Experience Outstanding British Education with Abbey DLD
Join our group of leading international colleges based in Cambridge, London and Manchester in September 2025. We offer high-quality GCSE, A-Level, International Foundation Programmes, Academic Preparation Course and Short Courses for students aged 12 – 21 years.
Discover more about our colleges below, or fill in our simple enquiry form and speak to a member of our admissions team today.
We offer a wide range of academic programmes for students aged from 12 – 21 years.
Courses Available
| COURSE | COURSE DURATION | FOR STUDENTS AGED | AVAILABLE AT | PROGRESS TO |
| Year 9 | 1 Year | 12 – 13 Years | Abbey College Cambridge DLD College London | GCSE |
| GCSE | 1 – 2 Years | 14 – 16 Years | Abbey College Cambridge DLD College London Abbey College Manchester | A-Level, International Foundation Programme, BTEC |
| A-Level | 2 Years | 16 – 20 Years | Abbey College Cambridge DLD College London Abbey College Manchester | Undergraduate Course at University |
| International Foundation Programme | 1 – 2* Years | 17 – 21 Years | Abbey College Cambridge DLD College London Abbey College Manchester | Undergraduate Course at University |
| Acdemic Preparation Course | 1 – 3 Terms | 13+ Years | Abbey College Cambridge DLD College London Abbey College Manchester | GCSE, A Level, International Foundation Programme, BTEC |
| British Boarding School Experience | 1 – 2 Terms | 13+ Years | Abbey College Cambridge DLD College London Abbey College Manchester | Any Full Course |
* 2 Year International Foundation Programme is only available at Abbey College Manchester.
Learn more about our courses
Study GCSE at the Abbey DLD Group of Colleges
General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSE) represent the first stage on the path to study at a UK university. Most universities will ask for at least 5 GCSE passes for entry.
GCSE Course Durations and Start Dates.
| Duration | Starts Every | English Requirement (Minimum) | Available At |
| 1 year | September | IELTS 5.0 and successfully passing the college interview process. | Abbey College Cambridge, DLD College London, Abbey College Manchester |
| 2 year | September | IELTS 4.5 and successfully passing the college interview process. | Abbey College Cambridge, DLD College London, Abbey College Manchester |
GCSE Subjects Available
2 Year GCSE Subjects Available
| COURSE | ABBEY COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE | DLD COLLEGE LONDON | ABBEY COLLEGE MANCHESTER |
| Art & Design/Art | Y | Y | Y |
| Biology | Y | Y | Y |
| Business Studies/Business Enterprise BTEC | Y | Y | Y |
| Chemistry | Y | Y | Y |
| Economics | Y | Y | |
| English Language/IELTS | Y | Y | Y |
| English Literature | Y | ||
| Esports BTEC | Y | ||
| Geography | Y | Y | |
| Film Studies | Y | ||
| French | Y | ||
| History | Y | Y | |
| Further Mathematics | Y | ||
| Mathematics | Y | Y | Y |
| Photography | Y | ||
| Physics | Y | Y | Y |
| Performing Arts BTEC | Y | ||
| Sports Science | Y | ||
| Sport BTEC | Y | ||
| Religious Studies | Y |
Certain GCSE subjects are compulsory. These subjects may vary by college, but all GCSE courses include compulsory GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English Language. DLD College London offers students the following optional BTEC Awards as part of its Two Year GCSE programme: Esports, Performing Arts, and Sport.
1 Year GCSE Subjects Available
| COURSE | ABBEY COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE | DLD COLLEGE LONDON | ABBEY COLLEGE MANCHESTER |
| Art & Design/Art | Y | Y | |
| Biology | Y | Y | Y |
| Business Studies | Y | Y | Y |
| Chemistry | Y | Y | Y |
| Economics | Y | Y | |
| English Language/IELTS | Y | Y | Y |
| English Literature | Y | ||
| French | Y | ||
| Further Mathematics | Y | ||
| Mathematics | Y | Y | Y |
| Photography | Y | ||
| Physics | Y | Y | Y |
| Religious Studies | Y |
Why study GCSE?
