American or British curriculum in Riyadh: how to choose
The American and British pathways at Saud International Schools, Riyadh, side by side: grades, exams, university routes and fees, with a short chooser.
Saud International Schools in Riyadh teaches two pathways: the American pathway, from KG 1 to Grade 12, and the British pathway, from Grade 7 to Grade 12. Every child follows the American pathway up to Grade 6. From Grade 7, a student follows either the American or the British pathway. Both are accredited by Cognia, and the fees are the same. Here are the two side by side, as they are taught at the school.
Answer six short questions to see which pathway may suit your child
- Up to Grade 6The American pathway, for every child
- From Grade 7The American or the British pathway
- AccreditationCognia, for both pathways
- FeesThe same for both pathways
The two pathways side by side
| American pathway | British pathway |
|---|---|
| Grades | |
| KG 1 to Grade 12 | Grade 7 to Grade 12 |
| Grades 7 to 10 | |
| Grade 9 is the first of the four years of the American High School Diploma. | Cambridge Checkpoint in Grade 8, in English, mathematics and science. IGCSE over Grades 9 and 10, with external exams at the end of Grade 10. |
| Grades 11 and 12 | |
| Advanced coursework and more independent study in Grade 11. In Grade 12, the last graduation requirements and university applications. | Usually four AS subjects in Grade 11, with AS exams at the end of the year. In Grade 12, three of the four continue to the full A Level. |
| Subjects | |
| Core subjects: English language and literature, mathematics, science, social studies, Islamic Studies and Arabic. Electives may include business, technology and the arts. | IGCSE: English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, Arabic, and Islamic Studies for Muslim students, plus two or three electives. A Level: a choice from mathematics, the sciences, business, economics, accounting, English and ICT. |
| How progress is measured | |
| Through the year: classwork and participation, assignments and projects, quizzes and tests, and mid-term and final exams. | Regular internal assessments and mock exams, then external exams at the end of each course. |
| External exams and tests | |
| Advanced Placement (AP) courses. The school is a College Board SAT test centre. | Exams with Cambridge, Pearson Edexcel and OxfordAQA. |
| What a student finishes with | |
| The American High School Diploma: all the required credits, the attendance requirement and satisfactory progress in every subject, over Grades 9 to 12. | IGCSE, then AS and A Level. |
The same on both pathways
- Accreditation by Cognia. The school is also a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS).
- The same fees. See the fees page.
- A specialist teacher for each subject, and boys and girls in separate sections, from Grade 6.
- Arabic and Islamic Studies, in line with Ministry of Education requirements.
- University guidance: counsellors work with each student and family from Grade 8 to Grade 12.
How the two approaches differ, in general
Beyond this school, the two curricula are built in different ways:
- Breadth or depth. An American high school programme keeps a broad range of subjects to the end of Grade 12. The British route narrows in stages: a set of IGCSE subjects, then usually three or four subjects in depth at AS and A Level.
- How results are earned. The American diploma is built from credits and grades earned across the four high-school years. British qualifications rest mainly on external exams at the end of each course.
- When subjects are chosen. British pathway students choose subjects twice: for IGCSE, and again for AS and A Level. American pathway students keep their core subjects and choose electives alongside them.
Neither is better in itself. Both are recognised by universities around the world, and each university sets its own entry requirements for each course.
University routes
On both pathways, counsellors help each student choose universities and courses, and prepare applications through UCAS, the Common App and other systems. In general, universities in the United Kingdom usually ask for A Level grades in named subjects, and universities in the United States usually look at the record across the four high-school years, often with SAT scores and AP results. Many universities accept either route. Check what the universities your child is considering ask for each course, and talk to the counsellors early. Read about university guidance.
Who each pathway tends to suit
Every child is different. These are tendencies, not rules.
The American pathway may suit a child who
- likes to keep many subjects going, and is not ready to narrow them down
- does best with steady work through the year, where classwork, projects and tests all count
- may apply to universities that look at the whole high-school record, as universities in the United States usually do
- is settled on the American pathway they have followed so far
The British pathway may suit a child who
- is ready to focus on fewer subjects, in depth
- prepares well for exams, and does well in them at the end of a course
- has an idea of the subjects or degree they want, which makes the IGCSE and A Level choices easier
- may apply to universities that ask for A Levels, as universities in the United Kingdom usually do
Six questions to think it through
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A suggestion, not a decision
This tool cannot know your child, and the choice is yours to make with the school. Before you decide, talk to the Admissions Office on 920002877 or at enquiries@sis.edu.sa, or book a visit and ask the teachers.
Book a visit American pathway British pathway
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between the American and the British curriculum?
At Saud International Schools, the American pathway runs from KG 1 to Grade 12 and leads to the American High School Diploma, earned through credits over Grades 9 to 12, with AP courses and an SAT test centre. The British pathway runs from Grade 7 to Grade 12: Cambridge Checkpoint in Grade 8, IGCSE in Grades 9 and 10, then AS and A Level, with exams from Cambridge, Pearson Edexcel and OxfordAQA. In general, an American programme keeps a broad range of subjects to the end, and British qualifications focus on fewer subjects, examined at the end of each course.
Which curriculum is better for my child?
Neither is better in itself. Both pathways are accredited by Cognia and lead to university. What matters is the child: how they like to learn and be assessed, whether they would rather keep many subjects or focus on a few, and where they may apply to university. The Admissions Office can help you think it through.
When do we choose between the two pathways?
Every child follows the American pathway up to Grade 6. From Grade 7, a student follows either the American or the British pathway.
Are the fees different for the two pathways?
No. The fees are the same for both pathways. Annual tuition is published by grade, before VAT, on the fees page.
Are both pathways accredited?
Yes. The school is accredited by Cognia, for both its American and its British pathways. It is also a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS) and a College Board SAT test centre.
Can students apply to universities abroad from either pathway?
Yes. On both pathways, counsellors help each student choose universities and courses, and prepare applications through UCAS, the Common App and other systems. Each university sets its own entry requirements for each course.
Are Arabic and Islamic Studies taught on both pathways?
Yes. Arabic and Islamic Studies are taught on both pathways, in line with Ministry of Education requirements. On the British pathway, Islamic Studies is for Muslim students.
How can we decide?
Read about the American pathway and the British pathway, then book a visit and ask the teachers. You can also talk to the Admissions Office on 920002877 or at enquiries@sis.edu.sa.
Read more about the American pathway and the British pathway, or book a visit to see the school.