04 Nov 2019
An independent study by UK NARIC, the UK’s national agency for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills, has found that the Cambridge IGCSE can be considered of a comparable level to the reformed GCSE in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This latest study builds upon findings in 2016 which found Cambridge IGCSE demonstrated overall comparability to UK GCSE standard and Cambridge International AS & A Level to UK A Level standard.
Leading universities around the world accept Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International AS & A Level as equivalent to UK GCSE and AS & A Levels. However the study gives reassurance that recent reforms to UK qualifications does not affect the university recognition of Cambridge qualifications.
In the 2016 study, UK NARIC concluded that changes to UK A Level 'are not felt to have an impact on the overall comparability of Cambridge International AS & A Level'. Indeed, the linear assessment methods of Cambridge International AS & Level are highlighted in the report as demonstrating "closer alignment" to reformed A Level.
We also asked UK NARIC to review our Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International AS & A Level Global Perspectives qualifications. At all levels, the Global Perspectives programmes were found to develop students’ ability to research independently, work collaboratively with others across cultures, critically analyse, and self-reflect. At Cambridge International AS & A Level in particular, Global Perspectives was found to develop skills that are 'particularly relevant for higher education internationally.'
The UK NARIC executive summary reports:
Cambridge IGCSE (2019)
Cambridge International AS & A Level
Cambridge Global Perspectives