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Recognition
The General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level), or A Level, is the
‘gold standard’ of CIE qualifications. It has exactly the same value in
admitting students to all universities as its UK equivalent. It is also
accepted as an entry qualification by universities of the European Union,
on a par with the French Baccalaureat, the German Abitur, etc.
A Level examinations are usually taken after 13 years of education and are
based on approximately 360 hours of guided learning, normally over a
two-year period. A Levels are highly specialised and a student will
normally take three subjects, although occasionally exceptional students
take four.
There are five passing grades (A–E). Minimum matriculation requirements
are at least two pass grades. University courses for which there is not
strong demand might accept students with these grades, but typical UK
university entrance requirements are closer to three passes at grade C for
academic courses in established universities. Very popular courses will
often require higher grades. For example, medical schools in the UK often
require grades of AAB and the highly selective universities of Cambridge
and Oxford ask for at least AAB.
Cambridge International A Levels are taken throughout the world, sometimes
as the national examinations of certain Commonwealth countries (such as
Singapore and Mauritius), sometimes within international schools and
sometimes in bilingual government schools alongside the national exams.
Good A Level grades can be a key to admission for all the world’s major
anglophone universities. University course credit and advanced standing is
often available in countries such as the USA and Canada, where entrance to
university takes place after 12 years of education. Good grades in
carefully chosen A Level subjects can result in up to one full year of
credit.
International Recognition
GCE A
Level and AS Level have widespread international recognition as
educational qualifications. This recognition is because:
• GCE
A and AS Level qualifications are recognised by universities as equivalent
in value to UK A and AS Levels
•
Good grades at A and AS Level can result in one full year of advanced
standing or credit at universities in the USA and Canada
•
Good A and AS Level grades are vital for admission to all the world’s
major English-speaking universities and many non-English-speaking
universities
• A
and AS Level are rigorous programmes that encourage high academic
standards
• A
and AS Levels have a high profile amongst English-medium international
schools around the world
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