Cambridge International AS level

Last updated
Last verified
Country
  • International
Purpose

To provide an advanced qualification recognised worldwide, which can support progression to higher education internationally.

Education context

The Cambridge International AS level has been available internationally in its current format for over 20 years. 

Taught by over 2,500 schools in 130 countries, with more than 500,000 exams annually. 

Cambridge International AS Levels are particularly prevalent in countries that have a 12 (secondary) + 4 (post-secondary) year education system. The U.S. accounts for more than 45% of all Cambridge AS Level exams taken in the world.

Awarding organisation
  • Cambridge International Examinations
Structure

The qualifications are not regulated by Ofqual, and does not appear on the Register of Regulated Qualifications.

For AS level: Cambridge offers only a linear structure of assessment, with terminal exams offered at the end of the course.

There are two options for learners:

  1. Learners take the Cambridge International AS level only. 
  2. Learners take the Cambridge International AS level in Year 1, and in Year 2 complete the Cambridge International A level.
Subject areas
  • 9706 - Accounting
  • 9679 – Afrikaans
  • 9713 - Applied Information and Communication Technology
  • 9680 - Arabic
  • 9704 - Art and Design
  • 9700 - Biology
  • 9609 - Business
  • 9701 - Chemistry
  • 8681 (AS level), 9715 (A level) - Chinese
  • 9274 - Classical Studies
  • 9608 - Computer Science
  • 9705 - Design and Technology
  • 9631 - Design and Textiles
  • 9011 - Divinity
  • 9708 - Economics
  • 9093 - English Language
  • 9695 - English Literature
  • 8291 - Environmental Management (AS level only)
  • 9336 - Food Studies
  • 8682 (AS level), 9716 (A level) – French Language
  • 8670 - French Literature (AS level only)
  • 8004 - General Paper (AS level only)
  • 9696 - Geography
  • 8683 (AS level), 9717 (A level) - German
  • 9239 - Global Perspectives and Research
  • 8687 (AS level), 9687 (A level) - Hindi Language
  • 8675 - Hindi Literature (AS level only)
  • 9014 - Hinduism
  • 9389 - History
  • 9626 - Information Technology
  • 8053 (AS level), 9013 (A level) - Islamic Studies
  • 8281 - Japanese Language (AS level only)
  • 9084 - Law
  • 9693 - Marine Science
  • 9709 - Mathematics
  • 9231 - Mathematics (Further)
  • 9607 - Media Studies
  • 9703 - Music
  • 8024 - Nepal Studies (AS level only)
  • 9396 - Physical Education
  • 8780 - Physical Science
  • 9702 - Physics
  • 8684 (AS level), 9718 (A level) – Portuguese Language
  • 8672 - Portuguese Literature (AS level only)
  • 9698 - Psychology
  • 9699 - Sociology
  • 8685 (AS level), 9719 (A level) - Spanish Language
  • 8673 - Spanish Literature (AS level only)
  • 9689 - Tamil
  • 9694 - Thinking Skills
  • 9395 - Travel and Tourism
  • 8686 (AS level), 9676 (A level) - Urdu
  • 9686 - Urdu, Pakistan only
Levels
  • Level 3

Comparable to Level 3 of the Regulatory Frameworks in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Grading

Cambridge International AS level is graded A – E. If a student does not pass the exam, they are awarded a U, ungraded.

 

Assessment

Cambridge International AS level is typically one year.

Students can choose to:

  • take the Cambridge International AS level as a certified qualification or
  • proceed to the A level.  AS level assessment can count 50% towards the A level grade.

The syllabus content covers the first half of the two-year Cambridge International A level.

Contribution of assessment components to overall grade

Subjects are externally assessed, using appropriate assessment methods.

Within the overall grade, the contribution of components varies between subjects. See the syllabus for details

For example, for Cambridge International AS level Sciences, candidates are required to carry out practical work in timed conditions. This assessment consists of two or three experiments drawn from different areas of the AS level syllabus. This accounts for 23% of the overall grade.

Resit arrangements

The full qualification can be retaken at the next available opportunity.

Guided/notional learning hours notes

Cambridge International AS level = 180 hours.

Key issues for UK HE admissions

Higher education providers can expect to receive applications from overseas students holding Cambridge International AS levels.

Higher education providers can also expect to receive applications from the UK, from students holding Cambridge International AS level, typically from the independent sector, some state schools, and crown dependency countries, e.g. the Isle of Man and Channel Islands.

UK NARIC has carried out an independent benchmarking of Cambridge International AS level and found it comparable to the standard of UK AS level. Other international credential evaluators, like the American Council on Education (ACE), recommend Cambridge AS Level grades of E or higher for college credit.

Learners use Cambridge International AS & A levels to gain places at universities worldwide including:

  • UK
  • USA
  • Canada
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • India
  • Singapore
  • Egypt
  • Jordan
  • South Africa
  • The Netherlands
  • Ireland
  • Germany
  • Spain
Timing of assessments/results for learners

Results are released in mid-January for November sessions.

Results are released in mid-August for June sessions.

Results are released in June for the March session (India only).

Qualification dates notes

This qualification is current.

Reporting and certification information

Cambridge publishes annual certification information on its website at: Cambridge International AS and A Level results statistics

It also submits certification information to UCAS and individual institutions worldwide.

Progression information

Students can generally expect their grades to be accepted as comparable, grade for grade, to UK AS level grades by universities worldwide.

Further information

Further information is available as follows:

Cambridge International AS & A level:   Cambridge International AS & A Levels

Cambridge International AS & A level syllabuses Cambridge International AS & A Level subjects

Cambridge International AS & A level recognition and acceptance: www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/recognitio…

Cambridge International AS & A level factsheet – a guide for universities: www.cie.org.uk/images/255120-cambridge-international-as-and-a-level-factsheet-english.pdf