Where will a Cambridge qualification take you? November 2013

Where will a Cambridge qualification take you? November 2013

Cambridge Assessment structure

Global Recognition Widespread recognition for A/AS Levels and IGCSE

DESTINATION: UK

Higher education in the UK Undergraduate Bachelor (BSc, BA, BEng) 3 years Integrated Masters (MSci, MEng) 4 yrs, Medicine, Dentistry, Architecture 5+yrs Postgraduate Master (MSc, MA, MRes) 1 year Doctorate (PhD) 3 years Characterized by subject focused degrees rather than Liberal Arts modal

UK University Admissions Cambridge International AS and A Levels qualifications are recognised by all universities in the UK Competitive courses require at least 3 good A Levels Universities often expect 4 AS Levels, with 3 taken on to A2. IGCSE/O Level accepted as direct equivalent of UK GCSE, especially English and Maths

Subject Selection & Informed Choices Many courses have specific subject and grade requirements Students should research into suitable subject choices early Russell Group Informed Choices guide for info on subject combinations: http://russellgroup.org/informedchoiceslatest.pdf

UK Admissions Systems Centralised system - UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) Applications generally open 1 September 15 January annually http://www.ucas.com/students/wheretostart/nonukstudents/ UK nationals studying overseas may be classed as international students.

Imperial College London Global reputation for science, engineering, medicine and entrepreneurship Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2013/14: -3rd in Europe -10th in World Tackling climate change, energy futures and global health Attracting high achievers: -14 Nobel Laureates -2 Fields Medallists -73 Fellows of the Royal Society -73

International Applications 62% of Imperial Students from outside the UK Online UCAS application Predicted grades Qualifications already taken, e.g. igcses/o-levels Personal statement Reference BMAT (Medicine & Biomedicine), MAT (Mathematics) English Language, e.g. IELTS, TOEFL, CPE, igcse/o-level English 15th January deadline (15th October for Medicine) International students assessed equally to Home/EU (NB restricted Medicine places)

Imperial Entry Requirements A-levels range from AAAb to A*A*A/A*AAA For Cambridge Pre-U D2 will replace A* in the standard A- Level offer, D3 will replace A Subjects normally specified E.g. Biomedical Engineering: A* in A-level Mathematics, A in Physics, and A in one other A-level subject, preferably Further Mathematics, Chemistry or Biology A-levels most widely accepted qualification and specialised knowledge essential for Imperial courses

DESTINATION: FRANCE

France ENIC-NARIC France: CIEP - Centre international d'études pédagogiques Students seeking to study first cycle or undergraduate degrees in France: Must hold a qualification which is equivalent to the French baccalauréat - A levels are considered comparable to the French baccalauréat. Offer a minimum of 2 A levels - generally what is required to access higher education - AS levels may also be taken into account in university admission. Demonstrate proficiency in the French language (CEFR B2 Level minimum) Can apply through an online admission process called Admission post-bac (APB): admission-postbac.fr

France- general information 4th most popular destination for international students: More than 278,000 students World-renowned schools in social sciences, sciences and economics and business Top schools provide special admissions procedures for international students English-language education more prevalent than you think Distinction between public universities and so-called GrandesEcoles

Background of ScPo Among the grandest of grandes ecoles (The Economist) Founded in 1871 One of the foremost social sciences universities in the world Highly selective but also highly diverse Continental Europe s largest Humanities and Social Sciences library Nearly 50% of student body is international Interdisciplinary curriculum with regional focus Leading innovation in higher education in France : Undergraduate dual degree diplomas with top universities: Columbia, UBC and UCL Pioneer in providing all English tracks to non-french speakers

How ScPo deals with international applicants Specific admissions procedure for students applying from outside France: On-line application procedure followed by interview for pre-selected applicants Independent of French APB university admissions procedure Holistic evaluation: Academic excellence, motivation, and profile Personal contact, open doors days and more

General requirements for Cambridge students For Sciences Po and the joint degree with UCL, European Social and Political Studies Dual BA degree through UCAS: 3 A-level subjects: at minimum grades of A*AA to include an A grade in French or Spanish if one of these is to be studied as the major language; An A level in a humanities or social science subject (or Mathematics) is normally a requirement; An A* grade in Mathematics is required for the full Economics specialism, if chosen; A pass in a fourth subject at AS level or equivalent is also required. ScPo are looking for a minimum of D3 in three Principal subjects ScPo looks for grades + personality + curiosity + courage and motivation in prospective applicants.

