Recently accredited and available for teaching from September 2008, the Pre-U has been developed by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) as a university entry qualification likened to a more "traditional A-level".

BBC: Qualifications glossary

There is a promise that the "bar for entry and assessment for the qualification will be raised".

BBC: Heads qualification will no longer be compulsory

There are no entry requirements, the courses will not result in a qualification and completion does not count towards future university entrance.

BBC: Edinburgh University hails online 'milestone'

If such open access online courses no longer required A-levels as an entry exam, she raised the question about what this would mean for the future of the qualification.

BBC: Gates Foundation funds online university open access

The increased level of automation will involve changes in the qualification and training of the employees but can involve a reduction in the number of jobs for entry-level employees in a number of industries.

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