Depending on the duration of studies, GCSE students will take between 6-9 subjects. GCSEs provide a great ‘grounding’, offering students a wide breadth of subjects, time to familiarise themselves with the UK education system and improve their English (English Language is a compulsory GCSE subject).GCSEs also provide a natural pathway to A Levels, and students who have taken them tend to perform better in higher level examinations.
How are GCSEs Taught?
GCSE course content is broken up into units, each unit is taught in a linear structure, with an emphasis on understanding the connection between topics within the wider context of the subject.
GCSE Assessment
GCSEs are assessed by an end of course exam. Some subjects will also be assessed by coursework or practical work.
Study A Level at the Abbey DLD Group of Colleges
Advanced Level courses, commonly known as ‘A-Levels’ are the most widely recognised qualification for entry to UK universities.
A Level Course durations and start dates
| Duration | Starts Every | English Requirement (Minimum) | Available At |
| 2 year | September | IELTS 5.5 and successfully passing the college interview process | Abbey College Cambridge, DLD College London, Abbey College Manchester |
Our pre-sessional programmes can be studied for either one, two or three terms prior to the two year A-Level programme.
A-Level Subjects Available
| COURSE | ABBEY COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE | DLD COLLEGE LONDON | ABBEY COLLEGE MANCHESTER |
| Accounting | Y | Y | |
| Art & Design | Y | Y | Y |
| Biology | Y | Y | Y |
| Business Studies | Y | Y | Y |
| Chemistry | Y | Y | Y |
| Computer Science | Y | Y | |
| Drama & Theatre Studies | Y | ||
| Economics | Y | Y | Y |
| English Language | Y | ||
| English Literature | Y | Y | |
| Environmental Science | Y | ||
| Film Studies | Y | ||
| Further Mathematics | Y | Y | Y |
| Geography | Y | Y | |
| Government & Politics | Y | Y | |
| Graphic Communication | Y | ||
| History | Y | Y | |
| Mathematics | Y | Y | Y |
| Media Studies | Y | ||
| Modern Foreign Languages | Y | ||
| Photography | Y | Y | Y |
| Physics | Y | Y | Y |
| Psychology | Y | Y | Y |
| Religious Studies | Y | ||
| Sociology | Y | ||
| Textiles | Y |
Why Study A Levels?
Most students will take 3 or 4 A-Level subjects over the duration of their studies. A-Levels offer a good balance between specialisation and choice, allowing students to focus on the subjects that really interest them whilst
maintaining breadth of subject choice. A-Levels also offer progression to the widest range of universities and are the best option for students looking to join a top-ranked university.
How are A Levels Taught?
A-Level Course content is divided into different sections, and students are encouraged to develop and understand the links between them. Teaching is based upon developing an understanding of the key concepts and skills of the subject, with a strong focus on practical real-world application.
A Level Assessment
A-Levels have a linear structure, which means that all exams take place at the end of the final year. Most A Level subjects are assessed by written examination unless the course has a significant practical focus (such as in arts or the sciences).
Study International Foundation Programme at the Abbey DLD Group of Colleges
Our International Foundation Programme (IFP) is an intensive year 13 academic programme that offers international students direct entry to a wide range of UK universities.
International Foundation Progamme course durations and start dates
| Duration | Starts | English Requirement (Minimum) | Available At |
| 1 year | September 2025 | IELTS 5.0 and successfully passing the college interview process. | Abbey College Cambridge, DLD College London |
| 2 year | September 2025 | IELTS 4.0 and successfully passing the college interview process. | Abbey College Manchester |
International Foundation Programme Pathways Available
| COURSE | ABBEY COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE | DLD COLLEGE LONDON | ABBEY COLLEGE MANCHESTER |
| Advanced Mathematics & Economics | Y | ||
| Art & Design | Y | ||
| Biomedical Science | Y | ||
| Business & Economics | Y | Y | |
| Business & Mathematics | Y | ||
| Business Management & Economics | Y | ||
| Computer Science & Mathematics | Y | ||
| Creative Art | Y | ||
| Economics & Mathematics | Y | ||
| Engineering | Y | Y | Y |
| Environmental Science | Y | ||
| Fashion Management | Y | ||
| Humanities | Y | ||
| Medicine | Y | Y | |
| Science | Y | ||
| Social Sciences | Y | ||
| Sport | Y |
Why Study International Foundation Programme?
