Cambridge Programmes and Qualifications 

Name  Age Group  Cambridge Stages  HLC Grade level  Examination 

Stage 1 to 6  Cambridge Primary 

Cambridge Primary  5 – 11 years  UKG to Class 5 
Key Stage 1 and 2  Checkpoint – Class 5 

Cambridge Secondary  Stage 7, 8 and 9  Class 6, Class 7  Cambridge Checkpoint - 

11 – 14 years 
1  Key Stage 3  and Class 8(mid)  Class 8 (October exam) 

Cambridge Secondary  IGCSE  Class (mid)8, 9  Cambridge IGCSE – Class 

14 – 16 years 
2 - IGCSE  Key Stage 4  and 10  10 (March Exam) 

Cambridge AS - Class 11 

Cambridge Advanced 
16 – 19 years  A level  Class 11 and 12  Cambridge A2 – Class 12 
- AS and A levels 
(Both taken in march) 
 
IGCSE Programme at HLC International 
Cambridge  IGCSE  encourages  learner-centred  and  enquiry-based  approaches  to  learning.  It  develops 
learners’ skills in creative t hinking,  enquiry  and  problem  solving,  giving  learners  an  excellent  preparation 
for the next stage in their education.  
 
     
GROUP  IGCSE CURRICULUM AREA  SUBJECTS OFFERED AT HLC 
Group I  Languages  English, Hindi,French, Tamil 
Humanities and Social  History, Geography, Economics, Sociology, Environmental 
Group II 
Sciences  Management 
Group III  Sciences  Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Management 
Group IV  Mathematics  Mathematics 
Group V  Creative and professional  Accounting, Business Studies, Computer Science 
 
❖ Student needs to choose ​a minimum of 5 and a maximum of seven subjects​. 
 
❖ Cambridge ICE is the group award of the International General Certificate of Secondary Education 
(IGCSE) and requires the study of subjects drawn from the five different IGCSE subject groups. The 
learner has to pass examinations in at least seven subjects, including two languages, and one subject 
from each of the other subject groups.1` 

❖ Please note that a subject will be offered ONLY if a minimum of 5 children from the class opt to learn 
it. English, Second language and Mathematics are compulsory subjects.  

❖ English, Second language and Mathematics are compulsory for all learners. 

❖ Please note that children taking core science subjects will not be able to take Business Studies, 
Economics or Accounting and vice versa. ​*Note: Final decision or modification for this line item will be considered 
after reviewing subject choices of all learners. 
 AS and A2 Programme at HLC International 

The Cambridge International AS and A Level programme syllabuses prepare learners for university study and 
develops learners’ knowledge, understanding and skills in: 

· In-depth subject content 

· Independent thinking 
· Applying knowledge and understanding new as well as familiar situations 
· Handling and evaluating different types of information source 
· Thinking logically and presenting ordered and coherent arguments 
· Making judgements, recommendations and decisions 
· Presenting reasoned explanations, understanding implications and communicating them logically   
and clearly 
· Working and communicating in English 
  

SUBJECT GROUPS  SUBJECTS OFFERED AT HLC 

GROUP  1  -  Mathematics  and  Mathematics,  Physics,  Chemistry,  Biology,  Computing, 

Sciences  Environmental Management 

GROUP 2 – Languages  AS English Language 

GROUP 3 - Arts and Humanities  Accounting,  Business  Studies,  Economics,  History,  Geography, 
Sociology, Environmental Management 

   

Grade XI – AS level: 

·​ ​Each learner will study FIVE AS level subjects including English. 

·​ ​English is offered as an AS level course done over 2 years. 

· ​End of the year, learner will take FOUR AS Level Examinations in the chosen subjects (English exam is 

written only during end of Grade XII). 

Grade XII – A2 level: 

·​ ​Student will study FOUR A2 level subjects and English at AS level. 

· ​Environmental Management is offered by CIE ONLY at the AS Level and learner will write the exam for 

this subject in the October-November session during Grade XII. 

· ​End of the year, learner will take FOUR A2 Level Examinations subjects and AS English (along with AS 

EVM if opted for). 

Credits: 

Courses taken at the A level contribute 2 credits and those taken at the AS Levels contribute 1 credit. 

  
Choosing Subjects: 

It is important that a learner chooses combinations of subjects that qualify him/her for university or other 
areas of higher education. Make sure that the choice of subjects supports the learner’s plans in college and 
beyond. 

The table below is an indicative list of subject prerequisites for various courses in Indian universities. 

   Undergraduate Programme, Degree or Diploma  Subject Prerequisites 

1  Architecture  Mathematics 

2  Aviation  Physics and Mathematics 

3  Biotechnology (both B.Tech and B.Sc  Physics, Chemistry, Biology 

4  Business Management  No Subject Pre requisites 

5  Engineering  Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics 

6  Fine Arts, Graphic Design and allied Fields  No Subject Pre requisites 

7  Hotel management  No Subject Pre requisites 

8  Law  No Subject Pre requisites 

9  Mass Communication  No Subject Pre requisites 

10  Medicine  Physics, Chemistry, Biology 

11  Veterinary Science  Physics, Chemistry, Biology 

12  Environmental Science  Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics 

Source: Albuquerque, Usha; The Essential Guide to Careers in India; Penguin: 2003 

* Prerequisites in foreign universities vary widely. Check with specific institutions.  

