Kathmandu

Gaining qualifications accepted by universities around the world is the primary target of every student.

For that, what could be a better choice other than pursuing A-Level after SLC? A-Level is an internationally recognised course, which offers flexibility to choose subjects from a wide range of subjects. Moreover, its affiliation to Cambridge University, UK and its recognition in more than 160 countries are the major reasons why A-Level is getting popular among students these days.

A-Level is an Advanced Level General Certificate of Education (GCE A-Level) qualification which is equivalent to a two-year intermediate level study in Nepal. Run under Cambridge International Examination (CIE) Board, a part of University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), GCE has been offering Advanced Level qualification for more than half a century throughout the world.

“A-Level is recognised by over 160 countries around the world. So, if students pursuing A-Level want to study in good colleges or universities abroad, it will be easier for them to get admission," claimed Suman Nagar-koti, Principal of Saipal Academy, Dhumbarahi.

This is a significant reason for students being attracted to A-Level and Sushant Tripathi, Programme Co-ordinator of A-Level at Malpi International College, Baluwatar echoed a similar view. “After completion of A-Level, there is higher chance for students to get admission and scholarship in colleges abroad. And A-Level graduates have higher chances of getting visa approval if they want to go abroad for higher education,” he shared.

Harry Sharma, AS-Level student at Saipal Academy, is glad that he chose to study A-Level. "As a student of A-Level, I have got an opportunity to represent my college at ‘World Affairs Seminar’ going to be held at Carroll University, USA scheduled for June 24," he expressed.

Along with such international exposure, you get an international degree in Nepal, which is an added benefit of studying A-Level.

This course also makes students competent. Those who opt for A-Level can be more competent as the education system is based on four core values — knowledge, analysis, evaluation and application — things that are necessary to excel in practical world as per Nagarkoti.

Students can choose any 10 subjects (five subjects in a year) from a total of 55 subjects in the two-year A-Level course. And all the subjects are taught in English.

However, being less competent in English does not prohibit one from pursuing A-Level as per Sudhir Kumar Jha, Founder/Principal of Chelsea International Academy, New Baneshwor. "This challenge can be overcome through hard work and attentiveness," he advised.

Students need to study A-Level for 24 months in two levels — A1 Level or AS Level and A2 Level. Those who have completed SLC, O-Level or International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) are eligible for A-Level.

Unlike rigid provision in other intermediate level courses, there is flexibility of choosing subjects in A-Level, which has made it popular among the students, according to Tripathi.

Flexibility while choosing subjects makes it an attractive programme. In +2 level if a student enrols in Science stream then s/he does not get to study subjects like Economics (from Management) or Psychology (from Humanities).

That is not the case in A-Level. "If one has enrolled in Science stream, s/he can also study different subjects of Management or Humanities while studying A-Level,” added Tripathi.

And Sharma is an example of a student who wants to make optimum use of this flexibility. In his AS-level, he is currently studying — Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science and English as General Paper. But in A2-level, he plans to study Economics and Business Studies.

"I am interested in doing business about airlines and I believe I should have knowledge of Physics as well as Economics and Business Studies. I can study all these subjects together only in A-Level. That’s why I joined A-Level,” he elaborated.