General Certificate of Education (GCE) and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) are school leaving certificates in Britain comparable to the Sri Lankan GCE ‘O’ and ‘A’ level examination certificates.

Do you want to study at a local or overseas institute for further or higher education? Are you planning to study for professional qualifications in the UK? The GCE, being one of the most internationally recognised qualifications, can help you.

GCE and IGCSE exams:

			are qualifications from Edexcel International and Cambridge International examinations available all over the world and recognised worldwide
			consists of a wide range of subjects
			are recognised by universities as evidence of solid academic achievement

There are two UK examining boards, which offer GCEs in Sri Lanka:

			Edexcel International
			University of Cambridge International Examinations

Find out more about examination dates and fees.

WHAT IS GCE O-LEVEL?
An O-level is a standard UK qualification usually taken at the age of 16. O-levels provide a foundation for further study or employment, and are available in a wide range of subjects covering the whole curriculum. Within the subject areas there is often a choice of several syllabuses. You can take any number of O-levels, depending on the qualifications that your chosen institutions ask for. Most students take between seven and ten O-levels after studying for two to three years in their chosen subjects.

WHY SHOULD I TAKE AN O-LEVEL?
You need to take an exam at O-level before you can study at A-level. They are also valuable qualifications in their own right that help prepare you for adult employment.

WHAT IS IGCSE?
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) has been designed for 14 to 16 year olds. It is a two-year curriculum programme that is equivalent in standard to the British GCSE and is the most modern and up-to-date series of school exams. IGCSEs are examined at the same standard as O levels and GCSEs, and provide the same progression to GCE AS and A level qualifications. IGCSEs provide students with an international perspective to their studies.

WHY SHOULD I TAKE AN IGCSE?
The IGCSE aims to prepare students for further academic success, including progression to A and AS level study, and equip them with skills for immediate employment. It is equivalent in standard to the British GCSE and is recognised as evidence of ability by academic institutions and employers worldwide.

WHAT IS GCE AS-LEVEL?
The subject content of the new A Level syllabuses has been subdivided into two parts: the AS syllabus content, which is expected to be covered in the first half of the course, and the second part of the syllabus, commonly referred to as A2, taken at the end of the second year of study. In terms of the UCAS tariff, the Advanced Subsidiary is worth half the points of a GCE Advanced level qualification.

WHAT IS GCE A-LEVEL?
An A-level is an Advanced level GCE qualification used internationally as pre-university requirement and for employment. This exam is normally taken after two years of A-level study and is available in a broad range of subjects covering the whole curriculum.  The new qualification comprises six units (in the case of Edexcel) or 2 units (in the case of Cambridge Examinations) and can be taken either in stages (see Advanced Subsidiary section) or as a final examination. Usually, A-level courses immediately follow on from O-level courses and most candidates enter between two and four subjects at the age of eighteen.

WHY SHOULD I TAKE AN A-LEVEL?
Good A-level results can give you access to undergraduate studies at some of the best higher education learning institutions in the world, give you access to professional and vocational courses, and prepare you for employment.

HOW CAN I REGISTER?

1. Collect an application form from the British Council, or download it from this page.
2. Date of submission is given on the application form.
3. Refer to the syllabus for subject availability, correct syllabus codes and titles.
4. Attach 2 passport-sized photographs and self addressed envelopes to the completed application form and hand it over or post it to the British Council on the given date. Include payment in the form of cash (if registering in person), cheque, bank draft, or copy of bank transfer receipt.

HOW CAN I APPLY?

			all payments should be made in full
			we accept cash, cheques, or bank drafts. If you want to pay by bank draft bring or post a copy of the bank draft
			all payments should be in Sri Lankan Rupees.
			if you are a sponsored candidate, you should bring a formal letter from your sponsoring body undertaking to pay the full fees
			British Council bank account details:      Bank name: HSBC      Account name: British Council Sri Lanka      Account number: 001-002377-001      Message: Name of the exam and your full name
			credit card payments are accepted

HOW CAN THE BRITISH COUNCIL HELP ME PREPARE?

			we have a wide range of past papers for sale in booklets or to photocopy. Either come to our office or email your order as below:        - E-mail to exams.cmb@britishcouncil.org        - Include your name, NIC / passport number, phone number,          mobile phone number        - Specify the papers you need (Edexcel or Cambridge, O-level/          A-level/etc, Year and Session, Subject and Paper)        - We will acknowledge your request within 24 hours        - The papers will be ready within 24 hours unless we specify          otherwise in our acknowledgement (for example if the order          is large). You must pick up within 7 days of our acknowledgement          and pay for the items when you pick up.
			visit our reference section with its range of past papers, mark schemes and syllabuses
			use our PCs to access the Edexcel and Cambridge websites with their range of study support materials
			join our library and use the range of OL and AL course texts

Registration Dates

Exam dates - May/June 2008

Fees

For more information, download the Information Sheet for private candidates

REGISTRATIONS

EXAM DATES -  will be available from this page by Tuesday 22 July 2008

EXAM FEES

Late Entry Fees
Penalty fees for late entries and amendments are charged per candidate per syllabus or module. Please note that Examinations Services is closed on Sunday and Monday

For more information download the Information sheet for private candidates.

Method of entry submission and payments

			all payments should be made in full
			we accept cash, credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), cheques in favour of “British Council’, bank drafts, proof of bank transfer or EZ Pay mobile payments. If you want to pay by bank draft please bring or post a copy of the bank draft
			all payments should be in Sri Lankan Rupees.
			British Council bank account details:      Bank name: HSBC      Account name: British Council Sri Lanka      Account number: 001-002377-001      Message: CIE November 08 – (your full name)

Handover of entry form and identification
Please submit your application with the following items:

			4 self addressed envelopes (4”x 9”) for posting your entry form and results sheet. Please write your name and address clearly in block letters on the right hand side of the envelope. No stamps needed.
			2 passport-sized photographs
			a valid proof of identity (NIC, Passport, or Postal ID)