Unlike many foundation programmes, our destinations are not limited to a choice of one or two partne universities. This means students are free to progress to a wide range of UK universities, including many UK top 20 ranked and Russell Group institutions.
How are International Foundation Programme Taught?
The programme offers a range of subject-related pathways, which give access to complementary subjects at university. Each pathway is made up of a number of modules, depending on which pathway you choose you might have a choice of modules, they may be all compulsory, or a mix of elective and compulsory modules.
Each module is assessed individually, with three assessment points through each term and an opportunity to resit modules if necessary. Students achieve an overall score based on all their individual module assessments.
Progression from the International Foundation Programme
Our foundation students can progress to a wide-range of top-ranked universities. University destinations in 203 included Durham University, the University of Bath, King’s College London, the University of Manchester, City, University of Warwick, and the University of York.
2024 Academic Results and University Destinations
2024 GCSE Results
2024 Abbey DLD Group of Colleges GCSE Results
| Grade 9 (Equivalent A**) | Grades 9-8 | Grades 9-7 (Equivalent A*-A) | Grades 9-6 (Equivalent A*-B) | 9-5 (Equivalent A*-C) | |
| All College Average | 13% | 25% | 37% | 51% | 65% |
GCSE Students will move onto further A-Level or International Foundation Programme studies at the end of their course.
2024 A-Level Results and University Destinations
2024 Abbey DLD Group of Colleges A-Level Results
| A* | A*-A | A*-B | A*-C | Pass rate | |
| All College Average | 14% | 38% | 65% | 83% | 100% |
2024 A-Level Students, Top 30 Ranked University Destinations
| 2025 Sunday Times League Table Ranking | University | No of Students Progressing |
| 1 | London School of Economics and Political Sciences | 4 |
| 2 | University of St Andrews | 2 |
| 3 | University of Oxford | 2 |
| 4 | University of Cambridge | 2 |
| 5 | Durham University | 7 |
| 6 | Imperial College London | 6 |
| 7 | University College London (UCL) | 14 |
| 8 | University of Bath | 7 |
| 9 | University of Warwick | 6 |
| 10 | Loughborough University | 2 |
| 11 | University of Bristol | 3 |
| 12 | Lancaster University | 3 |
| 14 | University of Sheffield | 1 |
| 17 | University of Edinburgh | 8 |
| 18 | University of York | 3 |
| 19 | University of Southampton | 1 |
| 21 | University of Surrey | 2 |
| 23 | University of Liverpool | 1 |
| 24 | King’s College London | 13 |
| 25 | University of Reading | 3 |
| 27 | University of Manchester | 8 |
| 29 | University of Leeds | 4 |
| 30 | Newcastle University | 2 |
| 30 | University of Nottingham | 2 |
2024 International Foundation Programme Results and University Destinations
2024 Internatonal Foundation Programme Results
| Abbey College Cambridge | DLD College London | Abbey College Manchester | |
| Average Overall Score | 67% | 69% | 67% |
2024 International Foundation Programme Students, Top 50 Ranked UK University Destinations*
| 2025 Sunday Times League Table Ranking | University | No of Students |
| 8 | University of Bath | 1 |
| 11 | University of Bristol | 1 |
| 12 | Lancaster University | 1 |
| 13 | University of Exeter | 2 |
| 14 | University of Sheffield | 1 |
| 17 | University of York | 2 |
| 19 | University of Southampton | 1 |
| 21 | University of Surrey | 5 |
| 22 | University of Birmingham | 1 |
| 24 | King’s College London | 5 |
| 24 | University of Reading | 3 |
| 27 | University of Manchester | 6 |
| 29 | University of Leeds | 4 |
| 30 | Newcastle University | 2 |
| 30 | University of Nottingham | 1 |
| 34 | Royal Holloway, University of London | 3 |
| 35 | Aston University | 2 |
| 36 | University of Dundee | 1 |
| 38 | University of Essex | 1 |
| 39 | Quuen Mary, University of London | 11 |
| 42 | Nottingham Trent University | 2 |
| 46 | Manchester Metropolitan University | 5 |
| 46 | University of Essex | 1 |
| 49 | City, University of London | 12 |
Learn more about our colleges
Why Choose an Abbey DLD College?
