Cambridge Advanced Coursework: An Introduction -January 2018 Newsletter

Written by: Aparajita Nandi, Marketing Communications Manager, Cambridge International

More students are applying to universities in the United States with Cambridge Advanced Coursework

With increasing numbers of college applications every year, universities and colleges continue to look for the best ways to identify their incoming class. In recent years, Cambridge International, part of the University of Cambridge, has seen a significant increase in Cambridge Advanced coursework exams (taken by high school students), up 60% in the past 2 years. Subsequently, more students have submitted their Cambridge International exam grades to post secondary institutions in the U.S.

Colleges and universities in the U.S. (and across the world) are looking at results from Cambridge International’s assessments to see how prepared a student is for post-secondary study at their institution. With the vast number of applicants, Cambridge assessments have become an invaluable part of identifying the right students for many post-secondary institutions.

The Cambridge Pathway, offered by Cambridge International, is an instructional system that aligns curricula, teaching and learning, and assessments for students in grades K-12. Generally for grades 9-10, the program offers Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (Cambridge IGCSE), with coursework (which includes a detailed syllabus for each course), assessments, and pedagogy in over 70 subjects.

Generally for grades 11-12, Cambridge Pathway offers Cambridge Advanced (Cambridge International AS and A Level). These are college-level credit bearing courses typically taken in grades 11–12, offering coursework, teaching and learning, assessments in over 55 subjects. These courses are accepted all over the world. Further, currently over 600 colleges and universities in the U.S., including Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), all of the IVY’s, Duke University, Washington State University, Columbia University, New York University, University of Washington, University of Virginia, and several others, have credit and placement policies for Cambridge Advanced courses. Such universities and colleges in U.S. recognize the Cambridge Advanced coursework as rigorous college level coursework.

In addition to AS and A level courses and exams, Cambridge International offers the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) program which is a rigorous academic curriculum consisting of Cambridge International AS & A Levels, which can lead to a Diploma. The Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma is an international curriculum and examination system that emphasises the value of broad and balanced study. Alongside in-depth understanding of a variety of subjects, students also need to master a broader range of skills critical for success in university study and employment. Cambridge AICE courses and examinations are typically offered during grades 11 & 12 in schools approved by Cambridge International. The AICE diploma consists of students having received 7 credits from combination for A and AS Level courses across Math and Sciences, Languages, and Arts and Humanities.

The Cambridge AICE Diploma was first awarded in 1997 and has since become very popular in the U.S. It includes the ‘gold standard’ Cambridge International AS & A Level qualifications, and offers students the opportunity to tailor their studies to their individual interests, abilities and future plans within an international curriculum framework. There is no difference between the Cambridge AICE examinations and the Cambridge International AS & A Level examinations. Some U.S. schools call Cambridge International AS & A Level courses and examinations “AICE courses” and “AICE exams” because they can lead to an AICE Diploma.

Cambridge International collaborates, ongoing, with Higher Education Advisory Councils on program and assessment development. These councils include representatives from several higher education institutions, such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Duke University, Florida State University, and Vanderbilt University.

Please read for further information on Cambridge International Recognitions among Higher Education Institutions

Inside this edition:

President’s Welcome -January 2018 Newsletter

Committee Updates -January 2018 Newsletter

Organizational Structure Updates -January 2018 Newsletter

TAICEP Meet Your 2018-2019 Leadership Team -January 2018 Newsletter

AACRAO Fall Symposium: The U.S. Perspective on the Three-Year Bologna-Compliant Bachelor’s Degree -January 2018 Newsletter

Indian Diploma Programmes Awarded by State Boards for Technical Education -January 2018 Newsletter

Demystifying Institution and Program Recognition in French-Speaking Africa: Introduction -January 2018 Newsletter

Demystifying Institution and Program Recognition in French-Speaking Africa: Benin -January 2018 Newsletter

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