From January 2027, Abbey College Cambridge is offering Year 9, GCSE and A Level and Foundation Programme/Preparation Pathway for University courses, along with an Academic Preparation Course and our one or two term British Boarding School Experience for international students.
We are a fee-paying independent British boarding school offering a range of high-quality academic programmes and on and off-campus 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 2027 and to hear from one of our International Admissions Advisors.
Abbey College Manchester offers a wide range of academic programmes for students aged from 13 years.
Courses Available in January 2027.
| COURSE | COURSE DURATION | FOR STUDENTS AGED | PROGRESS TO |
| GCSE | 18 Months | 13 – 15 Years | A-Level, Foundation Programme |
| Foundation Programme/Preparation Pathway for University | 18 Months | 16 – 18 Years | Undergraduate course at university |
| British Boarding School Experience | 1 – 2 Terms | 13 – 16 Years | Full course |
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.
January 2027 GCSE study options
| Programme | Subjects | Progress to |
| 18 Month GCSE (January 2027 – July 2028) |
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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.
Our Foundation Programme (FP) is an intensive year 13 academic programme that offers international students direct entry to a wide range of UK universities.
In 2026, Abbey College Manchester students achieved an average overall score of 67% on our Foundation Programme.
January 2027 Foundation Programme Study options at Abbey College Manchester
| Course | Duration | Subjects available | Progress to |
| Foundation Programme | 18 Months (January 2027 – July 2028) |
| Undergraduate course at university |
Customise your Foundation Programme
Students have the option to combine modules from different Abbey College Manchester Foundation Programmes to creat their own programme.
Why study 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 make up 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.

• Improve your written and spoken English.
• Live and study in one of two beautiful, historic and vibrant British cities.
• 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 GCSE, A-Level or International Foundation Programme course and complete your university studies in the UK or at home.
| Duration | Starts Every |
| Two Terms | January |
For the past thirty years we have been proudly based in the heart of Manchester, in that time that we have embraced some of the city’s best qualities; innovation, pragmatism, a sense of humour and a practical spirit.
We have welcomed several thousand students from around the world and the local area into our friendly college community, and we take pride in helping our students to achieve personal and academic development, and to move on to world-class universities, many of which like our local University of Manchester, are located in our region.
We are the smallest of the three Abbey DLD colleges, and have the highest proportion of British students studying with us, which makes classes and life in college an interesting and invigorating mix of local and international cultures.
All Fees shown are for for the first two terms of study (January – July 2027) unless otherwise stated. Second year fees will be a full year fee plus inflation.
January 2027 International Tuition Fees
| Course | Tuition Fee |
| GCSE 18 Month Programme (January Start, First 6 Months) | £16,865 Exc VAT £20,238 Inc VAT |
| Foundation Programme (January Start, First 6 Months) | £19,760 Exc VAT £23,712 Inc VAT |
| British Boarding School Experience | January – April 2027 (1 Term) £14,350 Exc VAT £17,220 Inc VAT January – June 2027 (2 Terms) £24,750 Exc VAT £29,700 Inc VAT
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January 2027 EEA Tuition Fees
| Course | Tuition Fee |
| GCSE 18 Month Programme (January Start, First 6 Months) | £9,485 Exc VAT £11,382 Inc VAT |
| Foundation Programme (January Start, First 6 Months) | £13,000 Exc VAT £15,600 Inc VAT |
| British Boarding School Experience | January – April 2027 (1 Term) £14,350 Exc VAT £17,220 Inc VAT January – June 2027 (2 Terms) £24,750 Exc VAT £29,700 Inc VAT |
January 2027 EEA Tuition Fees
| Course | Tuition Fee |
| GCSE 18 Month Programme (January Start, First 6 Months) | £9,640 Exc VAT £11,568 Inc VAT |
| Preparation Pathway for University (January Start, First 6 Months) | £10,885 Exc VAT £13,062 Inc VAT |
January 2027 Boarding Fees
| Room Type | |
| Clydesdale House, Standard Single Room January – June 2027 | £10,680 Exc VAT £12,816 Inc VAT |
| Clydesdale House, Corner Ensuite Room January – June 2027 | £11,400 Exc VAT £13,680 Inc VAT |
| Clydesdale House, Premium Ensuite Room January – June 2027 | £12,645 Exc VAT £15,174 Inc VAT |
| Host Family, Single Room January – June 2027 | £8,975 Exc VAT £10,770 Inc VAT |