The Cambridge Advanced Level Curriculum

Introductory Video Clip on A levels

As a Cambridge Centre, [HK055] Korean International School has developed a sequence of programmes of study at all levels of the school including: Cambridge International Primary Programme [CIPP] from Reception to year 6; Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme for years 7 to 9; Cambridge IGCSE for years 10 & 11; and A Levels in years 12 will complete the sequence by featuring subjects that prepare students for university courses in business.

The A Level programme is very demanding and consequently has wide acceptance and recognition in universities around the world. The A Level programme is a natural competitor for AP-based programmes of study as well as IB-based programmes but given that A Levels has a much longer history and a reputation for a continuing high standard of academic excellence, we believe it is the best curriculum currently available. The reputation Cambridge has developed over more than 60 years as a pillar in international education is a major factor in its power to gain admission to a university of the student’s choice.

Before proceeding further parents are advised to go to the webpage below where very detailed information on the A Levels has been prepared by Cambridge University

http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/uppersec/alevel/overview

Parents and students should read all the information on that webpage has most issues parents might have are addressed.

Advanced Level Scholarships: Rewarding Merit

To attract the best year 11 students who have completed HKCEE or IGCSE programmes of study, the school will offer a reduction of school fees of 10% for an A grade and a reduction of 5% for a B grade up to a maximum of 30% reduction in fees. For example, this means that a form 5 student who has an A grade in one HKCEE subject and two B grades in other subjects would have the normal monthly school fees of HK$8950 school fees reduced by 20% to HK$7160. This reduction would apply for the whole year that the student was in the A Level programme. The table below gives clients a clear idea of monthly cost based on different grades in HKCEE or IGCSE:

Korean International School’s A Level Focus

Given the wide selection of courses available for study within the A Levels and the anticipated background of the students that will be selected to take the course at Korean International School, it has been decided to select subjects for the A Levels that will prepare students for business programmes at universities. Listed below are the subjects and a link for each subject to the Cambridge Web site where a detailed description of the course in the form of a PDF file can be located. There are 5 core subjects that must be taken and one optional course that can be selected from three choices:

Core Subjects

• AS Math
• AS Psychology
• AS Business studies
• AS English Language
• AS Economics

Optional Subjects

• AS Chinese Language or
• AS Art & Design or
• AS General Paper

A levels at Korean International School are thus basically 6 AS courses that are completed in one year of study. The optional subjects of Chinese Language and the General Paper are examined in November while the other exams are entered in May & June each year. Spacing the exams in November and May/June reduces the load for students considerably. Where the standard A level programme covers university level work using A2 subject curricula, at KIS we leave university work to be covered in university. Universities regard 4 AS subjects in the first year of A levels as challenging so having KIS students enter 6 AS subjects in one year demonstrates the quality of both the students and the programme.

International vs. A Levels in England

Parents need to understand that there is a significant difference in the academic standards set by Cambridge for international evaluation and those set for internal assessment within England. Just as IGCSE is of a much higher standard than the local English GCSE, the A Levels Cambridge prepares for Asian countries like Singapore and Hong Kong, still is of what is generally called a ‘gold standard’. The difference in local vs. international A Levels is directly linked to the fact that Cambridge International Examinations [CIE] is an independent body that is free of the politicizing influence of any government that has diluted the standards of A Levels within England. Parents should not confuse the debate within England concerning A Levels with what Cambridge produces for international use – the quality of international A Levels has not been influenced by the Conservative government’s attempts to privatize British education. When first selecting the Cambridge A Levels a careful review was made of what the best schools in Asia were following, and the continued use of Cambridge A Levels in all Singapore local schools was a major factor in going with what Cambridge had to offer.

A Levels and University Acceptance

A major concern for students is the value of the credential they will get upon graduation. Here, the issue is whether students can use successful grades on AICE subjects to gain admission to local and overseas universities.

This issue has been dealt with clearly by Cambridge University and they have a link on the website created for the A Levels that allows students to select a particular university and to see if the A Levels meet admission criteria. The link is:

http://recognition.cie.org.uk/

Students who are trying to gain admission to a particular university should use the link to see how the A Levels measure up. Generally, because the A Levels are challenging, they have been granted wide acceptance in most countries.

Given the recent changes in the Hong Kong system of higher education where students will graduate after form 6, the A Levels which span over Year 12 and Year 13 will be regarded as similar to the previous system in Hong Kong where students entered university after completing Form 7. This will give students taking the A Levels better preparation for local universities and increase their chances of being admitted to Hong universities generally.

Applying for the A Level Programme

It is important for applicants to understand that the A Level programme at Korean International School is not for everyone because it has a specific focus and really requires language competence. The following important notes should be considered before applying:

• Does the student want to study business, finance, etc., at university?
• Is the student competent at mathematics? Three areas will be covered: pure mathematics I and II and Statistics.
• Has the student had adequate preparation in English? There is one credit in English and the area chosen is English language not English literature. Different kinds of writing and reading comprehension will form the bulk of the course.
• Is the student prepared to work very hard? Students need to understand clearly that they will be covering 6 AS Level courses where usually only 4 AS subjects are covered.
• Is the student serious about applying to university? Experience has taught us that some students don’t have direction – they don’t apply to universities in spite of repeated warnings that this has to be done within specific deadlines. All A Level students will be expected to have a clear plan about their tertiary studies and a teacher will be assigned to assist in this process from the very beginning of the programme.
• Does the student understand the difference between Cambridge A-Levels and A-Levels offered in local schools? As an international school we really do operate in English. The A Level programme is designed for a maximum of 15 students – the best 15 that apply. The subjects have not been ‘diluted’ and remain the same kind of challenge that they have been over the last 30 years.
• Does the student understand the difference between A Levels and IB? A Levels allow students more freedom in course selection. Students will note that the A Levels selected at Korean International School do not include a social studies course. IB would not allow this kind of concentration but the A Levels do.

Application Procedures

Students who want to apply for the A Levels should complete the application form and submit it with supporting documents. It is important that the results of any external exams like HKCEE results be attached as well. To simplify the process all this should be done using emails and scans of required documents as attachments to the email. Originals will be required in an interview should that be granted.

Parents and/or students who have specific questions are encouraged to contact the principal using the contact information listed below.

Telephone: 2569 5500 (area code 852) Email: kisints@kis.edu.hk

Revised: July 16th 2011