For many people, adulting is equivalent to leaving school. In British curriculum schools in the UAE, that means finishing Post-16.

In certain countries, Post-16 education is compulsory. In the United Arab Emirates, students must remain in school until they complete Year 13 (i.e., Grade 12 or senior year in an American school) or turn 18, whichever comes first.

If you're curious about the Post-16 stage of a British curriculum education in the UAE, read on. This post will explain how you can qualify for it, expound on what you can expect, and provide insight on how to get the most out of it.

Qualifying for Post-16

Moving up to Post-16's Year 12 from Key Stage 4's Year 11 is not automatic.

Most British Post-16 schools require a grade of four or higher in at least five General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) subjects (or international GCSE or IGCSE subjects), including Math and English.

Aside from getting a standard pass for five GCSE/IGCSE subjects, students must also meet the minimum grade requirement (usually grade six or higher) for the subjects they wish to pursue in Post-16. Their school record must also demonstrate good attendance, behaviour, punctuality, and aptitude for learning and further study.

Aspiring Post-16 students must also pass an interview with a designated school administrator.

Selecting Your Post-16 Pathway

Post-16 transitions students from secondary school to whatever their post-school plans may be. Students in British schools typically choose one of two pathways:

• University, in which case they study traditional Advanced Subsidiary or International Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS/IAS Level) and Advanced or International Advanced Level (A/IA Level) subjects
• Employment, in which case they usually study Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) and T Level courses

Note that finishing A Levels does not preclude going into apprenticeship or training. You may use your A Levels to get into the employment track.

Likewise, you may use BTEC or T Levels as stepping stones to university admission. However, this will depend mainly on the university you're applying to, your level and your desired degree course.

If you're sure you want to go to university, you should probably take the A Levels path. Choosing a school with a Post-16 program focused on university preparation is also recommended. If you believe your current school doesn't satisfy this requirement, you can transfer to a school that does.

Compulsory Post-16 Subjects in the UAE

Aside from complying with U.K. curriculum standards, students in UAE-based British curriculum schools must also satisfy specific Ministry of Education requirements. You must consider these additional conditions before proceeding with your GEMS online enrolment in Al Barsha or another UAE international school.

Arabic Language Studies

Arab passport holders studying in the UAE must take Arabic classes until Year 12 (the first year of Post-16). They should also pass the Ministry of Education Arabic exam at the end of Year 12.

If you do not hold an Arabic passport, you may opt to cease Arabic studies by Year 12. However, you do this only if you're confident you won't need a Secondary School Leaving Certificate or Shahadat Al-Thanawiya Al-Amma (more on this later).

Islamic Education Studies

Muslim students in UAE schools also have a compulsory Islamic Studies subject. At least 80 minutes of Islamic Studies instruction is required per week.

Shahadat Al-Thanawiya Al-Amma

The Shahadat Al-Thanawiya Al-Amma, also known as the Equivalence Certificate, is awarded to students who successfully completed their secondary education in the UAE. It used to be something exclusively available to Arabic curriculum schools, but it is now offered to international school students.

Are you a non-Arabic passport holder planning to complete your secondary studies in a British curriculum school in the UAE? While the Equivalence Certificate is not a requirement, you might find it worthwhile to get it if there's even the remotest chance that:

• You may study in a university in the UAE or another Arab nation.
• You may work in the UAE; the Equivalence Certificate is a definite requirement when applying for a federal post and may be required by other UAE employers.

Since you can never be truly certain what the future holds, students finishing school in a UAE international school should probably get the Equivalence Certificate just in case.

To get the UAE Shahadat Al-Thanawiya Al-Amma, students must:

• Have a Grade E or higher in five GCSE/IGCSE subjects in Key Stage 4.
• Obtain two AS Levels at Grade D or better in Year 12 or one A Level at Grade D or better in Year 13.
• Pass the UAE Ministry of Education Native Arabic Studies exam (for Arab passport holders) or Non-Native Arabic Studies exam (for non-Arabs) in Year 12.

Muslim students, meanwhile, must also pass the Ministry of Education Islamic Studies exam in Year 12. This is the Native Islamic Studies exam for Arabs and the Non-Native Islamic Studies exam for Non-Arabs.

Note that the five GCSE/IGCSE subjects, the two AS/IAS Level subjects, and the A/IA Level subject completed must be from the list of Shahadat Al-Thanawiya Al-Amma-approved subjects. They are the following:

• Accountancy
• Arts and Design
• Biology
• Business Administration
• Chemistry
• Computing
• Dietetics (Food and Health)
• Economics
• English Language
• English Literature
• French Language
• General Science
• Genetics
• Geography
• Geology
• History
• Information Technology
• Maths
• Physics
• Psychology
• Sociology

Choosing Your Post-16 Subjects

Students may study three to five A/IA Level subjects in Post-16. Students usually pick four subjects in year 12 and then drop one to concentrate on just three in Year 13.

Choosing subjects can be difficult. You can see from the above discussion that there are many things to consider.

Interest is the most critical consideration. What career do you want, and what do you plan to study at university?

At this point, you probably already have an idea of which degree course you wish to pursue. It would have influenced your choice of GCSE/IGCSE subjects in Key Stage 4.

In Post-16, you are supposed to deepen your knowledge and expertise in your chosen field of study by picking subjects aligned with your GCSE/IGCSE subjects.

Additionally, your GCSE/IGCSE, AS/IAS, and A/IA Level subjects must be aligned with your preferred university degree course. This (and excellent A/IA Level grades) will significantly improve your chances of university admission. Of course, you should also pick subjects that satisfy the Shahadat Al-Thanawiya Al-Amma's requirements.

Post-16 Education in the UAE: Important Takeaways

Post-16 education in the UAE is legally mandated but not automatic. To qualify for Post-16, you must satisfy many conditions, including minimum GCSE/IGCSE grades. You must carefully select your Post-16 pathways or subjects, as they will affect your chances of getting an Equivalent Certificate and entering your dream program and university.