Three-Year A Level｜To Students Graduating from the Zhongkao: Discover Your Infinite Potential

With the Zhongkao behind you, you now stand at the next crossroads in life. Should you continue on the traditional path, or choose a new route that connects you with the world earlier and unlocks your full potential? Harrow Beijing offers an answer – the Three-Year A Level Programme, a new pathway starting from Year 11 that leads directly to top global universities.

What Is the Three-Year A Level Programme?

In the traditional British education system, students typically complete two years of IGCSE before beginning two years of A Level study. Harrow Beijing’s Three-Year A Level Programme offers Zhongkao graduates (equivalent to Year 11) a direct bridge into the A Level system.

A Three-Year Plan with Clear Milestones

The first year (Year 11) serves as a foundation year that bridges the gap between IGCSE and A Level. Students build solid academic and language skills through core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Chinese, and holistic education, while also beginning in-depth exploration of three elective subjects. It is both a buffer and a springboard – helping students strengthen both their language and academic proficiency in a seamless transition.

At the end of the year, students will take IGCSE exams and internal assessments for their electives. Upon passing, they officially progress to the A Level phase (Years 12-13).

Over the next two years, students undertake a structured study of three A Level subjects, developing their analytical thinking, communication skills, logical reasoning, and creativity – all of which are crucial for competitive university applications.

A Level subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Economics, Art, and more – allowing students to prepare for a wide range of future academic pathways. Whether your dream is to become a scientist, architect, economist, artist, psychologist, or doctor, Harrow Beijing lays a strong foundation for your ambitions.

Dual Focus on English & Academics
Empowering Your Journey to Top Global Universities

At Harrow Beijing, English is not just a subject — it’s a tool for accessing the world. Our curriculum adopts the CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) approach, embedding language learning deeply into academic subjects and enabling students to master specialist knowledge in real-world contexts.

CLIL is not simply English instruction. It is a bilingual, co-teaching method where CLIL support teachers and subject teachers work together in class to provide customized language assistance. This approach helps students strengthen both their subject knowledge and academic English simultaneously – truly achieving the goal of “learning through language, and learning language through content.”

This system has been implemented at Harrow Beijing for over a decade with remarkable results: graduating students consistently achieve an average IELTS score of 7.5, enabling them to gain admission to top universities in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and beyond.

To accommodate students at different stages and with varying levels of language proficiency and academic readiness, Harrow Beijing offers two routes:

1. A Four-Year Programme: 2 years of IGCSE + 2 years of A Level
2. A Three-Year Programme: 1-year Foundation + 2 years of A Level

Who Is the Three-Year A Level Programme For?

1. Students graduating from Zhongkao who wish to transition into the international curriculum early
2. Students with intermediate English skills who aspire to apply to top global universities
3. Students who hope to identify a clear academic focus during their high school years

Harrow Beijing is not only a centre of excellence for language education but also a champion of holistic development. Each student is supported by a form tutor, head of year, and bilingual support teacher, ensuring tailored guidance and personal growth.

Upon entering the graduating years, each student is assigned a University Counsellor, who works closely with both the student and their family to create a personalized university application plan. In addition to one-on-one meetings, students also participate in university counselling courses, where they learn about different application systems, how to write compelling personal statements, and how to prepare for standardized tests. Our counselling team also helps students select summer programmes, easing the transition to their ideal university and field of study.

Outside of the classroom, our rich offering of extracurricular activities, student clubs, and international exchange opportunities support students’ all-round development and broaden their global perspective.

Students enrolled in the Three-Year A Level Programme begin school in mid-August, giving them the chance to adjust to campus life, build confidence in English, and establish a strong learning rhythm. We believe that a good beginning is half the battle.

Choosing the Three-Year A Level Programme means choosing to start your global journey earlier. We welcome all Zhongkao graduates to join Harrow Beijing and discover your infinite potential!