News | 30 March 2026
Swedish students among the world's best: Double the number reach top grades in Cambridge exams
It is well-known that Swedish students are good at English – in the latest global ranking, the EF English Proficiency Index, Sweden places in an impressive fourth place. Internationella Engelska Skolan (IES) students' English skills surpass even this strong average.
At 38 of IES's schools, our students are given the opportunity to study and write exams within the world-leading and prestigious program, Cambridge IGCSE. The initiative is a natural extension of IES's three core principles: to command the English language, to have high academic expectations, and to offer a calm and safe school environment where every student is challenged to reach their full potential. More and more IES schools are now being certified to meet the growing interest from students and parents seeking an education with an international standard.
Statistics for the 2024/25 academic year show a very high level, especially in English. While the global average for the highest grades A or A* is 26 percent, a full 50 percent of IES students reach this level in the subject English as a Second Language.
“The fact that our students perform at the absolute top of the world is proof of IES's international educational profile. We see that every second student who writes the exam in English reaches the highest possible grade, which is almost twice as high as the global average”, says Frederik Granström, Cambridge manager at IES.
“IES' collaboration with Cambridge is an academic success story that is now growing to more subjects and schools across the entire country”, Frederik Granström continues.
Stronger results than the national average
The success of IES students is not limited to international examinations. IES's Quality Report for the 2024/2025 academic year shows that students consistently surpass the national average even in the Swedish national exams:
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Over time, IES students' results are 10–15 percent above the national average in the core subjects of mathematics, Swedish, and English.
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79.9 percent of IES's graduating students reached a passing grade in all subjects, compared to the national average of 71.9 percent.
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A full 91.1 percent of IES's ninth-graders reached eligibility for upper secondary school (national average: 84.1 percent).
“By combining our model of 'tough love' – clear requirements and strong care where every student is seen – we give our students a unique competitive advantage. It is not just about grades, but about developing the confidence required for future challenges”, concludes Frederik Granström.
About Cambridge and IGCSE: Cambridge IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) is developed by the University of Cambridge and is offered in over 140 countries. The program is known for its flexibility and high academic level, especially in subjects such as mathematics and science. Through an international curriculum, students are prepared for higher studies and gain a competitive advantage in a global labor market. As one of five Cambridge Associates in Europe, IES is Sweden's largest provider of Cambridge IGCSE.
