Join the Abbey DLD Group of Colleges in January 2026
Our group of leading international boarding colleges based in Cambridge, London and Manchester offer high-quality academic programmes for students looking to start their studies in January 2026.
Complete our online enquiry form to learn more about our January start course and accommodation options and to speak to a member of our admissions team.
January 2026 Start Courses Available.
| Course | Available at |
| Year 9 | DLD College London |
| GCSE | Abbey College Cambridge |
| A Level | Abbey College Cambridge, DLD College London |
| International Foundation Programme | Abbey College Manchester |
| Academic Preparation Course | Abbey College Cambridge, DLD College London |
| British Boarding School Experience (One or Two Terms) | Abbey College Cambridge, DLD College London, Abbey College Manchester |
Year 9 Programme, January 2026 Start
Our Year 9 curriculum is designed to spark a love of learning in younger students, preparing them for the careers of tomorrow, whilst at the same time providing a solid bedrock of knowledge and skills to move onto GCSE study.
Year 9 courses are available from January 2026 at DLD College London.
January 2026 Year 9 study options
| Course | Duration | Subjects available |
| Year 9 | 6 Months (Jan 2026 – July 2026) |
|
GCSE PROGRAMME, JANUARY 2026 START
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. GCSE courses are available from January 2026 at Abbey College Cambridge.
January 2026 GCSE study options
| Course | Duration | Subjects available |
| GCSE | 18 Months (Jan 2026 – July 2027) |
|
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.
A LEVEL PROGRAMME, JANUARY 2026 START
Advanced Level courses, commonly known as ‘A-Levels’ are the most widely recognised qualification for entry to UK universities.
A-Levels are available in January 2026 at Abbey College Cambridge and DLD College London.
January 2026 A Level study options
| Course | Duration | Subjects available* |
| A Level | 18 Months (Jan 2026 – July 2027)
|
|
*Not all A Level subjects offered are available at both colleges. For more information on subject availability by college please contact us.
Why study A Levels?
Most students will take 4 or 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).
INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION PROGRAMME, JANUARY 2026 START
Our International Foundation Programme s is available at Abbey College Manchester from January 2026.
The International Foundation Programme (IFP) is an intensive year 13 programme that offers progression to a wide range of UK universities including top 20 ranked and Russell Group institutions.
January 2026 International Foundation Programme study options
| Course | Duration | Subject Options |
| International Foundation Programme | 18 Months (Jan 2026 – July 2027) |
|
Why study International Foundation Programme?
The International Foundation Programme (IFP) is an intensive year 13 programme that offers progression to a wide range of UK universities including top 20 ranked and Russell Group institutions.
How is it taught?
The programme is a subject-related pathway, which give access to business-related subjects at university.The pathway consists of a number of compulsory modules.
Assessment
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.
Sports Training Add on
Students studying at Abbey College Manchester can apply to participate in our professional sports training programmes. We offer professional coaching in Football, Cycling and Tennis.
BTEC Programme, January 2026 Start
BTECs are work related qualifications that are an alternative to A Levels or a complement to GCSEs. We offer BTEC Diplomas in a choice of subjects which are equivalent to three A Levels. BTECs are available for January 2026 start at DLD College London.
January 2026 International Foundation Programme study options
| Course | Duration | Subject Options |
| BTEC | 18 Months (Jan 2026 – July 2027) | Creative Digital Media Production |
ACADEMIC PREPARATION COURSE, JANUARY 2026 START
Available at Abbey College Cambridge and DLD College London, our Academic Preparation Course is designed to raise students’ ability in general and subject-specific English to enable them to join our academic programmes.
Dependent on the level of language and academic abilities, our preparation programmes can be taught for one, two or three terms. As well as 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.
British Boarding School Experience (BBSE)
Spend one two terms studying the British curriculum and improving your English whilst boarding in the heart of one of the UK’s most exciting cities.
Our British Boarding School Experience programme is available for January 2026 start at Abbey College Cambridge, DLD College London and Abbey College Manchester.
Course benefits:
• Improve your written and spoken English.
• Live and study in one of two 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, 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 International Foundation Programme course and complete your university studies in the UK or at home.
BBSE Course Duration and Start Dates
| Duration | Starts Every | Available At |
| One or Two Terms | January | Cambridge, London, Manchester |
January Start Boarding Options
High-Quality on and off campus boarding is available for students at each of our colleges.
At Abbey College Cambridge we offer accommodation in more than 300 student bedrooms, all located either on-campus or within a few minutes walk from the school.
At DLD College London we offer innovative 21st Centry ‘Urban Boarding’. Students live directly above the school.
For students at Abbey College Manchester, our Clydesdale House boarding house is located in central Manchster offering high-quality, safe acoomodation within a 10 minute walk of the college.
January 2026 Start Tuition and Boarding Fees
All Fees shown are for for the first two terms of study (January – July 2026) unless otherwise stated. Second year fees will be a full year fee plus inflation.
All fees shown are excluding VAT and Boarding Fees unless otherwise stated.
January 2026 International Tuition Fees*
| Abbey College Cambridge | DLD College London | Abbey College Manchester | |
| Year 9 Programme (January Start, First 6 Months) | – | £23,815 | – |
| GCSE Programme (January Start, First 6 Months) | £23,815 | – | – |
| A-Level Programme (January Start, First 6 Months) | £23,815 | £23,815 | – |
| International Foundation Programme (January Start, First 6 Months) | – | – | £19,000 |
| BTEC Programme (January Start, First 6 Months) | – | £23,815 | – |
| Academic Preparation Programme | £10,700 Per Term | £10,800 Per Term | – |
| British Boarding School Experience (Including Boarding) | 1 Term: £16,200 | 1 Term: £17,600 | 1 Term: £13,800 |
January 2026 EEA Tuition Fees*
| Abbey College Cambridge | DLD College London | Abbey College Manchester | |
| Year 9 Programme (January Start, First 6 Months) | – | £18,745 | – |
| GCSE Programme (January Start, First 6 Months) | £18,745 | – | – |
| A-Level Programme (January Start, First 6 Months) | £18,745 | £18,745 | – |
| International Foundation Programme (January Start, First 6 Months) | – | – | £12,500 |
| BTEC Programme (January Start, First 6 Months) | – | £23,815 | – |
| Academic Preparation Programme | £8,500 Per Term | £8,500 Per Term | – |
| British Boarding School Experience (Including Boarding) | 1 Term: £16,200 | 1 Term: £17,600 | 1 Term: £13,800 |
January Boarding Fees*
Boarding House & Room Type | |
| Abbey House – Standard Single – Full Board | £17,165 (January – July 2026) |
| Abbey House – Superior Single – Full Board | £18,240 (January – July 2026) |
| Abbey House – Standard Twin – Full Board | £13,300 (January – July 2026) |
| Abbey House – Superior Twin – Full Board | £14,060 (January – July 2026) |
| Purbeck House – Studio – Full Board | £18,685 (January – july 2026) |
| Purbeck House – Apartment – Full Board | £19,825 (January – July 2026) |
| Purbeck House – Twin – Full Board | £14,505 (January – July 2026) |
| Tripos Court – Standard Single – Full Board | £15,200 (January – July 2026) |
*In line with the UK Government announcement, from 1st January 2025, all independent education tuition and boarding fees in the UK will be subject to VAT.
