Pre-University

The ideal bridge between school and university

Our Nexus Pre-University is the ideal stage for students to gain the academic qualifications necessary to enter an exciting range of great universities, and the character development skills required to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

The Nexus Baccalaureate Experience

Our Nexus offers a genuine Pre-University experience, where students are encouraged to manage their time effectively, take on responsibility and value the wider community, in a caring, supportive environment.

Expectations are high, opportunities are broad, and results are impressive.

A Levels

On entering Year 12, BSB students can choose to follow the A level pathway.

In the majority of cases, these students will take 3 A level subjects from a choice of 16 and they will also take Spanish as a fourth A level subject.

A level students are also offered the opportunity to undertake the Extended Project Qualification, which is highly regarded by many universities.

IB Diploma

As an alternative to A Levels, BSB baccalaureate students can choose to undertake the IB Diploma programme. The IB Diploma is currently offered at BSB Nexus in Castelldefels. The British School of Barcelona City Campus is a candidate school* for the Diploma Programme. This school is pursuing authorisation as an IB World School. IB World Schools share a common philosophy — a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education — that we believe is important for our students.

This requires all students to do 6 different subjects, including the obligatory study of maths, two languages and a minimum of one of the sciences.

All students will complete an extended essay and they must take part in the IB Creativity, Activity, Service programme (CAS).

* Only schools authorised by the IB Organisation can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme (DP), or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorisation will be granted.

Experiential Learning

Spanish Qualifications

IB and A level qualifications give our students access to Spanish universities. However, if they wish to attempt to gain up 4 extra points and, therefore, access to the very top courses in Spain, we offer specifically tailored lessons in Spanish subjects after school.

Character Development

Whether students choose the A Level or IB pathway, all lessons and activities in Nexus are designed to do more than simply provide academic excellence. Whether encouraging curiosity, developing empathy, celebrating individuality or building resilience, Nexus is all about character development in the widest possible sense.

Leadership Programme

The BSB Nexus Student Leadership programme is a key element of our wider Nexus provision and is central to our commitment to prepare students for a rapidly evolving world. Every year, students are able to apply for a place on the course, which is run by an inspirational external provider, and which focuses on giving students the confidence to lead, manage and communicate the success of their own individual projects, all of which are designed to benefit the wider community.

CAS

The Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) programme is a central element of the IB Diploma course. All students must fulfil their CAS commitment in order to be awarded a diploma and we facilitate this through a specially developed offer of activities, several of which are organised to take place in school time. CAS activities include our students helping out as language assistants in local schools or being members of our “Green Team” driving environmental awareness projects in school.

STEM

Housed in its own dedicated building, our BSB STEM Centre is set up with state-of-the-art scientific equipment and the on-hand support of technicians.

Our private baccalaureate students enjoy the best possible environment for academic success within school and are fully prepared for the expectations of studying and working within STEM at university and beyond.

Extra-Curricular

Nexus has a fully-developed Societies programme, with students enjoying a wide range of activities from Public Speaking Skills to Magazine writing and Model United Nations.

Amongst the many other extracurricular opportunities available to them, students also have the chance to play sport for the school, including taking part in sports tours, appear in drama productions and music concerts and complete the International Award.

The students benefit from excellent university admission guidance allowing them to attend prestigious universities in a variety of countries.

– The British School of Barcelona, BSO Report 2021

World Ready

Our academic results, coupled with our focus on developing powerful learning habits and key skills, ensure students are ready to take up places at great universities all round the world.

Outstanding achievement

Academic performance in Nexus british baccalaureate is excellent. Whether studying for A levels or the IB Diploma, results are significantly above national averages at IB and A level. In 2022 one of our students achieved full marks in the IB diploma.

Additionally, every year we have BSB students who receive certificates of Outstanding Achievement from the exam boards because they have either secured the highest mark for a certain subject across the whole of Spain or, in some cases, the whole of Europe.

Facilities & Location

BSB City Main Campus

Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Pre-University
(3 to 18 years)

BSB Nexus

Pre-University
(16 to 18 years)

Discover more about BSB

British School of Barcelona

Enquiries :93 707 95 98