Whichever Senior Studies programme you follow, upon completing the respective requirements, you will receive the “St Andrews International School Diploma”. This is equivalent to the Mathayom 6 certificate that school leavers receive in the Thai education system.
Senior Studies Programmes at St Andrews Bangkok
The IB Diploma Programme
In Years 12 and 13, the majority of our students will follow the full IB Diploma programme of six subjects along with the IBDP Core. Students choose two languages, along with one course each in humanities, science, maths and arts (or additional science or humanities). Of the 6 subjects chosen, three are studied at Higher Level and the remaining three are studied at Standard Level. The IBDP Core consists of Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS).
IB Career-related Programme
For students wanting an academically rigorous pathway, but preferring to focus on a narrower selection of subjects, in addition to developing work related professional skills, the IBCP is an ideal opportunity to achieve a widely recognised qualification for entry to further/higher education, apprenticeships or employment. We currently offer the IBCP in Business, Travel and Tourism, Art and Design or Creative Media, Sport, E-Sports and Applied Science and students will complete the Level 3 BTEC International Diploma as their career-related study (CRS) in their chosen career area, three additional IB Courses, plus the IBCP Core which consists of Personal and Professional Skills (PPS), the Reflective Project (RP), Service Learning (SL) and Language Development (LD).
St Andrews International School Diploma
Senior students are free to select their subjects in any combination that leads to Graduation and the award of the St Andrews International School Diploma (STA Diploma). The majority of students choose a combination of subjects that also meets the requirements of either the IB Diploma or Career-related programme, but many will take advantage of the full range of subjects on offer to select a more individualised pathway. When a student selects subjects from the full range of subjects, they are advised to consider which part of the world they would like to study in the future, and to choose subjects that are consistent with the expectations of universities in that region. These expectations can mostly be generalised into two categories: US-style and UK-style. All students are required to also complete CAS.
US-Style Diploma Pathway: IB Diploma Courses including English and Maths
For students who are considering going to university in the US, or a country with a similar education system to the US, it’s important that the subjects chosen for Senior Studies cover a broad range of academic disciplines, including English and Maths. The exact requirements will depend on which subjects have already been chosen during Key Stage 4, so a meeting with one of our Careers and Higher Education counsellors is essential. Most students following this pathway will select subjects from the IB Diploma Courses options, but will usually select 5 subjects rather than the 6 required to meet the requirements of the full IB Diploma. Students on this pathway will complete CAS, but do not need to complete any other Core IB components. A common combination would be 5 subjects in total including 2 IB courses at Higher Level. English and Maths must be chosen, but these subjects could be Higher Level or Standard Level, with an additional option of a school-based Maths course for students who would benefit from retaking IGCSE Maths.
UK Entry Pathway: Level 3 BTEC Diploma and A-levels
For students who plan to study in the UK or a similar system, it’s possible to focus on a much narrower range of subjects than would be necessary for a US application. Students who plan to apply to highly competitive courses in the UK are still strongly advised to complete the full IB Diploma, as this is the best way to demonstrate the breadth and depth of achievements that these universities expect to see. However, studying 6 different subjects is not a good-fit for all students, and a more focussed programme could be the best way to promote their strengths to a potential university. For these students, a programme combining a Level 3 BTEC Diploma and 2 A-Levels would meet the admissions requirements for UK university entry, and allow them to focus only on the areas they are most likely to succeed.
This pathway would be particularly beneficial to students who may find the IB Diploma passing requirement of 24 points a challenge, as UK universities are more likely to be flexible with lower BTEC and A-Level grades than they are with lower IB Course Grades.
Bespoke Pathway: Level 2
For some students, who may have completed the Level 1 BTEC Vocational qualifications, or had some challenges with the IGSCE curriculum, we offer a supportive Level 2 pathway to ensure they can complete English and Maths qualifications that will enable entry to further education or colleges, as well as the BTEC International Level 2 Certificate in Business (equivalent to 2 IGCSEs). This pathway can be completed by some additional IB courses, retaking IGCSEs or school based electives including work experience opportunities.
Bespoke Pathway for Embracing Differences
For children that work within Embracing Differences, they will continue to expand their portfolio of skills and experiences through the BTEC Level 1 International Diploma in Vocational Studies, as well as English and Maths literacy, and any appropriate therapies.
Admission to the Senior Studies Programme
at St Andrews Bangkok
Admission to the Senior Studies programme follows closely the principles outlined in our whole school Admissions Policy:
“We do not select on academic ability as we believe that all children are entitled to have the opportunity to experience an international education in a challenging and supportive environment. Admission to our school is based on the ability of the individual student to access the curriculum and the ability of the school to meet the student’s individual needs.”
The Senior Studies programme is an inclusive one, with a wide range of courses designed to meet the needs of all students. At the heart of the programme is the IB Diploma and the IB Career-related programme which the vast majority of students will follow.
Admission to Year 12 for Existing St Andrews Bangkok Students
All Year 11 students who have demonstrated a positive attitude to learning and academics will be offered a place in Year 12 on an appropriate programme. Students are encouraged to follow the full IB Diploma if their academic history suggests the potential to achieve successful results.
IGCSE / GCSE grades from Years 10 and 11 and a student’s plans for higher education will provide the most useful information for discussions about the appropriate course to follow in the Senior Studies Programme, but the underlying principle is that the majority of students will choose the full IB Diploma or the IB Career-related programme. Some students will start the St Andrews Diploma programme, on either the IB courses focus or the BTEC/A-level focus pathways.
Experience has shown that the careful selection of courses and the work ethic of the student are key factors in achieving a passing score and that students’ previous academic records should not be the only factors considered when selecting either the IB Diploma, IB Career-related programme or St Andrews Diploma Programme.
Admission to St Andrews Bangkok for New Students Joining Year 12
Each student and his or her parents will have an initial meeting with the Head of Admissions to discuss the programmes on offer and the school’s expectations of a Senior Studies student. The Head of Admissions and IBDP or IBCP Coordinator will also review previous school reports, focusing on evidence of positive effort, engagement and attitude.
The student will be invited for a pre-assessment evaluation, focusing on English language and maths. This is primarily to determine if the student has the level of English and maths required to access the Senior Studies programme. If IGCSE / GCSE grades are not available, other subject specific assessments may be administered. An offer of a place on the Senior Studies programme is not dependent on achieving certain scores in these assessments; they are intended to inform students, parents and the school about which courses and subjects may be most appropriate.
The student will meet with the IBDP or IBCP Coordinator to discuss pre-assessments, school reports, the programmes on offer in Years 12 and 13, as well as the expectations of students in the Senior Studies Programme.
Where possible, the prospective student will join the school for a trial day. The IB Coordinators and Head of Year will receive feedback from teachers on the student’s involvement and engagement that day and will meet with the student and his/her parents to confirm the offer of a place and finalise the programme.
Why choose the IB?
Whether students choose the IB Diploma or the IB Career-related Programme, they will experience so much more than an academic qualification: it is also a vision for 21st century international education, which is encapsulated in the IBO’s Mission Statement:
“The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.”
This ambitious mission statement is translated into the day-to-day activities of the school via the IB Learner Profile. The Learner Profile is a set of 10 attributes that our IB programmes help our students to develop. The attributes cover cognitive development, along with social, emotional and physical well-being. With learning activities designed to help develop these attributes, and students consciously working to improve them, an IB education helps to make the world a better place by developing balanced, internationally minded lifelong learners who will live to make positive contributions to their society and the world.
