About Cambridge

What are the benefits of AICE?

The Cambridge advanced level courses are equivalent to those of Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB). AICE not only prepares students to get into a university, but it also provides them with the skills required to be successful once there.  Students also have an opportunity to earn the AICE (Advanced International Certificate of Education) Diploma through Cambridge advanced level courses offered at Overton. The AICE Diploma is an award for the completion of a specific number and type of classes that are recognized at many universities throughout the US.

Colleges look for students who take academically challenging classes, and the IGCSE and AICE course at Overton offer students an opportunity to pursue a rigorous course of study. The AICE courses and their corresponding examinations are equivalent to first year college and university courses. Students may earn college credits for each examination they pass. Students do not have to pursue the AICE Diploma in order to take AICE classes at Overton; any student who wants to work at the AICE level — even for one class — has the opportunity to do so. All IGCSE and AICE courses strictly follow a course syllabus that is designed by Cambridge University professors.

The best advantage of the AICE program is that students are given the flexibility to choose a challenging course of study that best meets their abilities and interests. Students determine which courses they want to take and are able to create a schedule of courses that are relevant to their future goals. 

How do students earn an AICE Diploma?

To earn an AICE Diploma, students must pass seven credits worth of AS or A Level examinations. At least one examination must come from each of the three subject groups: Mathematics & Sciences, Languages, and Arts & Humanities. Additionally, they must complete the requirements for the core AICE class — Global Perspectives. Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Level courses are one-year classes. A passed examination for and AS-Level course counts for one credit towards an AICE Diploma. Advanced (A) Level courses are two-year classes. A passed examination for an A-Level counts for two credits towards an AICE Diploma. Students can use six different AS-Level courses or use a mixture of AS-Level and A-Level courses in addition to Global Perspectives to meet the requirements for the AICE Diploma.

The categories of classes that students can take at Overton to earn the AICE Diploma are:

Group A

• Environmental Science AS
• Mathematics
• Psychology

Group B

• English Language
• Spanish Language

Group C

• US History
• Business
• English Literature
• Psychology

Group D

• Thinking Skills
• General Paper

Do students have to earn the full AICE Diploma in order to earn college credits?

No. Students receive General Certificate Education (GCE) subject credits for AS and A level examinations passed. Universities award credit on a subject-by-subject basis according to grades earned on individual examinations passed. Different universities have different policies. Please check with the admissions department. 

Comparison of Cambridge and IB programs

• Equally rigorous academically
• Both offer well-balanced curriculum, high academic standards, practical real-world applications and international perspectives
• Both emphasize the development of higher order thinking, including problem solving and creativity
• Cambridge emphasizes an extremely flexible curriculum that can be tailored to the abilities, interests, and plans of the students.
• Cambridge is widely accepted among US colleges and universities through the international admissions departments.

Do many universities give college credits for AICE exams passed?

Yes. CIE's website has a list of U.S. universities that have provided written statements of their AICE (which includes AS & A Levels) recognition policy.