08 Nov 2019
Cambridge Assessment International Education today announces plans to withdraw its Cambridge Pre-U qualification.
For over 10 years Cambridge Pre-U has been a high quality, stable qualification. Following an extensive consultation in the UK and internationally, Cambridge International has taken the decision to withdraw the Cambridge Pre-U suite of qualifications and support schools in transitioning to alternative curricula within Cambridge International and Cambridge Assessment. The last examination will be in June 2023, with a resit available in June 2024.
Christine Özden, Chief Executive of Cambridge International, said:
‘Cambridge Pre-U has had an influence on the UK government’s reform of A Level as a linear qualification, and many features of Cambridge Pre-U which were distinctive and ground-breaking at the time are now part of the educational mainstream.
‘UK schools in both the state and independent sector have adopted Cambridge Pre-U as rigorous preparation for university. However, despite being held in high regard, it has only been used by a small number of schools, and this makes it unsustainable for us to run.
‘Our consultations outside the UK have shown that schools worldwide do not see Cambridge Pre-U as distinct enough from our International A Level to adopt it. From this, we have concluded that Cambridge Pre-U entries will not grow any further.
‘Students who gain Cambridge Pre-U qualifications before their withdrawal can be confident that universities will recognise their achievements as fully as if the qualification were continuing. Cambridge International will continue to uphold its high level of service and support throughout the final years of Cambridge Pre-U.
‘Cambridge International is proud of Cambridge Pre-U. Our consultation with schools has highlighted many elements of the qualification that are highly-valued and we are considering how we carry many of these forward in other parts of our curriculum.’