Cambridge Assessment International Education

Cambridge Assessment International Education (informally known as Cambridge International or simply Cambridge and formerly known as CIE, Cambridge International Examinations) is a provider of international qualifications, offering examinations and qualifications to 10,000 schools in more than 160 countries. It is a non-profit and non-teaching department of the University of Cambridge.

History
Cambridge Assessment is part of the University of Cambridge and was founded in 1858 as the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate. It would later on become known as (University of) Cambridge International Examinations, or simply CIE. As part of a restructuring process of the University of Cambridge, Cambridge Assessment and Cambridge University Press were merged to form Cambridge University Press & Assessment and CIE eventually became CAIE: Cambridge Assessment International Education.

For more detailed histories go to University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate and Cambridge University Press.

Qualifications
Cambridge Assessment offers primarily school-leaving qualifications for university entrance such as the Cambridge International General Certificate of Education – Advanced Level (Cambridge International GCE A-levels). In addition, Cambridge Assessment provides Key Stage examinations for primary and secondary schools internationally.

Recognition
Cambridge qualifications are recognized for admission by all UK universities as well as universities in the United States (Stanford and all Ivy League universities), Canada, the European Union, the Middle East, West Asia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Kazakhstan as well as in other countries.

Partnerships
Cambridge Assessment is engaged in partnerships with governments of 25 countries on integrated curriculum and assessment design and professional development for teachers.

Philanthropy
As part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives, Cambridge Assessment provides charitable support for children from troubled backgrounds.

Criticism
Cambridge Assessment International Education has been criticized for continuing its colonial educational practices in its literature curricula. A study showed that Cambridge Assessment privileges European male authors and consistently under-represents female authors from developing countries. The study further suggested that it has limited consideration for third world countries and their culture and customs when it comes to their international secondary school coursebooks.