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Cambridge Pre-U

FAQs

Frequently asked questions about Cambridge Pre-U

• What is Cambridge Pre-U?
• What is the Cambridge Pre-U Diploma?
• How does Cambridge Pre-U fit in with a school's current timetable/curriculum?
• Is it possible to study Cambridge Pre-U alongside A Levels?
• Is it necessary to do Cambridge Pre-U exclusively to qualify for the Diploma?
• Is Cambridge Pre-U limited to independent schools?
• Can I take just one Cambridge Pre-U subject, without taking the whole Diploma?
• How is Cambridge Pre-U different from other courses?
• How many subjects do I have to take?
• What is the Independent Research Report?
• Do I have to do an Independent Research Report?
• What exactly is the Global Perspectives component of the Diploma?
• Do I have to prepare a Global Perspectives portfolio?
• Are there any compulsory Principal subjects?
• Can I take Global Perspectives and Research (GPR) separately?
• What is GPR?
• How is it graded?
• Do I get more university credit if I do the whole Diploma?
• Who will mark Cambridge Pre-U?
• Can CIE guarantee that the marking will be consistent?
• Will mark schemes be less prescriptive and reward ‘flair’ (i.e. creative answers which are not formulaic)?
• Are universities going to favour/disfavour people with Cambridge Pre-U?

• What is Cambridge Pre-U?
• Cambridge Pre-U is a post-16 qualification designed to prepare students with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful at university. It challenges students to show not only a keen grasp of their subject, but also lateral, critical and contextual thinking. It encourages individual, independent research and promotes learning through innovative approaches to curriculum and assessment.
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• What is the Cambridge Pre-U Diploma?
• Students may take individual Cambridge Pre-U subjects, however, if they successfully study three Principal subjects, in combination with completing an Individual Research Report and compiling a Global Perspectives portfolio, over two years, they will be awarded the Cambridge Pre-U Diploma.
  
  

  Cambridge Pre-U Diploma

  Independent Research Report

  Principal
  Subject

  Principal
  Subject

  Principal
  Subject

  Global Perspectives

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• How does Cambridge Pre-U fit in with a school's current timetable/curriculum?
• Cambridge Pre-U is designed to be flexible, allowing individual Principal Subjects to be taught in timetable slots allocated to A Level. It will be easier to integrate into the curriculum than the new government Diplomas.
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• Is it possible to study Cambridge Pre-U alongside A Levels?
• Yes. Initially, we expect that most schools will continue to offer A Levels in some subjects alongside Cambridge Pre-U in others. A Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subject has equivalence with an individual A Level subject, although Cambridge Pre-U divides the old A Level A grade into three bands of achievement, with one grade above A*.
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• Is it necessary to do Cambridge Pre-U exclusively to qualify for the Diploma?
• No. We also expect to credit other qualifications within the full Cambridge Pre-U Diploma, where it is possible to establish a clear equivalence. A student may substitute up to two qualifications, e.g. A Levels, for two of the three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects within the Diploma.
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• Is Cambridge Pre-U limited to independent schools?
• No. Once accredited, Cambridge Pre-U will be available to independent and maintained schools for first teaching in September 2008. The focus of the qualification is on students, not schools, and Cambridge Pre-U will appeal to university-bound students in a wide range of schools and colleges.
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• Can I take just one Cambridge Pre-U subject, without taking the whole Diploma?
• Yes, absolutely. Many students are interested in taking GPR, the Global Perspectives Portfolio and the Independent Research Report as a standalone certificate.
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• How is Cambridge Pre-U different from other courses?
• Cambridge Pre-U is a two-year programme of study. The structure of each Cambridge Pre-U syllabus is linear, so students take exams at the end of the whole course.
  
  Assessment at the end of the course makes for greater coherence in teaching and learning, by freeing up time currently used in module examinations and retakes, and by giving teachers the freedom to structure their courses in the most appropriate way for their students.
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• How many subjects do I have to take?
• The Cambridge Pre-U Diploma recognises and rewards depth in student learning. It requires that students study a minimum of three Principal subjects freely chosen from across the curriculum, in combination with Global Perspectives and Research, GPR.
  
