Career Preparation
As the Diploma Programme approaches, we help our students prepare for life after school. We organise internships, provide comprehensive university counselling and offer career guidance to enable them and their families to plan ahead.
Experiencing the World of Work
DP1 students may apply for an internship over their July and August break, gaining essential workplace experience, university application material and career inspiration. Previous students have contributed to their local AKDN agencies and other grass-level NGOs, volunteering in medical, financial, tourism and educational fields as well as more specialist areas.
Cinzia Torriani, Class of 2021 at AKA Mombasa, virtually interned at the Madrasa Early Childhood Programme in Zanzibar.
Diana Nazari, second from left, Class of 2021 at AKA Hyderabad, interned at the Serena Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Mahek Nayani, a DP1 student at AKA Maputo, interned at Rizwan Adatia Foundation in Maputo, Mozambique.
“This experience provided me with a phenomenal opportunity to gain theoretical knowledge from professionals, explore potential career paths, learn about workplace culture and employee relations that would help me in my professional career. It also played a formative role in my personal growth as it equipped me with a range of skills.”
University Counselling
We have dedicated university counsellors who work with staff, students and their families to navigate the application process, connect with university admissions staff and apply for scholarships.
Throughout their Grade 10 and Diploma Programme years, our university counsellors provide various opportunities and resources for students to prepare them for their university careers:
Grade 10
- We help students choose their subjects of study according to their strengths and goals.
Grade 10 and DP1
- We guide students through exploratory and reflective exercises to discover and articulate their strengths.
Early DP1
- We help students understand the application processes in different countries and to shortlist universities and courses.
DP1, DP2
- We facilitate visits from university representatives, who discuss their offerings with students.
- We offer workshops for families on funding university studies and help students consider appropriate options.
Late DP1, DP2
- Through workshops and individual assistance, we help students craft essays and complete forms for university applications, create resumes and practise their interview skills.
DP2
- We nominate a select number of students for scholarships, both Academy-specific and global.
- We assist students in selecting a university, applying for visas and navigating other steps.
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Our DP2 students achieved an impressive average of 33.7 in the 2025 IB DP exams, exceeding the global average of 30.6
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The Class of 2025 received over $880,000 in scholarships from prestigious universities around the world
Forging a pathway to success
Aaryan Ajani, Class of 2020 from AKA Mombasa, received one of the four scholarships awarded to the Aga Khan Academies by Concordia University to study politics and economics.
He believes the growth he exhibited during his final years in the IB is why he received the scholarship. “I developed my leadership skills through the Academy’s extracurricular programme, Service Learning programme and as a member of the Student Representative Council. Academically, I was able to identify my weaknesses and worked really hard to make sure I was able to succeed as a well-rounded student," Aaryan said.
Looking forward to university life, he intends to make the most of this opportunity to succeed. "I consider this a massive stepping stone to the greater things I can achieve in the future, and I will always be grateful for my life-changing experience at the Academy," Aaryan said.
