Secondary education is validated by the European Baccalaureate examinations, which take place at the end of S7.
Basic texts
The European Baccalaureate Handbook
While this handbook does not replace the official texts, it is a lot easier to read and understand. You can find the 2026 version here: https://www.eursc.eu/Documents/BAC_Handbook_2026-en.pdf. Alternatively, the handbook can also be found at the bottom of this page: https://www.eursc.eu/en/european-schools/european-baccalaureate/
Equivalences and University Admissions
- UK: Information for admissions officers of universities and other higher education institutions (Department for Education – UK)
- FR: Le Baccalauréat européen: brochure à l’attention des servies chargés de l’admission dans les universités, les grandes écoles et autres établissements d’enseignement supérieur (Ministère de l’Éducation nationale, de l’enseignement supérieur et de la recherche – France)
Choice of exams
Candidates will sit five written examinations and three oral examinations. L1, L2 and Mathematics are compulsory written examinations. L1, L2 or a subject taught through L2 (History or Geography) are compulsory oral examinations. Therefore, candidates must demonstrate written and oral proficiency in at least two languages.
Each examination will cover the entire syllabus of the corresponding subject in s7 but will also assess the competences (knowledge, skills and attitudes) acquired in previous years, especially in s6.
Both written and oral examinations are subject to double correction and marking by both the candidates’ teachers and external examiners. The final mark will be the average of the two examiners’ marks. In the case of a mark-disagreement of over two points, a third external corrector will be brought in and will establish through a thorough analysis of the previous corrections a final mark between the highest and the lowest awarded by the two previous correctors.
The external examiners are selected annually by the Board of Inspectors of the European Schools and must meet the requirements laid down in their home countries for appointment to examining boards of the same level.
Timetable of the Bac exams 2026
The current version of the timetables for this year’s exams can be found here: https://www.eursc.eu/Documents/2025-10-D-3-defren-3.pdf. Alternatively, the timetable can also be found at the bottom of this page: https://www.eursc.eu/en/european-schools/european-baccalaureate/