Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U is a new UK qualification from University of Cambridge International Examinations that is an alternative to the current A Level qualification. It is a diploma-type qualification, principally aimed at students aged 16–19, and has recognition for university entrance.

Cambridge Pre-U was launched in September 2008, for first assessment June 20 Independent schools such as Downe House School, Charterhouse School, Cranleigh School (Art), Westminster School, Winchester College, Oundle School, Christ's Hospital, Dulwich College(Classics), Shrewsbury School, Rugby School (Maths, Physics, Art, Chemistry, Photography) and Eton College(Music and some Modern Languages) have replaced A-Levels with Cambridge Pre-Us in some subjects. They are joined by grammar and comprehensive schools, and sixth-form colleges including Wimbledon College, Coloma Convent Girls' School, King Edward VI School, Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, Watford Grammar School for Girls, Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys and Lancaster Royal Grammar School. Chavagnes International College, a British school in France, is switching to Pre-U in 2012, making it the first centre for these examinations outside the UK. Over 120 schools offer Cambridge Pre-U and over 300 further schools have registered interest.

Winchester College and Charterhouse are the first schools to introduce the Pre-U across all major sixth-form subjects. The respective headmasters of both institutions, Ralph Townsend and John Witheridge, were key proponents of the Pre-U from the early stages.

The Cambridge Pre-U is not modular like A levels, nor does it have any compulsory principal subjects as the International Baccalaureate does: students have a free choice of three such "Principal Subjects" out of 27. Additional subjects may be taken, though not incorporated into the Diploma. There are also 'short courses', consisting of one year's study, available in Modern Foreign Languages, Maths and Further Maths. Students who complete an "Independent Research Project" and a "Global Perspectives" portfolio in addition to the three "Principal Subjects" are eligible for the award of the Cambridge Pre-U Diploma.

The July 2011 website of the Cambridge Pre-U announced that all the 'Ivy League' universities in the USA accepted the Cambridge Pre-U for the purposes of university entrance.