This booklet is a summary of some of the key regulations governing the organisation of studies in years 4 and 5 and provides advice to help parents and pupils in making the choice of subjects. In the event of a discrepancy, the official texts shall prevail. You can consult the official texts on the website of the Office of the Secretary General of the European Schools.
https://www.eursc.eu/en/Office/official-texts/basic-texts/en
- General Rules of the European Schools (2014-03-D-14-en-15)
- The European School Curriculum: Structure and Organisation of studies and courses in the European Schools (2019-04-D-13-en-10)
- Language policy of the European Schools (2019-01-D-35-en-9)
- Summative assessment from s4 to s6 in the European Schools: Pedagogical and organisational arrangements (2022-12-D-19-en-5)
- Arrangements for Implementing the Regulations for the European Baccalaureate (AIREB) (2015-05-D-12-en-50)
Dear pupil,
Dear parent,
This booklet is intended to help you in making the choice of subjects for years 4 and 5. You will find information about the subject choice process, the organisation of studies, assessment policy and the range of courses offered.
Together with this booklet you will receive the form for the choice of subjects, please return the form to your class teacher by Friday, January 9, 2026.
Mr ALCAZAR coordinates the choices for years 4 and 5. You are very welcome to contact him if you have any questions: daniel.alcazar@eursc.eu
Martin WEDEL
Headmaster
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| During the week of Monday 01/12/2025 | Parents receive an email with the invitation to the information evening |
| Tuesday 09/12/2025 | Information evening (17:30 – 19:00) |
| Friday 09/01/2026 |
Deadline to return the subjects choice form to the class teacher Deadline for submitting the language change form. |
| March 2026 |
Language level tests. Detailed information on the date and organisation of the test will be communicated to the pupils concerned in due time. |
| Monday 22/06/2026 – Sunday 05/07/2026 |
Window for requesting a change to the initial choice of subjects. No positive reply is guaranteed, please read below for further details on requesting changes to the initial choice. |
In the 4th and 5th years, pupils will study the following compulsory subjects: [1]
| Compulsory subjects | Periods [2] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language 1 (L1) (dominant language) Language 2 (L2) (second language) Language 3 (L3) (third language) History Geography Biology Chemistry Physics Physical Education Ethics or Religion |
4 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 |
||||
| 23 | |||||
| Mathematics | 4 or 6 | ||||
| 27 or 29 | |||||
| (1 period = 45 minutes) | |||||
In addition to the compulsory subjects, pupils must select from the following optional subjects, such that the total number of weekly periods lies between a minimum of 31 and a maximum of 35 for those who have chosen 4-period Mathematics and a minimum of 33 and maximum of 35 periods for those who have opted for the 6-period Mathematics course.
| Optional subjects | Periods |
|---|---|
| Ancient Greek Economics Latin Language 4 (L4) (fourth language) Other National Languages (ONL) Art ICT Music |
4 4 4 4 4 2 2 2 |
The curriculum allows a maximum of 35 periods to enable some pupils to take two 4-period options. However, 35 periods should be the exception rather than the rule, experience has shown the risks of an overloaded timetable.
Apart from ONL, the creation of optional courses requires a minimum of 7 pupils. [3] If an optional course does not have the minimum number of pupils at the start of the school year, the course shall be cancelled. When this happens, parents are contacted to review the choice.
Ethics and religion courses also require a minimum of 7 pupils. If the threshold cannot be met, even after combining different groups vertically and horizontally, and the consequence would be that courses cannot be offered, it is within the autonomy of the school to find alternative solutions to facilitate the organisation of these courses.
Only category I and category II pupils are entitled to the teaching of ONL, which can take place from nursery up to S7. Category III pupils may join existing courses, but courses cannot run exclusively for category III pupils.
The creation of ONL courses is subject to teacher availability. In principle, the school offers the following ONL courses:
- For pupils of Finnish origin, Swedish/ Finnish ONL can be requested regardless of the language section the pupil is enrolled in.
- For pupils of Irish origin, Irish ONL can be requested regardless of the language section the pupil is enrolled in.
- For pupils of Maltese origin, Maltese ONL can be requested, regardless of the language section the pupil is enrolled in.
- For pupils of Spanish origin, Catalan can be requested, regardless of the language section the pupil is enrolled in.
