Pathways to Universities/Colleges
and how to get there
The three pathways that lead to higher
education are:

IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma
Programme)

IGCSE (International General Certificate of
Secondary Education) and or;

DepEd diploma (Department of Education,
Secondary School Diploma)
◦ Which one is the best option for my family?
◦ Is one option “better” than the other with regards
to recognition and qualification for University
Admission?
◦ How do I even start to consider which of the three
to choose from?
LOCAL
vs.
INTERNATIONAL
EDUCATION
 WHEN
•
WHAT
•
HOW?!
University Admission
eligibility is available at
University Admission
eligibility is available at
Grade 10
Grade 12
IGCSE
DepEd
Diploma
LOCAL UNIVERSITIES
Graduate High school by Grade 10
with a DepEd Diploma.
IBDP
INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITIES
Graduate High School by Grade 12 with an
IBDP Diploma.
University Admission
eligibility is available at
Grade 10

Applications are submitted from
July to November;

Entrance examinations are
required and may not be waived;


IGCSE
DepEd
Diploma

Admission requirements vary and
individual application forms for
each school;
Students will begin classes at local
universities shortly after (or even
before ending) Grade 10;
Academic Year starts in June.
NOTE:
Grade 10 is equivalent to Fourth Year High School in the Local Educational System
for current Grade 6 students and above due to transitional period before K-12 Program
comes into full effect.
University Admission
eligibility is available at

A student will need to commit to and successfully
complete the IGCSE curriculum from Grade 9 to 10.

External examination results taken at the end of
Grade 10 has crucial weigh in qualification for Higher
Education Admission.

Recognised by higher education institutions and
employers around the world as evidence of
academic ability.

IGCSE may be used as an international alternative to
the local government's examination

IGCSE qualifications will satisfy the entry
requirements for university

Grade C in IGCSE English (both First Language and
Second Language) satisfies the English proficiency
requirements of many universities in the UK and
other anglophone countries.

To see a list of institutions which recognize the
IGCSE Program for university entry:
Grade 10
IGCSE
DepEd
Diploma
In most cases, IGCSE is MORE COMMONLY
USED as preparatory course work for A Level,
AS, International Baccalaureate and US
Advanced Placement courses rather than
university admission.
http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/middlesec/igcse/recognition


With or without an IGCSE certificate, a student
may apply to local universities using the
DepEd Secondary Diploma which is provided
upon completion of Grade 10.
It is highly competitive to use IGCSE as a path
to Higher Education. Select universities accept
students upon successful and exemplary
completion of the program; university
admission requirements have very high
expectations.



Students MUST continue (after IGCSE)
to Grade 11 & 12 for IB Diploma
Programme;
Successful Completion of the full IB
Diploma Programme equates to
worldwide recognition and easy
access to fulfilling Higher Education
Admission requirements worldwide;
Admission of IBDP graduates are
based on accumulative score of all
courses taken (or specific subjects
depending on the university) and
other standardized exams in the
country of admission (ie. SAT’s,
TOEFL, Advanced Placement scores,
etc.)
University Admission
eligibility is available at
Grade 12
IBDP

If Students do not successfully complete the
IBDP Programme and are instead, granted
subject certificates, it is up to the University’s
discretion whether to admit the student. In
most cases, “Foundation Programs” are offered
or pre-university courses are offered instead.

ADVANTAGE:
Most universities grant college credits/allow
accreditation upon scoring 5 or higher on
subjects
LESS CREDITS = LESS COST

Which country do you want to pursue your higher
education in?

How close (or far) do you want to be from your support
system?

Are Ivy Leagues/Top Universities the only universities to
consider as your best fit?

What field of study should you pursue? Consider your strengths, interests,
exposure, etc.

What are the mission, vision, values, religious affiliations, etc. of the
school? Does it fit with your own personal philosophies and beliefs?

Research in order to truly know about universities beyond its ranks and
reputation. What are the comments of the students who are attending?
Retention rate is an overlooked detail in determining student satisfaction.

What kind of institutional system will you strive best in?
private universities
state universities
liberal arts schools
•
•
•



Importance of costs and Financial Aid
availability
Does your citizenship entitle you to national
scholarship programs?
What standardized examinations will be
mandatory in fulfilling the scholarships you
may apply for
U.K.



Liverpool John Moores University- International Journalism
University of Hertfordshire BSc Sport and Exercise Science
Anglia Ruskin University- Hospitality Management
U.S.
 College of Central Florida-Sports Psychology
PHILIPPINES
 De La Salle University Taft & Benilde-Pre-med, Marketing,
Business
 Enderun College-Hospitality and Management
INDIA
 Symbiosis International University- Biology/Pre-med