A Global Education, Close to Home: what Verita students gain from joining the Dukes network

Bucharest’s Verita International School has become the first Romanian member of the UK-based Dukes Education network, in a partnership that channels tens of millions of euros into two new campuses and upgraded facilities, including the country’s first “green” school building. School founder Richard Joannides says the tie-up “takes the school to the next level” by widening access to international best practice and resources.

Beyond the headline investment, the deal promises a series of tangible gains for the school’s 650-plus pupils, connecting them to a network of more than 50 European schools and 20,000 students.

A taste of university life before graduation

One of the most immediate perks is guaranteed access to Dukes’ flagship summer schools, held on the campuses of Cambridge, Oxford, and Eton College. The short, residential courses replicate university-style teaching and bring together teenagers from across the network, providing Verita pupils with intensive academic English practice, exposure to specialist subjects, and an opportunity to benchmark themselves against international peers.

For many Romanian students, it is a low-risk window onto elite higher-education environments that might otherwise feel remote.

Expert guidance to navigate competitive admissions at top universities

Getting into world-ranked universities is increasingly technical, a reality Dukes has spent 25 years addressing. Through the partnership, Verita sixth-form students gain access to a team of veteran admissions counselors whose track record includes a 50 percent success rate for Oxford and Cambridge applicants, triple the general acceptance rate of around 17 percent.

Personal-statement workshops, mock interviews, and tailored course selection advice aim to demystify the process and help students present stronger, better-researched applications on both sides of the Atlantic.

Early career insight through counselling and internships

Academic results are only part of a competitive CV; employers increasingly prize work experience and self-awareness. Dukes’ careers office opens the door to internships at leading international organizations and to one-to-one guidance on subject choices and career pathways.

By linking classroom learning to real-world contexts, the service helps teenagers refine their study goals, build professional networks, and assemble more compelling resumes long before graduation.