​
Cambridge in the USA - Recognition​ - ​http://www.cie.org.uk/usa/recognition/  
ONLINE RESOURCES FOR CAMBRIDGE RECOGNITION DETAILS AND ADMISSIONS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 

Recognition Database​ - ​Find out which institutions recognise Cambridge qualifications. View details by 
country and qualification. 

http://recognition.cie.org.uk/

Support Documents for candidates applying to Indian Universities

https://mailchi.mp/cambridgeinternational/support-documents-for-candidates-applying-to-indian-educational-institutio
ns-1238177?e=1612fd6162 
 

India Recognition Statement Samples​ - ​A collection of statements from institutions in India that accept 
Cambridge qualifications.These statements also talk about how many passes are required for specific 
courses that they offer.  

http://www.cie.org.uk/images/301400-india-recognition-statements-as-level.pdf 

Admission Eligibility Criteria 

All Indian universities demand 5 passes (including language) in IGCSE/ "O" level. 

A minimum of 2/3 "A" (Advanced) level passes for all UG degrees; this is a basic requirement issued for 
equivalent status to Class XII of our system. According to the specialization of UG subjects, the combination 
of subjects may vary, to satisfy the eligibility criteria. 

A  minimum  of  3  "A"  (Advanced)  level  passes  along  with  an  AS  level  pass  for  English  is  required  for  all 
professional  courses.  Some  Universities  require  4  A  level  passes  along  with  an  AS  level  pass  for  English  for 
the courses that they offer. 

Revised equivalence of IGCSE/O Level in India - Updated Feb 2018 

Association of Indian Universities, the nodal agency for granting equivalence to foreign qualifications in India 
has recently made amendments to IGCSE/O Level equivalence in India.  

IGCSE/O Level grade requirements of C and above have been removed. In the past AIU mentioned ‘5 passes 
with Grade C and above’ whereas the amendment states that passes in 5 subjects including English will be 
considered as equivalent to secondary qualification. 

Guideline for obtaining equivalence certificate by AIU 

http://www.aiu.ac.in/Evaluation/evaluation.asp 

Web link of amendment​ http://www.aiu.ac.in/Evaluation/Ammendments%20in%20Equivalence.pdf 

Student advisory from AIU 

http://www.aiu.ac.in/Evaluation/AIU%20Advisory%20to%20Students%20Foreign%20Degree%2025.07.2016.pdf 

a) IGCSE ESL, EFL and O Level English Language continues to be accepted in India. Please note that AIU 
refers to “English” and does not specify ESL or EFL. If it did not accept ESL, it would have specified the 
same. 
b) There is no change in AS and A Level equivalence. 
c) Equivalence of AS English Language to senior secondary English qualification remains unchanged as 
long as it is taken in Year 12 of study. Any curriculum to be treated as equivalent to higher secondary needs 
to fit into 10+2 years of schooling requirement in India 
d) While the 5 subjects requirement including English Language meets the equivalence criteria for 
secondary qualification, for purposes of transfer/admission to other exam boards in India, additional criteria 
like passing all secondary subjects in a single exam series may apply where relevant. Currently CISCE 
accepts candidates who have passed all 5 subjects in a single exam series. State secondary and senior 
secondary exam boards that have pass marks at 35 may not accept PUMs below 35  
e) With the exception of a handful of Indian universities, most have been accepting candidates without 5 
C grades – so this never really prevented earlier candidates from applying for undergraduate courses. What 
has changed is for institutions that insisted on AIU equivalence certificate (i.e. Amity University, Manipal for 
medicine entry, Flying schools that are under Ministry of Civil Aviation, etc.) candidates will now be able to 
get equivalence certificate from AIU and get admission in such institutions. This also applies for all 
government jobs and entrance exams like UPSC, etc.  
f) Private candidates are not eligible for equivalence certificate from AIU.  
Following websites offer information about various courses, eligibility criteria as well as list of colleges 
offering these courses 

http://www.sarvgyan.com/​, http://www.Targetstudy.com 

Anna University Eligibility Criteria 

https://www.tnea.ac.in/# 

“10+2” of Indian System or its equivalent 12 year course in school education. Must have studied in English 
medium and should have obtained a pass in the qualifying examination with Good Grades in Physics, 
Chemistry and Mathematics. 

SRM University Eligibility for Engineering and Technology 

http://www.srmuniv.ac.in/sites/default/files/downloads/engineering_info.pdf 

http://www.srmuniv.ac.in/sites/default/files/downloads/management_info.pdf 

Sri Ramachandra University Courses and Fees 

http://www.sriramachandra.edu.in/university/courses-fees 

JEE Eligibility Criteria

https://www.sarvgyan.com/articles/jee-advanced-eligibility 
 
 
JIPMER Eligibility Criteria 
https://www.sarvgyan.com/articles/jipmer-2018-application-form 
 

Ethiraj College Admission Criteria 

http://www.ethirajcollege.edu.in/admissions?id=28 

Loyola College Eligibility  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2VMc-efRmk8UWZtdXk4UXhiZzg/view 

 
AIIMS 2017 Eligibility 
 
https://www.sarvgyan.com/articles/aiims-2018-application-form 

NIFT 
http://www.nift.ac.in/admissionguidelines.html 

NID 

http://admissions.nid.edu/NIDA2018/bdes_eligibility-criteria.aspx 

PSAT EXAMINATION REGISTRATION 

www.pathways.in​ - Delhi