Peter Price Head of Geography, Charterhouse 9 April 2016 Cambridge Advanced: post-16 options Peter Monteath Regional Director, UK and Ireland

A level reform in England  The following are being redeveloped for first teaching in September 2015:  English Language and Literature, sciences, art and design, business, computer science, economics, history, sociology, psychology  Subjects for first teaching 2016:  Modern foreign languages, geography, dance, drama, music, P.E. and religious studies  Remainder will be reformed by 2017.

Where does Cambridge fit in?

Cambridge Advanced Cambridge Secondary 1 Cambridge Checkpoint Cambridge ICT Starters Cambridge IGCSE Cambridge O Level Cambridge ICE Cambridge Secondary 1 11 to 14 years old* Cambridge Secondary 2 14 to 16 years old* Cambridge Primary Cambridge Primary Checkpoint Cambridge ICT Starters Cambridge Primary 5 to 11 years old* Cambridge Advanced 16 to 19 years old* Cambridge International AS and A Level Cambridge Pre-U Cambridge AICE

Cambridge International AS and A Level  Tens of thousands of learners use it every year to gain places at leading universities worldwide  Cambridge International AS and A Level options available  Over 55 subjects – specialise or retain breadth.  Schools can build an individualised curriculum  In UK, offered by independent sector schools only – not Ofqual regulated  International A Level, domestic A Level, Pre- U mix is not uncommon.

“We think that Cambridge International qualifications are a really good preparation for university study. They allow students to specialise in particular subjects and to develop lots of other skills which are really useful for university study – things like communication skills, research skills and problem-solving skills” Roseanna Cross, Head of Undergraduate Admissions, University of Bristol “Cambridge International A Levels are an excellent technical qualification. They provide really good core knowledge and help to build aptitude and they provide a really good bedrock for the move – the transition to university in the first year of study.” Richard Partington, Senior Tutor, Churchill College, University of Cambridge

Assessment Structure

Scheme of Assessment (to 2017)  Paper 1 Core Geography (AS Level, 3 hours)  Paper 2 Advanced Physical Options  Paper 3 Advanced Human Options (Each 1 hour 30 minutes, forming A Level with Paper 1) Delivery can be staged or linear.

Scheme of assessment from 2018 ComponentDurationWeighting AS LevelA Level Paper 1 Core Physical Geography1 hr 30 mins50%25% Paper 2 Core Human Geography1 hr 30 mins50%25% Paper 3 Advanced Physical Options1 hr 30 mins-25% Paper 4 Advanced Human Options1 hr 30 mins-25% Up to and including 2017, Papers 1 and 2 are combined

 All four (three in 2017) components are externally assessed by Cambridge  No coursework  International qualification so compulsory fieldwork would have been difficult to assess. Fieldwork is actively encouraged but not directly assessed in components.

What is the content of the Core? Physical Core 1 Hydrology and fluvial geomorphology 2 Atmosphere and weather 3 Rocks and weathering Human Core 1 Population 2 Migration 3 Settlement dynamics

Advanced Options at a view (unchanged for 2018) Choose Two Advanced Physical Options from: 1 Tropical environments 2 Coastal environments 3 Hazardous environments 4 Arid and semi-arid environments Choose Two Advanced Human Options from: 1Production, location and change 2Environmental management 3Global interdependence 4Economic transition

Examination sessions  Two examination sessions  October/November  May/June  After AS Level, full A Level must be completed within 13 months  AS Level can be re-taken or full A Level can be re-taken  No unit re-takes.

In Summary  Well-established syllabus  Staged approach of AS contributing to full A Level grade is retained. It can also be taken in a ‘linearly’  AS moves to a two paper examination in 2018  November examination series, if required  All components assessed by Cambridge  Support resources – especially past papers

2005/6: The initial steer  Approach from schools  Some discontent with current A Level provision  Issues around modularity:  Retake culture  Grade inflation  Lack of discrimination  Loss of teaching time

Advantages of assessment after two years  More time for learning  Time to ‘find voice’ in subjects  Time to make transition into Sixth Form life  Time to link ideas, concepts, themes  Less emphasis on examination culture  Freedom for teachers to build exciting, innovative study programmes

Distinction Merit Pass D1 D3 M2 M3 P1 P2 P3 D2 M1 E/U boundary A/B boundary C/D boundary Cambridge Pre-U exists in a defined relationship to A Level It is accessible to all who currently achieve pass at A Level Grading

Universities Recognition, offers and destinations

Typical offers from selective universities Cambridge - History Standard A Level Offer: A*, A, A Mixed portfolio: D2, A, A Warwick – Chemistry Standard A Level Offer: A, A, B Mixed portfolio: D3, D3, B Nottingham - Geography Standard A Level Offer: A, A, B Pre-U OfferD3, D3, M1 Essex – Mathematics Standard A Level Offer: B, B, B Mixed portfolio: M2, B, B Plus: Recognition and offers from top US universities We encourage schools to contact us early about non- UK applications so that we can liaise with the university.

Cambridge Pre-U UK A Level

So where does that leave us?  Cambridge – greater stability and continuity. Long established qualifications  Syllabus reviews driven by schools with university input on overarching aims  Offering real choice for decision-makers in schools.

Learn more! Getting in touch with Cambridge is easy us at or telephone +44 (0)