IGCSE English as a Second Language: Listening, Writing, and Speaking
Preparing for your IGCSE English as a Second Language (ESL) exam can feel daunting. You are not just learning grammar
Announcement: Cambridge IGCSE, O Level and AS & A Level June 2025 past papers are now available.
Announcement:
Cambridge International Education no longer be an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation from December 20, 2024.
Thousands of learners use Cambridge International AS & A Level every year to gain places at leading universities worldwide. Students develop a deep understanding of subjects, as well as independent learning and constructive thinking skills － abilities which universities value highly.
Cambridge International A Level is typically a two-year course, and Cambridge International AS Level is typically one year.
Learners have the freedom to take Cambridge International AS Levels as qualifications in their own right, or as part of a progression to Cambridge International A Level. Learners can study for AS Level alongside A Level subjects to increase breadth in the curriculum and to build further knowledge and understanding.
The curricula are flexible. Learners can take almost any combination of 55 subjects. Learners can specialise or study a range of subjects, ensuring breadth.
Below are the Subject Groups for 55 subjects:
Learners use Cambridge International AS & A Levels to gain places at leading universities worldwide including in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore, Egypt, Jordan, South Africa, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain.
Cambridge International AS & A Levels are viewed as equivalent to the AS and A Levels taken by learners in the UK, and are accepted for entrance to all UK universities.
In places such as the United States and Canada, good grades in carefully chosen Cambridge International A Level subjects can result in up to one year of university course credit.
Over 500 US universities accept Cambridge International AS & A Levels, including all Ivy League and Ivy Plus universities. These universities include Brown, Harvard, MIT, Stanford and Yale.
Research carried out* looked at whether Cambridge International AS & A Levels prepared learners for continued studies in colleges and universities in the US, as well as Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate programmes. The findings suggest that Cambridge quali cations compare favourably with the other programmes.
<* Published in the Journal of College Admission (Number 213, Fall 2011)>
Learners receive a separate grade for each subject that he/she takes.
Cambridge International A Levels are graded from A* – E. Candidates who do not obtain enough marks for an E grade at A Level may be awarded a compensatory AS Level.
Cambridge International AS Levels are graded from a to e. Candidates who do not obtain enough marks for grade e at AS Level will be ungraded.
The Cambridge AICE Diploma is a group certificate which requires learners to study subjects drawn from three curriculum areas within AS and A Level: mathematics and science, languages, and arts and humanities.
Learners can choose from a range of assessment options:
Option one
Take the AS Level only. The AS Level syllabus content is half a Cambridge International A Level.
Option two**
Take a ‘staged assessment route’ – take the AS Level in one examination series and complete the final A Level in a subsequent series.
(** The staged assessment route is not possible in all subjects. The outcomes awarded for Cambridge International AS Level language syllabuses cannot be carried forward to Cambridge International A Level.)
Option three
Take all papers of the Cambridge International A Level course in the same examination series, usually at the end of the course.
Our valuable A* resources had produced thousands of A* scorers around the world. Check them out below.
Our internationally loved exam model answers had helped thousands of students in scoring A/A*. Schools and teachers worldwide have used these resources to aid in their teachings. Learn what an A* answer like, copy the style and score A* in your exam.
Our word-renowned IGCSE and AS/A Level courses had produced more than 1100 A/A* scorers worldwide. They are suitable for schooled or home-schooled candidates, and as full course or revision course.
We have the most complete past exam papers library on earth (no kidding!). Choose your exam board and download everything with one click.
Get the latest exam syllabus and plan your study accordingly.
Find out the exam registration and results released key dates for IGCSE and AS/A Level.
Check your administrative zone, the exam dates and time. For both IGCSE and AS/A Level.
Find and locate the nearest exam centre for your location.
Please kindly read the AS & A Level FAQs here.
Note: CIE (Cambridge International Examination board) has its name changed to CAIE (Cambridge Assessment International Education) since October 2017.
In October 2023, CAIE updated its name, logo, look, and messaging. Cambridge International Education is the new name of the awarding body of Cambridge University Press & Assessment. This name will be used on materials related to administering exams and awarding qualifications.
Note: All relevant info taken from CIE.
Join 62,169 (and counting) IGCSE & AS/A Level subscribers who've taken our insanely valuable FREE email courses. Learn exam tips & score A* in your exam!
Join 62,169 (and counting) IGCSE & AS/A Level subscribers who’ve taken our insanely valuable FREE email courses. Learn exam tips & score A* in your exam!
Kanishka Bhindora
India
Akshaya S T
Singapore
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86 responses
hi igcse centre can i get a paid pack for AS level subjects if yes then how
Hello Yash,
Thank you for your interest.
We are planning to launch our A Level online courses second half of this year. We suggest that you subscribe to our newsletter here: https://www.skolatis.com/newsletter/ to receive the announcement once the registration opens.
