Decoding the term “Cambridge”

If you've explored international schools, you've probably come across terms like:

“We follow Cambridge methodology.”
"We offer the Cambridge curriculum."

"We are Cambridge affiliated."
"We are a Cambridge Pathway School."

To many parents, (including us when we started!), these sound like the same thing.  In fact, it's common to assume that if a school has the Cambridge logo, it must be offering the complete Cambridge education journey.

But that’s not true. Let's break it down.

1. First, What is Cambridge?

Cambridge International Education is a non-profit international education arm of the University of Cambridge, UK, one of the world's oldest and most respected universities.

Founded in 1858, Cambridge International develops curriculum frameworks and qualifications for students aged 3 to 19. Today, its programmes—including Cambridge Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and AS & A Levels—are offered by thousands of schools across more than 160 countries.

2. "We Follow the Cambridge Methodology"

This is probably the most misunderstood statement.

Unlike terms such as Cambridge-affiliated or Cambridge pathway, "Cambridge methodology" has no official definition or certification.

When a school says this, it usually means it has adopted some teaching practices inspired by Cambridge, such as:

• Inquiry-based learning
• Project-based activities
• Critical thinking
• Application-based assessments
• Student-led discussions

These are educational approaches and not official Cambridge programmes. Any school can follow many of these practices without being associated with Cambridge International at all.

Parent Tip 💡

If a school says it follows the Cambridge methodology, ask:

"Are you officially authorized by Cambridge International Education?"

If the answer is No, the school is not a Cambridge International school, even if its teaching philosophy resembles Cambridge.

3. "We Offer the Cambridge Curriculum"

This statement needs clarification and it doesn’t tell you anything concrete.

If the school is Cambridge-affiliated

It means students study official Cambridge programmes and may appear for Cambridge assessments and qualifications such as IGCSE or A Levels.

If the school is NOT Cambridge-affiliated

It usually means the school has designed its own curriculum inspired by Cambridge learning outcomes or teaching methods.The curriculum may resemble Cambridge, but it is not an official Cambridge programme, and students cannot receive Cambridge qualifications through that school. 

4. "We Are Cambridge Affiliated"

This is an official status.  A school cannot simply decide to become a Cambridge school. It must apply to Cambridge International Education, undergo an approval process, and meet standards related to:

• Teacher qualifications
• Academic quality
• Assessment systems
• Infrastructure
• Learning resources
• Governance

Only after approval can the school describe itself as a Cambridge International school. However, being Cambridge-affiliated does not automatically mean a school is authorized to offer every Cambridge programme. There are typically 5 programmes:

1. Cambridge Early (3 - 6 year olds)
2. Cambridge Primary (5 - 11 years olds)
3. Cambridge Lower Secondary (11-14 years old)
4. Cambridge IGCSE (10th equivalent)
5. Cambridge AS & A Levels (11th and 12th equivalent)

Cambridge-affiliated can mean the school is authorized to offer one or more of these programmes. For example, School A may be approved to offer only Cambridge Primary, while another School B may offer IGCSE.

5. "We Are a Cambridge Pathway School"

A Cambridge Pathway is not another type of affiliation. Instead, it refers to the complete learning journey designed by Cambridge.

It means the school provides the entire journey starting from Cambridge Early to Cambridge AS & A.

6. The Fees Angle

Being a Cambridge-affiliated school comes with additional costs. Schools pay affiliation and annual fees to Cambridge International, invest in teacher training and professional development, and maintain the resources and quality standards required to deliver Cambridge programmes. Additionally, IGCSE and AS/A Level examination fees are typically charged separately to parents.

These costs are one of the reasons Cambridge-affiliated schools often have higher tuition fees. As a parent, it's helpful to understand that you should not simply pay for the "Cambridge" label - you should pay for an internationally recognized curriculum and the prerequisites it brings.

7. So, how should parents be more aware?

You can check out the official website of Cambridge International to verify the programmes. And, the next time you hear the word Cambridge during a school visit, ask these 3 questions:

1. Are you officially authorized by Cambridge International Education?
2. Which Cambridge programmes do you actually offer?
3. From which grade does the Cambridge curriculum begin?

Those three questions will tell you far more than any brochure or advertisement.