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Pre U Explained
The Pre U is being introduced by Cambridge International Examinations from September 2008. In common with the old A Levels specifications before the introduction of modules, Pre U exams will all be taken at the end of the two year course. The Pre U is designed to provide an excellent preparation for university studies. It is being looked at very closely by highly selective schools.
Students choose three principal subjects from any of the following:
- Arts and Humanities
- Art and Design
- Art History
- Classical Greek
- Classical Heritage
- History
- Latin
- Literature in English
- Music
- Philosophy and Theology
Theatre Studies is in development
- Social Sciences
- Business and Management
- Comparative Government and
- Politics
- Economics
- Geography
- Psychology
- Mathematics and Sciences
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Further Mathematics
- Physics
Design Technology is in development
- Foreign Languages
- Mandarin
- Modern Foreign Languages
All Pre U Diploma students follow a course in their first year in Global Perspectives and produce a portfolio of work. In their second year they will write an Independent Research Report of 4,500 to 5,000 words whose aim is to be interdisciplinary in nature. The Global Perspectives course is expected to provide a foundation for this research.
The Pre U marking system is as follows:
Distinction
- D1
- D2 The D2 grade is expected to equate to the new A* grade at A Level
- D3 A/B boundary at A Level
Merit
- M1
- M2
- M3
Pass
- P1
- P2
- P3 The P3 grade will equate to the E/U boundary at A Level
Advantages of the Pre U
- No coursework apart from the Global Perspectives portfolio and the independent Research Report
- Each exam stands alone as a qualification in its own right so can be combined with A Levels
- No exams until the end of the final year of study which reduces pressure on students in Lower Sixth /Year 12, and so allows for more extra curricular involvement
- There are no stipulations regarding choice of the three Principal Subjects so the Pre U is more flexible than the IB
- The specifications are designed to stimulate and enthuse both teachers and students
- The Pre U marking system has 9 possible grades as opposed to 6 at A Level. This will allow for closer discrimination between university applicants.
- But the Pre U is brand new and so it will take time for teachers, schools and university admissions tutors to become familiar with it.