Veritas Aescula Institute

ALMA (A Levels for Medical Aspirants) is an 18-month, fully online, fast-track programme in Pearson Edexcel International A Level Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics for students who want to study medicine. The first cohort runs from January 2027 to June 2028.

It is the full qualification. Students study every unit of the Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level (IAL) specification in all three subjects and sit the same official Pearson exams as IAL candidates worldwide. ALMA compresses the calendar, not the content.

Pearson's modular exams run in January, June and October, so ALMA spreads its exams across the June 2027, October 2027 and June 2028 series instead of waiting for one final sitting. Teaching is continuous and intensive, with live classes, weekly exam-style practice, timed tests and mock exams. Every unit is taught in full.

ALMA Regular studies all three subjects in parallel and sits two units of each in every series. ALMA BCM takes one subject at a time: Biology in June 2027, Chemistry in October 2027 and Mathematics in June 2028. ALMA BC+M has no exams in June 2027, sits Biology and Chemistry together in October 2027, and Mathematics in June 2028. All three finish in June 2028.

Biology (6 units), Chemistry (6 units) and Mathematics (Pure Mathematics 1–4, Statistics 1 and Mechanics 1). In each subject, the first three units form the IAS stage and the next three the IA2 stage.

Biology and Chemistry are the subjects most medical schools in the EU and China assess. Mathematics builds quantitative skills and is part of entrance tests such as the CSCA and IMAT. Choosing Mathematics instead of Physics also reduces lab-based practical sittings for online study. Physics needed for the CSCA and IMAT is covered in our entrance-exam preparation classes.

At the British Council exam centre in Myanmar, an official Pearson Edexcel centre. Registration for the 2027 exam sessions opens with the British Council in January 2027, and we guide students through it. Students in Thailand sit their exams at the Pearson centre in Bangkok.

No. Your results are linked by one Unique Candidate Identifier. You request the cash-in in the June 2028 series, so Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics appear together on one combined Pearson Edexcel certificate, subject to Pearson Edexcel's certification requirements.

In Pearson Edexcel International A Level Biology and Chemistry, practical skills are assessed through written papers (Units 3 and 6) that test experimental design, data analysis, error analysis and evaluation. ALMA teaches these through demonstrations and virtual labs, and there is no separate laboratory exam.

Applications for September 2028 intakes open around January 2028, and for Spring 2029 intakes around June 2028. Students apply using results from their 2027 exam series. Deadlines vary by university, so we plan each student's timeline individually.

ALMA is designed for English-taught medical programmes in the EU, such as in Italy, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland, and for English-taught MBBS programmes in China. Requirements differ by university, so our admissions team checks each student's targets.

Yes. From July 2027, after-school classes prepare students for the CSCA (China), the IMAT (Italy) and EU university entrance exams, alongside interview and Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) practice.

O Level finishers and Grade 11 finishers from the government system can join ALMA directly (Track A). All applicants take the Diagnostic Placement Exam and a Structured Admissions Interview.

Yes, through Track B. If you pass the Diagnostic Placement Exam and interview, you join ALMA directly. If not, you first complete a 6–12-month bridge sized by the diagnostic. GED holders take the GED → ALMA Bridge and then join ALMA in the BC+M format.

A bridge programme, unique to VAI, that closes the exact gaps between the GED and A Level: algebra and trigonometry, quantitative chemistry, precise biology and A Level exam technique. It lasts 6, 9 or 12 months depending on the diagnostic. Students then join ALMA in the BC+M format, so the whole route takes about 24–30 months.

The GED tests broad reasoning through computer-based, mostly multiple-choice questions and one combined science test. A Levels assume subject-by-subject depth and handwritten exam papers with full working. The bridge closes that gap so students can keep up with ALMA from the first day.

A placement test with non-calculator algebra, a chemistry calculation, short-answer biology and a written explanation, taken with a Structured Admissions Interview. It shows whether a student is ready for ALMA or needs a bridge first, and how long that bridge should be.

Yes. All teaching is live online with subject specialists, so students can study from anywhere in Southeast Asia and beyond. Exams are taken in person, at the British Council exam centre in Myanmar or the Pearson centre in Bangkok.

Pearson Edexcel International A Levels are accepted by universities around the world. Entry requirements differ by university and programme, and most medical schools also set their own entrance exam or interview, so students should check each university's requirements. Our admissions team helps with this.

Register for the Diagnostic Placement Exam and Structured Admissions Interview through our pre-registration form, or contact our admissions team. Places in the January 2027 cohort are limited.