Welcome to Cambridge Spotlight. We have now completed the November 2025 exam series, following a very successful June 2025 series in which more than 300,000 learners sat Cambridge International AS & A Level exams. Results from the November exam series will be released on Friday 9 January for Cambridge International AS & A Level followed by Cambridge IGCSE and O Level results on Thursday 15 January.
Cambridge has also recently published a very important piece of research, Preparing Learners to Thrive in a Changing World, which you can read more about in the article below. The report explores how education must adapt in response to rapid technological, environmental and geopolitical change. It outlines key priorities including self-management, communication skills and strong subject knowledge, and offers practical recommendations to help equip learners for the world ahead.
My role within International Education has recently evolved, and earlier this year we were delighted to welcome Roshan Walkerley as our new Head of Global Recognition. Roshan joins us from the University of Cambridge, where he served as Deputy Head of Student Recruitment. I have enjoyed writing the welcome note for 12 issues of Cambridge Spotlight but will now pass the reins over to Roshan for future editions.
Thank you all for your continued support. I leave you in the capable hands of Roshan for the 13th edition.
Kevin Ebenezer
Director, University Pathways & Progression
Training webinar:
Cambridge International Direct
Wednesday 7 January 2026
Ahead of our next exam results release in January, we’re pleased to offer a webinar to showcase our free results verification service, Cambridge International Direct (Direct). Whether you’re an experienced user or curious to find out about the service, you are welcome to join us as we run through which qualifications can be verified and provide a demonstration. We’ll also share details of our services for those qualifications that cannot be verified using Direct.
After the webinar we'll share a recording with all those who are registered so please do sign-up even if you can’t make it on the day.
The webinar will take place on Wednesday 7 January 2026 at 13:00 UK time.
New report by Cambridge identifies five priorities to prepare students for a changing world
We have published a major new report, Preparing Learners to Thrive in a Changing World, which captures the voices of 3,021 teachers and 3,840 students worldwide, alongside insights from experts in the industry. It offers a unique view of how students across 150 countries experience education today and the skills and attributes they think are important for a future being shaped rapidly by technological advances, climate pressures, and shifting global dynamics.
To find out more about the key findings, the five priorities we identified for action, and how you can join the conversation, go to our website.
Digital assessment – our approach
With the expansion of Cambridge digital exams in 2026, we are pleased to share with you our approach to digital assessment and our commitment to provide a secure, reliable and fair digital exam experience for our schools.
Online Cambridge International A Levels as a pathway onto your degree programmes
Many universities are exploring innovative ways to increase enrolment for undergraduate programmes. One option now available through Cambridge is for higher education institutions to offer Cambridge International AS & A Levels online as a foundation-type course. This approach can appeal to individuals who went straight into the workplace after school or are juggling family responsibilities but want to study for a degree.
One example of this is IU University of Applied Sciences in Germany, which offered Cambridge International A Level courses with a business or technology focus free of charge to students. After completing the courses, students were guaranteed automatic access to their online undergraduate programmes. This initiative boosted enrolment figures, and subsidising the A Levels cost no more than traditional recruitment marketing! Learn more about this model in the IU University case study.
It's simple to be approved as a centre to offer Cambridge International AS & A Levels online. If you would like to find out more, please contact our Head of Online Education, Matt James
Help us shape our science qualifications – take our short survey
We are reviewing the assessment of practical skills in Cambridge International AS & A Level science qualifications, which currently have hands-on practical tests. We would like to consult with university science staff about:
students’ practical skills when they start university
whether students are developing adequate skills in school
what skills are important
whether you have seen changes over the years
whether there are any noticeable differences in students from different educational backgrounds (International Baccalaureate, Cambridge International AS & A Level etc.).
We’d love to hear from you if you’re currently involved in delivering practical science at university, if you are involved in admissions for science degrees or if you have an interest in how AS & A Level science qualifications are being developed.
Our latest Destination Survey shows that Cambridge students worldwide are increasingly considering studying undergraduate programmes in their home country.
In 2024, 51% of Cambridge students applied to study at domestic institutions.
Traditional study destinations like the USA, UK, and Canada remain popular but are seeing a decline in student interest due to geopolitical issues, visa restrictions, and high costs. Some respondents say that the improving education available in their home countries may be encouraging students to go to local or domestic institutions.
Review your Cambridge International Direct account users
Access to our online student results verification portal, Direct, becomes more important around results release time. We encourage you to review and update the list of users from your institutions (you can apply for up to six logins per institution) who have access to Direct.
If you would like to sign up your institution for a Direct account or register new users – please complete this form.
Recent improvements to your Direct user experience include:
automatic password resets
visibility of student results uploads to your account from the previous three months for new users
If you would like to receive a list of current users or remove a user from your institution’s account:
Our International Admissions Officer Toolkit provides clear information about Cambridge qualifications. It is a practical resource to help admissions officers make well-informed admission decisions and formulate admission policies.
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