Alternatively, you might want to consider our #AskTheExaminer programme. It is similar to having your own private home tutor. You can send in your questions and our qualified examiners will provide A* answers – including step-by-step solutions and theoretical reference. For more information, kindly visit this page: https://www.skolatis.com/asktheexaminer-programme/
Should you have further questions, feel free to contact us. Thank you.
Thank you but can you give me a discount for online cources because I can’t pay that much high fees and enroll the pack.
Hello Yash,
Thank you for your message.
Please kindly subscribe to our newsletter here: https://www.skolatis.com/newsletter/ to receive alerts for our promos, discounts and scholarship programmes.
I am want to appear for English in As level and A levels. Will that be a problem and are there any drawbacks to it?
Hello Misti,
A Level qualification is made up of two components: AS Level and A2. In order to complete the A Level qualification, you must study AS Level too.
You can either take the staged assessment route where you take the AS Level in one examination series and complete the final Cambridge International A Level at a subsequent series. Or you can take all papers of the A Level course (AS and A2) in the same examination session, usually at the end of the course.
We strongly suggest to students to make sure they cover the whole syllabus adequately and only register for the exams when they are ready.
I’m Kennedy, from Nigeria but I live in Accra, Ghana. I want to study law and I have severally questions to ask regarding the areas I’m confused. firstly, which course is mostly important to pick when one want to write Cambridge international AS & A levels.
secondly, Do I have to write both Cambridge IGCSEs and Cambridge international A levels to gain admission to my preferred Universities, Or is it only one exam that I can write or both two, if its only one that’s most important which particular exam?
Thirdly, How much can it’s cost me for the Exams? and is it possible to take is here in Nigeria or Ghana.
Thank you.
Looking forward for your answers.
Hello Alozie,
Thank you for writing in. Please kindly read our answers below:
1. In practical, anyone could study Law as long as he/she obtains the minimum required grades for the Law colleges/institutions/universities. English is the most important subject that you need to have and obtain very high grade, minimum A in order to enter a reputable Law colleges/institutions/universities. As the command of language must be strong in this field.
We have seen students from the science group entered Law degree, and also students from the art group entered Law degree. There are also working adults who in search for career advancement taking Law degree as well.
If you want to know a specific subject needed, it would be a good idea to check on the universities’ websites and find out from there.
2. Many universities worldwide require a combination of IGCSEs and A Levels to meet their entry requirements. IGCSE is an international certification for end of secondary school and usually taken in Year 11. Kindly read this page to learn more: https://www.skolatis.com/what-is-igcse/. After IGCSE, they proceed to A Level in Year 12 – 13.
However, you may check the possibility of entering university at IGCSE level. Some universities offer foundation programs which do not require A level. We strongly suggest that you check the entry requirements either from the university’s website or contact the university directly.
3. You may register to your local British Council or locate any registered Cambridge schools near you here: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/i-want-to/find-a-cambridge-school/ and check with the school if they accept private candidate.
Exam fees vary from school to school, and even different from British Council. You can always register with the exam centre which is nearest to you and more convenient to you.
You may want to consider our A* Subscription Courses for your exam preparations. Our courses are complete and comprehensive, and it also comes with our bespoke A/A* guarantee. Please have a read at this page to learn how it works: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-revision-courses/
Feel free to contact us for any questions. We hope this helps.
Please I am confused must someone write both AS level and A level exam or only one
Hello Salma,
Thank you for writing in.
There are three assessment options:
1.Take the AS Level only. The syllabus content is half A-Level and the students have about 180 guided learning hours per subject over the duration of the course (normally one year).
2.Take a ‘staged’ assessment route (A2) – take the AS Level in one examination series and complete the final Cambridge International A Level at a subsequent series. AS Level marks can be carried forward to a full A Level twice within a 13 month period.
3.Take all papers of the A-Level course in the same examination session, usually at the end of the course. The whole syllabus has approximately 360 guided learning hours per subject over the duration of the course (normally two years).
We hope this helps. Thank you.
hello,
I am international student planning to do 3 A-levels (2021), but I am not sure where to find the syllabus and what are the components of the papers for biology, chemistry and physics in order to practice past papers. So, could you please inform me (or where to find) about what are the components and syllabus if I wanted to do As levels in a session and A levels in another session, and if I wanted to combine them together in one session ?
Hello Ahmed,
Thank you for writing in. You may find the resources here:
Syllabus: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-international-as-a-level-syllabuses/
Past papers: https://www.skolatis.com/as-a-level-past-exam-papers/
Furthermore, please kindly check the syllabus for the required paper components of each subject.
We hope this helps.
Hello,
I had a question regarding the results for the march 2020 A level examination…
My doubt is that will the grade thresholds be lower than usual due to the current pandemic the world is facing?
Ziaan Talab
Hello Ziaan,
Please do not worry about this. Grade thresholds are based on the difficulty level of the exam and overall candidates’ performance, not based on “pandemic”.