  However students do not have to do the full Cambridge Pre-U Diploma. They may study any of the 26 Principal subjects or the GPR core individually, or in combination with A Level subjects, to gain a Cambridge Pre-U certificate in that subject.
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• What is the Independent Research Report?
• The Independent Research Report is a requirement of the Diploma and comprises a report based on a topic chosen by the student. It gives the student the opportunity to dig deeper in a chosen specialism, cross boundaries with an inter-disciplinary enquiry, or make a new departure with a non-school subject, e.g. Anthropology. Universities place much value on a student’s independent learning and research skills.
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• Do I have to do an Independent Research Report?
• The Independent Research Report is a compulsory part of the Cambridge Pre-U Diploma.
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• What exactly is the Global Perspectives component of the Diploma?
• Global Perspectives is a series of seminars that encourages students to explore real-world challenges that will face them as young people in the modern world – wherever they may live and work. Students will build up a portfolio of work including audio-visual and web-based presentations and will develop detailed research proposals. Topics sit under five headings: Practical Ethics, Economics, Environment, Technology, and Politics and Culture.
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• Do I have to prepare a Global Perspectives portfolio?
• Global Perspectives is a compulsory part of the Cambridge Pre-U Diploma.
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• Are there any compulsory Principal subjects?
• No. It’s an entirely free choice.
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• Can I take Global Perspectives and the Independent Research Report separately?
• Yes. Global Perspectives and the Independent Research Report can be taken as a separate certificate by students who are studying other qualifications. GPR is a popular alternative to Critical Thinking.
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• What is GPR?
• Global Perspectives and Research (GPR) is the Global Perspectives course and the Independent Research Report. These must be completed for the full Cambridge Pre-U Diploma. However, students studying other qualifications may also take GPR separately, as a standalone certificate.
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• How is it graded?
• Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects will be graded on the scale below. The likely equivalence with A Level grades is shown in the table. Cambridge Pre-U has an extra grade above the new A Level A* for the very brightest students, but is accessible to all those who currently achieve passes at A Level.
  
  

  Distinction	D1
  	D2	Likely A* grade
  	D3		A/B Boundary
  Merit	M1
  	M2
  	M3
  Pass	P1
  	P2
  	P3		E/U Boundary
  Grading Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects Showing likely equivalence with A Level grades.

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• Do I get more university credit if I do the whole Diploma?
• UCAS will not decide the tariff points for the Cambridge Pre-U Diploma until the syllabus is finalised. However, universities have indicated that it would be more impressive if a student applied to them with the Diploma.
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• Who will mark Cambridge Pre-U?
• Most subjects consist of external examinations marked externally by CIE examiners. In subjects where project work does exist, or where there is oral or performance/practical work, this is generally marked externally by CIE.
  
  We shall only use experienced markers who understand fully the ethos of Cambridge Pre-U. Our hope is that teachers actually teaching the course will offer themselves for this work. Initially we will mark residentially to allow for discussion between markers at all stages.
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• Can CIE guarantee that the marking will be consistent?
• Yes. CIE will work with teachers and examiners to ensure that a common understanding is reached about marking. We will put checks in place to monitor the progress of marking and to ensure consistency from year to year.
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• Will mark schemes be less prescriptive and reward ‘flair’ (i.e. creative answers which are not formulaic)?
• It is our intention to ensure that all candidates receive appropriate reward for the answers they give, even if they are unforeseen.
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• Are universities going to favour/disfavour people with Cambridge Pre-U?
• Universities are faced each year with candidates applying for admission who have taken a number of different qualifications from around the world. CIE has consulted extensively with universities – both admissions staff and faculty members – who in general would welcome a qualification aimed specifically at preparing students for the type of work they will encounter at university.
  
  Some typical quotes received from universities are:
  ‘It has great educational benefits.’ ‘We like the linear approach and educational values.’ ‘Impressive to have the whole award.’ ‘The Independent Research Project will be important and could be a deciding factor.’ ‘Cambridge Pre-U could be a catalyst for positive change in the UK.’
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