Preparing for University

The British School believes that the IB programme offers the best pre-university education available in the English language and provides excellent continuity from the Secondary School curriculum which is centred on the IGCSE. We firmly believe that it is not only worthwhile but essential for our students to capitalise on the benefits that the International Baccalaureate programme offers them in the short, medium and long-term.
In the short term, the IB furnishes students with the knowledge and skills necessary to gain access to universities and colleges in Brazil and abroad. This, however, is only the narrowest interpretation of what secondary education is all about.
In the medium and long term, the IB programme equips all our students with the independent study and critical thinking skills, the intellectual confidence and the research-orientated approach to education that allows them to adapt so comfortably to university life. The overwhelming opinion of our ex-IB students is that they find themselves extremely well-prepared for the demands that universities subsequently make on them.
In addition, elements of the IB programme, like the Theory of Knowledge, Creativity Action and Service and the Extended Essay enable our students to take genuine steps in personal growth. There is clear evidence that students who complete the IB programme face university equipped with real advantages relative to many of their university peers.

"During the ‘vestibular’ I knew it would be necessary to do a ‘curso pré-vestibular’ if I were to pass into a public university as I wished. I do not, however, regret the fact that I finished the IB before. It is important to understand that a school should not have the unique intention to pass their students through an exam into college. For me school is a place which must prepare you not only to face a simple exam, but also to face the world. I can say that I left school prepared to face the world!"
Ana Carolina Lima,
1997 Dentistry, UERJ

"Career Development is not enough if we are concerned with helping someone to define a life style. Young people must acquire self-knowledge, not only about themselves as they are, but also as they’d like to be or might be. Consequently, in the careers guidance meetings, we use exercises and activities that help achieve a wider objective of personal growth, focusing on decision-making and ‘overall’ life planning."
Rosemary Peixoto,
Careers and Guidance Counselor

Careers & University Advice

The British School offers structured opportunities for students to reflect and act on their professional aspirations. A Careers and University Guidance programme offers advice on university applications and career choices and includes a two-week Work Experience programme for all Class 10 students.

In Classes 9 to 11 all students have an interview each year with the Careers and University Applications Officer or a member of the management team. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss possible career paths and to encourage students to reflect on their possible interests beyond the IB. Meetings are also held in groups or individually and students have access to relevant information and material on career choices.

Work Experience

In the second term of Class 10, students undertake a one to two-week Work Experience programme. The careers service has established contact with a variety of businesses and professional areas which offer our students first hand experience of a particular working environment. This opportunity has proved to be very useful in encouraging students to actively think about possible careers. The school always welcomes offers from businesses or parents able to provide further opportunities of this kind for our students.

"If you study during the IB there is no problem in passing the ‘Vestibular’. I didn’t do Biology or Chemistry in the IB and answered the questions with what I had learned in the IGCSE."
Fábio Sá - Graduate 2000
Communications, PUC-RJ (ENEM)

International Recognition

The IB Diploma is recognised and highly regarded by universities in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and most European countries. In Latin America, the degree of recognition accorded to the IB varies between countries and institutions. In Brazil, students are currently still required to sit the Vestibular exams or ENEM - Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio in order to enter university.
Many British School students take the opportunity that following an international programme offers by keeping their options open until they are ready to make a final decision about studying in Brazil or overseas.

The IB & Brazilian Requirements for University Entrance

Since the initiation of the IB at The British School in February 1991 we have made great progress in adapting our programme to meet the needs of our Brazilian students.
Two major developments have been the introduction of a new course, Historical and Contemporary Brazilian Studies and a complementary preparation course for Brazilian university entrance exams, called The Brazilian Extension Course.

Historical and Contemporary Brazilian Studies was specifically designed by British School teachers to cover Brazilian History, Geography and Social Studies. The Brazilian Studies course is available to all British School students, whether as a component of their IB Diploma programme or as a separate IB certificate.
The Brazilian Extension Course complements the student curriculum in relation to the IB programme.  In addition to classes in Philosophy and Sociology, which are required for all students from Class 9 onwards in Brazil, classes are offered in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, History and Geography, all taught in Portuguese.  Given that several of our students intend to continue their studies in Brazilian universities, all of the classes follow a format that prepares them for Brazilian university entrance exams (vestibulares and ENEM). Indeed, our faculty is composed of teachers with long experience with these exams. 

In addition to these classes, which main purpose is to complement the I.B. curriculum, we offer additional classes after regular school hours, also focused on preparing our students for the entrance exams.  These additional courses: ‘Vestibular’ Essay Writing, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, History and Geography.

We have also been offering, since 2008, mocks exams of the ENEM model of entrance exam. This practice has proven very effective for those students who take mock exams in earnest.

"Mr Smith will teach you all the physics you need for an engineering degree at Stanford University - that’s right, Stanford has determined that with my IB score I do not have to take physics ever again (and people say physics here is really tough)."
Bernardo Malfitano, Graduate 1999
Stanford, Aeronautical Engineering

Applying to University

The Careers and University Department offers students the support and information necessary to apply to universities both in Brazil and abroad. The school provides assistance throughout the whole applications procedure obtaining the necessary application materials and following through each process. Guidance services extend beyond the entry of our students to university. The school’s staff are always available for continuous support for ex-students who do return for advice on a regular basis.
The Overseas University Application Advisor is responsible for dealing with students’ applications for universities outside Brazil. The Careers and Guidance Counsellor offers detailed and informed advice on Higher Education in Brazil and assistance on entry for appropriate Vestibular examinations and the ENEM.
Students are offered full support and advice on the suitability of courses and institutions. Meetings with students are arranged on an individual basis and an annual meeting is held with parents and students to discuss Higher Education. An extensive up-to-date selection of university prospectuses, computer facilities for online research and visits to educational fairs are arranged as well as opportunities for pupils to meet representatives from overseas Higher Education.

"With the education I received at The British School I was able to compete equally with all those coming from Brazilian schools. I can even say I perceived an advantage in the mathematics course, as I had been taught all of the first semester’s subjects in school."
Maria Gabriela Seiler, 1999 Economics PUC-Rio
Duke University, USA