Curriculum Development

 

Vanke Meisha Academy's UK Track allows students to take the Cambridge IGCSE and AS/A level courses along with courses for the Chinese national diploma. This allows students to gain the prestige international Cambridge international certificates as well as to Consolidate their basic subject knowledge from the Chinese national curriculum.

 

The IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) is considered to be one of the most popular international qualifications for students aged 14 to 16 in the world. VMA offers a wide variety of courses including First Language Chinese, English as a Second Language, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, Geography, Computer Science, and VMA's Physical Education and Art courses. All students also take College Readiness courses to help them prepare for their career and university pathways. After completing their IGCSE studies, students will have a smooth transition into their academically rigorous A-Level courses.

A-Level (General Certificate of Education Advanced Level) is an advanced course level for the General Secondary Education Certificate Examination. It is divided into AS and A2, with each phase taking one year to complete. AS/A Level courses include  Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, and Geography. All students have the choice between Academic English or the Cambridge Extended Personal Project, and will continue their College Readiness courses throughout A-Level studies.

 

Both IGCSE and A-Level courses are designed by CAIE (Cambridge Assessment International Education), and are recognized by more than 11,000 universities in over 160 countries and regions.

Exams and Competitions

 

VMA was accredited by the Cambridge International Assessment Examinations in 2016 and became an official examination center. Students can complete their course of study and examinations at VMA. The main exams are taken in May/June each year and students need to pass at least 5 extended level IGCSE exams, including English as a Second Language in order to join the A-Level program. The IGCSE exam consists of the Extended and Core levels, the former being at a high level of rigor with the maximum score of A*, and the latter, more basic with the maximum score of C. Students will receive their IGCSE certificate at the end of the two-year studies after successfully completing the course and exam requirements.

 

General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (A-Level) is part of the Secondary Education Certificate for high school students, and marks the end of the secondary education. The scores of A-Level courses are used to apply for UK universities. The A-Level Certificate is recognized and favored by most universities with English as their official teaching language in many other countries and regions, including the US, UK, Canada, and Hong Kong. The high-level of academic rigor as well as self-study requirements makes A-Level courses a perfect foundation for tertiary studies. Students will receive their full A-Level certificate at the end of two years of study in Grade 12 and Grade 13, after successfully completing the course and exam requirements. 

 

Furthermore, VMA encourages students to actively participate in subject-based competitions and projects, including the Waterloo Mathematics and Modeling Competition in Canada, the British Physicist Championships, the British Biological Olympics Competition, and the Australian Mathematical Competition. At the same time, VMA offers the Duke of Edinburgh Award program, which focuses on assessing four key sections: service, skills, physical recreation and the adventurous journey. Students who successfully complete the requirements for each category will receive the prestigious and globally recognized international award from the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Foundation. It's not only a lifetime honor, but is also recognized by many top universities and enterprises.

Certificates and Diplomas

 

After completing the IGCSE courses, students will sit their CAIE IGCSE examinations and will receive an international General Certificate of Senior Education from Cambridge International.

Similarly, students who have completed exams in the AS/A-level subjects will receive a Cambridge International Advanced Subsidiary (AS) or Advanced Level Certificate. This certificate demonstrates that students have an in-depth academic understanding in the subjects they have studied.

 

After completing the VMA course requirements, both from CAIE and VMA, students receive the VMA high school diploma.