GCSEs and A-Levels in Rome: A 2026 Guide for International Families

Rome is one of the few cities outside the UK where a child can progress through the full British qualifications pathway — from the early years through to A-Levels — without interruption. For British families relocating to Italy and for international families who want qualifications that travel easily, this is a significant attraction. This guide explains the system, the schools, and the practical considerations for families in 2026.

How the British Qualifications System Works Abroad

British-curriculum international schools follow the English National Curriculum, which mirrors the structure used in England. Children study broadly similar content to their UK peers, with adjustments for an international setting. At around age 16, students sit IGCSE examinations (the international equivalent of GCSEs), and from age 16–18 they choose between A-Levels and the IB Diploma.

The examining bodies most commonly used in Rome's international schools are Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) for IGCSE and Pearson Edexcel or CAIE for A-Levels. Qualifications issued by these bodies are recognised by UK UCAS and by universities in the EU, US, and Commonwealth countries.

IGCSE vs GCSE

The terms are often used interchangeably, though they are technically distinct:

• GCSE is administered under the English national system, mainly taken by students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• IGCSE is the international equivalent, designed for English-medium schools worldwide. Cambridge International is the dominant provider.

Both are accepted by UK universities. The grading scale is 9–1 for most CAIE IGCSE subjects (with A* equivalent to grades 8–9), mirroring the system in England. Families moving children between the UK and Rome mid-education should experience minimal disruption in recognition.

Schools Offering GCSEs and A-Levels in Rome

School	IGCSE	A-Levels	Examining body	Age range
St. George's British International School	Yes	Yes (reintroduced 2025/26)	Cambridge/Edexcel	3–18
The New School Rome	Yes	Yes	Cambridge	3–18
Southlands English School	Yes	Via IB route	Cambridge	3–18
Marymount International School Rome	Via Cambridge pathway	Selected subjects	Cambridge	3–18

Data correct as of 2026. Always verify subject availability directly with each school.

St. George's British International School

St. George's is one of the oldest British international schools in Rome, founded in 1958, with campuses in La Storta (ages 3–18) and the City Centre (ages 3–11). It follows the English National Curriculum to IGCSE and then offers students a choice between the IB Diploma and, from the 2025/26 academic year, A-Levels. The reintroduction of A-Levels was driven by parent demand from families planning UK university entry. From September 2026, the school also offers the Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, accredited by the University of the Arts London (UAL). Annual tuition for the senior school ranges from approximately EUR 18,000–19,900 as of 2026.

The New School Rome

The New School Rome (part of the RISA network) describes itself as the only school in Rome to have continuously offered A-Levels through to the present day. Senior students choose between IGCSE at 16 and A-Levels at 18 via the Cambridge International pathway. The school is a member of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). Annual fees range from approximately EUR 13,500–27,000 depending on year group, as of 2026.

Southlands English School

Southlands (now part of the Globeducate group) follows the English National Curriculum and offers IGCSE, transitioning to the IB Diploma in the sixth form rather than A-Levels. Fees run from approximately EUR 7,000–18,000+ depending on year and extras. It is often regarded as a more affordable entry point into the British system in Rome.

Subject Choices at A-Level

A-Level subjects available in Rome are broadly similar to those at mid-sized UK independent schools, though the range is narrower. Both St. George's and The New School Rome typically offer core subjects including English Literature, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, History, Geography, Art, and Modern Languages. Less common subjects (Further Mathematics, Latin, Drama) depend on demand and may not be available every year.

Families with specific subject requirements — say, a child who wants to study Music A-Level or Further Mathematics — should contact schools directly at the point of application and not assume availability.

A-Levels and University Entry

UK Universities

A-Levels from accredited international schools in Rome are recognised fully by UCAS. The practical process is the same: schools submit predicted grades to UCAS in January, make offers, and submit actual grades in August. Reference letters from Rome-based teachers carry the same weight as those from UK schools.

