ADMISSIONS TO THE A-LEVEL PROGRAMME AT RGSV

CAN ANYONE ENTER THE CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL A-LEVEL PROGRAMME?

Yes! Our A-Level programme is an open programme.

However, the programme is rigorous and students are advised to seriously consider the recommendations of teachers and counsellors as this can impact upon success in the A-Level programme.

Admission Routes:

Internal Entries: (Existing Students moving from Year 11/Grade 10 to Year 12/Grade 11)

Students entering the A-Level Programme internally from the IGCSE Programme at RGSV take part in an extensive course selection process that includes input from sta as well as the Cambridge Coordinator and University Counsellor. The A-Level Programme course selection process occurs during Year 11 (Grade 10), where students take part in a series of workshops and seminar sessions as outlined in the A-Level Subject selection process section of the booklet.

External Entries:

All external entries to the A-Level Programme undertake placement testing to help determine their suitable for the programme. Programme testing is based on the preliminary subject choices of each entrance student with tests in English and Mathematics mandatory for all applicants. This is considered in conjunction with previous school records and results of any recognised external examinations or assessments that are aligned to the expectations for Internal entrance within RGSV. As part of the application process each applicant has an individual course selection meeting with the Cambridge Coordinator following successful completion of all entrance requirements prior to formal acceptance onto the A-level Programme. Each application is processed on a case by case basis.

For further details please refer to the RGSV Admissions Policy.

WHAT DOES SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE A-LEVEL PROGRAMME MEAN?

All final written examinations are taken at RGSV in May and June of Year 13 (Grade 12), but they are set and assessed by Cambridge International external examiners.

The Cambridge International grading scheme for each subject is as follows:

A* = excellent

A = very good

B = good

C = satisfactory

D = mediocre

E = poor

An individual grade is awarded for each subject studied.

IS IT NECESSARY TO FOLLOW THE WHOLE PROGRAMME?

Students who wish to enter most university courses will be expected to have completed all the suite of subjects studied. Under some conditions it may not be possible for a student to take the full A-Level Programme. In these instances a student may not be entered for one or more of the subject’s final examinations or may be withdrawn entirely from studying that subject.

RECOGNITION OF THE CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL A-LEVEL FOR ADMISSIONS TO UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES – UK

UK universities and colleges accept A-Levels for entry to all first degree courses and higher education institutions. However, the institutions are autonomous, and therefore the standards required are a matter for each individual institution to decide. Requirements will vary considerably depending on the institution, the course and even the year in which you’re applying for admission. It is recommended that students visit the Cambridge Assessment website to learn more about how their Cambridge A-Levels will be evaluated in the U.K. (cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/recognition-and-acceptance/country/uk/)

All applications for full-time undergraduate degree, Diploma of Higher Education, HND and Foundation degree courses at UK Higher Education institutions should be made via UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). All applications are made online via the UCAS website (www.ucas.com) between 1st September and 15th January for entry in the following September/October. (However, applications for the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge, and for courses in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine must be made by 15th October of the year preceding entry). Applicants may select up to five choices of institution/course, but are restricted to four choices for courses in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine with the opportunity to apply to one further choice of courses in other subject areas.

Applications to Art and Design courses are made through two di erent pathways of equal status:

(a) Route A (simultaneous route) - applications to be made between 1st September and 15th January

(b) Route B (sequential route) - applications to be made between 13th February and 24th March.

Institutions make their decisions independently of each other and relay them to applicants via UCAS. If the final A-Level grades have not yet been awarded, the o ers will normally be conditional on specified A-Level grades being obtained.

Please refer to the UCAS website (www.ucas.com) which includes Course Search listing entry requirements for all courses in the UCAS scheme.

RECOGNITION OF THE CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL A-LEVEL FOR ADMISSIONS TO UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES – USA

Cambridge International A-Levels enjoy wide recognition for admission to higher education institutions right across the USA. It is important to recognise that there is not a nationalised higher education system in the United States and institutions set their own unique admissions criteria. It is recommended students begin looking at university entrance requirements at towards the end of Year 11(Grade 10) as they start to choose their A-Levels courses. Students can also learn more about how to apply to the U.S. with their A-Levels by visiting the Cambridge Assessment website (https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/recognition-and-acceptance/country/usa/).

Although there is no centralised system in the United States that controls university admission or placement, all colleges and universities should value and accept the A-Levels as a valid qualification equivalent to the American high school diploma.

A student interested in post-secondary study in the USA should contact each college or university directly. Each university application is unique, and it is the student’s responsibility to explore the college's website or email their Admissions O cer to understand all the requirements and deadlines of the specific college or university.

In general terms, American colleges and universities require you to submit a written application for admission, which is often done through the Common Application (www.commonapp.org), the Coalition Application (www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org) or individual university websites. University applications often include written essays and a list of extracurricular activities the student has undertaken. Students will also need to request two letters of recommendation from teachers. RGSV will submit these letters of recommendation and a transcript with Secondary school grades directly to the university on the student’s behalf.

In addition, many universities require either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (www.collegeboard.org) or the American College Test (www.act.org). Although, these are becoming less of a requirement since the COVID-19 pandemic has limited test availability worldwide. Students whose first language is a language other than English are normally required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (www.toefl.org) or International English Language Testing System (www.ielts.org). Excellent A-Level exam results will increase a student’s chance for securing admission to selective universities and often count as credit towards completing a bachelor's degree.

Other web sites may be helpful in answering general and specific questions about the college admissions process in the U.S.A. Consult The National Association of College Admissions Counseling (www.nacac.com); The College Board (www.collegeboard.org); EducationUSA (www.educationusa.info) and the Higher Education Directory and the Higher Education Resource Center of the web site for the Council of International Schools (www.cois.org).