Cambridge International AS & A Level A guide for universities Cambridge International AS & A Levels are recognised as a passport to success in education, university and employment. What are Cambridge International AS & A Levels? Cambridge International Advanced Subsidiary Levels (AS Levels) and Cambridge International Advanced Levels (A Levels) are subject-based qualiications usually taken in the inal two years of high school. Cambridge International AS Level is typically a one-year programme of study, while Cambridge International A Level typically takes two years. Assessment takes place at the end of each programme. Most subjects can be started as a Cambridge International AS Level and extended to a Cambridge International A Level. The syllabuses are international in outlook but retain local relevance. They have been created speciically for an international student body with content to suit a wide variety of schools and avoid cultural bias. The contexts or examples used in syllabuses and exam question papers are culturally sensitive in an international context. Offered since 1951, these qualiications are administered by Cambridge International Examinations, a part of the University of Cambridge. Who takes Cambridge International AS & A Levels? Aimed at 16–19 year old students before university study, Cambridge International AS & A Levels are taken by over 175 000 students in more than 125 countries every year. In the UK these are taken in years 12 and 13 of the secondary school curriculum. Specialisation Higher Education Why choose Cambridge International AS & A Levels? Develop unique skills The qualiications aim to develop students’ knowledge, understanding and skills through: • in-depth subject content • learning to work independently • applying knowledge and understanding to new as well as familiar situations • handling and evaluating different types of information sources • thinking logically and presenting ordered and coherent arguments and explanations • studying and communicating in English. Flexible subject choices A wide choice of over 50 subjects is available and schools have the freedom to offer them in almost any combination. There are no compulsory subjects and students are free to specialise or study a range of subjects. Giving students the power to choose helps to motivate them throughout their studies. Students typically study four subjects at AS Level and three subjects at A Level. The standard admission requirement for UK universities is three A Levels. Cambridge International AS & A Level subject groups Cambridge Int AS & A Levels (16–19) English Mathematics Science Cambridge Secondary 2 (14–16) IGCSE and O Level Languages Humanities Technology Cambridge Secondary 1 (11–14) Social Sciences The Arts General Studies Cambridge Primary (5–11) Students we have who have taken Cambridge International A Levels do very well at our campus. They are very well-prepared for our curriculum and we ind that they have a lot of conidence, but also that they have a good, deep subject knowledge, [and] the ability to think critically and well. Stuart Schmill, Dean of Admissions, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA Global Perspectives & Research Staged and linear assessment A pioneering skills-based qualiication, Global Perspectives & Research (GPR), has been added to complement the existing suite of Cambridge International A Levels. Option one GPR uses a cross-curricular approach to learning the skills needed for success in higher education and at work. By studying global issues, students explore different and often opposing perspectives to develop their ability to deconstruct, reconstruct and relect on how this impacts their own perspectives. The programme of study is comprised of a taught skills course in the irst year and in the second year, a year-long research report called the Cambridge Research Report. The Research Report promotes the application and development of the skills taught in Global Perspectives and helps prepare students to cope with the demands of university study. For more information visit www.cie.org.uk/gpr Cambridge International AS Level (standalone AS) Students take the Cambridge International AS Level only. The syllabus content for Cambridge International AS Level is half of a Cambridge International A Level programme. Option two Cambridge International AS Level (AS is irst half of A Level) Cambridge International A Level (remainder of A Level) Students take the Cambridge International AS Level in Year 1 and in Year 2 complete the Cambridge International A Level. In-depth preparation for universities Findings from a number of research studies suggest that the Cambridge curriculum prepares students well for university. For more information visit http://iles.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ962510.pdf Grading and assessment Cambridge’s internationally recognised grades are reported with clear guidelines to explain the standards of achievement. The Cambridge International A Level is reported on a grade scale from A* (highest) to E (minimum required performance). There is no A* grade for Cambridge International AS Levels, which are reported from grade A to E. Each subject is graded separately and no Grade Point Average is calculated. Separate certiicates are issued for each examination series. Grades are awarded only for subjects that candidates pass. Percentage Uniform Mark The Percentage Uniform Mark (PUM) is a numerical mark provided for some countries alongside grades for each subject. It transfers a candidate’s results to a common scale which reports how well they performed within that grade. For example if a candidate achieves a Percentage Uniform Mark of 79 then they are at the top end of a B grade. AS Level