A-Level
Advanced Level courses, commonly known as ‘A-Levels’ are the most widely recognised qualification for entry to UK universities.
A Level Course durations and start dates
| Duration | Starts Every | English Requirement (Minimum) | Available At |
| 18 month | January | IELTS 5.5 and successfully passing the college interview process. | Abbey College Cambridge |
| 2 year | September | IELTS 5.5 and successfully passing the college interview process | Abbey College Cambridge, DLD College London, Abbey College Manchester |
Our pre-sessional programmes can be studied for either one, two or three terms prior to the two year A-Level programme.
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 specialisation and choice, allowing students to focus on the subjects that really interest them whilst
maintaining breadth of subject choice. A-Levels also offer progression to the widest range of universities and are the best option for students looking to join a top-ranked university.
How are they taught?
A-Level Course content is divided into different sections, and students are encouraged to develop and understand the links between them. Teaching is based upon developing an understanding of the key concepts and skills of the subject, with a strong focus on 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 significant practical focus (such as in arts or the sciences).
A-Level Destinations 2023
2023 A-Level Students, Top 50 Ranked University Destinations
| Times Good University Guide 2024 | University | No of Students Progressing |
| 1 | University of St Andrews | 1 |
| 3 | University of Cambridge | 4 |
| 4 | London School of Economics and Political Sciences | 5 |
| 5 | Imperial College London | 9 |
| 6 | University College London (UCL) | 17 |
| 8 | University of Bath | 8 |
| 9 | University of Warwick | 4 |
| 10 | Loughborough University | 1 |
| 12 | University of Glasgow | 2 |
| 13 | University of Edinburgh | 3 |
| 14 | Lancaster University | 4 |
| 15 | University of York | 2 |
| 16 | University of Bristol | 3 |
| 17 | University of Southampton | 5 |
| 18 | University of Sheffield | 1 |
| 19 | University of Aberdeen | 1 |
| 21 | University of Surrey | 2 |
| 22 | University of Birmingham | 1 |
| 23 | University of Manchester | 13 |
| 24 | University of Leeds | 3 |
| 26 | University of East Anglia (UEA) | 2 |
| 27 | King’s College London | 1 |
| 28 | SOAS University of London | 5 |
| 29 | University of Liverpool | 1 |
| 30 | Royal Holloway, University of London | 6 |
| 32 | University of Nottingham | 2 |
| 34 | University of Reading | 2 |
| 37 | Newcastle University | 1 |
| 39 | Aberystwyth University | 1 |
| 42 | University of the Arts, London | 6 |
| 46 | Queen Mary, University of London | 8 |
| 48 | University of Sussex | 3 |
A-Levels Results 2023
Abbey DLD Group of Colleges A-Level Results 2023.
| A* | A*-A | A*-B | A*-C | Overall Pass Rate | |
| Abbey College Cambridge | 25% | 55% | 81% | 93% | 100% |
| DLD College London | 10% | 27% | 58% | 78% | 98% |
| Abbey College Manchester | 10.1% | 24.1% | 57% | 81% | 97.5% |
| National Average (England) | 8.6% | 26.5% | 52.7% | 75.4% | 97.2% |
A-Level subjects Available.
We offer the following A-Level subjects to choose from across our colleges.
| COURSE | ABBEY COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE | DLD COLLEGE LONDON | ABBEY COLLEGE MANCHESTER |
| Accounting | Y | Y | |
| Art & Design | Y | Y | Y |
| Biology | Y | y | Y |
| Business Studies | Y | Y | Y |
| Chemistry | Y | Y | Y |
| Classical Civilisation | Y | Y | |
| Computer Science | Y | Y | Y |
| Drama & Theatre Studies | Y | ||
| Economics | Y | Y | Y |
| English Language | Y | ||
| English Literature | Y | Y | |
| Environmental Science | Y | ||
| Film Studies | Y | ||
| Further Mathematics | Y | Y | Y |
| Geography | Y | Y | |
| Government & Politics | Y | Y | |
| Graphic Communication | Y | ||
| History | Y | Y | |
| Mathematics | Y | Y | Y |
| Media Studies | Y | ||
| Modern Foreign Languages | Y | ||
| Photography | Y | Y | |
| Physics | Y | Y | Y |
| Psychology | Y | Y | Y |
| Religious Studies | Y | ||
| Sociology | Y | ||
| Textiles | Y |
Learn more about A-Levels and the UK Education system by watching our ‘Introduction to Studying and Boarding in the UK’ Webinar.
