GCSEs
Our Abbey College Cambridge GCSE programme is taught over periods of one and two years, and eighteen months. Every year our student’s GCSE results consistently rank far above the UK average.
GCSEs represent the first step on the pathway towards a UK university. Our one and two year GCSE courses both start in September, and our eighteen month course starts every January.
To see our latest results, please click here
Subjects Available
Two Year GCSE Courses
NUMBER OF SUBJECTS: 9
Students study seven compulsory GCSE subjects; Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics, English Language, Mathematics, and Physics. Students must choose two subjects from Art and Design or History/Geography or Sports Science. Please note that Sports Science is a qualification equivalent to a GCSE.
ENTRY CRITERIA: ENGLISH LANGUAGE - MINIMUM OF IELTS 4.5 OR EQUIVALENT, AND SUCCESSULLY PASSING THE COLLEGE INTERVIEW PROCESS
A student’s English proficiency can be judged through sitting the IELTS test or an alternative ‘external’ test such as Pearson’s PTE, or through an approved ‘internal’ Abbey test (such as the Oxford Placement Test).
Prepare your English Level with us
Students who are at IELTS 4.0 can join the full time English Pre Sessional Programme in September for three terms, January for two terms, April for one term to a guaranteed entry into the two year GCSE programme the following September.
ENTRY CRITERIA: ACADEMIC - 5 PASSES AT YEAR 9 LEVEL
The minimum entry requirement is 5 passes at a school level equivalent to UK Year 9. Our admissions staff will be more than happy to provide advice on the equivalence of international qualifications.
ENTRY CRITERIA: STUDENT AGE - 13-15 ON ENTRY
Students aged between 13-15 years on the first day of the academic year (taken as September 1st) are classed as of ‘Compulsory School Age’. Such students will receive a higher level of supervision in the college and in their living accommodation for the duration of the academic year.
The normal expected age of entry onto the course is 14-15 years. Students aged 13 years will be considered for entry providing they can demonstrate academic competence at the required level.
One Year GCSE Courses
NUMBERS OF SUBJECTS: 6
Students study five compulsory GCSE subjects, Chemistry, Economics, English Language, Mathematics and Physics, and must choose a sixth subject from either Biology or Business Studies.
ENTRY CRITERIA: ENGLISH LANGUAGE - MINIMUM OF IELTS 5.0 OR EQUIVALENT, AND SUCCESSULLY PASSING THE COLLEGE INTERVIEW PROCESS
Minimum of IELTS 5.0
A student’s English proficiency can be judged through sitting the IELTS test or an alternative ‘external’ test such as Pearson’s PTE, or through an approved ‘internal’ Abbey DLD test (such as the Oxford Placement Test).
Students who are at IELTS 4.5 can join the full time English programme in September for three terms, January for two terms, April for one term, or July for two months prior to a guaranteed entry into the one year GCSE programme the following September.
ENTRY CRITERIA: ACADEMIC - 5 PASSES AT YEAR 10 LEVEL
The minimum entry requirement is 5 passes at a school level equivalent to UK Year 10. Our admissions staff will be more than happy to provide advice on the equivalence of international qualifications.
ENTRY CRITERIA: STUDENT AGE - 15-16 ON ENTRY
Students who are not 16 on the first day of the academic year (taken as September 1st) are classed as ‘Compulsory School Age’. Such students will receive a higher level of supervision in college and in their living accommodation for the duration of the academic year.
Eighteen Month GCSE Courses
NUMBER OF SUBJECTS: 9
Students study seven compulsory GCSE subjects; Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics, English Language, Mathematics and Physics. Students must choose two subjects from Art and Design or History/Geography or Sports Science. Please note that Sports Science is a qualification equivalent to a GCSE.
ENTRY CRITERIA: ENGLISH LANGUAGE – MINIMUM OF IELTS 5.0 OR EQUIVALENT, AND SUCCESSULLY PASSING THE COLLEGE INTERVIEW PROCESS
A student’s English proficiency can be judged through sitting the IELTS test or an alternative ‘external’ test such as Pearson’s PTE, or through an approved ‘internal’ Abbey test (such as the Oxford Placement Test).
Students who are at IELTS 4.5 can join the full time English Programme in January for three terms, April for two terms, or September for one term prior to a guaranteed entry into the eighteen month GCSE programme the following January.
ENTRY CRITERIA: ACADEMIC - 5 PASSES AT YEAR 9 LEVEL
The minimum entry requirement is 5 passes at a school level equivalent to UK year 9. Our admissions staff will be more than happy to provide advice on the equivalence of international qualifications.
ENTRY CRITERIA: STUDENT AGE – 13-15 ON ENTRY
Students aged 13-15 years on the first day of the academic year (taken January 1st) are classed as of ‘Compulsory School Age’. Such students will receive a higher level of supervision in college and in their living accommodation for the duration of the academic year.
Normal expected age of entry onto the course is 14-15 years. Students aged 13 years will be considered for entry providing they can demonstrate academic competence at the required level.
