International qualifications 2013 (pdf) - CUKAS

Qualifications currently offered
Turkey
EVALUATION
Devlet Lise Diplomasi (State High School Diploma)
Lise Bitirme Diplomasi (Private High School Diploma)
Considered to be at a standard of at least GCSE level. Students
with an overall average of four out of five satisfy the general entry
requirements of some British HEIs.
Genel Lise (State High Schools)
Students can enrol in state high schools directly following
completion of their primary education without undertaking an
entrance test. This stage of education lasts four years, and
consists of a curriculum of natural sciences (physics, biology and
chemistry), Turkish literature, social sciences or foreign
languages. The aim is to prepare students for higher education.
Most graduates will need a foundation year in the UK prior to
commencing a degree programme.
Anadolu Lisesi (Anatolian High School Diploma)
Anatolian high schools are selective institutions, which were
established with the aim of preparing students for university, and
at the same time combining students of similar interests and
abilities together. Depending on the resources, these schools may
offer a five-year programme, which includes an initial year of
intensive foreign language teaching as a preparatory year. This is
usually English; it may also be French or German. Tuition is in
Turkish after the preparatory year; however, depending on
resources and demand, the tuition of natural sciences (physics,
biology and chemistry) and mathematics can be delivered in a
foreign language.
The demand for places in the Anatolian high schools is very high
and admission is through a competitive entrance examination.
Graduates are generally successful in the university entrance
exam. The graduates who have grade point averages above 4.5
and whose English skills are satisfactory are mostly eligible for
first-year entry into British HEIs.
Science High School (Fen Lisesi)
Science high schools were established with the aim of providing
education to exceptionally gifted students in the areas of
mathematics and natural sciences. All students are encouraged
to engage in scientific research activities. These schools offer a
four-year programme with a curriculum that emphasises science
and mathematics. The language of instruction is Turkish. Entrance
to science high schools is through an extremely competitive
examination. The graduates of these schools generally achieve
the highest scores in the university entrance exam for all Turkey.
Private Foreign Language Medium Schools (Yabanci Dil
Agırlıklı Özel Lise)
A group of schools offering international curriculum and
International Baccalaureate Diploma option to their students
together with the national curriculum. Some of them are very
reputable and the teaching quality is excellent. These schools
offer five-year programmes, which includes one year of intensive
language tuition. Most of their students are eligible for first-year
entry to UK HEIs.
Devlet Teknik Lise Diplomasi (State Technical four-year High
School Diploma)
Devlet Meslek Lise Diplomasi (State Vocational High School
Diploma)
Considered to be between BTEC First Diploma and BTEC National
Diploma and of similar standard to State High School Diploma.
Caution should be taken as these diplomas may be less suitable
as a preparation for academic study.
GRADING SYSTEM IN HIGH SCHOOLS
Grade Number Point (Mark)
Very good 5 85 - 100
Good 4 70 - 84
Average 3 55 - 69
Pass 2 45 - 54
Fail 1 25 - 44
Unsuccessful 0 0 - 24
Source: British Council Education UK Turkey 2012
EDUCATION SYSTEM
Education is compulsory from the age of six. Eight years of
primary education allows entry to secondary education. Since
2005, secondary education has lasted for four years, and covers;
general (four years), vocational (four years) or technical education
(five years). In the second year of secondary education, students
can choose to specialise in natural sciences, literature and
mathematics, the social sciences, foreign languages, art or
physical education. The Lise Diplomasi (High School Diploma) is
awarded locally on the basis of a wide range of assessments,
including written and oral examinations, homework and extramural
activities. Vocational secondary school prepares students
for entry into a profession or HE. In addition to those, the private
foreign language medium schools offer 4 + 1 intensive foreign
language tuition, just like some of the Anatolian High Schools. It is
compulsory to follow the Turkish curriculum for those students to
receive the high school diploma; however, if the school is offering
an international curriculum or the IB, those students may wish to
get credits.
The new four-year high school system produced its first
graduates in 2009.
ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Admission to HE is centralised and based on Lise Diplomasi and
a Student Selection Examination (OSS). The single university
placement test (OSS) was replaced with a two-stage examination
in 2010. In March, students take the Transition to Higher
Education (YGS). The students who achieve grades between 140
and 179.99 will only be able to apply for open learning degrees
(associate and undergraduate) and full-time associate degrees
(2-year vocational programmes within universities). Students who
achieve 180 and above are eligible to sit the second stage
examination in June, the Undergraduate Placement Test (LYS).
The test will be used to assign students to full-time
undergraduate programmes in five sessions over two weekends.
Subjects taken are mathematics and geometry, a foreign
language, social sciences, Turkish literature and geography, and
natural sciences. The results are announced in late July or early
August.
The two-year programmes lead to the award of Onlisans
Derecesi/Diploma (pre-licentiate or Associate Degree); the fouryear
programmes to the award of a Lisans Diplomasi. Entry is
highly competitive. There is particular pressure for places in
engineering, medicine, economics and business-related courses.
Uganda
EVALUATION
Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE)
Acceptable at grades 1–6 in lieu of GCSE on a subject for subject
basis.
INTERNATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS 61