September 2025 Start Courses at Abbey College Cambridge
Abbey College Cambridge offers a range of high-quality Year 9, GCSE, A-Level and International Foundation Programme, Academic Preparation Course and short courses for students looking to study in September 2025.
We are a fee-paying independent British boarding school based in the heart of Cambridge and offering a range of high-quality academic programmes and on and off-campus boarding for international and British students aged from 12-21 years. Enquire now to receive more information about studying with us in September 2025, and to speak to one of our International Admissions Advisors.
September 2025 Courses and Subjects Available
Abbey College Cambridge offers a wide range of academic programmes for students aged from 12 – 21 years.
Courses Available.
| COURSE | COURSE DURATION | FOR STUDENTS AGED | PROGRESS TO |
| Academic Preparation Programme | 1 – 3 Terms | 12 – 16 years | GCSE, A-Level, International Foundation Programme |
| Year 9 | 1 Year | 12 – 13 Years | GCSE |
| GCSE | 1 or 2 Years | 14* – 16 Years | A-Level, International Foundation Programme |
| A-Level | 2 Years | 16 – 20 Years | Undergraduate Course at University |
| International Foundation Programme | 1 Year | 17 – 21 Years | Undergraduate Course at University |
Study GCSEs in September 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).
September 2025 GCSE study options
| Programme | Compulsory Subjects | Electives Subjects | Progress to |
| 2 Year GCSE (September 2025 – July 2027) |
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Choose two from:
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| 1 Year GCSE (September 2024 – July 2025) |
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Choose one from:
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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 be assessed by coursework or practical work.
Study A-Levels in September 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.
September 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 3 or 4 A-Level subjects over the duration of their studies. A-Levels offer a good balance between subject specialisation and choice, allowing students to focus on the subjects that really interest them with the option of maintaining breadth of subject choice. A-Levels also offer progression to 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 International Foundation Programme in September 2025
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 2024, Abbey College Cambridge students achieved an average overall score of 67% on our foundation programme.
September 2025 International Foundation Programme Study options
| Programme | Subjects available | Progress to |
| One Year International Foundation Programme (September 2025 – July 2026) |
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Undergraduate course at university |
Why study International Foundation Programme?
Unlike many foundation programmes, our destinations are not 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.
Study Academic Preparation Course in September 2025
Our Abbey College Cambridge Academic Preparation Course 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 Academic Preparation Course 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, Social and Health Education (PSHE) 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 Academic Preparation 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.
Study British Boarding School Experience in September 2025
Spend a term or two studying the British curriculum at Abbey College Cambridge 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 a beautiful, historic and vibrant British city.
• 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 Year 9, GCSE, A-Level or International Foundation Programme course and complete your university studies in the UK or at home.
Why choose Abbey College Cambridge?
Cambridge, a city with an undisputed academic reputation.
Our students live and study in the world’s most prestigious university city, and students are immersed in a culture of academic excellence. This feeds into the culture of Abbey College Cambridge and our students take advantage of everything Cambridge has to offer both in their lessons and outside of the classroom.
The highest ranked, non-selective college in the UK.
Abbey College Cambridge has a history of academic excellence and is one of the UK’s top-performing international colleges. We are ranked 4th in the UK for A-Level value-added, making us the highest ranked, non-selective college in the UK.
Elite university preparation.
Our students stand out from other applicants when applying to some of the UK’s most competitive university courses because of the unique Pre-Degree Diploma programme which runs alongside the first year of A-Level and International Foundation Programme.
Broadening horizons and developing the leaders of today, and tomorrow.
Through a changing programme of evening lectures, practical activities, workshops, and revision classes, our unique Abbey Inspires programme develops students’ knowledge beyond the curriculum and provides students with an understanding of how to apply their learning in the real world.
Our outstanding pastoral care develops independence and prepares students for university success.
The journey our students are on is reflected in our boarding. As students mature, they transition through the boarding houses, growing in independence and developing the skills needed for success at university and beyond.
*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.
