International education is based on curricula recognised throughout the world, or at least in most countries. It opens up great prospects for further study and work abroad.
Educational institutions working on international programmes in Russia are not uncommon. Moreover, online learning is becoming more and more popular. Therefore, many Russian parents decide to invest in high-quality education for their children.
International Curricula
Several international programmes can be found for each level of study. Some represent a whole succession structure that covers all levels of study from elementary to high school. Among the most popular full-cycle programmes are, for example, IB and the national educational programme for England which we offer at BISM. In this article we’ll analyse the main stages of international education.
Kindergarten and Primary School
IB or International Baccalaureate has developed a special curriculum for children from 3 to 12 years old - Primary Years Program (PYP). The course is designed to educate young researchers, both academically and socially, and relies on problem-based and individual approaches to teaching.
IB PYP is based on the idea that students are responsible for their own learning and should actively participate in the educational process. Improving your own efficiency is considered important. It is those who strive for self-efficacy who are interested in their own learning.
Teaching children from 3 to 4 years old is aimed primarily at communication skills formation, as well as at physical, personal, social and emotional development. They study literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts and design. The education in Key stage 1 and 2 (aged from 5 to 11 years) consists of 12 compulsory National Curriculum subjects. Among them: languages, sciences, humanities, mathematics, physical education, music, information and communications technology, and art.
At the end of each Key Stage 1 (7 years old) and Key Stage 2 (11 years old), the children take national ‘Standard Assessment Tests’ (SATs) in English and Mathematics to assess their understanding of the curriculum and level of achievement.
Secondary School
Children from 14 to 16 years old can study according to the English IGCSE programme. It is approved by the University of Cambridge, leading to the award of the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) which is the world’s most popular and recognised international qualification.
The IGCSE curriculum is designed to develop students’ analytical skills and creative thinking, active knowledge of the world and self-reliance, which greatly contribute to their further academic success. Pupils are required to study a broad range of subjects, with a compulsory base component (English, sciences, maths) and a choice of options to ensure that there is a balance within this component as well. It is the final stage of compulsory general education in schools in the UK.
There are special international programmes of pre-university training after which graduates can enter a university of almost any country. Some of the most popular are IB Diploma and A-level. BISM is the only one in Moscow that offers both to choose from. They last for 2 years and are aimed at developing in children all the skills necessary for a future student: making researches, writing essays, collecting and analysing data, preparing and presenting projects. With such a base, it is much easier for children to integrate into university life.
How to Get an International Education
There are only a few Russian universities among the others in the world universities ranking. The first ten positions are shared by the United Kingdom and the United States. Therefore, for a truly prestigious and high-quality higher education, it is worth going abroad. It is difficult to enter foreign universities after having attended a regular Russian school. It is better to start preparing in advance, and even better to choose a school that will provide the necessary basis for going to a renowned international university.
British International School has been teaching children according to the English national curriculum for 27 years. We provide our students with the same education as in private schools in the UK. Our graduates enter the world's leading universities, often without entrance exams. All thanks to the extended and well-structured programme and the individual approach of our experienced teachers.
MORE TO READ:
Benefits of studying at an international school