Expert Cambridge tutoring
across South Africa.
IGCSE, O Level, AS Level & A Level support — online or in person, in every province. Specialist tutors who understand the Cambridge curriculum and the USAf matric exemption pathway.
Three steps to your first
Cambridge session.
More than 10,000 professional, experienced and verified tutors on the MyAPEX app. Match in minutes — book, talk, and start learning.
1. Book a tutor
Answer a few quick questions about your learner, Cambridge stage (IGCSE / O Level / AS / A Level) and subjects on the MyAPEX app.
2. Talk to us
Our team matches you with a specialist Cambridge tutor based on subject, exam-board format, and your USAf exemption goals.
3. Start learning
Begin one-on-one Cambridge sessions — online via the MyApex App or in person — with the same tutor each week.
A globally recognised curriculum, built for university.
Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) is one of the world's largest providers of international qualifications for 14–19 year-olds.
South African learners can study Cambridge IGCSE, O Level, AS Level and A Level — qualifications recognised by South African public universities through the Universities South Africa (USAf) Matriculation Board, under Paragraph 13 of the USAf regulations. Cambridge is studied through a written-exam pathway (not coursework-heavy), and Cambridge International publishes two examination series per year (June and November), giving families flexibility around the academic calendar.
Sources: Cambridge International · USAf Paragraph 13Choose the stage that fits your learner.
Tap a qualification for full details on syllabus, exam structure, recommended subjects, and how Apex tutors support each stage.
Cambridge IGCSE
The world's most popular international qualification for 14–16 year-olds — 70 subjects, graded A*–G, with Core and Extended tiers. The foundation for AS & A Level study.
Explore IGCSE →Cambridge O Level
Similar in content to IGCSE but uses a different exam format. Recognised by USAf for SA matric exemption, and often offered alongside IGCSE subjects.
Explore O Level →Cambridge AS Level
The first half of A Level study. A standalone qualification or the route into full A Level. Most learners specialise in 3–4 subjects, recognised by USAf with the right mix.
Explore AS Level →Cambridge A Level
The advanced two-year qualification, accepted by leading universities worldwide — and the primary route into a USAf Certificate of Complete Exemption under Paragraph 13.
Explore A Level →Three ways our Cambridge tutoring works in South Africa.
Online, in person, or a mix of both — with the end-goal of a strong Cambridge result and a clean USAf matric exemption.
Live 1:1 via MyApex App
One-on-one Cambridge tutoring online, with session recording for revision. Same tutor each week — for families anywhere with a stable internet connection.
Face-to-face across SA
In-person Cambridge tutoring at home or a study venue, in all nine provinces. Suited to junior IGCSE learners and exam-prep intensives before each sitting.
Cambridge result → SA university
We guide families through subject selection, exam-sitting planning, and the USAf Matriculation Board process — so Cambridge results convert into matric exemption.
Fully recognised by SA universities.
All 26 South African public universities accept Cambridge IGCSE, AS Level and A Level qualifications for entry, via the Universities South Africa (USAf) Matriculation Board. You apply to USAf for a Certificate of Exemption that converts your Cambridge results into the South African National Senior Certificate equivalent.
Complete in no more than two sittings
For USAf matric exemption, your Cambridge subjects must be completed in no more than two examination sittings — meaning two separate exam series (e.g. May/June and October/November). Apex helps families map this out before Year 11.
How Cambridge learners qualify for Full Exemption
USAf recognises four main pathways to a Certificate of Full Exemption (needed for bachelor's degree study at SA public universities):
Cambridge A Level pathway
The standard route. At least five recognised subjects at the required level, including English Language at AS or A Level, across IGCSE/O Level plus AS/A Level.
Cambridge AS Level pathway
A stronger IGCSE/O Level base plus three AS Level passes at the required grade. Used by learners who don't sit full A Level.
Conditional Exemption
For learners who don't quite meet standard requirements but show strong individual subject results. Considered case-by-case.
Mature Age Exemption
For learners over 23 who completed Cambridge studies some time ago and want to enter university now. Different criteria apply.
Subject selection at IGCSE / O Level matters years before exemption is awarded — the wrong combination at age 14 can close pathways at 18. Apex starts exemption planning from the first IGCSE consultation.
The questions Cambridge parents ask first.
Is Cambridge International accepted by South African universities?
Yes. All 26 South African public universities accept Cambridge IGCSE, AS Level and A Level qualifications for entry, via the USAf Matriculation Board exemption process. A Cambridge A Level pathway typically requires five recognised subjects across IGCSE/O Level and AS/A Level, including English Language at AS or A Level. Apex tutors plan the full subject map with you from the IGCSE year onward.
What's the difference between Cambridge IGCSE and O Level?
Both are 14–16 year-old qualifications and both are accepted by USAf. However, IGCSE is the more globally common option and is examined in a more international format (Extended and Core tiers available in many subjects). O Level retains some traditional examination conventions and is offered in slightly fewer subjects. Many South African Cambridge learners take a mix — IGCSE in their main subjects and O Level in one or two others — without any issue for USAf exemption.
Do you offer online or in-person Cambridge tutoring?
Both. We deliver online one-on-one Cambridge tutoring via the MyApex App (sessions recorded for revision), and in-person tutoring across all nine South African provinces. Many families mix the two — regular online sessions during term, plus in-person intensives before exam series. Same tutor each week in both formats.
When should we start Cambridge tutoring?
The earlier the better, especially because USAf exemption planning depends on subject choices made at the start of IGCSE (around age 14). We typically recommend a consultation in Grade 9 equivalent if Cambridge is the chosen route, so the IGCSE → AS → A Level subject map is built deliberately. For learners already in AS or A Level, we focus on exam technique, past-paper drilling and topic gaps.
How are Cambridge grades converted for SA matric exemption?
USAf maps Cambridge IGCSE/O Level grades (A* through G) and AS/A Level grades (A* through E) to South African NSC equivalents using a published conversion table. The Two-Sitting Rule applies: all qualifying subjects must be completed across no more than two exam series. Apex tutors track your exam-sitting calendar with you to ensure compliance — this single planning step prevents the most common USAf exemption rejection.
Book your first Cambridge tutoring session.
One-on-one with an Apex Cambridge tutor — online via the MyApex App or in person, anywhere in South Africa.
Book Tutor