C ambridge International is the world’s largest provider of international education programmes and qualifications. Cambridge International A Levels are highly regarded internationally and accepted as equivalent to UK A Levels, offering rigorous, in-depth, advanced study in areas of particular interest. Every year thousands of learners with Cambridge International AS & A Levels gain places at leading universities around the world, including those in the UK, USA (including Ivy League universities), European nations, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa.
We offer a Cambridge International A Levels stream as an alternative to the IEB Matric. It is structured as a two-year course, starting with the AS Level in the first year (Grade 11), and extended to the A Level in the second year (Grade 12). We offer Cambridge International qualifications through a Cambridge Associate.
The purpose of offering the A Levels stream is:
- To allow our pupils the opportunity to apply for and be accepted to the international universities of their choice.
- To stretch and enrich our top pupils academically, through more advanced, rigorous and in-depth study in areas of particular interest.
Both the IEB Matric and Cambridge International A Levels are highly regarded worldwide. While A Levels provide easier access to international universities, the IEB Matric is more suitable for applying to South African universities.
A Levels Application Form 2024
A Levels Subject Choice Booklet 2024
Frequently Asked Questions About A Levels
Fees for 2023: R19,440.00 per year, or R6,480.00 per term.
St Andrew’s College online presentation on the Cambridge International A Levels Stream, explaining what the A Levels stream is and how it works. Click on the video below:
Cambridge International Examinations (Private Candidates)
St Andrew’s College is a Cambridge Associate Examination Centre, and we welcome private candidates from the Eastern Cape to register to write their Cambridge examinations at St Andrew’s College, in either May/June or October/November of each year.
Private candidates wishing to register to write their Cambridge examinations at St Andrew’s College should follow the link below to the online registration form. Further information, costs, and terms and conditions are included on the registration form.
Deadlines for registration for 2023 examinations are as follows:
May/June 2023: 13 February 2023
October/November 2023: 28 July 2023
Curriculum
We offer the following Cambridge AS/A Level subjects:
Afrikaans (IGCSE)
Art & Design *
Biology
Chemistry
Economics
English Language and Literature (AS Level only)
English Language (A Level only)
French (IGCSE)
Geography*
History
isiZulu (IGCSE)
Literature in English (A Level only)
Mathematics
Music
Physics
Psychology
*Subject to interest and availability
- Pupils take five or six subjects in Grade 11 (AS Level) and carry three or four subjects forward in Grade 12 (A Level).
- Grade 11 subjects (AS Level) should be selected carefully to fulfil the requirements for South African university exemption.
- Once pupils have started on the A Level stream, they will not be able to change back to the IEB Matric.
- All pupils on the A Levels stream are expected to play a full part in the life of the school.
Subject Choices (AS/A Level unless stated)
| Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | Group 4 |
| English Language | Afrikaans (IGCSE) | Mathematics | Art & Design |
| isiZulu (IGCSE) | Biology | ||
| French | Chemistry | ||
| English Literature | |||
| Geography | |||
| History | |||
| Music | |||
| Physics |
Grade 11 subject choices are based on requirements for exemption for SA universities:
Grade 11 (AS Level / IGCSE)
- Pupils take five subjects: one subject from each of Groups 1, 2 and 3, and two subjects from Group 4.
- Group 4 subjects will be clustered in three options, so some combinations of subjects may not be available.
- Academically able pupils may be allowed to take a sixth AS Level subject from Group 4, subject to availability.
- It may be possible to take Biology as an alternative to Mathematics to meet the requirements for Group 3.
- Foreign students may be exempt from a second language for exemption purposes.
Grade 12 subject choices should be based on requirements for pupils’ overseas or SA universities and courses of choice:
Grade 12 (A Level)
- Pupils take three A Level subjects (chosen from the AS Level subjects taken in Grade 11).
- Academically able pupils may be allowed to take a fourth A Level subject.
Note: All subjects are offered subject to sufficient demand. Where there is a maximum number of places available for a particular subject, the top candidates, based on previous academic performance, will be allocated the places in that subject.
Qualifications for Entry
A 70% aggregate in Grade 10 is required for entry to the A Level programme. Consideration will be given to those with an aggregate above 60%, depending on work ethic and subject choices. The requirements for those who arrive having completed a set of IGCSEs will be similar. The transition from Grade 10 or IGCSE to the Cambridge A Levels programme is challenging in terms of more advanced, rigorous and in depth study, and the levels of independent study required.
Fees
There will be an additional charge of R19 440 for 2023 attached to taking the A Levels stream, over and above the normal school fees. Further costs will include examination registration costs and textbooks.
Advantages of taking Cambridge International A Levels
Cambridge International A Levels are internationally recognised as the premier university entrance qualification. Should your child be aiming to study at an overseas university, an A Levels qualification will streamline the process. Pupils intending to study in South Africa will also benefit from the in-depth, rigorous, university-style approach to their work, which will give them a head start to their tertiary education.
Disadvantages of taking Cambridge International A Levels
For pupils intending to study at South African universities, very careful consideration of subject choices is necessary to ensure matriculation exemption and to meet the specific university faculty requirements. The requirements for A Levels students applying to South African universities tend to be more challenging, and the later release of Cambridge results may hinder smooth entry to South African universities.
The step up to Cambridge AS and A Levels from Grade 10 is challenging in terms of the academic demand and the necessity for independent study.
Further Information
For more information about our Cambridge International A Levels stream, please contact Graham Creese (HOD A Levels) at g.creese@sacschool.com
More information on Cambridge courses and qualifications can be found on the Cambridge International website: www.cambridgeinternational.org.
We also recommend the Cambridge International Recognitions Database, which details specific entry requirements for universities around the world for pupils with A Level qualifications: http://recognition.cambridgeinternational.org
Please browse the links below for more information.
- Universities South Africa – requirements for SA Universities
http://www.cambridgeinternational.org/images/122856-universities-south-africa.pdf
- Cambridge International AS and A Level Recognition
- Destination USA / UK / Australia
http://www.cambridgeinternational.org/images/149712-destination-usa.pdf
http://www.cambridgeinternational.org/images/178794-destination-uk.pdf
http://www.cambridgeinternational.org/images/339434-destination-australia.pdf
- Informed Choices – Russell Group (UK)
https://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/media/5686/informed-choices-2018-1-6th-edition-final.pdf
- Video: Why UCT Welcomes Cambridge Students
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_hrz9KdLWI
- Stellenbosch entry requirements for Cambridge Students
- Cambridge International Recognition Brochure:
http://www.cambridgeinternational.org/images/467908-recognition-brochure.pdf