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  • Global Perspectives & Research (9239)

Cambridge International AS & A Level Global Perspectives & Research (9239)

Syllabus overview

Cambridge International AS & A Level Global Perspectives and Research is a skills-based course that prepares learners for positive engagement with our rapidly changing world. Learners broaden their outlook through the critical analysis of – and reflection on – issues of global significance. They will develop unique, transferable skills including research, critical thinking and communication by following an approach to analysing and evaluating arguments and perspectives called the 'Critical Path'.

Collaborative skills are enhanced through participation in a team project. The skills gained through study of this course help students to meet the demands of Twenty-First century learning, preparing the transition to higher education and the world of work.

As part of the course learners write a research report on a research question of their choice. You can find out more information on this on the School Support Hub and viewing the supporting documents.

View our Global Perspectives and Research Statement of Support.

Syllabuses

The syllabus year refers to the year in which the examination will be taken.

  • 2023 - 2025 Syllabus (PDF, 553KB)
    • 2023 - 2025 Syllabus update (PDF, 145KB)

Syllabus updates

  • Summary of the changes
    • We revise our qualifications regularly to make sure that they continue to meet the needs of learners, schools and higher education institutions around the world, and reflect current thinking. Please see the 2023-2025 syllabus document for full details on the changes.

      What are the main changes to the syllabus?

      To support teachers and learners, we have:
      • refreshed the list of Cambridge International AS Level topics
      • updated the assessment objectives to make the links to the assessed skills clearer.

      What are the main changes to the assessment?

      • For Component 3, learners can now choose between recording a live presentation or submitting a presentation with a recorded voiceover. This offers greater flexibility for centres and is more accessible for some students.
      • The Cambridge Research Report (Cambridge International A Level) is now marked by Cambridge International. We have discontinued the oral explanation and learners do not submit an Outline Proposal Form.

      When do these changes take place?

      The updated syllabus is for examination from June 2023 onwards. Examinations are available in March 2023 for India only. Please see the 2023-2025 syllabus above for full details.

  • Teaching and learning resources
    • Support

      We are developing a comprehensive range of materials to help you teach the updated syllabus. These resources will be available from June 2021 onwards (before first teaching) through our School Support Hub and include:

      • Scheme of work
      • Learner guide
      • Teacher guide
      • Specimen Paper Answers
      • Example Candidate Responses (after first examination).

      Training

      Face-to-face and online training will be available. For up-to-date information, visit our Events and training calendar.

      Endorsed resources

      View the latest resources that are being developed by our Endorsement Partners for the Cambridge International AS & A Level Global Perspectives and Research syllabus (9239).

      Cambridge International AS & A Level Global Perspectives and Research (Collins)

      Cambridge International AS & A Level Global Perspectives and Research (Collins)

      Encourage critical thinking, self-reflection and independent thought and provide students the opportunity to engage with key global issues. This series comprises a Student’s Book, Workbook and Teacher’s Guide.

      Read more on the Collins website

      Global Perspectives and Research for Cambridge International AS & A Level (Second edition) (Cambridge University Press) front coverGlobal Perspectives and Research for Cambridge International AS & A Level (Second edition) (Cambridge University Press)

      Guide students along the critical pathway as they advance their Twenty-First century skillsets in areas such as research, reasoning, thinking and communication. Includes essay writing support and guidance for forming research questions.

      Read more on the Cambridge University Press website

Subscribe to syllabus updates

Important notices

  • Withdrawal of Cambridge International AS & A Level Global Perspectives (9239) from March exam series
    • We are withdrawing Cambridge International AS & A Level Global Perspectives & Research (9239) from the March exam series. The last March series for this syllabus will be March 2025. 

      From 2026, we will only offer this syllabus in the June and November exam series.

      We communicated this change to schools in September 2022.

  • Online support
    • Schools offering Cambridge International AS & A Level Global Perspectives can access resources, courses and build online communities through our Online Learning area. Access the Online Learning area.

  • Grade descriptions
    • For some subjects, the syllabus states that Grade Descriptions will be made available after first assessment in 2020, 2021 or 2022.

      Publication of grade descriptions was paused in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the temporary changes to the grading standard that have been in place for 2020, 2021 and 2022. We are currently working on producing these grade descriptions. This work will make sure that grade descriptions reflect examination outcomes appropriately and are based on the more stable grading standard that we expect to have in place for June 2023 onwards.

  • UK NARIC
    • The national agency in the UK for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills, UK NARIC, has reviewed Cambridge International AS & A Level Global Perspectives and found that it is comparable to UK A Level and develops skills that are particularly relevant in preparing students for higher education study internationally. Read the executive summary of the UK NARIC report.

      View our Global Perspectives and Research Statement of Support.

  • Submit for Assessment
    • Check the Submit for Assessment page and the samples database for information and guidance on submitting moderated and examined work using Submit for Assessment.

School Support Hub

We provide a wide range of support so that teachers can give their learners the best possible preparation for Cambridge programmes and qualifications. For teachers at registered Cambridge schools, support materials for specific syllabuses are available from the School Support Hub (username and password required).

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