In October 2018, the Sub-Committee of the School Examinations Committee (SUBSEC) approved the revised Caribbean Examinations Council Associate Degree (CXC®-AD) Handbook.  Subsequent to approval, the Council has signed letters of intent with tertiary institutions in the region including the Northern Caribbean University (NCU), University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) and the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE).  The Northern Caribbean University (NCU) has publicly indicated their decision to award up to two years exemption to students who present selected CXC®-ADs upon admission.

It is anticipated that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NCU will be signed by the end of the first quarter of 2019. In addition, the University of the West Indies (UWI) has indicated its intention to award students with specified CXC®-ADs with advanced standing.

These, along with other institutions, are working collaboratively with the Council’s Syllabus and Curriculum Development Team to ensure that as early as September 2019 they will be able to offer prospective students who present the CXC®-AD with advanced standing.  This will be based on the alignment of the respective CXC®-AD to the institutions’ offerings.  This exciting undertaking will continue throughout 2019 and beyond as the Council seeks to collaborate with institutions, equivalency boards and accreditation bodies to improve the recognition and opportunities afforded students who are awarded the CXC®-AD.

The 2018 revision of the CXC®-AD has created the ideal foundation that will make allowances for students to be credited for up to two years when seeking admissions to a four-year degree programme; and one year for a three-year degree programme.

The CXC®-AD is one of the avenues through which the CXC is seeking to meet the changing demands of our stakeholders. It is anticipated that more of our students will be able to access tertiary level education and transition to further studies or to the world of work. The Council continues to engage tertiary institutions across the region to improve awareness and encourage greater recognition of the CXC®-AD.