Cambridge International AS & A Levels are part of the Cambridge Advanced Stage and are internationally recognized courses in preparation for university education and further studies.
Cambridge courses are taken in over 125 countries worldwide and are widely appreciated by students for offering a huge choice of subjects, with 60 different subjects to choose from. Students can choose any combination of subjects they wish to pursue, thus allowing them to specialize or gain knowledge in a broad course of study.
Here are some essential details about the AS & A Levels course:
Cambridge A Levels normally take 1 and a half years to complete full time. Students may opt for the A or AS Level after their schooling i.e. SSC equivalent
AS Levels are only a half of the Cambridge A Level course. The content for AS Level is half of the content for A Level. The assessment for the AS Level course is done at the end of the first year of study instead of a final assessment at the end of the second year in the A Level.
Students taking the AS Level may use it as a qualification by itself or as a step to the complete A Level. Some Cambridge schools do not offer the AS Levels, and only allow a direct A Level course.
Any combination of subjects can be chosen to study. As such students can identify their area of interest and focus on it, or choose to get a wide base of knowledge. Example: Students interested in science can choose Biology, Physics and Chemistry or for a wide variety of knowledge can also choose Biology, Management and any Language.
AS & A Levels are usually graded through written exams and assignments through the year which gives the overall grade for the year. Students are graded on an A to E system, an A grade being the highest and E the lowest.
Students can also choose to take the extended project. This is equivalent in size to half an A level and requires you to produce a single piece of work of their own choosing, by researching and planning it by themselves.
The syllabus for AS & A Levels are created specifically for an international audience. The content is carefully devised to avoid any cultural bias and give students a uniform education around the world.
As AS & A Levels are highly intensive programs, they are considered as entry qualifications into universities worldwide. It is accepted by universities as an educational qualification on par with the French Baccalaureate, the German Abitur etc. Good grades at AS & A levels may be rewarded by one full year of advanced standing or credit by American or Canadian universities.
Subjects
One of the highlights of the AS & A Level course is the sheer choice of subjects to choose from:
Accounting
Afrikaans
Afrikaans - First Language (AS Level only)
Afrikaans - Language (AS Level only)
Applied Information and Communication Technology
Arabic
Arabic - Language (AS Level only)
Art & Design (BES)
Art and Design
Biology
Biology (BES)
Business Studies
Chemistry
Chemistry (BES)
Chinese
Chinese - Language (AS Level only)
Classical Studies (8283 to 2010; 9274 from 2011)
Classical Studies
Computing
Design and Technology
Design and Textiles
Divinity
Economics
Economics (BES)
English - Language AS Level (until 2014)
English - Language (BES) (AS Level only)
English - Language AS and A Level (from 2014)
English - Literature
English - Literature (BES)
Environmental Management
Food Studies
French
French - Language (AS Level only)
French - Language (BES) (AS Level only)
French - Literature (AS Level only)
French - Literature (BES) (AS Level only)
French (BES)
General Paper 8001
General Paper 8004
Geography
Geography (BES)
German
German - Language (AS Level only)
Global Perspectives
Global Perspectives (BES) (AS Level only)
Hindi
Hindi - Language (AS Level only)
Hindi - Literature (AS Level only)
Hinduism
History
History (BES)
Islamic Studies
Japanese Language (AS Level only)
Language and Literature in English
Language and Literature in English (BES) (AS Level only) Law
Marathi
Marathi - Language (AS Level only)
Marine Science
Mathematics
Mathematics - Further
Music
Music (BES)
Physical Education
Physical Science
Physics
Physics (BES)
Portuguese
Portuguese - Language (AS Level only)
Portuguese - Literature (AS Level only)
Psychology
Sociology
Spanish
Spanish - First Language (AS Level only)
Spanish - Language (AS Level only)
Spanish - Language (BES) (AS Level only)
Spanish - Literature (AS Level only)
Spanish - Literature (BES) (AS Level only)
Spanish (BES)
Tamil
Tamil - Language (AS Level only)
Telugu
Telugu - Language (AS Level only)
Thinking Skills
Travel and Tourism
Urdu
Urdu - Language (AS Level only)
Urdu - Pakistan only
Recognition:
Cambridge International A Levels are today, one of the most reputed international educational qualifications. Many universities accept it as entry qualification on par with their own boards. As AS and A Levels are rigorous academic qualifications that encourage high standards, universities deem it as a perfect primer. Also note that some Universities in the UK, US and Canada will give one full year of advanced standing or credit for good grades in AS and A Levels.
Career Options
Cambridge International AS and A Levels is usually a primer for university education. However some employers recognise it as sufficient education depending on the choice and specialization of subjects and hire Cambridge students as trainees or apprentices.
