The A-Level Programme has a worldwide reputation for providing learners with rigorous educational challenges in preparation for study in the world’s leading universities.

Introduction
In May 2009, the Beijing Municipal Education Committee authorized Beijing National Day School (BNDS) to integrate approved foreign courses into the compulsory national curriculum under the Sino-Foreign Educational Cooperation Program Act. In June of that year, Cambridge International Examinations certified BNDS as an official Cambridge exam center.

Cambridge International AS & A Level is typically for learners aged 15 to 18 years who need advanced study to prepare for university and higher education. Cambridge A levels build on the foundations that students have developed within their Chinese curriculum program.

Thousands of learners worldwide gain places at leading universities every year with Cambridge International AS & A Levels. The AS & A Level syllabi are designed to develop a deep understanding of subjects as well as independent thinking skills.

Curriculum
Cambridge Advanced curricula prepare learners for university study, which is why universities worldwide value and recognize Cambridge International AS & A Level qualifications.

Cambridge International AS & A Level develops learners’ knowledge, understanding, and skills in:

• In-depth subject content.
• Independent thinking.
• Applying knowledge and understanding to new or familiar situations.
• Handling and evaluating different types of information source.
• Thinking logically and presenting ordered and coherent arguments.
• Making judgments, recommendations, and decisions.
• Presenting reasoned explanations, understanding implications and communicating them logically and clearly.
• Working and communicating in English.

BNDS offers a wide range of the Cambridge AS & A2 level subjects and can offer them in many combinations. This flexibility allows us to build an individualized curriculum, and learners can choose to specialize in a particular subject area or study a range of subjects.

Qualification and Recognition
Students can choose from a range of assessment options to gain Cambridge International AS & A Level qualifications, depending on students’ choices in combining AS & A level subjects.

Learners use Cambridge International AS & A Levels to gain places at leading universities worldwide including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and many other countries.

UK NARIC, the national agency in the UK for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills, has carried out an independent benchmarking study of Cambridge International AS & A Level and found it to be comparable to the standard of UK AS & A Level. This means students can be confident that their Cambridge International AS & A Level qualifications are accepted as grade-for-grade equivalent, grade for grade, to UK AS & A Levels by leading universities worldwide.

A Level Team – 2021

Curriculum
Cambridge Advanced curricula prepare learners for university study, which is why universities worldwide value and recognize Cambridge International AS & A Level qualifications. For more information on the AS and A level qualifications, please visit the Cambridge Assessment International Education website.

BNDS offers a wide range of the Cambridge AS & A2 level subjects and can offer them in many combinations. This flexibility allows us to build an individualized curriculum, and learners can choose to specialize in a particular subject area or study a range of subjects

Maths department

In Grade 10, students are introduced to an international style curriculum, based upon the IGCSE Additional Mathematics, that runs alongside their Chinese Mathematics studies. In Grade 11, students therefore have the option of studying just Pure Mathematics 1 and Statistics 1, or also studying Further Pure Mathematics 1 and Further Statistics if they are eligible for Further Mathematics. These qualifications are completed in Grade 12 when students undertake Pure Mathematics 3 and Mechanics, with the addition of Further Pure Mathematics 2 and Further Mechanics for Further Mathematics students.

Science department

The science department comprises of chemistry, physics and biology. In biology, students do a pre-A level course modelled on the iGCSE curriculum whereas the physics and chemistry students begin studying AS material.

In grade 11 students may choose their subjects. Students will continue studying AS physics and chemistry and begin studying AS biology, culminating in their AS exams in May/June. Finally, in grade 12, students can choose to progress to the A2 courses whereupon they will sit their A2 exams in the May/June exam series.

English department

BNDS’s A-Level English department serves to equip students with skills fundamentally necessary for university study. This is primarily achieved through the required iGCSE First Language English course taken in grades 10-11, as well as support classes. In grade 12, students are required to continue with English-language study, and are able to choose between three different AS-level courses based upon personal interest and suitability for their impending university major.

Humanities

The humanities department consists of psychology, art and design, business and economics. In grade 10, students can choose to take an introductory pre-A level course in these subjects (up to two) for two periods per week. Then, students take these courses up to AS and A2 level.

Student support
Students can also receive various different forms of support through the following programs:

• English support for language
• Academic excellence programs
• The House system
• A Social and Emotional Learning Curriculum

For further details please download the PDF below:

BNDS-A-level-Further-Details