The UK government has made changes to UK AS & A Levels taught from 2015, moving them from a modular structure to a linear structure with exams at the end of the course.
Read more about moving from modular to linear qualifications
This approach has been championed by Cambridge and is a key feature of Cambridge International AS & A Levels. Many of the world’s top universities have made clear their appreciation of this linear approach, and we share their belief that linear courses allow learners to develop a deeper understanding of subjects.
Here are some commonly asked questions about these changes and implications for Cambridge International A Level:
Do these changes affect Cambridge International A Level?
No, in fact the UK government’s changes affirm the strong position of Cambridge International AS & A level. That is because the changes move the UK AS and A Level model closer to the structure of our Cambridge International AS and A Level, a qualification that continues to help thousands of learners every year gain places at leading universities worldwide.
Will the Cambridge exam series in November be affected by changes in the UK?
No. Students can continue to take exams for Cambridge International As & A Level November and June. One of the key changes made by the UK government is that students taking UK AS & A Levels will only sit exams in June. Previously students were able to sit exams for parts of the course in January also – prompting concerns over how many times they sit and re-sit exams. This change does not affect students around the world taking Cambridge International A Levels.
Will the Cambridge International AS Level be affected by the changes?
No. Another change is that UK AS Levels will no longer contribute to A Level outcomes and instead be separate, standalone qualifications. Again, this change does not affect Cambridge International AS Level. Our November and June exam series already offer students a number of assessment routes in their Cambridge International A Level studies. These options still apply. Students can:
- take all components of the Cambridge International A Level in one sitting (the linear route)
- follow a staged assessment route by taking all Cambridge International AS Level components in one exam series and completing the final Cambridge International A Level in a subsequent series
- take Cambridge International AS Level as a standalone option.
Will the changes mean Cambridge International AS & A Level is no longer equivalent to UK A Level?
No. An independent report by UK NARIC, the national agency in the UK for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills, has concluded that the changes to UK A Level will not affect its comparability with Cambridge International AS & A Level.
The UK NARIC report states: “From September 2015, it is acknowledged that AS/A Levels are currently being redeveloped in line with UK government reforms. UK NARIC has considered the key changes proposed on a general level and on a subject level. In conclusion the changes are not felt to have an impact on the overall comparability of the Cambridge International AS & A Level.”