Abbey College Cambridge offers a range of high quality academic programmes, including GCSE, A-Level and International Foundation Programme, for students looking to start their studies in September 2022.
General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSE) represent the first stage on the path to study at a UK university. Many institutions will ask for at least 5 GCSE passes for entry.
In 2021 92% of GCSEs awarded to Abbey College Cambridge students achived grades 9-5 (A** – C).
September 2022 GCSE study options
Programme | Compulsory Subjects | Electives Subjects | Progress to |
2 Year GCSE (September 2022 – July 2024) |
| Choose one from:
|
|
1 Year GCSE (September 2022 – July 2023) |
| Choose one from:
|
|
Why study GCSEs?
Depending on the duration of studies, GCSE students will take between 6-8 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 then tend to perform better in higher level examination.
How are they 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.
Assessment
GCSEs are assessed by an end of course exam. Some subjects will also by coursework or practical work.
Advanced Level courses, commonly known as ‘A-Levels’ are the most widely recognised qualification for entry to UK universities.
In 2021, 74% of A-Levels awarded to Abbey College Cambridge students achieved grades A* – A.
September 2022 A-Level study options
Programme | Subjects Available | Progress to |
2 Year A-Level (September 2022 – July 2024) |
| Undergraduate course at university |
Why study A-Levels?
Most students will take 4or 3 A-Level subjects over the duration of their studies. A-Levels offer a good balance between subjects specialisation and choice, allowing students to focus on the subject that really interest them with the option of maintain breadth of subject choice. A-Levels also offer progression the widest range of universities, and are the best options for students looking to join a top rated university.
How are they taught?
Course content is divided into different sections, and students are encouraged to develop and understand the links between them. Learning is underpinned by the key concepts of the skills of the subject, with a strong focus on their practical real world application.
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 large practical element (such as in Art of the sciences).
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.
In 2021, Abbey College Cambridge students achieved an average overall score of 77% on our foundation programme.
September 2022 International Foundation Programme Study options
Programme | Subjects available | Progress to |
One Year International Foundation Programme (September 2022 – July 2023) |
| Undergraduate course at university |
Why study International Foundation Programme?
Unlike many foundation programmes, our destinations are limited to a choice of one or two partner universities. This means students are free to progress to a wide range of UK universities, including many top-ranked Russell Group institutions.
How are they 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.
Assessment
Each module is assessed individually, with three assessment points through each term. Students will achieve an average score.
Spend a term studying the British curriculum and improving your English whilst boarding in the heart of one of the UK’s most exciting cities.
Course benefits:
Whilst you study you will become a full member of our diverse student community, with access to our exciting extra-curricular programme of weekly clubs, sports and activities, evening lectures, and university preparation sessions.
Upon completion of your studies, you will receive a comprehensive academic report and completion certificate to take home. If you enjoy your time here, you can also choose to join the full GCSE, A Level or Foundation course and complete your university studies in the UK or at home.
Our Abbey College Cambridge Pre-Sessional Programme is designed to raise student’s ability in general and subject specific English to enable them to join our GCSE, International Foundation Programme and A-Level courses.
Dependent on student’s level of language and academic abilities our Pre-Sessional Programme can be taught for one, two or three terms. As well a strengthening English language skills, we will prepare students to learn in a typical British classroom environment. This includes skill development in areas such as pair work, project work, independent reading, discussion work and team building. Physical Education (PE) and Personal Health and Social Education (PHSE) also form part of our pre-sessional curriculum.
Timetable and Curriculum
Our Pre-sessional programme consists of 2.5 hours per week of each of the following core academic subjects:
Lessons in these core subjects will expand your language specific to these subjects and maintain your subject knowledge and skills. The remainder of the timetable is made up of English. Lessons in English will raise your proficiency in the use of general and academic English, improving your communication skills and giving you the ability to write a range of texts in a variety of registers with improved grammatical and lexical accuracy. For students of compulsory school age (13-16 years old), the programme includes one lesson of Physical Education (PE) per week.
Assessment
Students sit three internal stage tests over the course of one year:
Stage Test 1: October/November
Stage Test 2: January
Stage Test 3: February
These tests include a test of the full range of English language skills (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking) as well as tests in the core academic subjects.
In addition, students sit the B1 Preliminary external exam in English and the Cambridge First Certificate in English (B2 level). Students who achieve the B1 Preliminary exam will progress on to study for the Cambridge First Certificate. It is desirable for students to achieve a B2 level for increased chances of success on their chosen path of progression the following year.
Extra-curricular Activities
The full range of Abbey College Cambridge extra-curricular clubs and activities is open to you on the pre-sessional course, and you are positively encouraged to get involved with as many activities as possible. The course also includes educational and recreational residential and non-residential trips, sometimes alongside our GCSE cohort of students who are of a similar age, and sometimes exclusively for the Pre-Sessional Programme.
Since its foundation in 1994, Abbey College Cambridge has developed a reputation for academic excellence. As Cambridge’s leading international college, we are experts in teaching and supporting international students, and we do so in a community that is energised by the love of learning.
At Abbey College Cambridge students from around world feel at home, where they make friends from all over the world, share unforgettable experiences and go on to achieve amazing things together.
Tuition Fees
Course | International Fee | EU Fee |
2 Year GCSE (Sep 2022 – July 2023) 1 Year GCSE (Sep 2022 – July 2023) Full course fee | £33,200 £33,200 | £26,050 £26,050 |
2 Year A Level (Sep 2022 – July 202)3 | £33,200 | £26,050 |
1 Year International Foundation Programme (Sep 2022 – July 2023) | £33,200 | £26,050 |
British Boarding School Experience (Sep 2022 – December 2022) | £17,250 Includes Boarding | £17,250 Includes Boarding |
Pre-Sessional Programme (Sep 2022 – December 2022) | £9,450 Includes Boarding | £7,500 Includes Boarding |
Boarding Fees
Boarding House and Room Type | Yearly Fee |
Abbey House Standard Single Room Superior Single Room Standard Twin Room Superior Twin Room | £23,900 £25,450 £18,550 £19,700 |
Purbeck House Studio Room Apartment |
£25,950 £27,600
|
Tripos Court Standard Single Room Superior Single Room | £21,200 £22,800 |
*Please read and accept our Privacy Policy before submitting your details to us.
|