The senior secondary years of schooling are some of the most important in a student’s life: this is where the true depth of their interests, abilities and character strengths are brought forth through a maturing sense of self, personal fortitude, grit and determination. At AIS, we are wholeheartedly committed to delivering exceptional education that not only builds the foundation of a student’s love of lifelong learning, but will position them firmly on their journey to success beyond school.
The future our children will inherit will look vastly different from the world we live in today. In Grades 10 to 12 at AIS, we prepare students to become successful, compassionate citizens and leaders of this evolving world, encouraging them to strive beyond their limitations and seek new possibilities in the world around them. This is achieved through a diverse, international curriculum.
Grade 10
The Grade 10 program builds on the foundations developed in Grades 7 to 9 and aims to prepare students for the anticipated challenge of senior secondary study. Our Senior Education and Training (SET) plan process guides and supports students, ensuring targeted learning toward future study and career goals.
Students undertake a course of study based on the Australian Curriculum, where learning across the curriculum prepares students for civic, social and economic participation outside of school. Students are provided with opportunities to make choices about learning and specialise in areas that interest them, bringing together their knowledge and experience to consider possible pathways for study in senior secondary school and further tertiary study.
Subjects offered by AIS include:
- Advanced Mathematics
- General Mathematics
- Essential Mathematics
- General English
- Advanced English
- Life sciences (Biology and Chemistry)
- Physical Sciences (Chemistry and Physics)
- Science in Practice
- Psychology
- Business
- Health and Physical Education
- French
- Film, Television and New Media
- Drama
- Information Communication Technology
- Visual Arts
- Arabic
- Islamic Studies
- Moral Education
Grade 11 and 12
AIS students may select their Grade 11 and 12 program from two separate courses of study:
The International Baccalaureate Diploma or the Queensland Certificate of Education
Both programs offer a comprehensive, international and challenging course of study and prepare students for their transition from school to the demands of higher education and the responsibilities of adulthood. They additionally offer students the opportunity to study the Ministry Arabic and Islamic Studies curricula, where necessary.
Selection of the senior program of study is dependent on the young person’s preferred career pathway and their individual abilities, interests and motivation.
The IB Diploma
The IB Diploma program is unique in that it is based on no particular national education system but is instead a deliberate balance between the breadth and specialisation required by many leading universities throughout the world. Students studying the IB Diploma program will select subjects from:
| Studies in Language and Literature | Language Acquisition | Individuals and Societies |
|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature | Arabic B French ab initio | Business Management Psychology |
| Experimental Sciences | Mathematics | The Arts |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry Biology | Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation | Theatre |
In order to be awarded an IB Diploma, students are also required to complete the IB Core Program:
- Study the Theory of Knowledge as a two-year subject.
- Participate in and complete the Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) program, and
- Submit a 4000-word Extended Essay written on a research topic of their own choice.
More information about the IB program can be found at: https://www.ibo.org/
QCE Pathways
The QCE program allows students to pursue the Queensland Senior School Curriculum moderated by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) and is Internationally recognised.
To receive a QCE, students must achieve 20 credits of learning, at the set standard, in a set pattern, while meeting literacy and numeracy requirements. Typically, students will study six subjects or courses across Years 11 and 12. Some may also wish to extend their learning through university courses or other recognised studies.
At AIS, there are two alternative programs for students to achieve a QCE: the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) pathway or Applied pathway. Depending on their career goals and university aspirations, students will have the option to study a suite of subjects that prepare them for the next steps in their educational journey.
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)
The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank is used to select international school leavers for tertiary entrance from 2022. It is recognised internationally and indicates a student’s position relative to other ATAR-eligible students. If students intend to apply for an international university, the ATAR pathway will best support them in achieving this goal.
The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) will calculate ATARs for students at the end of Year 12. QTAC will calculate ATAR based on students results in either:
• 5 General subjects (best out of the 6 subjects studied), or
• 4 General subjects, plus one Applied subject (best out of the 6 subjects studied).
To be eligible for an ATAR, you must successfully complete an English subject.
| QCE ATAR | QCE Applied |
|---|---|
For students who are motivated, organised and self-disciplined with the option to specialise in a discipline or a broad general education with flexibility in subject offerings. An ATAR is an internationally recognised It is the Australian equivalent of an IB Diploma. | Creative and practical students who learn best through applied learning and community connections. The QCE applied pathway is recognised by most local UAE universities and allows students to study across the widest range of disciplines. This pathway suits students who struggle with the writing and |
For students who are motivated, organised and self-disciplined with the option to specialise in a discipline or a broad general education with flexibility in subject offerings. An ATAR is an internationally recognised university ranking and is accepted at all universities globally including top universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and Ivy League universities. It is the Australian equivalent of an IB Diploma. Creative and practical students who learn best through applied learning and community connections. The QCE applied pathway is recognised by most local UAE universities and allows students to study across the widest range of disciplines. This pathway suits students who struggle with the writing and study requirements in the IB and ATAR General subjects.
The following subjects are the study options for AIS students wanting to study a QCE course. In general, students will study:
● Essential Mathematics or General Mathematics or Mathematical Methods
● Essential English or General English
● Three (3) or four (4) additional subjects from the QCAA subject list depending ATAR eligibility
● Ministry Arabic and Islamic Studies (where required)
● University subjects (optional)
QCE Subjects at AIS
| General Subjects | Applied Subjects |
|---|---|
English General Mathematics Mathematical Methods Biology Chemistry Physics Business Economics Arabic Film, Television & New Media Physical Education Visual Art | Essential English Essential Maths Science in Practice (BCP) Science in Practice (Marine Science) Tourism Drama in Practice Media in Practice Visual Art in Practice Sport and Recreation Business Studies Information & Communication Technology
|
Ministry subjects
● Arabic
● Islamic Studies
● Moral Education (studied as part of the Core Program)
University subjects
● Information and Communication Technology – Curtin University
Duke of Edinburgh Program
As part of the QCE study package, QCE students will have the opportunity to complete the Duke of Edinburgh - Bronze Award.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is available to all 14-24 year olds and is the world’s leading youth achievement award. It equips all young people for life regardless of their background, culture, physical ability, skills and interests. Participating in The Award is a personal challenge and not a competition against others; rather, it challenges young people to strive toward their personal limits, recognising their achievements in doing so consistently. In this way, The Award equips young people for life and work.
The programs delivered in Senior School (International Baccalaureate and QCE) both recognise the importance of learning outside the traditional classroom and value the Bronze Award as a means to achieve this. Students following the QCE program are granted one credit towards their senior certificate if they complete the Award before finishing school (i.e. March of Grade 12). This credit is added to the students’ academic results, improving the student’s opportunities of achieving their Queensland Certificate of Education.
Curtin University
QCE students also study the following courses from the Curtin University in Dubai Foundation Program:
- Introduction to ICT
Successful achievement of either the IB Diploma or the Queensland Certificate of Education will provide minimum entry requirements to both local and international universities.
Each university will specify its own policy on entry requirements regarding all secondary school qualifications, including the IB Diploma and the QCE. The IB and QCE-ATAR are recognised by both local and international universities world-wide, whereas the QCE-Non ATAR pathway is currently recognised by many local UAE universities and higher education institutions in Australia, USA, Canada and many other international locations based on the completion of a foundation year.
At AIS, students are assisted in developing accurate knowledge of their preferred university programs and entry requirements through both individual appointments and group learning experiences.
