• Study in the international class

• The AICE Diploma

• Finnish matriculation examination
• Examination choices
• Study programme
• General administration
• Course tray 2006 - 2009
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The AICE Diploma

This is a group award comprising three”lines”: Mathematics and Science; Languages; and Arts and Humanities. You are required to study at least one subject offered in each line in order to be eligible to receive a diploma. The subjects currently on offer are as follows:

MATHS AND SCIENCES        LANGUAGES                                ARTS AND HUMANITIES

Thinking Skills                                English Language and Literature       Sociology

Physics                                                                                                  Business Studies

Environmental Management                                                                    Art and Design

English Language and Literature is compulsory for all Espoo International students. A Research Project can be conducted instead of taking a sixth subject. The nature of Research Projects is described in section 2.3

Whilst it may be possible to change your choice of subjects once study is underway, you are advised not to make changes after the first year. Changes in exceptional circumstances at a later stage are likely to prolong the study period.

AICE examination sessions are held twice a year, in May/June and October/November. Only students who have completed all courses in a particular subject are permitted to sit the examinations.

Entries need to be made via the Co-ordinator some  in advance. Entries are final and cannot be subsequently cancelled without expense so consider your options carefully. The deadline for entries (and payment) is as follows:

DEADLINE FOR FINAL ENTRIES:      OCT/NOV SESSION        End of May   (First time entries)

                                                                                                                 End of August     (Retake enties)

                                                                     MAY/JUNE SESSION      End of January 

Learning difficulties such as dyslexia can be taken into consideration during the examination session. Full (medical) documentation will be required well in advance. For example those with learning difficulties will need to submit evidence in January for this to be considered in relation to the June examinations.

Entry fees must be paid in advance. Current fees for 2006 - 7 are €33.50 per AS syllabus. The fees of the Research Project are €88.55. Candidate fees, per examination session are €19.70. Entry for the AICE Diploma costs €53.35 per candidate, payable at the time of the final AICE examination. Late entries incur penalties and will not be accepted in the final weeks before an examination session.

Cambridge examinations are conducted in strict accordance with the stipulated regulations. Be certain to familiarize yourself with the regulations material and follow the instructions of invigilators at all times.

To be eligible for the Diploma, examinations must be completed within a thirteen month period from the time of sitting the first (successful) paper.

Prior to the main examination session in May/June, students will be given the opportunity to sit real-time mock exams in each of their chosen subjects. Mocks will be generally held during the fourth period. It is important that students revise thoroughly for these mocks, and the result should be a good indicator of achievement in the actual exams which follow. Time is strictly limited in the examination room and therefore practice at completing assignments against the clock is vital to practice.

At the discretion of the teacher, mock examinations may also be held in the autumn, prior to the October/November examination sessio

In most subjects teachers will arrange revision sessions and go through past papers with students. Past papers are available from teachers or for download from www.cie.org.uk . Teachers should also have copies of past mark schemes, examiners reports and other related material.

Those with good research skills may consider entering for the Research Project. A research project comprises the detailed investigation of a thesis title and production of  two well-sourced 3,000 - 3,500 word essay in one or twosubjects currently under study as part of the AICE Diploma. The subjects which lend themselves most readily to research are English literature and History. It may be possible to gain permission from Cambridge in Sociology and Business Studies providing the title is carefully thought out.

A Research Project compensates one AICE subject. Therefore, it is possible to gain the AICE Diploma with passes in five subjects + the Research Project.  There is no final examination for research students.

It should be stressed that the Research Project is not seen as an easy option; instead it is a major undertaking, involving extensive reading and note-taking over a period of months. Students entering for the Research Project will be credited with one course. Although research students receive guidance from their teachers this option requires considerable self-discipline and a proven track record of independent study.

Applications for research must be sent to Cambridge for approval. Deadlines for submission of titles are as follows:

Late entries cannot be accepted. Please note that students are advised to submit titles early as the first suggestion may not be accepted in Cambridge, and there is still time to submit a revised title.

Deadlines for submission of completed projects are as follows

MAY/JUNE SESSION:       15^th April

Be sure to familiarize yourself with the Guide To Research Projects, available from the AICE Co-ordinator.

3.  IGCSE ENGLISH EXAMINATION

One of the most popular international examinations conducted worldwide is the International General Certificate in Secondary Education (IGCSE) First Language English exam. This is an upper intermediate level exam, held in May, which calls upon candidates to demonstrate their proficiency in two papers: Reading and Directed Writing and Continuous Writing. The grading scale is A – E. All students with a strong grasp of English are urged to enter for this exam, which may be regarded as a stepping stone to the more demanding AS. Anyone wishing to study in an English language programme in university/polytechnic is well advised to gain this certificate. Espoo International and Etelä-Tapiolan lukio Finnish line students alike have an excellent record of achievement with the IGCSE.

A half course will be taught in period 3 after Christmas in code 6 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Upon successful completion of the course you can register for the examination in May.

Deadline for entries:  End of January

Entries are binding and fees (48€) must be paid in advance.

In every lukio which does not have exemption from administering the national matriculation examination (such as the International Baccalaureate), it is essential to prepare students thoroughly for success in this Finnish-medium examination. To this end, all compulsory lukio courses are offered as part of the Espoo International programme and each of these compulsory courses (a minimum of 47/51 courses; or 45/49 for final year students following the old curriculum) must be completed in order to be eligible to enter for the matriculation examination.

All students with basic linguistic competence in Finnish are urged to enter for the matriculation examination. Apart from being perceived as an important rite of passage in this country, leading to possession of the cherished ”white cap”, it may also be easier to gain admission to certain Finnish universities with this certificate than with the AICE Diploma.

See your Finnish language Opinto Opas for guidance on the matriculation exam. The Opinto-Ohjaaja or the Principal will be glad to give advice.