The Senior School at British School Dhahran includes three key stages, key stage 3 (KS3) for years 7 to 9, key stage 4 (KS4) for Year 10 and 11, and key stage 5 (KS5) also known as sixth form for Years 12 and 13.
Key Stage 3
The curriculum covers a wide variety of subjects which include Arabic language, art, computing, drama, design technology, French, music, Saudi culture in addition to the core subjects of maths, English, sciences and physical education.
Key Stage 4
BSD follows the (I)GCSE programme from Cambridge Assessment International Examinations and Edexcel in Year 10 and 11. All students study English language and literature, mathematics and the three sciences, biology, chemistry and physics. Additionally students take three or four electives, the choice of which includes art, business studies, computer science, design technology, drama, French as a foreign language, geography, global perspectives, history, and physical education. The (I)GCSE programme takes two years and is assessed by external examinations held at the school at the end of Year 11.
A fast track route is offered to high achievers in maths. From 2019 fast track students take their IGCSE maths exam in May of Year 10 and study a further mathematical qualification in preparation for A level in Year 11.
Key Stage 5
BSD offers a full A-level programme for students aged 16 and above. Students in Year 12 choose four subjects to study at AS level and take their external examinations at the end if the year. Subjects offered at BSD include art, biology, business studies, chemistry, drama, economics, English literature, geography, history, maths, physical education, physics, and psychology. Following that, they may choose to drop one subject and continue with the remaining three subjects for a full A level. BSD offers a comprehensive support for students through their university application process in years 12 and 13 including writing personal statements, writing references, and careers advice . The school is a registered centre for UCAS for students wishing to continue their higher education in the UK and assist others applying for universities all over the world.
The school is registered examination centre for Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) formerly Cambridge International Examination (CIE) and Edexcel Pearson. In addition, it is a centre for Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing which administers admission tests for higher education worldwide such as BMAT, for students applying for medicine and biomedical courses in the UK.
You can access UCAS website here.
You can access Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing website here.
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
BSD focuses on more than the academics. In addition to the wide variety of after school activities, the Senior School offers students the opportunity to join the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, to take part in Model United Nations (MUN) and to take leadership roles through Student Voice. Students end up having a well-rounded experience with an emphasis on being compassionate towards others.
