HL) and three at the Standard Level (SL).
Spanish Validation
Spanish Qualifications
Our Pre-University curriculum also ensures that students can fulfill the requirements of the Spanish and Catalan Governments so that they can achieve the Spanish Bachillerato qualification, if they complete the relevant courses and assessments throughout Years 12 and 13.
In addition, we prepare our students to access the Spanish universities through the specific tests required (PCE or Pruebas de Competencias Específicas) as part of the compulsory Spanish university access exams (EBAU or Evaluación del Bachillerato para el Acceso a la Universidad).
Core Programme
All students as part of the Pre-University programme are given opportunities to build their University Applications by gaining the relevant experience and qualifications in:
- Academic extended writing:
- Extended Essay (EE) for IBDP students
- Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) for A Levels students
- Experiential learning through Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) projects for all students (both IBDP and A Levels ), such as International Award (Silver), Language Assistance Programme, MUN and HMCE debating experiences, Event and Project management, Fundraising Volunteering, Drama Project, among manu other CAS projects
- Critical thinking thorugh Theory of Knowledge (TOK) subject for IBDP students
- Life and independence skills and personal and social skills through PSHE for all students
Careers & Futures Guidance
The students of The British School of Barcelona go on to universities and careers throughout the world and our specialist advisors work with individuals to create their personal pathway. We support the students through information, advice and guidance to enable them to make informed choices about their onward educational journey.
Students are guided through the different stages of the application process and provided with all the relevant school documentation to complete this. This includes our hosting of an annual University Fair, the successful ´What Next´ Careers event with speakers from a variety of industries and many presentations from prestigious universities/colleges from around the world.
We continue to develop our careers programme in line with the Eight Benchmarks set by the Gatsby Benchmark Guidance report.