Qatar International School delivers a carefully adapted programme based on the National Curriculum of England alongside the Qatari National Curriculum, offering students a high-quality British educational pathway from Year 7 through to university entrance.

Our Secondary curriculum is designed to be intellectually demanding, engaging, and academically rigorous, ensuring students acquire the knowledge, understanding, and skills required for success at IGCSE, AS and A Level. Guided by highly skilled teachers, students are supported to develop confidence, deepen subject expertise, and identify their individual strengths through a broad academic curriculum complemented by a rich extra-curricular offer.

Central to our provision is the Curriculum for Life, a bespoke programme developed specifically for QIS students. From Years 7 to 13, learners build the personal, social, and leadership skills needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. Through a strong focus on global citizenship, intercultural understanding, ethical awareness, and personal responsibility, the Curriculum for Life supports students in becoming reflective, balanced, and engaged individuals who are well prepared to contribute positively to their local and global communities. Through our Curriculum for Life, students progressively strengthen the attributes of our Learner Profile, preparing them to demonstrate these as enduring strengths beyond Secondary School.

Key Stage 3: Years 7–9

In the first three years of Secondary school, students follow a broad and balanced curriculum to build a strong academic foundation.

• Core Subjects: English First Language, Mathematics, Science, 
• Qatari National Curriculum Subjects:  Arabic (First and Foreign Language), Islamic Studies (in Arabic and in English), Qatar History (in Arabic and in English),
• Foundation Subjects: Art, Design & Technology, Geography, History, and Information and Communication Technology, Physical Education,
• Modern Languages: Arabic Foreign Language is offered to all non-native Arabic speakers, and French is offered to non-Muslim students.

Key Stage 4: Years 10–11 (IGCSE & BTEC)

This two-year programme leads to internationally recognised IGCSE (Cambridge/Pearson Edexcel) or BTEC qualifications (Pearson Edexcel). During Year 9, students receive guidance to select their IGCSE subjects for the following two academic years.  Further information regarding subjects can be found in the Key Stage 4 Options Booklet. 

• Mandatory Subjects: English First Language, Mathematics, one Science subject.
• Subject Options: We offer a wide range of over 20 subjects, including Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Humanities (History, Geography, Environmental Management, Economics, Business, Enterprise), Creative Arts (Art, Design Technology), and Physical Education.
• Specialised Pathways: We offer a variety of different pathways, including ENglish Literature for our more able linguists and Further Mathematics for our more able Mathematicians,as well as BTEC ICT and Global Perspectives, to suit different learning profiles.

Key Stage 5: Years 12–13 (Advanced Subsidiary Level and Advanced Level)

The Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13) prepares students for university success in Qatar and overseas through AS and A-Level qualifications. Further information regarding subjects can be found in the Key Stage 5 Options Booklet 

• Year 12: Students typically study 2–5 subjects at AS Level. Supervised private study sessions are integrated into the timetable to encourage independent learning.
• Year 13: Students progress to full A-Levels in their chosen subjects.
• Subject Range: We offer a broad range of established academic disciplines, such as English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics; complemented by subjects that allow students to pursue individual interests and career pathways, such as Psychology, Global Perspectives, and BTEC Level 3 IT.

Obtaining Equivalency

Core Requirements

For your qualifications to be recognised as equivalent to the Qatari national diploma, students must:

• Have successfully completed 12 academic years of school
• Register for and take all external examinations (IGCSE, AS, or A-Level) at QIS
• Muslim Students must pass Islamic Education in Years 10, 11, and 12 following the Qatari curriculum.
• Arab Students (holding a QID under an Arabic passport) must pass Arabic Language (as a first language) in Years 10, 11, and 12 through IGCSE, AS-Level, or the Qatari curriculum.