Language requirements English Track programs CAE Cambridge Certificate Advanced English B level Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English TOEFL (IBT) 100 IELTS 6.5 Exemptions apply. French programs At least B2 level

Experience with Cambridge students: Students from the UK and Asia mainly : High achievers 19% of UK testing students in joint Sciences Po UCL program come from the UK and approximately 25% tested with Cambridge For Sciences Po : Less than 2-3% of all international applicants 40% from the UK 33% from Singapore Rest from Asia and Africa

DESTINATION: USA

USA University Admissions Over 460 universities officially recognise Cambridge qualifications for entry 5 Grade Cs in IGCSE/O Level meet minimum freshman level entry requirements for some colleges & universities (including Maths and English) A Levels or Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects are required for competitive universities such as Yale, MIT and Harvard Advanced credit is available for A Levels and Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects in most universities Advanced credit is available for AS Levels in some universities

US Admissions Systems Application procedures vary: Common Application (https://www.commonapp.com), with A Levels specifically included from August 2013 Supporting documentation and full high school transcript from school extremely important Individual application forms or supplements to the Common Application for each university Deadlines vary: Usually mid-december to mid-january; 1-15 November for early decisions

Tips and Hints Useful source of information for applications to study in the USA http://www.fulbright.org.uk/study-in-the-usa/undergraduatestudy/applying/common-application/tips-and-hints

Destination USA materials http://www.cie.org.uk/usa/recognition/ http://www.cie.org.uk/cambridge-for/universities-andcolleges/

Example recognition statements Yale University: Cambridge International A Levels are recognised for matriculation purposes. Credit awarded for Grades A or B. Students enrolled in A Level programs may use completed A Level results as a substitute for the SAT II Subject Tests on a one for one basis. Yale only gives credit for A Levels once they are approved by the student s academic advisor. Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Cambridge International A Levels are recognised for matriculation purposes. Between 9 and 12 credit units are awarded to A Levels at grade A or B in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Columbia University

Required components of the application The Common Application and The Columbia Writing Supplement to the Common Application Secondary School Report o An official high school transcript from all high schools attended o One high school counselor s recommendation and school profile Two Teacher Recommendations (if applying to Columbia Engineering, one recommendation must be from a math or science teacher) Required Standardized Testing o or o SAT and two SAT Subject Test scores (for Engineering applicants, you must submit a Math and Biology, Physics or Chemistry) the ACT Assessment Plus Writing

Required components of the application (cont.) English proficiency examination score TOEFL - A minimum score of 600 (paper-based test) or 100 ibt IELTS - A minimum score of 7.0 is necessary for admission to Columbia. If you have a 650 on the Critical Reasoning or Writing sections of the SAT, you are exempt from taking an English proficiency examination. Supplementary materials for Science, Engineering, Creative and Performing Arts (http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/firstyear/supplementary-materials) http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/first-year

Columbia College (Liberal Arts School) Students with grades of A or B on British Advanced Level examinations are granted 6 points of credit for each if the examinations were taken in disciplines offered as undergraduate programs at Columbia College up to a maximum of 16 points total advanced standing credit. The appropriate transcript should be submitted to the Center for Student Advising, 403 Lerner. Columbia Engineering- Liberal Arts Credits Pending review by the appropriate department at Columbia, students with grades of A or B on British Advanced Level examinations are granted 6 points of credit if the examinations were taken in disciplines offered as undergraduate programs at Columbia College. The appropriate transcript should be submitted to the Center for Student Advising, 403 Lerner.

