The road to university - via the Cambridge Pre-U?

Q. Is there a clear preference by universities for A levels, IB or Pre-U? Does Cambridge University prefer its own Cambridge Pre-U qualification? What do other universities think of this qualification?

A. It is important to note that universities will not favour one qualification over another, as students who happen to have access to one route should not gain an unfair advantage over another. Some courses, for example medicine at Oxford and Cambridge set their own aptitude tests and also rely heavily upon interviews. The key to success here is how well the individual can think for herself and respond to rigorous questions rather than what Sixth Form course has been followed.
Universities have, however, been quick to recognise the value of the Cambridge Pre-U as is amply demonstrated by the following statements:

‘Durham University notes the academic rigour of the linear approach, the retention of subject specialism and the expanded reporting scale at the top end of achievement.’ Durham University

“We welcome the academic rigour of the new qualification’s linear approach and the retention of subject specialism.” Wendy Piatt, Director-General of the Russell Group, which includes Bristol, Oxford, Cambridge and the London School of Economics

Ivy League universities in the USA have also published statements welcoming applicants with Cambridge Pre-U, for example “Yale University would be pleased to consider applications from students with Cambridge Pre-U examination results.”

Such sentiments are now being backed up with the confirmation of published grade offers from the universities. Our experience so far at Walthamstow Hall has been that Pre-U students are definitely being welcomed by the universities. Expert Independent Higher Education Groups have accorded higher tariff values to the Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects (and also to GPR) compared with A Level and IB subjects.

Three years after signing up to the programme we have found that the Pre-U is delivering everything that we had hoped for not only in terms of the more flexible linear course structure but also in the very positive reception that the qualification is receiving from universities both at home and in the US.

At the end of their two year course Pre-U students have the opportunity of achieving Pre-U distinction grades that go beyond the A level A grade, and indeed the new A* grade being introduced in 2010. The top two Pre-U distinction grades also exceed the value of the top International Baccalaureate grade 7.

The higher tariff value Universities such as Bristol, Cambridge, Oxford, Warwick and Durham have now published their grade offers in terms of Cambridge Pre-U, indicating a clear understanding of this bench marking against A Level and IB grades.

Tariffs aside at Walthamstow Hall we have witnessed how the Cambridge Pre-U courses teach students to think and can provide an excellent foundation for the demands of university study.