Successful Students
We prepare students for success at university and beyond by helping them to develop into mature, independent, and curious learners in and out of the classrooms.
We offer a wider range of after-school and weekend clubs and activities, many of which are inclusive of tuition fees. Our three colleges work together, collaborate and share ideas to adopt best practice and benefit all of our students.
Vibrant Learning Communities
Each of our colleges a re diverse academic communities bound together by shared ambition and experience. Every year, we welcome students from around the world to study alongside British students. We respect and celebrate different cultures, whilst also helping our students to integrate in and understand British culture and values.
Our academic successes are founded on strong relationships. Students are on first name terms with their teachers, we have a dress code rather than a strict uniform. We encourage discussion, debate and questioning both in and out of class, and we do all this whilst maintaining a culture of focus, ambition and respect.
In the Heart of the City
Our students are perfectly placed to take advantage of living in a great university
city. We organise regular trips and visits to the departments and facilities of worldleading
institutions such as UCL, University of Manchester, and Cambridge University, allowing our students to soak up the academic atmosphere and prepare for their future studies.
In boarding, comfort and safety are the priorities. We have invested heavily to provide our students with some of the best quality accommodation found anywhere in the UK. Live in-house parents provide 24/7 pastoral support and care, making sure that students are safe and supported, making friends, and keeping on track with their studies.
Personalised Experience
Our teachers work closely with each student to create individual learning plans that achieve their academic and personal goals. Small class teaching means our students receive high quality bespoke teaching in every lesson, whilst regular academic check-ins ensure that all students are on track in their studies, with extra support available if needed.
We offer a widerange of course and subject options, ensuring students find the right course to achieve their academic goals.
We offer year 9, GCSE, A-Level, IFP, BTEC and Pre-Sessional programmes for students aged 13 – 21 years. Each student has access to a dedicated personal tutor who will help to guide them through the rigours of college life. Tutors also provide regular updates on academic progress to parents and guardians
Preparing for University
We take pride that many of our students progress onto top ranking universities in the UK and overseas and have dedicated University Tutors are on hand to guide students through the application process.
We recognise that good grades alone are not enough to get into the most competitive universities, so we offer specialist preparation programmes to help students stand out as exceptional candidates and maximise their chances of success.
We support our students to take-part in extracurricular competitions and challenges such as the British Mathematical Challenge, Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, and ISA National Art Competition. Participation enables students to showcase their skills and knowledge outside of the curriculum.
A Specialised Service for International Students
Beyond education, our service includes practical help with visas, social programmes to help you make friends and 24/7 care through House Parents and on-site Nurses.
Enrolment
After you have completed your enrolment, we provide you with everything you need to prepare for your new life in the UK. Our Pre-Arrival information pack contains everything you need to know before joining us:
- Key contacts
- Term dates and timetables
- We send a pre-course reading list and preparation programme. Our Accommodation team will send a list of what items they (you/the student) need to bring to the UK.
On Arrival
- We offer an airport pick-up service
- We show you around your new College and city
- We help you open a bank account, register with a doctor and work out your public transport choices
- We help you with applying for your visa and registering with the police
- You will meet the house parents and staff members who live within your accommodation
College Induction
Our students attend a programme over a number of days in the week before lessons begin to tour the College, meet key staff members, formally enrol and receive their timetables.
You will meet your personal tutor weekly. He or she will monitor your academic progress and attendance, as well as deal with any welfare issues.
We monitor attendance through registration at the start of every lesson. We are totally focused on ensuring you have a responsive, supportive environment in which to learn.
We supply parents with regular reports on areas such as general achievement, attitude and any concerns. We encourage parents to maintain close contact with personal tutors and our pastoral team to discuss any aspect of their child’s progress with us. We also communicate by email or text with parents regarding urgent matters, such as unexpected absence or illness.