DESTINATION: CANADA

Canadian Higher Education System Universities offer 3-4 year programs leading to Degrees Colleges offer 1-2-3 year programs leading to Diplomas and may offer 4 year technical Degrees 4 year Bachelor s degree are the norm. 3 year Degrees are available at some schools but do not usually satisfy requirements for professional or graduate degrees Admission is based primarily on academic performance. Most programs will make decision on completed O Level/Exam results, AS/A1 Exam results and Predicted grades for A/A2. Highly competitive or specialized programs may require additional information (profile, statement, audition) which will be specified by the school

Admission and transfer credit Most universities require 5 different subjects of which 2 or 3 must be at A Level (the others at GCSE/IGCSE/O Level) Some will consider 2 AS Levels equivalent to 1 A Level Most give credit for A Levels (dependant on subject content and program choice). Policies are institution specific Transfer Credits for A Levels may or may not satisfy program prerequisites McGill University The minimum requirements are: three A-Levels with predicted and final grades of B, B, C or better, or two A-level and two AS subjects with grades of B, B, C, C, or better, or B, C, B, B, or better. However, many programs are more competitive and require higher grades for GCSEs, AS and A-levels. A maximum of 30 credits of advanced standing may be granted for final official A/AS Level results.

List of US and Canadian Higher Education institutions who recognise Cambridge qualifications

University of Toronto: Admission Policy Arts and Science, Music, Kinesiology, Architecture At least five different IGCSE/GCSE/Ordinary Level academic subjects and three different Advanced Level subjects OR four different Advanced Subsidiary(AS) academic subjects being taken in the same year. 2 AS subjects may be considered equivalent to an A Level for admission. Prerequisites should be presented at Advanced/A2 or Advanced Subsidiary Level. Some programs may consider excellent IGCSE/GCSE/Ordinary Level results for fulfilling a prerequisite. Cambridge Pre U The Cambridge International Pre U Certificate (3 Principal Subjects) or the full Cambridge International Pre U diploma including 3 Principal Subjects (or a combination of Advanced Level academic subjects and Principal Subjects), Global Perspectives and Independent Research Report (GPR).

Admission Policy and Transfer Credit Engineering Admission Must have 3 A Level subjects. Must have A Level Math, Physics and 3 rd Subject preferably Chemistry. If 3rd A Level not Chemistry must also have AS Chem. Transfer Credits Arts and Science and Architecture will consider A Level subjects for credit. Subject by subject determination. Minimum final grade of B. Student may decline transfer credit and retake university level subject. Engineering, Music, Kinesiology : No transfer credit

English Proficiency TOEFL ibt 100 + 22 on Writing IELTS 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 GCSE/IGCSE/GCE O Level English/English Language/English as a Second Language with minimum grade of B GCE A/AS/AICE Level English or English Language with minimum grade of C Cambridge English Language Assessment: CPE with minimum grade C CAE with minimum grade B

DESTINATION: AUSTRALIA

Australian University Admissions Over 40 universities currently officially recognise Cambridge qualifications 3 A Levels generally required for admission Combination of Cambridge International A and AS Levels accepted in some states; NSW accepts A Levels only IGCSE/ O Level accepted for Foundation programmes.

Australian Admissions Systems International students generally apply directly to the university of their choice Some universities will make offer based on predicted grades/evidence from AS Level for international students. Tertiary Admissions Centres organised by state All Tertiary Admissions Centres have policies for admitting students with Cambridge International A Levels All domestic applications and may assess applications from international students Deadline is 30 September but applications are accepted until December.

Things to consider Points criteria for entry e.g. A*=6, A=5 etc. New South Wales (Sydney) and Victoria (Melbourne) are generally the most popular destinations Medicine requires an entrance examination Scholarships/financial aid are often available IELTS/TOEFL/CAE is a visa requirement.

Recognitions Database www.cie.org.uk/recognitionsearch

Recognitions Database

CIE Direct- verify students results online Email: info@cie.org.uk to request a University access to Cambridge results online application form

Learn more! Getting in touch with Cambridge is easy Email us at info@cie.org.uk or telephone +44 (0) 1223 553554 www.cie.org.uk