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Cambridge International runs IGCSE, O Level, AS Level and A Level examinations, sat in Nigeria either through a school registered as a Cambridge centre or, for private candidates, through the British Council. A Cambridge A Level is accepted for Nigerian Direct Entry at 200 level, the same destination as JUPEB and IJMB, and it is portable to universities abroad in a way no Nigerian qualification is. It is also far more expensive than most families expect, because Cambridge charges per subject.
Per subject, not per sittingWAEC charges around ₦27,000 for a full sitting of eight or nine subjects. Cambridge charges ₦159,600 to ₦247,200 for a single IGCSE subject. A candidate sitting eight IGCSE subjects is looking at well over ₦1.5 million before anything else. This is the difference that decides the route for most Nigerian families, and it is rarely stated plainly.
What it costs, by qualification
| Qualification | Per subject, VAT inclusive |
|---|---|
| IGCSE | ₦159,600 to ₦247,200 |
| IGCSE Mathematics | ₦196,400 |
| IGCSE sciences | ₦214,800 to ₦247,200 |
| IGCSE Coordinated Sciences, Double Award | ₦337,600 to ₦370,000 |
| O Level | ₦159,600 to ₦247,200 |
| AS Level | ₦170,800 to ₦451,000 |
| A Level, most subjects | ₦314,000 |
| A Level sciences | ₦332,400 to ₦364,800 |
| Cambridge ICE certificate | ₦91,000 |
| Cambridge AICE certificate | ₦193,800 |
Late entry is punishing
Cambridge runs a staged deadline structure, and the penalties are per subject rather than flat.
| Stage | May/June 2026 dates | Additional cost per subject |
|---|---|---|
| Normal entry | 7 December 2025 to 13 February 2026 | None |
| Late Stage 1 | 14 February to 10 April 2026 | About ₦139,200 to ₦162,400 |
| Late Stage 2 | Case by case from 11 April 2026 | About ₦343,600 to ₦366,400 |
A Late Stage 2 entry can more than double the cost of a subject. Cambridge deadlines are set months in advance and do not move, unlike the Nigerian boards, which extend routinely. Plan to the normal deadline.
Grading
- IGCSE and O Level: A* down to G
- A Level: A* down to E
There is no direct official conversion between Cambridge grades and the WAEC A1 to F9 scale. Nigerian institutions map them at their own discretion, so ask the specific institution rather than relying on a conversion table you found online.
Is it worth it for a Nigerian candidate?
It depends entirely on where you intend to study.
If the destination is a Nigerian university, Cambridge A Level gets you to exactly the same place as JUPEB or IJMB, Direct Entry at 200 level, at roughly three to five times the cost. On that basis alone it is hard to justify.
If the destination is a university abroad, or if it is undecided, the calculation changes completely. Cambridge qualifications are recognised internationally without explanation or equivalence assessment. JUPEB and IJMB are not. You are buying optionality, and that is the only thing that makes the price rational.
Sources
- British Council Nigeria, private candidate price list for the May/June 2026 series, britishcouncil.org.ng. All per-subject fees, staged deadlines, late entry surcharges and the amendment fee.
- Cambridge Assessment International Education. Grading scales for IGCSE, O Level, AS Level and A Level.
- JAMB Bulletin, 19 January 2026. Direct Entry as the route A Level holders use to enter at 200 level.
British Council fees are revised each series and are quoted in Naira, so they move with exchange rates as well as with Cambridge pricing. Reviewed at the opening of each series.