For partners
GCSE in United Arab Emirates for international students
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from 102600.00 aed / year -
from 86000.00 aed / year -
from 42000.00 aed / year -
from 12923.00 $ / year -
from 8168.00 $ / year -
from 8155.00 $ / year -
from 82100.00 aed / year -
from 85870.00 aed / year -
United Arab EmiratesAbu DhabiCurrently watching: 1from 17424.00 $ / year -
from 18000.00 aed / year
The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is an academically rigorous, internationally recognised qualification that secondary school students receive in a range of subjects over a period of two or three years. The GCSE curriculum is designed to provide students with a broadly focused and balanced education, preparing them for university and future employment. The GCSE curriculum is designed for students aged 14 to 16 and covers a wide range of subjects, including Mathematics, English, Science, Humanities, Languages and Arts.
In recent years, GCSE has moved from a modular approach to a linear one. Under the modular approach, the course has been divided into different blocks, with an examination at the end of each block, while under the new linear system, examinations are taken at the end of a two-year period. The new exams have fewer small questions and more essay-style questions.
Alternative destinations
Learning programs-summary information
| Name | Meaning | Equivalent | Min. age | Duration, years |
Next stage | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCSE | General certificate of secondary education | secondary education (non-accomplished) | 14 | 1–2 | A-Levels | 15,000 USD+ |
| A-Levels | Advanced level | secondary education (accomplished) | 16 | 2 | University | 15,000 USD+ |
| BTEC | Business and Technology Education Board | secondary special education | 14 | 2–3 | University/ work | 15,000 USD+ |
| Oxbridge Preparation | Preparing for Oxford and Cambridge | secondary education (accomplished) | 17 | 1 | University | 15,000 USD+ |
| International Baccalaureate | International baccalaureate | secondary education (accomplished) | 16 | 2 | University | 18,000 USD+ |
| Foundation/ Pathway Year | Preparatory year | admission to the 1st year of university | 17 | 1 | University | 14,000 USD+ |
| NCUK | The Northern consortium | 2 year university | 17,5 | 1 | 2 year University of NCUK | 13,000 USD+ |
| Special Preparation (Medics/Math/Business) | Specialized training | - | 14 | optional | optional | 4,000 USD+ |
| Academic English | Academic English | Language school | 8 + | 6–12 months | School or University | 8,000 USD+ |
Advantages and disadvantages of English schools
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| The opportunity to enter the best universities in England, USA, Canada, Switzerland, Europe, the world | Expensive |
| High quality of education and academic standards | Strong workload |
| Perfect English after graduation | The need to change the social environment; it takes time to adapt |
| Useful contacts | The difficulty of choosing the most suitable school for the child, requires a qualified specialist |
Top 21 boarding colleges in England 2025
| 1 | Cardiff Sixth Form College |
| 2 | National Mathematics and Science College |
| 3 | Abbey College Cambridge |
| 4 | d'Overbroeck's College |
| 5 | MPW London |
| 6 | CATS Cambridge |
| 7 | Kensington Park |
| 8 | DLD London |
| 9 | King's College St Michael’s |
| 10 | Bellerbys Cambridge |
| 11 | Chelsea Independent College |
| 12 | MPW Cambridge |
| 13 | Bellerbys Brighton |
| 14 | CATS London |
| 15 | St Clare's Oxford |
| 16 | Bishopstrow College |
| 17 | CATS Canterbury |
| 18 | Bellerbys London |
| 19 | Ealing Independent College |
| 20 | Cambridge Tutors College |
| 21 | Abbey Manchester |