Information
Cambridge International Curriculum administered by Cambridge Assessment International Education
(CAIE) informally known as Cambridge or Cambridge International is part of the University of Cambridge in the UK.
Cambridge International Curriculum is flexible, exciting, challenging and fulfilling to students in all level of intelligence and provokes learners to think on their own.
It shapes young minds to be analytical and investigative and encourages learners to do research on their own.
- What we offer
- Pathways
- International Primary
- International Lower
- Secondary
- PRE-IGCSE
- IGCSE
-
International A
- Levels
- University Admission
- Examinations
- Disclaimer
University Admission
Pursuing the Cambridge International Curriculum opens doors to leading universities in South Africa and worldwide. However, learners following a non-South African schooling pathway, such as IGCSE, AS, and A Levels, must meet certain requirements to study at local institutions.
Under the Higher Education Act, learners wishing to enrol in a South African university must hold either:
- A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with Matriculation Endorsement, or.
- A Certificate of Exemption issued by USAF (Universities South Africa)
Matriculation Exemption is a legal requirement for all first-degree (undergraduate) studies in South Africa. Without this exemption, learners cannot be admitted to a degree programme—even if they meet academic performance criteria.
Learners who do not follow the formal Secondary School route in the South African schooling system (learners who do not complete the South African NSC), that is those learners who have completed an equivalent foreign school-learning qualification such as the Cambridge International Curriculum must apply for Matriculation Exemption from USAF (Universities South Africa).
USAF recognises Cambridge qualifications for exemption purposes, provided learners meet specific subject, level, and group requirements. Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) and USAF have completed a guide to the minimum admission requirements for exemption. It highlights the various group, grade and subject options for Cambridge qualifications needed for matriculation exemption requirements.
- Cambridge subjects are divided into five groups, from which learners can choose subjects for exemption options from USAF.
- Learners must complete IGCSE and International AS levels within two sittings (the two sittings rule simply means that students who are applying for matric exemption with their IGCSE and AS level must complete their examinations within two years.
- USAF accepts a combination of IGCSE, International AS and A level qualifications for exemptions. For homeschoolers there are only three options.
Option One: 2 A level subjects and 3 IGCSE subjects (Learners complete 5 subjects, subject group requirements apply)
Option Two: 3 A level subjects and 1 IGCSE subject (Learners complete 4 subjects, subject group requirements apply)
Option Three: 4 AS level subjects and 1 IGCSE subject (Learners complete 5 subjects, subject group requirements apply). Most popular choice for matriculation exemption.
It is important to remember that USAF exemption is not a matric certificate—it simply confirms eligibility for university study. Each university and faculty sets its own admission requirements, such as specific subject combinations or minimum grade levels. Learners must apply for exemption separately from their university applications. Parents and learners must check admission requirements with their university of choice.
Click HERE for USAF admission requirements guide
References