The vast majority of BSGC students continue their education after finishing Year 13 by entering a university. The majority, approximately 65%, select UK universities, 25% Spanish whilst the remaining 10% access universities in other countries around the world, usually due to family connections whilst, more recently, more have looked towards the USA.  

When our students move on to universities we feel confident that they have acquired the necessary knowledge and qualifications to succeed whilst also having the confidence, resilience, independence and the life skills required to  transition successfully into university life, often away from home and Gran Canaria. 

The school provides significant help, guidance and support to facilitate informed and responsible decisions about their future university and careers choices.

Careers workshops are organised at various times during students’ secondary career, as well as specific guidance included within the Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) programme. A large and encompassing Careers Day, where representatives from numerous professions meet and talk to BSGC students is organised on an annual basis. This support is supplemented with individual student meetings and workshops for parents.  

Staff experienced in the organisation and entry procedures for UK and Spanish universities closely support the process of our students’ selection and application. Year 12 and 13 students have timetabled vocational guidance lessons to help with university and course orientation, during which time they use a dedicated online platform (BridgeU) linking students with appropriate worldwide courses. Students also attend several university fairs, where universities from different countries provide information on courses and opportunities they offer. In addition, UK universities send representatives to BSGC to provide workshops for our students that encompass topics ranging from orientation for student life to writing a successful application. We also have close liaison with ULPGC to access their open days and supporting workshops. The whole process is augmented with regular individual student support meetings and the opportunity for discussions with parents and students together.

Students in the final two years of BSGC (Years 12 and 13) sit for Advanced Level Examinations (A Levels) which is a demanding, rigorous and internationally recognised qualification. The students use this qualification to access directly universities in many countries across the globe. 

For UK universities, students are offered places dependent on predicted results, which need to be matched by their final results. The UK university application system is centrally organised by UCAS (www.ucas.com), who are tasked with allocating university places and supporting those who do not meet their initial offer. BSGC staff provide constant help and guidance throughout the whole of this application process. 

To access Spanish universities BSGC students use their final A Level results, which are converted into a points score that totals up to a maximum of ten points, equivalent to the Bachillerato. This score can be supplemented with students taking Exámenes Específicos EBAU, a maximum of two, with each examination adding a maximum of two points to the final score. Therefore, BSGC students convert their A Level results into points and add points from EBAU exams, (totalling a maximum of 14 points) and, using this total, apply for specific courses and universities in Spain. 

Specific support and teaching is provided for students taking the EBAU exams to ensure that they are fully prepared and able to access the best universities.