EXPLORING THE FUTURE: PLC SYDNEY’S 2025 SCIENCE FESTIVAL
07 Apr 2025
...international in our nature and outlook
Cambridge International are the largest provider of non government education in the world. Cambridge is taught in over 11,000 schools worldwide.
Cambridge International
Cambridge is the world’s most popular international curriculum for 14-16 year olds, leading to a globally recognised and valued Cambridge qualifications.
A Cambridge education prepares school students for life, helping them develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning. These international qualifications are recognised by the world’s best universities and employers, giving students a wide range of options in their education and career.
As PLC Sydney is a school that is international in both its nature and outlook, we offer the option of Cambridge International Education (CIE) in Years 9 and 10 to supplement learning, in addition to the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) courses (the HSC), as it enables students to sit examinations in globally recognised courses.
From 2025, Cambridge A-Levels will be offered as an alternative to the HSC NESA courses in Years 11 and 12.
Introducing Cambridge A-Levels...
Cambridge A-Levels commence at PLC Sydney in 2025!
Did you know that PLC Sydney now offers the globally recognised Cambridge A-Levels from Year 11? This unique program is designed for students who seek an academic challenge with international recognition. It's more than just education - it's a gateway to endless opportunities worldwide.
Why Cambridge?
- Globally recognised qualifications
- Pathways to top universities worldwide
- A curriculum that encourages critical thinking, independence, and academic excellence
Click here to apply now and join us in 2025!
Cambridge is better known by overseas universities than the HSC and therefore this makes it an easier pathway for students who wish to study internationally.
Dr Paul Burgis, Principal PLC Sydney
What are A-Levels?
Cambridge International A-Levels are highly specialised subjects. A-Levels are equivalent to and take the place of the HSC. They are the ‘gold standard’ of Cambridge International Education, and act as entry qualifications for universities around the world.
PLC Sydney currently offers Cambridge IGCSE subjects, the equivalent to the School Certificate, in Years 9 and 10. IGCSE subjects transition into ‘A’ level subjects in Years 11 and 12, which PLC Sydney will be offering in 2025.
The Cambridge ‘A’ level structure is different to the HSC. Students study four subjects in Year 11, including English Literature, as well as Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation (SLR), and/or Work Studies - this is called A-Level.
The following Cambridge Courses will be offered at PLC Sydney in Years 11 and 12:
- English Literature (3 units)
- Pure Mathematics (3 units equivalent)
- Chemistry (2 units) - it is recommended to have done IGCSE Chemistry
- Physics (2 units) - it is recommended to have done IGCSE Physical Science
- Biology (2 units) - it is recommended to have done IGCSE Biology
- Economics (2 units)
- History (2 units)
- Sociology (2 units)
- Business Studies (2 units)
- Art and Design (2 units)
NB This list will grow over time
How do universities attribute scores to each 'A' level grade?
A’ level grades are structured as follows:
- A* = 90+ = 6 points
- A = 80+ = 5 points
- B = 70+ = 4 points
- C = 60+ = 3 points
- D = 50+ = 2 points
- E = 40+ = 1 point
- F = below 40
For example, to access medicine at Oxford University requires 16 points, or A*, A, A.
The A* at A Level is awarded to candidates who achieve a grade A on the A Level overall (80%), and who also achieve at least 90% on the uniform mark scale (UMS) across their A2 units.
It is possible to enter some universities in New Zealand, Canada and South Africa after Year 11 (AS level). CIE results are based solely on examinations.
By 2025, PLC Sydney will introduce AS-level studies to students in Year 11 and A-Level courses in 2026 (i.e. Year 12). These will be offered alongside the HSC.
Why are we offering this? Why ‘A’ Levels? What are the benefits...
*Cambridge A-Levels provide students with an internationally recognised qualification, which make applying for tertiary studies overseas easier
*If you already know what you want to do eg medicine….you can specialise earlier in your studies by choosing the 3 or 4 subjects relevant to your degree and university entrance eg a student wanting to study Medicine at Uni, may choose Chemistry. Biology and Mathematics.
*Depth of Knowledge: If you are interested in a particular subject area, A-Levels will give you greater depth in that area.
*Student aren’t competing against each other (A-Levels don’t have ATARS,) so there are no comparisons against other students in the state as there is with the HSC. Students are judged on their mark only.
- Biology
- Business Studies
- Chemistry
- Combined Science
- Computer Science
- French
- Global Perspectives
- History
- Literature in English
- Music
- Physics
- Sociology
Why stay with the HSC?
- If you don’t know what you want to do or study as yet, it may be better to maintain a broad subject selection, so they you can keep your study and career options open.
- There could be a risk that if you specialise in only 3 subjects and did poorly in one of those areas, this could affect your overall mark and therefore tertiary study options.
- The HSC offer breadth rather than depth, which may suit some students more than others.
- HSC is offered through the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and requires students to study a minimum of 12 units in Year 11 and 10 units in their HSC Year (Year 12). A range of subjects is offered at PLC Sydney including English (compulsory), Music, Drama, Arts and Design, Languages, Social Sciences, History, Science, Mathematics, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education. PLC Sydney also offers extension courses in Maths, English, History, Science, Music and Languages.
- HSC marks are converted to a Statewide ranking called an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) used as the means to select students into tertiary courses.
- English is compulsory in the HSC
- In 2024, two students achieved Top of the World' for Global Perspectives and for Literature in English ie first in their Cambridge International Examination, across 11,000 Cambridge schools worldwide.
- In 2023, a current Year 11 student achieved 'Top of the World' for Physical Science.
- In 2023 also, one of our Year 12 students achieved A* for Further Mathematics and A* for Computer Science after achieving an A* for Pure Mathematics the year before. She gained full access to Oxford University where she is now studying.
- In 2020, one of our Year 12 students achieved three A Levels A* A* A in her Cambridge A Level Exams (equivalent of 99.9+) and gained full access to all Oxford University programs. She proceeded to study Computer Science and Philosophy at Oxford.
- In 2017, a student achieved a ‘Top of the World’ award for first in Cambridge International Physical Sciences Examination.
- In 2016 a Year 10 student received a Cambridge Outstanding Learner’s Award after being named ‘Top in the World’ in the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Global Perspectives. This subject offers students the opportunity to think critically about local, national and global issues. 2016 was only the second year that PLC Sydney has participated in the Cambridge Assessment International Education (CIE).
PLC Sydney is proud to have been recognised as one of the 100 most innovative schools worldwide by Cambridge University.
Cambridge University identified PLC Sydney as a highly innovative educator, for not only incorporating digital technologies, creative classroom design, and innovative pedagogy and programs into the College, but also for its comprehensive Service Learning Program, where students are encouraged from a very early age to engage with the community by undertaking volunteer work at various local and international institutions, according to their school year.
In Conversation with Dr Paul Burgis, Principal PLC Sydney
Why Cambridge?
PLC Sydney is proud to have been recognised as one of the 100 most innovative schools worldwide by Cambridge University.
