NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

European baccalaureate (EB)
Courses leading to the EB are offered in the nine European Schools — one of which is situated in Culham in Oxford —
primarily for the children of staff employed in the Community institutions. The diploma is given at the end of the seventh year
of study, in two or more languages, to those receiving 60% or more overall, in continuous internal assessment and
examinations of the wide range of subjects taken in the seventh year.
All higher education institutions accept the international and European baccalaureat for the purposes of the general entrance
requirement. The student’s performance and choice of subjects will determine whether she/he meets the course requirement of
a specific institution or department.
The BTEC national diploma or certificate (ND or NC)
The BTEC national diploma or certificate is considered by higher education institutions as fulfilling the general (and
sometimes the course) requirement for admission under certain conditions which vary from institution to institution. These are
that passes in three of the final examinations should be high (at least 60%) and that there should be evidence of a good
education including English language. Appropriate HND or C courses are required to meet the course requirement of some
departments.
Courses leading to the diplomas and certificates of the Business and Technology Education Council are offered in public
sector institutions. Assessment is local and continuous and is moderated by BTEC.
Scottish certificate of education (SCE)
The examination system in Scotland is different from that in the rest of the United Kingdom. In Scotland pupils take the
Scottish certificate of education at standard grade and higher grade which are awarded by the Scottish Examination Board.
The standard grade, which replaced the ordinary grade in 1986, is taken at 16 plus. The examination is similar to the GCSE
and has three levels of study: foundation, general and credit. The standard grade awards are based on a seven-point scale,
grade 1 being the highest and grade 7 the lowest.
The higher grade examination is a one-year course covering a broad range of subjects and is taken at 17 years of age, after the
standard grade. Students take four to five subjects. The higher grade examination is often referred to as ‘highers’. In general
terms, four highers are regarded as equivalent to two A levels. Passes in highers are required for entry to higher education and
professional training.
The certificate of sixth year studies (CSYS) may be taken by a pupil who is in his/her sixth year of secondary school (age 18
plus) and who already has a higher grade pass in the subject(s) being studied for the CSYS. The examination emphasises the
need for individual study and most subjects require a dissertation project and report. In the CSYS there are no pass or fail
grades, just five grades from A (highest) to E (lowest). Candidates normally take up to three CSYS subjects.
General admission to higher education
GCE/GCSE Two A levels and three GCSE at grade C minimum
Three A levels and one GCSE at grade C
SCE Three subjects at higher, two/three at standard (grade 3 minimum)
Four subjects at higher, two at standard (grade 3 minimum)
Two subjects at CSYS, three at standard (grade 3 minimum)
BTEC 60% in three ND/NC final-year subjects
IB Diploma
EB Diploma
Students formally apply through the following clearing houses according to the type of institution they hope to attend:
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS);
Art and Design Admissions Registry (ADAR).
The clearing houses forward the applications to the institutions which make unconditional, or conditional, offers or refuse the
application.