Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE)

 

 

Phofs Academy empowers learners to thrive academically and personally through expert preparation for the Cambridge International Curriculum - IGCSE/O-Level, AS Level, and A Level qualifications - respected and recognised by leading universities worldwide.

 

Cambridge International Equivalency for South African Admissions 

 

To be considered for admission to South African universities or colleges, Cambridge International qualifications can be evaluated as equivalent to the South African National Senior Certificate (matric - grade/year 12). The minimum requirements vary depending on the level of study.

 

For Bachelor’s Degree Admission (equivalent to a Matric with Bachelor Pass):
Applicants must meet one of the following combinations and include the required subjects:

 

  • Option 1: At least 1 GCSE/O-Level subject passed with grade A–C, plus 4 AS-Level subjects passed with grade A–D.
  • Option 2: At least 3 GCSE/O-Level subjects passed with grade A–C, plus 2 A-Level subjects passed with grade A–E

 

Required Subjects:
In every combination above, the subjects offered must include:

  • English Language, and
  • at least one of the following sciences or mathematics: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics

 

For Diploma or Higher Certificate Admission (equivalent to a Matric with Diploma Pass):
Applicants must meet one of the following combinations and include the required subjects:

 

  • Option 1: At least 5 GCSE/O-Level subjects passed with grade A–C, or
  • Option 2:  At least 3 GCSE/O-Level subjects passed with grade A–E, plus 2 AS-Level subjects passed with grade A–E.

 

Required Subjects:
In every combination above, the subjects offered must include:

English Language.

 

Important: These guidelines reflect common admission standards. Applicants should confirm specific entry requirements with the institution of their choice and may need to submit their Cambridge certificates for the formal USAF (Universities South Africa) or SAQA evaluation.

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Three Routes for AS & A Levels 

 

There are three routes for Cambridge International AS & A Levels:

 

  • Route 1: AS Level only - students take the AS components in the same exam series.

  • Route 2: A Level staged over two years - students take AS components in year 1 and A2 components in year 2.

  • Route 3: A level from a minimum of one year - students take the full A level (AS & A2) components in the same exam series.

 

 **Phofs Academy offers all three routes, and the route a student takes is determined by their capabilities,  aspirations,  and academic background:

 

  • Phofs Academy offers Route 1 to students who aspire to study at universities that accept AS Level qualifications equivalent to grade 12, like universities in South Africa, Egypt, the USA, Canada, etc. 

  • Phofs Academy offers Routes 2 & 3  to students who aspire to study with universities that accept Full A-Level qualifications, like universities in the UK and other European countries, New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, etc., or to students who want to gain admission advantage into competitive programmes in universities that accept AS-Level.

         

  **The choice between route 2 and route 3  depends on how well the students passed their GCSE/O-Level/grade 10-11:   

:

  •  Route 2 is offered to students who passed grade 11/GCSE/O-Level (IGCSE, LGCSE, BGCSE, EGCSE, ZIMSEC O-Level, etc.) or students from grade 10 who obtained exceptional results.

  • Route 3: is offered to students who obtained exceptional results from GCSE/O-Level (IGCSE, LGCSE, BGCSE, EGCSE, ZIMSEC O-LEVEL, etc.) and want to fast-track their studies.

 

 

 AS & A Level subjects offered at Phofs Academy 

 

For the AS Level Programme, students choose four or more subjects, and for the A-Level Programme, students choose two or more subjects from the following list:

 

  • Accounting

  • Biology

  • Business 

  • Chemistry

  • Economics

  • English Language

  • Geography

  • History

  • Law

  • Mathematics

  • Physics

 

Which AS & A Level subject combination should a student choose? 

 

The choice of AS & A Level subjects is influenced by the student's capabilities and the university field of study they intend to go into, for instance:

  • Students who intend to go into Agricultural and Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Health Sciences, can choose from Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Biology and English Language. 

  • Students who intend to go into Economic & Management Sciences, Law, and Social Sciences, can choose from English Language, Mathematics, Accounting, Economics, Business Studies, Law, Geography & History.

 

How do Phofs Academy students take their final exams for IGCSE, O-Level, AS & A Levels? 

 

At Phofs Academy, we prepare our students for the internationally recognised Cambridge International examinations, which are written in person at authorised examination venues.  Since we operate fully online, we are not an accredited examination centre and therefore do not run our own exam venue. Instead, our students register as private candidates and sit their exams at accredited centres such as the British Council and other approved Cambridge examination centres across South Africa and beyond

 

This section serves as a practical guide, providing website links listing all recognised exam centres around the world that accept private candidates. Parents or students are responsible for contacting their chosen centre directly, completing the registration process, and paying the examination fees to that centre. By following the details provided here, families can select the location that best suits their schedule and circumstances while ensuring their results remain fully accredited by Cambridge International.

 

British Council Exam Centres:

 

https://schoolexams.britishcouncil.org

 

 

Other Exam centres:

 

https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/why-choose-us/find-a-cambridge-school/