January 2025 Start Courses at Abbey College Cambridge
Abbey College Cambridge offers a range of high-quality Year 9, GCSE, A-Level and International Foundation Programmes along with a Pre-Sessional preparation course.
We are a fee-paying independent British boarding school offering a range of high-quality academic programmes and on and off-boarding rooms for students from around the world aged from 13-21 years. Enquire now to receive more information about studying with us in January 2025 and to hear from one of our International Admissions Advisors.
January 2025 Courses and Subjects Available
Abbey College Cambridge offers a wide range of academic programmes for students aged from 13 – 21 years.
Courses Available.
| COURSE | COURSE DURATION | FOR STUDENTS AGED | PROGRESS TO |
| Pre-Sessional Programme | 1 – 3 Terms | 13 – 16 years | GCSE, A-Level, International Foundation Programme |
| GCSE | 18 Months | 14 – 16 Years | A-Level, International Foundation Programme |
| A-Level | 18 Months | 16 – 20 Years | Undergraduate Course at University |
| International Foundation Programme | 1 Year | 17 – 21 Years | Undergraduate Course at University |
Study GCSEs in January 2025
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 2024 91% of GCSEs awarded to Abbey College Cambridge students achived grades 9-5/4 (A** – C).
January 2025 GCSE study options
| Programme | Subjects | Progress to |
| 18 Month GCSE (January 2025 – July 2026 |
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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 them 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.
Study A-Levels in January 2025
Advanced Level courses, commonly known as ‘A-Levels’ are the most widely recognised qualification for entry to UK universities.
In 2024, 76% of A-Levels awarded to Abbey College Cambridge students achieved grades A* – B.
January 2025 A-Level study options
| Programme | Subjects Available | Progress to |
| 2 Year A-Level (September 2025 – July 2027) |
| Undergraduate course at university |
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).
Study Pre-Sessional Programme in January 2025
Our Abbey College Cambridge Pre-Sessional Programme is designed to raise students’ ability in general and subject-specific English to enable them to join our GCSE, International Foundation Programme and A-Level courses.
Dependent on the student’s level of language and academic abilities our Pre-Sessional Programme 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.
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.
Why choose Abbey College Cambridge?
- We are one of the UK’s top performing International Colleges
- Our unique ‘Pre-Degree Diploma’ programme helps students prepare for competitive courses
- We offer more than 50 weekly extra-curricular clubs and activities
- Our students excel in national and international academic competitions
- Our house system encourages competition, fosters pride and builds friendships
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.
*Please note that the UK Government has announced on 29th July it intends charging VAT on all independent education tuition and boarding fees from January 1st 2025. This means that the second and third term of this academic year for all independent education establishments in the UK will be subject to VAT. The college has to charge students for the total amount of VAT, but is working to establish the level of increased cost the college can absorb so as to keep the actual fees increase figure as low as possible. There will therefore be a revised invoice sent to you in December 24 which will include the confirmed VAT amount due on tuition and boarding fees for the second and third term.
