Cambridge pathway
ICC uses the Cambridge route from Early Years into Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and International AS & A Level. Cambridge’s published age points are guidance and allow schools some flexibility.
How to read this guide
This table is an age-alignment guide, not a claim that the curricula or qualifications are interchangeable. Final placement considers age, previous school records, academic evidence, language development, readiness and ICC’s admissions assessment.
5ICC Year 1 entry
11ICC Year 7 entry
14Year 9 completion
16IGCSE completion
18A Level completion
Age-by-age programme comparison
| Typical age | ICC Cambridge pathway | Ghanaian pathway - BECE/WASSCE | International Baccalaureate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | Foundation - Cambridge Early Years 1 | Nursery / pre-KG provision (school dependent) | IB PYP Early Years |
| 4-5 | Reception - Cambridge Early Years 2 | Kindergarten 1 (KG1) | IB PYP Early Years |
| 5-6 | Year 1 - Cambridge Primary Stage 1 | Kindergarten 2 (KG2) | IB PYP |
| 6-7 | Year 2 - Cambridge Primary Stage 2 | Basic 1 / Primary 1 | IB PYP |
| 7-8 | Year 3 - Cambridge Primary Stage 3 | Basic 2 / Primary 2 | IB PYP |
| 8-9 | Year 4 - Cambridge Primary Stage 4 | Basic 3 / Primary 3 | IB PYP |
| 9-10 | Year 5 - Cambridge Primary Stage 5 | Basic 4 / Primary 4 | IB PYP |
| 10-11 | Year 6 - Cambridge Primary Stage 6 | Basic 5 / Primary 5 | IB PYP |
| 11-12 | Year 7 - Cambridge Lower Secondary Stage 7 | Basic 6 / Primary 6 | IB PYP or MYP Year 1* |
| 12-13 | Year 8 - Cambridge Lower Secondary Stage 8 | JHS 1 | IB MYP Year 2* |
| 13-14 | Year 9 - Cambridge Lower Secondary Stage 9 | JHS 2 | IB MYP Year 3* |
| 14-15 | Year 10 - Cambridge IGCSE Year 1 | JHS 3 / BECE | IB MYP Year 4* |
| 15-16 | Year 11 - Cambridge IGCSE Year 2 | SHS 1 | IB MYP Year 5* |
| 16-17 | Year 12 - Cambridge International AS Level | SHS 2 | IB Diploma Programme Year 1 |
| 17-18 | Year 13 - Cambridge International A Level | SHS 3 / WASSCE | IB Diploma Programme Year 2 |
Ghanaian pathway
The Ghanaian route moves through Kindergarten, six years of Primary, three years of JHS and three years of SHS. BECE is taken in JHS 3 and WASSCE is taken in SHS 3.
IB pathway
IB uses broad programme age bands: PYP ages 3-12, MYP ages 11-16, and DP or CP ages 16-19. Individual IB schools may use different grade names inside those bands.
*IB overlap: PYP and MYP overlap at ages 11-12. The exact transition depends on the authorised IB World School’s structure. This guide places the transition approximately for easy comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Ghanaian class automatically equal a Cambridge year?
No. Age provides a useful starting point, but placement also depends on curriculum coverage, records, readiness and assessment.
Where do BECE and WASSCE appear?
BECE is normally taken at the end of JHS 3. WASSCE for school candidates is normally taken in SHS 3.
Where do IGCSE and A Level appear?
ICC learners normally complete IGCSE in Year 11 at about age 16, then complete AS and A Level across Years 12 and 13 by about age 18.
Is ICC an IB World School?
This page compares international pathways for parent understanding. It does not itself represent IB authorisation. A school may only describe itself as an IB World School after formal IB authorisation.
Need placement guidance?
Admissions can review your child’s age, previous class and school records.