IGCSE, GCSE, and Post-16 Options in Athens: Campion and St. Catherine's (2026)

For families from the UK and British-curriculum countries, the IGCSE at 16 is the natural examination milestone, followed by a post-16 qualification at 18. In Athens, the two principal British-curriculum schools — Campion School and St. Catherine's British School — both deliver the Cambridge IGCSE at Years 10–11, then both run the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma post-16. Campion replaced its A-Level programme with the IB Diploma back in 2002; St. Catherine's likewise uses the IB Diploma at sixth form. Families who specifically want Cambridge A-Levels will need to look to other British schools in the wider Athens area (see below). Understanding this shared IGCSE-to-IB pathway, and the alternatives, has long-run implications for university applications.

The IGCSE in Athens

What Is the IGCSE?

The Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is the international equivalent of the GCSE, set by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE). It is examined at the end of Year 11 (typically at age 15–16). Students sit external examinations set and marked by Cambridge, with results issued in August. Grades run from A* to G (or 9–1 on the newer numerical scale for some syllabuses).

The IGCSE is accepted as secondary-level evidence by universities across the UK, Ireland, Australia, the US, Canada, South Africa, and most European countries. For UK UCAS applications, IGCSE grades fill the same role as GCSE grades.

IGCSE at Campion School

Campion introduces the IGCSE programme in Year 10. Students typically sit eight to eleven IGCSE subjects, sitting the external Cambridge examinations in May/June of Year 11. Core subjects taken by most students include: English language, English literature, mathematics, and at least two sciences (biology, chemistry, physics — often taken as separate IGCSEs). Students select additional subjects from humanities, modern languages, arts, and other electives.

Cambridge IGCSE results are released each August by CAIE and students receive a certificate directly from Cambridge.

IGCSE/GCSE at St. Catherine's

St. Catherine's also prepares students for IGCSE and GCSE examinations at Years 10–11, following the same Cambridge external examination timeline. St. Catherine's subject offer at IGCSE includes the standard breadth of sciences, humanities, languages, and creative subjects.

Post-16 in Athens: The IB Diploma at Both British Schools

What Is the IB Diploma?

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a two-year qualification taken over Years 12–13 (typically age 16–18). Students study six subjects — three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level — drawn from six subject groups, plus the three core components: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the 4,000-word Extended Essay, and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service). Each subject is externally assessed, with examinations in May of Year 13. The maximum score is 45 points.

The IB Diploma is recognised by all UK universities via UCAS (which publishes an IB-to-UCAS-points conversion), and is highly valued by universities in the US, the Netherlands, and elsewhere for its breadth.

Campion's Post-16 Programme

Campion replaced its British A-Level programme with the IB Diploma in 2002 and has run the IB Diploma at sixth form ever since. Students who progress into the IB at Campion are normally expected to have achieved a solid set of IGCSE passes, including Mathematics and English. They then select their six IB subjects across the subject groups.

UCAS and university outcomes: Campion has a track record of students progressing to UK universities, including Russell Group universities, as well as universities in the US, EU, and Australia. The school's counselling office supports UCAS applications, personal statement preparation, and — where relevant — UCAT for medical applicants, SAT/ACT coaching, and US Common App preparation.

St. Catherine's Post-16 Programme

St. Catherine's also uses the IB Diploma as its post-16 qualification. Students follow the British curriculum through to IGCSE at Years 10–11, then transition into the IB framework for Years 12–13. This IGCSE-to-IB-DP combination is common in British international schools worldwide, though it requires students to adjust to the IB's broader, inquiry-driven approach after the more focused IGCSE track.

Where to Find A-Levels in the Athens Area

Families strongly committed to A-Levels — for example, because a child is targeting a UK course that specifies particular A-Level subjects and grades — should note that neither Campion nor St. Catherine's offers them. Some other British schools in the wider Athens area, such as St. Lawrence College and Byron College, do offer Cambridge A-Levels. Always confirm the current post-16 offer directly with any school before committing.

See IB schools in Athens for a full comparison of the IB Diploma options across all Athens schools.

Comparing the Two British Schools at Post-16

Both Campion and St. Catherine's now run the IB Diploma post-16, so the choice between them turns less on qualification type and more on location, fees, and school community:

Factor	Campion	St. Catherine's
Post-16 qualification	IB Diploma Programme	IB Diploma Programme
Structure	Broad (6 subjects + core)	Broad (6 subjects + core)
UK medicine/STEM	Good (select HL sciences)	Good (select HL sciences)
US university applications	Strong fit (IB valued)	Strong fit (IB valued)
Maximum score	45 points	45 points
School location	Pallini, eastern suburbs	Lykovrissi, northern suburbs
Annual fees (Years 10–13)	€14,950	€15,830–€16,500

University Admissions from the British Track in Athens

Both Campion and St. Catherine's IB Diploma students apply to UK universities through UCAS. The deadline for most UK courses is 15 January of the application year (for Oxford, Cambridge, and medicine/dentistry/veterinary courses, the deadline is 15 October). Both schools' counselling offices support the UCAS process.

Greek-resident expat students applying to UK universities as international students will typically pay international tuition fees unless they qualify for home fee status — a complex area that depends on nationality, prior residency, and the university. See university admissions from Athens international schools for more detail on fee status.

How Global Investments Can Help

If your family's move to Athens is driven by or connected to a long-term residency plan — including Greece's Golden Visa — our team can help you align the property decision with the school. Families targeting Campion may favour the eastern suburbs and the Pallini access corridor; those targeting St. Catherine's will find northern suburbs such as Lykovrissi, Kifisia, or Marousi more convenient. Browse listings in Greece or contact us to discuss your plans.

This guide is for information purposes only. Qualification details, subject availability, and fees are subject to change. Always verify current information directly with schools and universities. Investment values can fall as well as rise.