International Transition Year (ITY)

International students age 15yrs+ may attend Earlscliffe in order to complete a 3 Year A-level programme or to complete only one of those three years, the ITY. 

Why choose the Earlscliffe ITY?

A two year A-level course is not easy and rather than risk difficulties due to a lack of academic English or sufficient previous subject knowledge, some students prefer to take this general academic preparation course to make sure that when they do start their two-year Earlscliffe A-level programme they are well-equipped to succeed academically.

Other students from overseas prefer to take the Earlscliffe ITY as a year away from their own system, to perfect their English, study academic subjects and get involved in boarding college life as fully as possible, with the aim of returning home to their former school and national system after completing the ITY with us. Such students would ordinarily be classified as UK Year 11 or Year 12.

The course content

  • English Language – either English as a First Language or Second Language. 
  • Mathematics – either the Higher or Foundation tier
  • One Science subject – Biology Chemistry or Physics
  • One Humanities subject – Art, Business Studies, Geography
  • Native language – this includes but is not exclusively limited to – French, Chinese, German, Japanese, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Turkish
  • Computer Science can be added upon request

The GCSE course content has been designed to provide the students with a broad balanced curriculum.

It has also been designed with students returning to their national system. If a student wishes to study a non native language, then we will support the student’s request, and if it is possible, it can be introduced to their timetable.

Our students will build strong skills across all subjects, with a particular focus on IT skills essential for their future. ITY students are taught by our usual Earlscliffe academic staff.
ITY students participate fully in sports, cultural activities, academic enrichment opportunities and everyday college life alongside their A-level counterparts. All students are integrated socially. The usual hallmarks of the Earlscliffe A-level programme are applied to the ITY: small classes; weekly TRaC™ testing to monitor performance and progress, and intensive teaching. A limited number of places are available for students wishing to spend one or two terms with us on the ITY.

ITY take A-level taster lessons at the end of the second term in order to help them make decisions on which A-level subjects they wish to study in the following academic year. They are fully supported in making their decision and their parents are involved as well.