Do you unis have the same regard for CAIE Alevels?

[Gr3yStar]

I posted below about my son retaking Computer Science Alevel. He thinks you can only do CAIE Computer Science if he had to completely re start Computer Science as an online learner and is worried it might not be as well regarded.

He is now 20 so can’t go back to an FE college.

Could he not go if he paid? Looking at entry requirements I’ve not seen A levels ranked but why not ask a few target universities? They will want maths if he wants a Comp Sci course.

No it’s a safeguarding thing. They don’t let adults onto Alevel courses. He doesn’t want a Comp Science course . He has a B in maths but wants to retake that too and to do economics A level from scratch. So computer science and maths retakes and economics from scratch over 2 years . Computer science seems to be very hard to retake though. Only a CAIE and he’s worried unis won’t like it. It’s so annoying as he has his coursework grade a B for AQA. Don’t understand why he can’t just retake that.

It might be worth checking other FE colleges maybe? I taught in FE for many years and it was very usual to have students of all ages 16 and up on A level courses; some students decades older!

Think “safeguarding” comes into play now and it’s not permitted. At our FE college anyway.

FE colleges do let adults into courses! It’s nothing to do with safeguarding. They are expensive though!

But if he didn't do CAIE last time, it isn't really a retake is it? Possibly quite a lot more work?

Unis are fine with CAIE A levels

And why can't he retake AQA?

Ah. Have now seen your other thread

CAIE is Cambridge International board, and their International A-levels are treated the same as any other A-level exam board by universities. Many private schools and international schools take these A-levels. CAIE Computer Science didn't have coursework last time I looked into it, which is why it's popular for colleges or for people wanting to take exams as a private candidate. It means the college avoids all the hassle and workload of administering coursework and makes it easier to fit the syllabus into a 1 year accelerated course if needed.

To reassure your son, CAIE have plenty of assurances from universities that their International A-levels are treated the same as standard UK A-levels. They have a database linked from this CAIE International A-levels page .

He cannot retake it because A levels are now linear. This means that all the assessments: exams and coursework have to be taken at the same time.
The CIE courses are well regarded A levels and are considered equally by universities. Your ds will need to declare his original results when he applies for universities, but choosing a CIE course won't be a problem. Unis are more interested in grades than the exam board.