Congratulations to the Class of 2024 at Dulwich College International and Dehong! This year's graduates are among the most accomplished, resilient, and diverse cohorts in our history, achieving remarkable results and securing placements at esteemed universities and colleges worldwide.
Our 540 graduates achieved an impressive average IBDP score of 36.9 out of 45, significantly surpassing the global average of 30.32. With this academic success, they have secured spots at over 159 universities across 15 countries and 4 continents, representing a range of more than 358 degree programmes. Let's dive into some highlights from this year's matriculation data!
Top Destination Preferences
The Class of 2024 shows a shift in destination preferences. This year, the United Kingdom has reclaimed its position as the top destination, receiving 35.6% of all matriculations—up by 5.6% from last year's 30%. The United States, previously the most popular choice, saw a slight decrease to 30.4% of matriculations, down by 4.6% from the previous year. Canada also experienced a 3.3% decrease in popularity, with only 6.7% of students choosing Canadian institutions.
In Europe, destinations like the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany are increasingly popular. Meanwhile, in Asia, Hong Kong SAR remains a favoured choice among our graduates.
Exemplary Matriculation Outcomes
The Class of 2024 has achieved remarkable university placements, showcasing their outstanding academic excellence:
- Russell Group: With 144 placements in the Russell Group, 77% of our UK-bound students will attend these prestigious universities, including 6 matriculations to the University of Cambridge and 2 to the University of Oxford.
- G5 Group: Additionally, 53 students, or 28% of our UK matriculations, are heading to G5 universities, often considered the "Super Elite" of UK institutions, with University College London (UCL) welcoming the largest number of our students.
- Selective US Institutions: Of the non-Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) placements in the United States, nearly half (49.6%) were accepted by the nation's most selective institutions, which have an average global admission rate of just 11%.
Overall, 67% of this year's placements are at universities with admissions rates below 20%, representing some of the most challenging routes to entry across global university systems. Moreover, 9% of our Class of 2024 gained entry to QS Top 10 universities, 15% to QS Top 20, and an impressive 37% to QS Top 50 institutions.
Among the top universities our students are attending, 76.9% are based in the United Kingdom, with 90% of those belonging to the Russell Group. Additionally, the University of California, as a combined system, stands out as a popular choice, welcoming 28 of our graduates.
Degree and Pathway Choices
This cohort's academic ambitions span a wide range of fields. Our graduates' Top 3 degree clusters are:
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STEM and Engineering: 24.78%
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Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) and Creative Industries: 16.89%
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Humanities and Social Sciences: 15.57%
Other specialised programmes also attracted interest, with 8 students pursuing Medicine, 7 choosing Law, and 5 entering the field of Education. In total, 64 students entered the US system as 'undeclared' majors, showcasing the appeal of an open pathway and continued opportunities to explore across academic disciplines.
Lucien Giordano, Group Director of International Outreach and Alumni Engagement, reflected on the community's collective efforts over the past year, highlighting the dedication and support that have driven our students' success. He remarked on the key factors contributing to these exceptional matriculation results:
1. Early and Holistic Planning:
A key to our students' success is early preparation combined with a comprehensive approach to their educational journey. By introducing university counselling in the early years, we help students explore potential interests, evaluate academic strengths, and set goals for personal development. This approach allows them to make informed choices and helps avoid last-minute pressure in their final years.
2. Personalised Pathways:
Every student's path is unique, and our counselling team is committed to providing tailored support for each student. Through one-on-one sessions, group workshops, and exposure to a variety of career fields, we help students discover the pathways that align with their goals and passions. This individualised approach is vital in identifying "best-fit" institutions for each student, both academically and personally.
3. A Strong Global Network:
Our education group's partnerships with world-class universities and organizations provide invaluable opportunities for our students. By attending talks, workshops, and fairs, students gain insights into global academic standards and expectations. Within the group, our schools also collaborate closely, sharing resources in University and Career Counselling to ensure the best support for each student's unique journey.
4. Highly qualified and experienced University and Careers Counselors:
Our teams across the schools bring diverse skillsets, experiences and training to the students at their respective schools and by supporting each other between schools.
Approximately 96% of our counselors hold advanced qualifications, including master's degrees, counseling certifications, or a PGCE, ensuring a robust foundation in education and student support. Four of our counselors are actively involved in leadership positions within key professional organisations, such as International ACAC, CIS, and China ICAC, where they play influential roles in shaping industry standards and leading industry best practice.
What truly sets our counseling team apart is not only their experience in secondary school counseling but also their extensive backgrounds in university admissions. 84 % of our counselors have 5-15 years of experience in secondary school counseling office, among which 1/5 of our counselors have between 5 to 10 years of experience in university admissions roles, with one counselor bringing 17 years and another with 12 years in admissions and application review. This unique blend of experience allows our counselors to provide students with in-depth, strategic guidance throughout the university application process, offering insights from both a secondary school and a university admissions perspective. This dual expertise ensures that our students are exceptionally well-supported as they navigate the complexities of higher education pathways.
"EiM's central pillar is 'Students Come First'. We truly live by this and so focus on delivering the very best of personal pathway counseling to support the highest aspirations for our students. When we combine together the group-wide expertise of our UCC teams, the dedication of our teachers, coaches and school community, and students who have found the best pathway for their future, great results follow. Congratulations to our Class of 2024 for their outstanding final outcomes."
——Lesley Meyer
Chief Education Officer, Education in Motion
The Class of 2024 has demonstrated an impressive combination of ambition, resilience, and academic talent. We're incredibly proud of their achievements and wish them every success in their next academic chapters. Keep following our journey as we continue to empower the next generation of global citizens and leaders!
