Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level (IAL)

Tashkent Metropolitan University is officially approved by Pearson, the world's largest learning company, to deliver Edexcel International Advanced Level (IAL) qualifications. IAL is the international version of the UK GCE A-Level — benchmarked by UK NARIC as comparable in standard — and is accepted by universities across the UK, US, Australia, Canada, and Asia.

What is Pearson Edexcel?

Pearson is a UK-based awarding body and the world's largest learning company. Edexcel International Advanced Levels have been offered internationally since 2013 and are currently taught by over 790 schools in 75 countries. Unlike standard UK A-Levels, IALs are designed specifically for students outside the UK.

What is the International Advanced Level (IAL)?

IAL is available in 21 subjects and follows a modular, exam-based structure:

  • IAS (International Advanced Subsidiary) — typically studied in Year 1, contributing 50% of the final IAL grade
  • A2 — the advanced modules studied in Year 2, combined with IAS results for the full IAL
  • 100% exam-based — no coursework component
  • Three exam series per year (January, June, October), giving students flexibility on when to sit units
  • Uses the Uniform Mark Scale (UMS) so results stay consistent across different exam sessions
  • A final certificate is issued once a student completes the required units and applies the "cash-in" process

Where it's recognized

  • UK: accepted by all Russell Group universities, including Oxford and Cambridge
  • USA: recognized by universities including Yale, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, MIT, and Caltech
  • Australia: accepted by all Group of Eight (Go8) universities
  • Canada: recognized by institutions including the University of Toronto and McGill University
  • Asia: recognized by universities including HKUST and the National University of Singapore
  • Benchmarked by UK NARIC as comparable in standard to the UK GCE A-Level

What TMU students get from it

  • A globally benchmarked school-leaving qualification, not limited to recognition inside Uzbekistan
  • A flexible exam schedule (three series a year) that allows students to sit units when they're ready rather than all at once
  • A credential accepted well beyond the UK — useful for students weighing international university options after TMU

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pearson Edexcel IAL?

It is the International Advanced Level, the international version of the UK GCE A-Level, delivered by Pearson and benchmarked by UK NARIC as comparable in standard.

Is IAL the same as a UK A-Level?

IAL is designed for students outside the UK and follows the same standard as the UK A-Level, though with a modular exam structure and three exam series per year rather than the single UK series.

How many subjects are available?

21 subjects are available under the Edexcel IAL program.

Do universities abroad accept IAL?

Yes. It's accepted by Russell Group universities in the UK, including Oxford and Cambridge, Group of Eight universities in Australia, and recognized by universities in the US, Canada, and Asia.

Is there coursework in IAL?

No. Assessment is 100% exam-based across all subjects.