A school I am looking at has recently abolished A'levels and gone over to Pre-U.
The school says it is making this move because of the general dissatisfaction with the A and AS level system, the reported grade inflation and that courses have had the content reduced and are not challenging enough.
It apparently has an independent research and global perspectives element.
The school says that they believe the IB is too prescriptive and restrictive? They say if you have an gift in a certain area you might want to specialise and the IB does not allow you to do that. For example maths must be studied with the IB if you are wishing to specialise and study a language. Also budding scientists can't just study Physics, Chemistry and Biology alone with the IB .
So with the Pre-U, as I understand it, you study three main subjects then have the global perspective element and independent research report?
With Pre-U you can also get the diploma if you study French and Spanish A level but Pre-U English it seems - as long as you do the independent research report and global perspectives part.
I think, with Pre-U, you take an exam at the end of 2 years but he global perspective part and independent research part are examined at the end of the lower sixth. The global perspective part sounds interesting, lots of different themes to explore and the idea being you focus on a key challenge that you will perhaps face in adult life: China as an emerging superpower, medical ethics etc. Has to connect to a theme either: ethics, economics, environment, technology and politics. You take an exam, submit a piece of work and do a presentation.
With the independent research project you do a report of between 4,500 and 5,000 words at the end of the lower sixth.
Apparently UK Universities are very keen on the Pre-U - including Russell Group & Oxbridge. American Universities also view it positively.
The school says that the Pre-U is designed to be accessible to the same range of ability as A levels. A D2 (Distinction 2) is equivalent to A at A level (with Pre-U there is a grade above A - D1). A at A level is equivalent to D3.
Cambridge apparently have said they ask for 1 x D2 and 2 x D3 and Oxford either 1xD2 and 2x D3 or 3 x D3.
Cambridge seem very keen on Pre-U and I have to say I like the idea of the global perspectives element very much.
So is the Pre-U more popular than the IB? What are the pitfalls?
Thanks.
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Are more schools going over to Pre-U?
31 replies
Hamishbear · 30/09/2012 07:21
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