When the number of pupils is very small, ONL courses can be taught in joined groups of consecutive years. Please be aware that these are not beginners’ courses and follow on from the ONL courses in previous years. Pupils choosing ONL cannot choose Language 4 [4]
As some of the options may have to be timetabled in parallel, it might not be possible to provide all possible combinations of optional subjects. When this happens, parents are contacted to review the choice. In any case, it is desirable that the choice of options helps to form a coherent group of subjects for study. Within the limitations of the timetable, the school will try its best to satisfy the greatest possible number of demands.
[1] The European School Curriculum: Structure and Organisation of studies and courses in the European Schools (2019-04-D-13-en-10)
[2] Weekly periods, 1 period = 45 minutes
[3] The European School Curriculum: Structure and Organisation of studies and courses in the European Schools (2019-04-D-13-en-10)
[4] Language Policy of the European Schools (2019-01-D-35-en-9)
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The following table shows the use of languages in years 4 and 5 [5].
| Compulsory subjects | Language of instruction | Other possibilities |
|---|---|---|
| L1 |
Language 1 |
|
| L2 |
Language 2 |
|
| L3 | Language 3 | |
| History | Language 2 | |
| Geography | Language 2 | |
| Biology | Language 1 | |
| Chemistry | Language 1 | |
| Physics | Language 1 | |
| Physical Education | Courses taught to mixed groups of pupils from different language sections in any language in the pupil’s curriculum | |
| Ethics or Religion | Language 2 | Language 3, Host Country Language |
| Mathematics 4 or 6 | Language 1 | |
| Optional subjects | ||
| Ancient Greek | Language 1 | Language 2, Language 3, Host Country Language |
| Economics | Language 2 | Host Country Language, Language 1 |
| Latin | Language 1 | Language 2, Language 3, Host Country Language |
| Language 4 (L4) | Language 4 | |
| ONL | Other National Language | |
| Art | Courses taught to mixed groups of pupils from different language sections in any language in the pupil’s curriculum | |
| ICT | ||
| Music | ||
From secondary year 4 onwards, History, Geography and Economics courses must be taught in Language 2 (English, French or German) and may not be taught in Language 1. Special rules are established regarding the Language of tuition for Economics.
Art, Music, ICT and physical education are taught to mixed groups of pupils from different language sections in any language of the pupil’s curriculum. Art, Music, ICT and physical education courses will normally be given in the language(s) of the teachers available. For some pupils this may therefore be in their mother tongue, for others in one of the working languages (not necessarily that of the pupil).
In year 4, L4 is a beginners’ course. Any of the official languages of the countries of the European Union may in principle be chosen as L4 provided there are sufficient pupils to create the course and within the organisational possibilities of the school. [6]
Minimum language proficiency level at the end of the different sub-cycles
The definitions of the basic proficiency level were agreed in all modern languages according to the levels of Common European Framework of Reference for languages. It must be specified that these levels correspond to the ‘basic proficiency level’ and that higher performance levels can be achieved.
|
|
Nursery | Primary | S3 | S5 | S7 |
|
L2 |
A2 | B1 | B2 |
C1 |
|
|
L3 |
A1+ | A2+ |
B1+ |
||
|
L4 |
A1 |
A2+ |
|||
|
L5 |
A1 |
||||
| ONL | A1.1 oral | A1.2 | A2 | B1 |
B2 |
[5] Language Policy of the European Schools (2019-01-D-35-en-9)
[6] Language Policy of the European Schools (2019-01-D-35-en-9)
Determination of L1 at the time of the pupil’s enrolment is, in principle, definitive. Requests to change Language 1 will be dealt with in accordance with the arrangements laid down in Article 47(e) of the General Rules. A change of Language 1 may only be authorised by the Director for compelling pedagogical reasons, duly established by the Class Council and on the initiative of one of its members. In principle, changes in L2, L3 and L4 are not envisaged, except on entry to year 6, when the following changes are possible:
- Pupils may request a L2 different from DE, EN, FR or HCL if offered by the school for secondary years 6 and 7. This may be accepted subject to the conditions below and to the rules governing the creation of groups. The new L2 may be any official language of the EU.
- For a given language, change from a lower to a higher level. (E.g.: change from L4 to L3).
- For a given language, change from a higher to a lower level. (E.g.: from L2 to L3) in justified cases.
Should a change of language at any age or level be requested, the decision lies with the Director, subject to the following conditions:
- The existence of a reasoned written request from the parents, guardians or from the pupils themselves if over the age of 18.