grade PUM range A Level grade PUM range a 80–100 A* 90–100 b 70–79 A 80–89 c 60–69 B 70–79 d 50–59 C 60–69 e 40–49 D 50–59 E 40–49 Option three Cambridge International A Level Students take all papers of the Cambridge International A Level course in the same examination series, usually at the end of the second year of study. Cambridge AICE Diploma A group certiicate is awarded for passing examinations in subjects drawn from three curriculum areas within Cambridge International AS & A Level. Curriculum areas include mathematics and science, languages, and arts and humanities. Each AS Level is awarded 1 credit and a full A Level is awarded 2 credits. From 2017, students are required to achieve a minimum of 7 credits, including the AS in Global Perspectives & Research as a compulsory subject. The AICE Diploma is taken primarily in the USA. For more information visit www.cie.org.uk/aice We have been impressed by the depth and breadth of knowledge exhibited by Cambridge students. They arrive on campus well-prepared and excited about learning, regardless of where they come from in the world. Greg Roberts, Dean of Admissions, University of Virginia, USA Assessment methods – Sample certiicate and statement of results Upper and lower case reporting of grades achieved. A Level reported as capital followed by lower case A(a) AS Level reported by two lower case letters a(a) Syllabus number Candidate details including candidate number Number of syllabuses taken Watermark Percentage Uniform Mark (PUM) Signature of VC of University of Cambridge Centre Number/ Candidate Number Hologram Serial Number Both the certiicate and statement of results are evidence of oficial results from Cambridge. Other hidden security features are also present on oficial Cambridge documentation. CIE Direct CIE Direct allows universities and institutions to verify applicants’ Cambridge results online. To apply for access please email recognitions@cie.org.uk Who recognises Cambridge International A Levels? Cambridge qualiications are recognised by universities and employers worldwide. Cambridge International AS & A Levels are recognised by UCAS, UK universities and institutions overseas as equivalent in standard and grade to the AS and A Levels taken by students in the UK. Students use Cambridge International AS & A Levels to gain places at leading universities worldwide including the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore, Egypt, Jordan, South Africa, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain. In countries such as the United States and Canada, good grades in carefully chosen Cambridge International A Level subjects can result in up to one year of university course credit. Examples of worldwide recognition The recognition database Yale University recognises Cambridge International A Levels for matriculation purposes. Credit is awarded for grades A or B. Students enrolled in A Level programmes may use completed A Level results as a substitute for the SAT II Subject Tests on a one-forone basis. Yale gives credit for A Levels once they are approved by the student’s academic advisor. The recognition database is an online directory of worldwide institutions that have given formal written acceptance of Cambridge qualiications. It is regularly updated with new recognition statements allowing Cambridge students to see where their Cambridge qualiications are accepted. It is the irst place for students, parents and schools to check whether a particular institution would consider an application from a student holding Cambridge qualiications. Students then visit the university’s own website for further details. University of Oxford welcomes students with Cambridge International A Levels. Oxford has for many years accepted the Cambridge International A Level as a suitable qualiication to meet the conditions for entry to the collegiate university. The qualiications provide students with suitable subject knowledge, although the competitive nature of applications means that success in A Levels alone does not automatically result in an offer. National University of Singapore welcomes applications from students holding a good pass in at least three Cambridge International A Levels. Many applicants submit good passes in four or more A Levels. A total of all subject grades in two sittings taken within 12 months of each other is allowed. University of Sydney welcomes applicants who achieve a minimum of three full A Level subjects in one academic year. Very competitive courses may need four subjects for admission. AS subjects will not be accepted in place of A Level subjects, but results in AS subjects may improve the competitiveness of qualiied applicants. We welcome applications from candidates with Cambridge International qualiications. Our experience is that Cambridge Advanced qualiications such as Cambridge International AS & A Levels are consistently robust and reliable, and prepare students very well for higher education. Katherine Hind, Senior Undergraduate Admissions Manager, Newcastle University, UK The database is growing: since 2012, the number of visitors to the site has grown by 45 per cent. The database receives more than 50 000 unique visitors each year. Currently, over 950 institutions worldwide have their recognition policies for Cambridge International A Levels listed on our database. Add yours by following the link from the database www.cie.org.uk/recognitionsearch. An informative recognition policy on our database can really set your university apart. Learn more! For more information on Cambridge International AS & A Level please visit www.cie.org.uk/alevel or contact Customer Services on +44 1223 553554 or email info@cie.org.uk *4530163475* © Cambridge International Examinations, May 2015