The Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) is the final phase for high schoolers completing an academic track in preparation for post-school studies, i.e. Degrees. This is not a vocationally` orientated award, however it can also serve as a solid stepping stone for vocational careers/studies. AICE is at the advanced level, and at Boston we provide support for the Advanced Supplementary subjects.

The AICE award represents the ‘gold standard’ Cambridge International AS (Advanced Supplementary) and A (Advanced) Level subjects. A minimum of two years of learning is required to achieve the award.

It allows for the offering of a broad and balanced curriculum by recognising the achievements of learners who pass examinations in at least seven Cambridge AS subjects, one compulsory subject (Cambridge Global Perspectives & Research), and six chosen from four different subject groups, including two different languages. This award provides technical, foundational and preparatory access for seamless entry to higher education and/or the workplace. Learners who enrol at Boston for support for the AICE will be counselled on subject selections based on their post-school intentions and in relation to endorsement requirements for Bachelor’s Degree study at South African universities.

How do we support learners in each of the subjects leading to the AICE Award?

Our Counsellors and Mentors will be available throughout the processes outlined below, and can be contacted telephonically or via email:

1. Apply to Boston at which stage we will assist with subject selection, placement and any other admission-related queries
2. Proceed to register for subject-specific support services
3. On-boarding and other pertinent information is made available to you to assist with navigation of the online Learning Management System, course material, schedules, etc.
4. Organise your home environment and set up the hardware, software and internet requirements for successful completion of Cambridge subjects
5. Participate in live tutorial sessions, access recorded lessons, complete formative assessments and mock examinations to monitor progress and access remedial interventions where required
6. Access student wellness and participate in informal clubs and societies to enrich your home schooling experience, where required or of interest
7. Ensure that you have registered early for the Cambridge exit point examinations
8. Study hard! Cambridge subjects require dedication and commitment!
9. Sit for the Cambridge examination at a registered examination venue and await results release

Upon issuance of the AICE award, learners:

• can apply to international universities, subject to the specific rules of combination and grade sub-minima required for the intended Bachelor’s Degree and other regulations; OR
• will have to apply to the Matriculation Board at Universities South Africa (USAf) for endorsement* to study Bachelor’s Degrees at South African public or private universities; OR
• who choose Boston City Campus to further their studies can benefit from the USAf process as mentioned above being facilitated for them by the Boston Registrar: Administration; OR
• must apply to the Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications unit at the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for a certificate of equivalence to facilitate workplace entry in SA.

*There are specific rules of combination and grade sub-minima required for the endorsement, together with specific requirements of the intended Bachelor’s Degree and university that must be kept in mind when making subject selections upon entering the AICE programme. Boston will assist with counselling in this regard. It must be noted that awards will be recognised and that curricula specific evaluations may lead to additional requirements for learners to meet in order to enter international or local programmes or professions, which is the prerogative of the receiving institution/body. For more information pertaining to direct international linkages/relationships visit the websites of the CAIE, Global Education, UKENIC, UKCPQ, DHET, CHE, SAQA, CHEA and WES. The USAf and/or SAQA fees will be for the learner’s account and billed directly.

*For endorsement to study a Bachelor’s Degree at a South African university the minimum requirement for AICE candidates is the following: a minimum of five of seven subjects passed with a D grade, of which three subjects must be English First Language, French Second Language or Afrikaans Second Language and ONE of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Economics, Geography or History.

At a minimum, candidates must turn 16 years old in the year of first enrolment, and have a Grade 9 or the  Cambridge ICE  award, or equivalent. Candidates 16 or older with a Grade 10 are also well placed to join the  AICE   award.

We accept enrolment from anywhere in the world for the AICE.  Please be aware of time zone differences for attendance of online live tutorials: Boston is on South African Standard Time (SAST) which is the same as Central African Time (CAT).

Examinations must be sat at a Cambridge registered assessment venue in your home country. You will need to source the assessment venue yourself and all fees associated herewith will be for your own account. Our fees for support services are quoted separately from the Cambridge International examination fees. This also applies to candidates in South Africa who do not wish to make use of our registered assessment venues. In the instance where you will select another venue, it is a requirement to confirm the venue before registration with Boston can be completed.

• Based on the notional hours for this award the minimum duration is four (4) semesters over a period of two (2) years, and the maximum duration is six (6) semesters over three (3) years. It must be noted that the three-year duration assumes a Cambridge examination cycle of a maximum of 25 months.
  
• A learner can accumulate results to be used towards the  Cambridge AICE  Diploma over more than one exam series. They can use up to three exam series to take the equivalent of seven AS full credit subject examinations as long as they are taken within a 25-month period. For example, a candidate entering for the Cambridge AICE Diploma in November 2022 may only use previous results gained in the November 2020 and November 2021 examination series

English is the language of communication for all services and support offered by Boston.