- Deliberation and judgement by the Class Council on the request.
- Clear evidence established by the School of the pupil’s ability to follow the course requested. The School may require the pupil to pass a proficiency (written and oral) test at the required level.
- The absence of significant administrative obstacles to the change requested, such as the compliance with the rules for the creation of groups.
In the case of a change of L2, careful consideration must be given to the role of L2 as a medium for teaching other subjects. When a change of L2 is approved before year s6, the new L2 becomes the medium for the teaching of History, Geography and Economics. When a change of L2 is approved on entry to year s6, the previous L2 remains the medium of teaching for History, Geography and Economics. The applicants will be notified of the decision and the reasons for it. [7]
When a change of language, other than L1, is desired on entry to year 4, a special request form [8] must be handed in together with the choice of subjects form. For L1 changes, please contact the coordinator (daniel.alcazar@eursc.eu).
[7] Language Policy of the European Schools (2019-01-D-35-en-9)
[8] https://www.euroschool.lu/site/secondary-choice-of-subjects/#1
The assessment policy establishes two types of assessment, namely formative assessment and summative assessment. Formative assessment focuses on the process of learning. Summative assessment is used to evaluate pupils’ learning at the end of a defined instructional period, i.e., at the end of a semester or school year. Summative assessment is generally evaluative; it serves to determine learning progress and level of attainment in relation to the descriptors established in the syllabus of a subject. [9]
The semester mark shall comprise two numerical components: A mark and B mark.
The A mark focuses on the process of learning, as formative assessment. It reflects the ongoing observations of the pupil’s competences (knowledge, skills and attitude) and performance gained within the subject, which are not taken into account in the B mark of the subject. The B mark represents summative assessment.
The final mark in a given subject shall reflect all the observations and results available to the teacher. It provides the basis to judge the progress and level of attainment of the pupil. It is not necessarily an arithmetical average of the semester marks (two A marks and two B marks) but it may not be lower than the lowest, or higher than the highest. [10]
There are three possible assessment modalities to determine the B-mark on depending on the year and subject, namely a B-test, an Alternative Summative Assessment Task (ASAT) or an Harmonised Examination. In s4 there are no written examinations. In s5, harmonised examinations take place at the end of the second semester. The plan of assessment modalities is reviewed every school year. The plan of assessment modalities, the calendar of B-tests and ASAT deadlines are communicated during the months of September/October.
http://www.euroschool.lu/site/secondary-exams-schedules/
[9] Summative assessment from s4 to s6 in the European Schools: Pedagogical and organisational arrangements (2022-12-D-19-en-5)
[10] General Rules of the European Schools, Article 59 (2014-03-D-14-en-15)
It is highly recommended to have a global view of the curriculum leading to the Baccalaureate to understand the possibilities and constraints on choices for S6-S7 due to the choices in S4-S5 made in year 3.
Before making their choices, parents and pupils wishing to inform themselves about the possibilities open to them in the 6th and 7th years are invited to consult the relevant information available on the school website:
http://www.euroschool.lu/site/secondary-choice-of-subjects/
Information on career guidance and the contact details of our guidance teachers according to nationality can be found on the school website:
http://www.euroschool.lu/site/secondary-careers-guidance/
It is strongly recommended that pupils wishing to pursue Mathematics 5 in S6-S7 take Mathematics 6 in S4-S5. In some language sections, it is considered that the choice of Physics and Chemistry options in years 6 and 7 shall be taken in conjunction with the 5-period Mathematics course.
With the exception of ONL, an optional course taken in S5 can be continued in S6 only if the number of pupils is sufficient to create the course; a minimum of 5 pupils under the current regulations, and in some cases this may be in groups of mixed language.
At the end of S3, there will be a window of two weeks for requesting a change to the initial choice, please see Important dates. Parents will be informed in due time when requests can be introduced. The school will try its best to accommodate the requests, but no positive reply is guaranteed.
The choice of optional subjects is binding for S4 and S5: no changes of optional subjects are allowed as from the start of the 4th year. However, a pupil can change from 6-period Mathematics to 4-period Mathematics
- at the end of the 1st semester in the 4th year and
- at the end of the 4th
The reverse change (from 4 to 6-period Mathematics) is also possible. Parents will be informed in due time when requests can be introduced.
Daniel ALCAZAR
Coordinator S4-S7
daniel.alcazar@eursc.eu