Everything you need to know about the Dual Diploma Interview with Yannick Troccaz, programme coordinator
18 June 2025
Yannick Troccaz, programme coordinator, explains what you need to know about the Dual Diploma.
How long has IIL been offering this programme? How many students are currently taking the Dual Diploma?
The Institut International de Lancy has been offering the Dual Diploma programme since the start of the 2024 academic year. It is the first school in the canton to offer this dual curriculum. Eight students are currently enrolled. All our students are doing very well. This year, some of them have even won Academica awards for their excellent results.
What does the Dual Diploma consist of?
This programme is designed for students in seconde and première who are preparing for the French Baccalauréat. It also provides an opportunity to prepare for the American High School Diploma. This programme is delivered in partnership with Academica.
Students take online classes in the evenings with an American teacher, then continue their learning independently by submitting weekly assignments.
The curriculum includes the following subjects: English (students are divided by level, up to C1 or C2), US history, economics, as well as two subjects to choose from among seven: digital photography, psychology, journalism, criminology, U.S. university Preparation, engineering or life skills.
While the subjects are original and engaging, the programme is rigorous and requires three to five hours of additional work per week.
Do students receive any special support to help them follow this dual curriculum?
My role is to guide the students, particularly at the beginning of the year, so that they can familiarise themselves with the tools available. During the year, I closely monitor their progress and remind them of important deadlines. I am also the main point of contact for families and Academica regarding any questions related to learning, as well as more administrative or practical matters.
How is the Dual Diploma an advantage for admission to international universities?
The programme has a number of strong advantages for students who want to apply to international universities.
Firstly, this diploma attests to an advanced level of language skills and offers the possibility of taking courses that are not offered in the baccalauréat curriculum, but which are particularly useful for international training, such as journalism or criminology.
Secondly, this diploma testifies to the acquisition of valuable cross-disciplinary skills such as work organisation, independence and the ability to hand in assignments on time. These are particularly useful qualities for further study.
Finally, the diploma recognises the investment made by students who have chosen to add a significant number of hours of lessons to their preparation for the baccalauréat.
The programme is a testament to solid work skills and enables you to stand out in the admissions process.
What would you say to a family hesitating to enrol their child in the Dual Diploma?
This programme integrates seamlessly with the Baccalauréat curriculum, particularly for students in the French section who have taken English as a mother tongue, or for those planning to pursue their studies abroad.
It also offers an excellent opportunity for students who wish to broaden their knowledge and develop new skills.
Secondly, the skills acquired as part of the programme fit in perfectly with those developed at IIL: mastery of technological tools, taking initiative, a sense of responsibility and commitment.
Finally, the choice must come from the students themselves. The students will be expected to invest a great deal of time and effort, since they will have to work an extra three to five hours a week. They need to be motivated.
What advice would you give to a student considering enrolling?
I’d tell him to come and meet me to discuss the matter: it’s perfectly normal to have doubts. It’s a demanding programme, of course, but a very interesting one. It offers a different way of learning and is an excellent preparation for higher education. If students are motivated to take on the programme and ready to commit, they shouldn’t hesitate.
