A new course designed to teach students an entrepreneurial mindset is being tested in eight schools across Asia, Europe, and Oceania, with the goal of preparing learners for an unpredictable future. The pilot, developed in partnership with IE University and Cambridge Assessment International Education, integrates practical skills like resilience and problem-solving into the Cambridge International A Level pathway.
The initiative targets gaps in traditional education by focusing on attributes less emphasized in standard academic curricula. According to Miguel Costa, Dean of Admissions & Outreach at IE University, developing the skill of an entrepreneurial mindset “becomes a lifelong, human-centric ability that remains valuable during higher education and across different jobs, does not become outdated, and will last a lifetime.”
Manuel Muñiz, Rector of IE University, noted that the course bridges secondary and higher education by equipping students with the mindset, skills, and global outlook needed to create impact in a rapidly changing world.
Teachers from participating schools, including Pinehurst School in New Zealand and HELP International School in Malaysia, completed training at IE University in Madrid. Kate Hawthorn, a teacher at Pinehurst, said, “I am incredibly proud to be involved in the pilot Cambridge Advanced Skills Award in Entrepreneurial Mindset course,” and added that the course “develops the confidence, resilience, adaptability, and independent thinking that students need to thrive in an uncertain world, while empowering them to create innovative solutions to real challenges.” Manmeet Kaur from HELP International School expressed gratitude for the chance to learn and collaborate in the pilot, saying she looks forward to many iterations as the course is implemented.
Students who complete the pilot successfully will earn a joint certificate from Cambridge and IE University, with grades ranging from Pass to Distinction. The partners will work closely with the schools during the pilot, giving them the opportunity to shape the final award with their insights and experience.
This effort aligns with broader moves to modernize Cambridge’s qualifications. The Cambridge International Project Qualification (IPQ), slated for relaunch in 2028, will shift focus from final products to the learning process, encouraging creativity and independent study. A new profiling system will also help students, teachers, and universities assess complex thinking skills.
Cambridge and IE University plan to introduce additional future-focused courses. The Cambridge Advanced Skills Award in Entrepreneurial Mindset is one of many new ways they are helping prepare learners to transition to higher education and beyond.
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