School leaving qualification

The number of years that students are required to attend school before earning a high school diploma, the difficulty level of the classes, and the types of classes vary significantly from place to place.

In England and Wales, the school-leaving qualifications awarded are either General Certificate of Education (GCE) A Level or Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) qualifications, depending on the student's choice; students pursue these qualifications after taking General Certificate of Secondary Education exams (GCSEs) at the ages of 14–16 (Years 10 and 11).

In Italy, Switzerland, Albania, Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and several other countries in Europe, the qualification is known as the Matura.

In Belgium (French community), the qualification is officially called CESS (Certificat d'enseignement secondaire supérieur, certificate for upper-secondary learning).

In Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, the equivalent is the West African Senior School Certificate.

In some cases, blank papers are handed out in graduation ceremonies, and the official diploma is delivered at a later date.

Most countries around the world award high school diplomas on the basis of completing appropriate coursework and passing one or more standardized tests.

Education systems based on the British model have independently marked national examinations for each subject instead of a High School Diploma — General Certificate of Secondary Education in England and Wales, School Leaving Certificates in Ireland, Higher Grade Examination in Scotland, and IGCSE/AICE internationally.

In some countries, the high school diploma is the symbol of having successfully completed the basic education required by law for youths.

Students who have passed their courses will have their names called out, walk across a stage, and be handed their diplomas.

With the exception of those receiving a certificate of completion or a certificate of attendance, the recipients are all equally considered to be high school graduates with the same basic rights, such as the ability to attend any community college or university that chooses to accept them.