The complication is fee status. UK students who have been living abroad for three or more years before starting university may be classified as "overseas" (international) students for tuition fee purposes, even if they hold British citizenship. This can mean paying fees of GBP 15,000–40,000 per year rather than the home fee cap. Institutions apply different rules, and UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) provides detailed guidance. Families should check the policy of each target university — not the general rule — well before applying.

Oxbridge and Russell Group

Cambridge and Oxford both receive applications from British international school students regularly. The standard benchmarks (predicted A-Level grades of typically AAA for competitive courses) apply regardless of school location. Admissions interviews are conducted online for international applicants. Rome's British schools have Oxbridge alumni, so the pathway is real, though demand is high.

US and Other International Universities

A-Levels are accepted at US universities, though the admissions system differs. American institutions typically prefer to see SAT or ACT scores alongside A-Levels, and they value the breadth of A-Level subject choices (usually three or four subjects) less than the IB's six-subject spread. Families with US university targets should consider whether A-Levels or the IB better serve those applications — see our IB schools in Rome guide for the IB perspective.

Exam Fees and Extras

IGCSE and A-Level examination fees are charged on top of tuition. For a full set of IGCSE subjects (typically seven or eight), expect to pay EUR 500–900 per year in exam fees. A-Level exam fees are usually EUR 300–500 per year depending on the number of subjects. Schools bundle these costs differently — some include them in the headline tuition, others invoice separately. Always clarify this at the point of offer.

Private tutoring for IGCSE and A-Level is widely available in Rome, with experienced tutors in most core subjects. Rates typically run EUR 40–80 per hour as of 2026.

Residency and Documentation for Sixth Form

If you arrive in Rome for sixth form specifically — years 12 and 13 — rather than growing up through the school, you will need to navigate Italian residency paperwork promptly. The essential documents are:

• Codice fiscale: Italy's tax identification number, required for almost every official transaction including school enrolment. Apply at the Agenzia delle Entrate (local Revenue Agency office) with your passport. Non-EU nationals arriving in Rome can apply through the Italian consulate in their home country before travel, which saves time. EU citizens can apply in person on arrival.
• Permesso di soggiorno: For non-EU nationals (including UK citizens post-Brexit) planning to stay more than 90 days, a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) is required. You must apply at a local post office (Sportello Amico) within eight days of arrival. The process requires your visa, passport photos, and the application kit (available at post offices). Processing currently takes several weeks, during which the receipt acts as proof of pending status. Cost is approximately EUR 200.
• Residenza: Registering your civil residency with the local comune (municipality) is advisable for families settling longer term. It is a prerequisite for some Italian public services and may be relevant to school fee structures at certain institutions.

For families on short-term corporate postings of one to two years, the codice fiscale is the immediate priority; the full residency stack matters more for permanent or long-term moves.

Choosing Between A-Levels and IB in Rome

Feature	A-Levels	IB Diploma
Subjects studied	3–4 in depth	6 across subject groups
Best suited to	Focused UK university entry	Breadth, US/EU university entry
Available in Rome	Yes (St. George's, The New School)	Yes (multiple schools)
Recognised globally	Strong, especially UK/Commonwealth	Very strong, near universal
Extended essay/core	No	Yes (EE, TOK, CAS)

Neither is academically easier than the other; both are respected at top universities. The decision usually comes down to your child's learning style, subject preferences, and where they are most likely to study for their degree.

For a full comparison of IB options in Rome, see our IB schools in Rome guide. For the broader British school picture, see British schools in Rome. For fee details across all Rome schools, see international school fees in Rome.

How Global Investments Can Help

Global Investments has supported internationally mobile families for more than three decades, advising on the property and financial decisions that surround a major relocation. Whether you are planning a move to Rome for a child's sixth form, weighing the costs of international schooling against alternative structures, or managing the tax and residency implications of living in Italy, our advisers can help you think through the full picture. Explore our guides for more on relocating internationally, or contact us to discuss your situation.

This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal, tax, immigration, financial or educational advice. School fees, subject availability, residency requirements and university admissions policies change regularly; all figures are indicative as of 2026. Investments can fall as well as rise. Always seek qualified professional advice for your specific circumstances.