Industry News
Private schools preparing for Pre-U
Posted on 16th January 2008
A number of leading independent schools are reportedly considering offering the new Pre-U qualification when the 2008-09 school year gets underway.
The Pre-U is designed to be alternative to A-levels and involves pupils studying three subjects in depth, as well as completing both an independent research report and a global perspectives portfolio.
It has already won the backing of the Russell Group universities - which praised its "academic rigour" - and now just needs the green light from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) for it to be taught in schools.
Cambridge International Examinations, which devised the qualification, has indicated the Pre-U is close to being given QCA accreditation and that it will be worth the equivalent of four A-levels in the university admissions tariff.
As a result, several top independent schools are already making plans to include the qualification in their post-16 options from September.
Many private schools already offer a range of alternatives to GCSEs and A-levels, such as the International Baccalaureate and IGCSE.