Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary level

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Last verified
Country
  • International
Purpose

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

Education context

Have been available internationally since September 2013.

Taught by over 790 schools in 75 countries

Is not available to schools in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or in British Forces overseas schools.

Awarding organisation
  • Pearson (Edexcel)
Structure

This qualification is not regulated by Ofqual, and does not appear on the Register of Regulated Qualifications.

  • Accounting: 1 unit, modular qualification.
  • Business Studies & Economics: 2 unit, modular qualification.
  • English Language & English Literature: 2 unit, modular qualification.
  • Geography: 2 unit, modular qualification.
  • History: 2 unit, modular qualification.
  • Arabic & Greek: 1 unit, modular qualification.
  • French, German & Spanish: 2 unit, modular qualification.
  • Applied ICT:  3 unit, modular qualification.
  • Mathematics: 2 unit, modular qualification.
  • Further Mathematics: 3 unit, modular qualification.
  • Pure Mathematics: 2 unit, modular qualification.
  • Biology, Chemistry & Physics: 3 unit, modular qualification.
  • Psychology: 2 unit, modular qualification.
Subject areas
  • Business and Finance (Accounting, Business Studies, Economics)
  • English (English Language, English Literature)
  • Humanities (Geography, History)
  • Languages (Arabic, French, German, Greek, Spanish)
  • ICT
  • Mathematics (Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Pure Mathematics)
  • Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
  • Psychology
Levels
  • Level 3

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

Grading

The IAS qualification is graded and certificated on a five-grade scale from A – E.

Assessment

Most are entirely assessed through externally examined assessments.

The only exception is ICT, in which two of the three units are internally assessed and the evidence is presented as either an ebook or eportfolio.

Contribution of assessment components to overall grade
  • Accounting: 1 unit worth 100%.
  • Business Studies & Economics: 2 units worth 50% each.
  • English Language & English Literature: 2 units worth 50% each.
  • Geography: Unit 1 worth 60% and Unit 2 worth 40%.
  • History: 2 units worth 50% each.
  • Arabic & Greek: 1 unit worth 100%.
  • French, German & Spanish: Unit 1 worth 30.8% and Unit 2 worth 69.2%.
  • Applied ICT:  3 units worth 33% each.
  • Mathematics: Unit C12 worth 66.6% plus 1 unit worth 33.3%.
  • Further Mathematics: 3 units worth 33.3% each.
  • Pure Mathematics: Unit C12 worth 66.6% plus unit F1 worth 33.3%.
  • Biology, Chemistry & Physics: Units 1 & 2 worth 40% each plus Unit 3 worth 20%.
  • Psychology: Unit 1 worth 40% and Unit 2 worth 60%.
Resit arrangements

Students can resit any unit irrespective of whether the qualification is to be cashed in. If a student resits a unit more than once, only the better of the two most recent attempts will be available for aggregation to a qualification grade.

Please refer to the Entry, Aggregation and Certification document on the Pearson Edexcel qualifications website: http://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/International%20Advanced%20Level/2013/Forms%20and%20administration/IAL-entry-aggregation-and-certification-rules-update.pdf

Guided/notional learning hours notes

180 guided learning hours.

Key issues for UK HE admissions

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

Since they are not available in UK schools, HEPs will not receive applications from UK students holding International AS levels.

UK NARIC has carried out an independent benchmarking of International AS level, and found it comparable to the standard of UK AS level.

Learners use International AS levels to gain places at universities worldwide including United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, UAE, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Timing of assessments/results for learners

January examination series – candidate results released in March.

June examination series – candidate results released in August.

October examination series – candidate results released in January.

Qualification dates notes

This qualification is current.

Reporting and certification information
Progression information

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