Our group of leading international boarding colleges based in Cambridge, London and Manchester offer high-quality GCSE, A Level, and Foundation Programmes for students looking to start their studies in January 2023.
Complete the form below to learn more about our January start course and accommodation options and to speak to a member of our admissions team.
January 2023 Start Courses Available.
COURSE | ABBEY COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE | DLD COLLEGE LONDON | ABBEY COLLEGE MANCHESTER |
18 Month GCSE | Yes | – | Yes |
18 Month A Level | Yes | Yes | – |
18-Month International Foundation Programme | Yes | – | – |
Pre-Sessional Programme | Yes | – | Yes |
English with Sport | – | – | Yes |
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 2022 88% of GCSEs awarded to Abbey DLD Group of Colleges students achieved grades 9-5/4 (A** – C).
The 18 Month GCSE Programme is available at Abbey College Cambridge and Abbey College Manchester from January 2023.
January 2023 GCSE study options
Course | Duration | Subjects available in Cambridge | Subjects available in Manchester | Progress to |
GCSE | 18 Months (Jan 2023 – July 2024) |
|
| A Level International Foundation Programme |
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.
Advanced Level courses, commonly known as ‘A Levels’ are the most widely recognised qualification for entry to UK universities.
In 2022, 74% of A Levels awarded to Abbey DLD Group of Colleges students achieved grades A* – B.
The 18 Month A Level Programme is available at Abbey College Cambridge and DLD College London for January 2023 start.
January 2023 A Level study options
Course | Duration | Subjects available in Cambridge | Subjects available in London | Progress to |
A Level | 18 Months (Jan 2023 – July 2024)
|
|
| 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).
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.
The 18 Month International Foundation Programme is available at Abbey College Cambridge this January. In 2023, Abbey College Cambridge students achieved an average overall score of 67% on our International Foundation Programme.
January 2023 International Foundation Programme Study Options
Course | Duration | Subjects available in Cambridge | Progress to |
International Foundation Programme | 18 Month (Jan 2023 – July 2024)
|
| 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.
Available at Abbey College Cambridge and Abbey College Manchester, our Pre-Sessional Programme Programme 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 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.
This innovative short-term course is designed to help students improve their English alongside developing their Football or Basketball skills or studying English in an English College setting.
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 and scholarships are not able to be offered on these programmes.
Across all three colleges, academic results are some of the best in the UK. The majority of our students progress on to top-ranked UK universities.
2022 Academic Results, Abbey DLD Group of Colleges
2022 GCSE Results
9 (A**) | 9-8 (A**-A*) | 9-7 (A**-A) | 9-6 (A**-B) | 9 – 5/4 (A**-C) |
23% | 36% | 50% | 66% | 88% |
2021 A Level Results
A* | A*-A | A*-B | A*-C | A*-E |
23% | 49% | 74% | 89% | 99% |
2022 University Destinations for our Abbey DLD Group of Colleges A Level students include: University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London, London School of Economics and Political Science, St Andrews University, University of Warwick, University of Bristol, King’s College London, University of Manchester, University of Bath, University of York, Durham University and the University of Exeter.
2022 International Foundation Programme Results
Average Score achieved.
Abbey College Cambridge | DLD College London | Abbey College Manchester | All Colleges |
67% | 66% | 64% | 66% |
2022 University Destinations for our Abbey DLD Group of Colleges A Level students include: King’s College London, University of Exeter, University of Nottingham, Newcastle University, Durham University, University of Manchester, City University of London, Lancaster University, University of Bath, University of Bristol, University of Sheffield, and Queen Mary University of London.
2021 Student Destinations
Every year Abbey DLD students move on to join some of the world’s most prestigious and highly ranked universities. Here is a summary of our 2022 student destinations.
A Level, Top 20 Ranked UK Universities
Rank | University | No of Students |
1 | University of St Andrews | 1 |
3 | University of Cambridge | 2 |
4 | Imperial College London | 11 |
5 | London School of Economics and Political Sciences | 2 |
6 | Durham University | 2 |
7 | University College London | 20 |
8 | University of Warwick | 5 |
9 | University of Bath | 2 |
10 | Loughborough University | 1 |
11 | Lancaster University | 3 |
12 | University of Glasgow | 4 |
13 | University of Edinburgh | 4 |
14 | University of Bristol | 1 |
15 | University of Leeds | 4 |
16 | University of Southampton | 3 |
18 | King’s College London | 11 |
20 | University of Aberdeen | 1 |
Abbey College Cambridge
College boarding is available in Orchard House for students aged 16+, with limited availability in Abbey House for younger students under 16.
DLD College London
There are currently no rooms available in the college’s on-campus boarding house. January start students will be expected to organise their own independent living arrangements for at least the first term of their studies.
Abbey College Manchester
There are currently no rooms available in the college boarding house. The college has limited availability with homestay families, or students can organise their own independent living arrangements for at least the first term of their studies.
International Student Fees
Course | Cambridge | London | Manchester |
18 Month GCSE (Jan 23 – June 23) | £28,850 | – | £17,510 |
18 Month A Level (Jan 23 – June 23) | £28,830 | £28,700 | – |
18 Month International Foundation Programme (Jan 23 – June 23) | £28,830 | – | – |
Pre-Sessional Programme | £9,450 | – | – |
English with Sport | – | – | £12,860 |
EU Student Fees
Course | Cambridge | London | Manchester |
18 Month GCSE (Jan 23 – June 23) | £21,600 | – | £12,630 |
18 Month A Level (Jan 23 – June 23) | £26,050 | £25,950 | – |
18 Month International Foundation Programme (Jan 23 – June 23) | £26,050 | – | – |
Pre-Sessional Programme | £9,450 | – | – |
English with Sport | – | – | £12,860 |