Frequently asked questions

What distinguishes EF International Academy is that it specialises in working with international students. Our students, who come from over 40 countries, are driven and motivated, and our experienced teachers know how to guide our students to their greatest potential. In addition, EF International Academy graduates go on to top universities around the world; nine out of ten attend their first choice university.

Both are rigorous two-year academic programmes that are respected around the world. A-levels encourage students to choose and specialise in a few academic subjects, typically three to four, whereas the IB programme is broader in scope. All IB students must master literature, mathematics, science, humanities, arts and second languages. A-levels are popular in Great Britain, and students choose A-level subjects based on their university and career goals.

Prospective medical students might study mathematics, biology, chemistry and statistics, whereas prospective law students might study political science, history, government and philosophy. An EF International Academy admissions officer can help you decide which programme is best for you.

One of our primary goals is helping students get into the right university. Advisors work individually with each student to develop a thorough application strategy. They confer on a regular basis to ensure students meet various filing deadlines and are navigating the application process effectively. We sponsor university fairs and coach students about interviews, application profiles and aptitude tests. Most important, we ensure students progress academically and achieve the best results possible on examinations. At the end of the process, we offer advice to students and parents about which offer to accept.

Prospective medical students might study mathematics, biology, chemistry and statistics, whereas prospective law students might study political science, history, government and philosophy. An EF International Academy admissions officer can help you decide which programme is best for you.

Medical school is highly competitive, and our university advisors work with prospective medical students to ensure they’re well positioned for entry into a good programme. We organise informational sessions for prospective medical students, arrange work experience at hospitals and tutor students to ensure they’re prepared for the BMAT, UKCAT, GAMSAT, MCAT and other aptitude tests. We also offer coaching that includes mock admissions interviews, and we advise students about choosing coursework. A number of our students take advantage of open days at hospitals and medical schools, and many pursue relevant work experience during school holidays, activities we encourage and help arrange.

Contact one of EF International Academy’s admissions offices listed at the back of this brochure. EF International Academy admissions managers will offer guidance and provide assessment tests, English language tests and application forms.

Students must have complete medical and accident insurance. We recommend an insurance package offered through Erika Travel Insurance, which has been tailor-made for EF International Academy students. It provides medical and accident coverage and coverage for personal belongings, programme interruption and liability. It’s valid around the world, allowing students to travel during the programme.

We believe that forming close relationships with students and giving them individual attention is the best way to teach. On average we maintain a student to teacher ratio of about 15 to 1. In addition, each student works closely with a personal advisor who monitors the student’s overall welfare and academic progress. Students also develop close relationships with dorm parents and residential staff.

On our New York campus, students live in comfortable dormitories on campus. In Torbay, students live with host families, where they can practise English and enjoy a warm, family environment. In Oxford, students have the choice between living with a host family or in a dormitory.

Yes. Every year we award a limited number of scholarships. Find more information about our Founders Scholarship in the Admissions section.

The safety of students is our primary concern. Our campuses are private, secure and monitored by staff 24 hours a day. In addition, campuses are located in quiet residential areas. In New York, we have 25 acres of private grounds – formerly a university campus – in the small community of Tarrytown. In Oxford, our campus is located in a neighbourhood popular with university professors. In Torbay, students are surrounded by a quiet community. If a student needs help or advice from an adult, he or she is able to do so at any time, 24 hours a day.

The IB Diploma Programme is a challenging two-year curriculum for smart, motivated high school students. Juniors and seniors take six courses in the following subject groups: language; second language; experimental sciences; the arts; math; and individuals and societies. IB students also engage in three core requirements: an extended essay (EE); theory of knowledge (TOK); and creativity, action, service (CAS).

An IB Diploma is the goal and focus of the programme and can be earned by successfully completing IB courses in all six subject areas and other requirements. This requires a great deal of student motivation and effort, including solid academic skills, time management, and a strong commitment to learning.

At the core of the IB programme are three central elements called Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity-Action-Service (CAS), and an Extended Essay (EE). Students who seek to earn an IB Diploma must complete the requirements of these three parts of the IB Programme.

TOK is a course that all IB Diploma course students must take. It is an interdisciplinary course designed to help students question and understand how they know what they know. Students study how individuals from various disciplines view the world to develop their own ways of thinking. By stimulating critical reflection and analysis of knowledge and experience across disciplines, TOK seeks to bridge and unify the academic subjects, in essence, to help students make sense of school and the world.

CAS is an experiential learning component of the IB. Students seeking to earn an IB Diploma must complete a minimum of 150 hours of participation over their junior and senior years. A wide variety of activities fulfill this requirement, including many extracurricular, community service, and athletic activities.

EE introduces students to the demands and rewards of independent work. Emphasis is placed on engaging in a personal research and communicating ideas effectively in order to write a 4000 word essay (about 18 pages) in an area of personal interest to the student. Each student seeking to earn an IB Diploma must write an EE over the course of her or his junior and senior years.

Students enrolled in the IB courses still get grades from their classroom teacher, still take tests, do homework, complete projects and exams (midterms and finals) the same as any other student. In addition, students enrolled in IB courses take formal exams in May. Working in partnership with local students, the IB Organization works to ensure that students have ample opportunity to demonstrate what they know and are able to do. The IB Organization compiles information about students from their teachers, from work students do over the course of the year, and from the end-of-course exams given in May to determine a final score on a 1 to 7 scale. Diploma students need a total of at least 24 points to earn a full diploma.*

An internal assessment is graded by your teachers then sent to the IB to verify that the marks of your teacher are consistent and accurate. This verification process is called moderation. Many external assessments are tests taken in a formal setting and are sent to the IB for grading. However some external assessment for example the World Literature papers are written in class and send to the IB Organization for moderation and grading. This is also true for some Theatre Arts work as well as the TOK essay.

SL stands for Standard Level and HL stands for Higher Level. The content of an HL course generally matches that of the SL course however the breadth and depth of topics is more with HL and oftentimes additional topics are studied.

The IB Organization allows students to take IB Diploma courses for subjects of their choice. Students choosing this option are referred to as “IB Diploma Course” students.

The major advantages include a challenging learning environment, excellent preparation for university-level studies, recognition of IB course work by college admissions officers, the possibility of earning college credit or advanced standing, and the benefit of receiving a well-rounded, world-class, liberal arts education.

Yes, but IB courses are challenging, so students may feel better prepared for the IB programme if they have taken honors or accelerated courses in ninth and/or tenth grade. However, one exception to this open enrollment policy is for IB courses in mathematics, the sciences, and foreign language which do require specific background knowledge. Qualities of a successful IB student include self-motivation, desire for intellectual and academic challenge, strong written and oral communication skills, openness to new ideas and ways of thinking, and eager participation in the life of the school and community.

The rigors of the IB curriculum, requirements, deadlines, and responsibilities all act to increase the academic demands on students. Students enrolled in IB courses may have to invent more time in order to attain their goals for the course. This is true, in general of courses in the upper grades, as more is expected of older students.

The amount of homework varies greatly throughout the courses in the IB Programme. Students should expect about ten to twenty hours of homework every week. Time management is essential because homework often consists of long –term assignments and a great deal of reading and writing.

Successful completion of the following credits: English (4 credits), Math (4 credits), Science (4 credits), Social Science (4 credits), Electives (4 credits), World Language (2 credits), Physical Education (2 credits). This information can also be found on the school profile.

Yes.