CIE

What is Cambridge?

The Cambridge international curriculum sets a global standard for education and is recognized by universities and employers worldwide. Cambridge’s curriculum is flexible, challenging, and inspiring, culturally sensitive yet international in approach. Students can develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning. They also gain the essential skills they need for success at university and in their future careers.

Cambridge Pathway

Cambridge Pathway students have the chance to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to achieve at school, university, and beyond.

The four stages lead seamlessly from primary to secondary and pre-university years. Each stage – Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Lower Secondary, Cambridge Upper Secondary, and Cambridge Advanced builds on the students’ development from the previous one, but can also be offered separately.

1.0 Cambridge IGCSE curriculum

The IGCSE curriculum allows the students to take a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 14 subjects. The IGCSE ‘core’ curriculum consists of a First Language, Second Language, Mathematics, and one or more subjects in the area of science. English, Mathematics, and Science are the IGCSE Core subjects. A student can also choose to study other subjects ranging from Social Sciences to Arts & Technology. Out of these 70 subjects offered by IGCSE, 30 are languages and the schools can choose to offer them in any combination.

For schools, Cambridge IGCSE offers a flexible and stimulating curriculum, supported with excellent resources and training. For students, Cambridge IGCSE helps improve performance by developing skills in creative thinking, inquiry, and problem-solving. It is the perfect springboard to advanced study.

1.1 Cambridge IGCSE assessment

Cambridge IGCSE assessment takes place at the end of the course which includes written, oral, coursework, and practical assessment. This will be an opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning, especially for those students who are not English as their first language. Grades are benchmarked using eight internationally recognized grades, A* to G, which have clear guidelines to explain the standard of achievement for each grade.

2.0 Cambridge O Level curriculum

Cambridge O Level is an internationally recognized qualification equivalent to Cambridge IGCSE and UK GCSE. Cambridge O Level provides students with excellent preparation for academic progression to Cambridge Advanced as well as other progression routes. Students can choose from more than 40 subjects in any combination.

The Cambridge O Level curriculum emphasizes broad and balanced study across a wide range of subjects. It develops students’ skills in creative thinking, inquiry, and problem solving and is structured so they build practical skills and theoretical knowledge.

2.1 Cambridge O Level assessment

Cambridge O Level leads to internationally recognized qualifications, accepted by leading universities and employers worldwide as evidence of academic ability.

Cambridge O Level assessment takes place at the end of the course and includes written, oral and practical examinations. Students can show their knowledge and skills during the assessment, particularly when their first language is not English. Grades are benchmarked using six internationally recognized grades, from A* to E, which have clear guidelines to explain the standard of achievement.

3.0 Cambridge AS & A Level curriculum

The syllabus prepares students for university study, which is why universities worldwide value and recognize Cambridge International AS & A Level qualifications.

Cambridge International AS & A Level develops students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in subject content, independent thinking, handling and evaluating different types of the information source, thinking logically and presenting ordered and coherent arguments, etc.

Cambridge International AS & A Level offers a choice of 55 subjects and schools can offer them in almost any combination. This flexibility means schools can build an individualized curriculum, and learners can choose to specialize in a particular subject area or study a range of subjects.

Cambridge International A Level is typically a two-year course, and Cambridge International AS Level is typically one year. Some subjects can be started as a Cambridge International AS Level and extended to a Cambridge International A Level.

 

3.1 Cambridge AS & A Level assessment

Students can choose from a range of assessment options to gain Cambridge International AS & A Level qualifications. Students can take the Cambridge International AS Level only for their first option which the syllabus content is half a Cambridge International A Level. Second, students can also take the Cambridge International AS Level in one examination series and complete the final Cambridge International A Level at a subsequent series. AS Level marks can be carried forward to a full A Level twice within a 13 month period. Students may also choose the third option by taking all papers of the Cambridge International A Level course in the same examination session, usually at the end of the course.

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 run from grade A to E.