New International Advanced Levels for first teaching in September 2015

Final specifications and SAMs now available for new IALs in Accounting and Law

Brand new specifications and SAMs are now available for IALs in Accounting and Law, for first teaching in September 2015:

These updated qualifications contain content that reflects the latest thinking in each of these subject areas. Free online Getting Ready to Teach training events to support the effective delivery of these new qualifications will be available from May.

Update on new IALs in English Language, English Literature, History and Psychology

We announced last year that we're developing four brand new IALs for first teaching in September 2015, based on your priorities and requirements, in the following subjects:

• English Language
• English Literature
• Psychology
• History

To help you make an informed choice about offering these new IAL subjects at your school from September 2015 onwards, here are some specific details about the key points of differentiation between the new IALs and Edexcel 2015 GCE A levels in each subject area.  

Draft specifications for these subjects will be available on our website from May 2015. To receive the very latest news about these qualifications, please subscribe to our mailing list by emailing internationalqualifications@pearson.com.

First assessment and awarding

To help you with your planning, first assessment of the new IALs in English Language, English Literature, History and Psychology for first teaching in September 2015 will be as follows:

The schedule of unit availability for these new qualifications is as follows: 

Update on optional practical tests for IALs in Chemistry and Physics

We previously told you about our intention to introduce optional practical tests in IAL Chemistry and Physics qualifications for first teaching in September 2015. However, as a direct result of further customer consultation and feedback, we've decided to extend our research to develop a more holistic approach to integrating practical work into these qualifications. As a result, IAL Chemistry and Physics will continue as they are and will not include optional practical tests while we conduct this research.