The Cambridge Pre-U was a school leaving qualification from Cambridge Assessment International Education that was an alternative to the current A-Level qualification. It was offered between 2008 and 2023 and was principally aimed at students aged 16–19, and has recognition for university entrance.[1]
The Cambridge Pre-U was launched in 2008 by Cambridge International Examinations in order to create a qualification which would offer additional depth in subjects beyond the standard A-Level syllabus. A number of independent, grammar and comprehensive schools and sixth-form colleges replaced A-Levels with Cambridge Pre-Us in some subjects. Over 120 schools offered Cambridge Pre-U in at least one subject and with some schools switching completely to offering solely the Pre-U.[2]
The Cambridge Pre-U was linear, like the UK A level[3] (the international A-level variant delivered by Cambridge International Examinations is also linear[4]), and does not have any compulsory principal subjects as the International Baccalaureate does:[5] students had a free choice of three such "Principal Subjects" out of 27. Additional subjects may be taken, though not incorporated into the Diploma. There were also 'short courses', consisting of one year's study, available in Modern Foreign Languages, Maths and Further Maths. Students who completed an "Independent Research Project" and a "Global Perspectives" portfolio in addition to the three "Principal Subjects" were eligible for the award of the Cambridge Pre-U Diploma.
All the 'Ivy League' universities in the USA accepted the Cambridge Pre-U for the purposes of university entrance.[6]
Cambridge Assessment International Education has withdrawn the Cambridge Pre-U qualification for new entries. The last examination was held in June 2023, though a resit is available in June 2024.[7]