Abbey College Manchester offers a range of high-quality GCSE, A-Level, International Foundation Programme and Academic Studies with Football or Basketball Training 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, including English or IELTS and Maths.
In 2021 91% of GCSEs awarded to Abbey College Manchester students achieved grades 9-5 (A** – C).
September 2022 GCSE study options at Abbey College Manchester
Course | Duration | Subjects available | Progress to |
GCSE | One Year (September 2022 – July 2023) |
| A-Level International Foundation Programme |
GCSE | Two Year (September 2022 – July 2024) |
| A-Level International Foundation Programme |
Why study GCSEs?
Depending on the duration of studies, GCSE students will take between 5-6 subjects. GCSEs provide an introduction to the UK education system, offering students a breadth of subjects, time to familiarise themselves with the academic rigor of the UK education system and improve their English (English Language or IELTS is a compulsory GCSE subject). GCSEs also provide a natural pathway to A Levels, and students who have taken GCSEs tend to perform better in higher level examinations.
How are they taught?
GCSE course content is broken up into topics, with an emphasis on understanding the connection between topics within the wider context of the subject. The exams are linear which means they are all taken at the end of the course.
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, 86% of A Levels awarded to Abbey College Manchester students achieved grades A* – B.
September 2022 A Level study options at Abbey College Cambridge
Course | Duration | Subjects available | Progress to |
A Level | 2 Years (September 2022 – July 2024)
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| Undergraduate course at university |
IELTs is an additional subject taught alongside A-Levels for those who require it.
Why study A-Levels?
Most students will take three 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 offer progression to the widest range of universities, both in the UK and abroad.
How are they taught?
Course content is divided into different topics, 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 or Photography) or coursework such as Geography. All science A-Levels have a practical endorsement which does not contribute to the final score, but is compulsory to pass the A-Level.
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 Manchester students achieved an average overall score of 70% on our International Foundation Programme.
September 2022 International Foundation Programme Study options at Abbey College Manchester
Course | Duration | Subjects available | Progress to |
International Foundation Programme | 2 Years (September 2022 – July 2024)
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| Undergraduate course at university |
International Foundation Programme | One Year (September 2022 – July 2023) |
| Undergraduate course at university |
Why study International Foundation Programme?
One advantage of our foundation programmes is that the destinations are not limited to a choice of one or two partner universities. This means students are able to progress to all but three UK universities, including many top-ranked Russell Group institutions.
How are they taught?
Students choose two subject strands to makeup the pathway, e.g. maths and physics for engineering. Key skills in taught alongside the main subjects. Each subject strand is modular with the examinations taken in December, March and June. there is the opportunity to resit up to two units in June. The medicine pathway has a slightly different structure because three subject strands are chosen. IELTS is taught alongside the IFP for those who require it.
Assessment
Students will achieve a percentage score for the programme; typical offers from universities require 45% – 85% for entry to degree programmes.
These special courses are aimed at students who have a passion for football or basketball, and who want to continue training whilst they study.
Why study Academic Studies with Football or Basketball Training?
This is a unique opportunity for students to gain qualifications for entry to university alongside intensive football or basketball training, which could lead to playing professionally or semi-professionally in the future. Football or Basketball training sessions are added to students’ timetables without impacting on the core study requirements to gain their qualification.
For football students there is a choice between two pathways, ‘Development’ and ‘Elite’ with the elite programme offering a more intensive training and playing schedule aimed at students who want to go on to play at professional or semi-professional level.
Football Programmes and Features
Elite Programme | Development Programme |
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Basketball Training
Basketball training takes place at the British National Basketball Centre and is led by former Great Britain basketball international Jamie Edwards. Training sessions are delivered each afternoon by professional and experienced coaches at the Manchester Giants practice facilities. Students are taught to integrate ‘on court’ basketball skills together with ‘off-court’ life skills to secure academic and sporting success.
Academic Studies and Football Training can be taken in conjunction with the following academic programmes:
How is it taught?
Students will study on our GCSE, A-Level or International Foundation Programme in the mornings and have football or basketball training sessions led by professional coaches in the afternoon.
Assessment
Assessment will follow the specifications of the academic course students choose to pursue, these are GCSE, A-Level and International Foundation Programme.
Facilities
Our student athletes train at purpose-built professional standard training facilities. Training sessions are run by professional coaches. Basketball students train at the English National Basketball Centre alongside the Manchester Giants professional basketball team. For our students who want to take the next step, we organise regular trials with professional football and basketball teams.
Spend a term improving your English language skills and developing your football or basketball skills.
Why study with us?
Whilst you study you will become a full member of our diverse student community.
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 or A Level course and complete your university studies in the UK or at home.
Please note that there are limited places on these courses available.
For the past thirty years we have been proudly based in the heart of Manchester, in that time that we have embraced some of the city’s best qualities; innovation, pragmatism, a sense of humour and a practical spirit.
We have welcomed several thousand students from around the world and the local area into our friendly college community, and we take pride in helping our students to achieve personal and academic development, and to move on to world-class universities, many of which like our local University of Manchester, are located in our region.
We are the smallest of the three Abbey DLD colleges, and have the highest proportion of British students studying with us, which makes classes and life in college an interesting and invigorating mix of local and international cultures.
Tuition Fees
Course | International Fee | EU Fee |
1 Year GCSE(September 2022 – July 2023) | £26,3055 | £12,630 |
2 Year GCSE (September 2022 – July 2024) | £22,440 | £12,630 |
2 Year A-Level (September 2021 – July 2023) | £26,305 | £14,205 |
2 Year International Foundation Programme (September 2022 – July 2024) | £22,440 | £14,130 |
1 Year International Foundation Programme(September 2022 – July 2023) | £26,305 | £16,470 |
Academic Studies with Football Training (Sep 2022 start) | £35,000 Development £38,500 Elite Includes Boarding | £16,415 Development £19,000 Elite Includes Boarding |
Academic Studies with Basketball Training (Sep 2022 start) | £32,950 Includes Boarding | £15,500 Excludes Boarding |
English with Sport (September 2022 – December 2022) | £14,260 Includes Boarding | £14,260 Includes Boarding |
Boarding Fees
Room Type | Yearly Fee |
Clydesdale House Standard En-suite Room Cornerr En-suite Room Premium En-suite Room Host Family Room |
£14,350 £15,350 £16,995 £12,050
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