Join Abbey College Cambridge

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

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.

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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

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).

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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

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.

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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:

• Improve your written and spoken English
• Live and study in one of three beautiful, historic and vibrant British cities
• Study the globally recognised and admired British curriculum
• High quality accommodation and pastoral support included
• Study and live with ambitious students from around the world

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.

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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:

• Mathematics
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Economics or Biology

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.

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