Secondary Department

At PRIMA International School of Belgrade, secondary students work towards the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). This is a curriculum and assessment system suitable for schools and colleges around the world. The IGCSE program from Cambridge brings out the best in students and develops successful learners through a skills-based approach to teaching and assessing. More than 4000 schools throughout the world are registered to teach Cambridge’s IGCSE and it is one of the most widely taken international qualifications in the world. The curriculum encourages students not only to acquire knowledge, but also to:

• use an exploratory approach to problem-solving
• have confidence in their ability to solve problems
• apply skills, knowledge and understanding
• undertake individual projects and work as part of a team
• develop oral and practical skills.

IGCSEs are internationally recognized by schools, universities and employers as equivalent in standard to the British GCSE and International GCE O-Level examinations. They provide a solid foundation for higher level courses such as AS and A Level, the Advanced International Certificate of Education (all of which are offered by PRIMA International School). Examinations are held in June and November each year, with results published in August and February.

IGCSE caters for different levels and areas of ability with a choice between core and extended papers in many subjects. It is a flexible course of study that gives candidates the freedom to choose subjects that are right for them (apart from obligatory examination in Mathematics, Science and English). The examinations are designed to be taught as a two-year course for students aged 14-17 years.

We encourage all students to take a wide range of subjects at IGCSE level. In order to follow a balanced curriculum, students at PRIMA are urged to take courses from each of the IGCSE subjects groups. This will help students to plan for the next stage of their secondary education as their choice of courses leading to AS and A Level examinations.

In their last two years at PRIMA International School students prepare for AS Level and A Level examinations, or for the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), in those subjects which, together with their teachers and the Academic Director, they have chosen as their special areas of study. These are the subjects that will form the basis of their university course.

To help students deciding on their academic and professional future, PRIMA International School has a full-time Careers Councillor who, together with the relevant teachers and the Academic Director, will advise students on the courses that are best suited to their individual needs.

GCE A Levels are one of the most widely recognized qualifications around the world, and are universally accepted as a proof of academic ability for entry to universities. A Levels are also important to employers, who often demand A Levels as a condition of job entry.

Where are Cambridge AS and A Levels accepted and recognized?

Good AS and A Level grades are a key to admission for all the world’s major English speaking universities. They are also accepted as proof of academic ability for university entrance in all European universities. Good grades at AS and A Level can result in up to one full year of credit at universities in the USA and Canada.

• Yale University awards credit for grades A and B
• Harvard University accepts three A-level subjects at grades A and B
• Boston University grants advance credit for grades A, B and C
• New York University grants advance credit for grades A, B and C

PRIMA International School of Belgrade helps students to prepare for the Cambridge ESOL examinations.

The Cambridge ESOL examination follows a staged syllabus leading to the following examinations:

• KET (Key English Test) an elementary level exam testing students’ ability to deal with basic written and spoken communications.
• PET (Preliminary English Test) an Intermediate level exam that tests students’ ability to deal with everyday written and spoken communications.
• FCE (First Certificate in English) an upper-intermediate exam course that trains students to deal confidently with a range of written and spoken communications. Many universities in the English-speaking world accept FCE as a proof of ability to follow a course of study delivered in English. Once awarded, Cambridge FCE Certificate is valid for life.
• CAE (Certificate of Advanced English) an advanced exam course that trains students to communicate with confidence and considerable sophistication in English for study or professional purposes. Once awarded, Cambridge CAE Certificate is valid for life.
• CPE is Cambridge ESOL’s most advanced exam. It is aimed at people who use English for professional or study purposes.