What is Abbey College Cambridge like?

As part of the Abbey DLD Group of Colleges, Abbey College Cambridge has spent the past couple of decades as a market-leading “stepping stone” for international students who come to the UK to prepare for UK university entrance

The modern, purpose-built campus is based a short walk from the train station and city centre. It is predominantly for international students age 13+, and provides its students with a comfortable and well supported transition into the UK education system and culture.

Having modern, city-centre college premises means there is not much in the way of playing fields or a swimming pool, but the college does still offer an extra curricular programme of sports. The main point of this college, however, is getting international students into the best possible university destinations, so the focus is very much on subject-related super-curricular activities which add value to the students’ learning.

As with most colleges like this, there is no uniform and students and staff are on more familiar, less formal terms.

Is it a good school?

Abbey Cambridge is pretty non-selective but benefits its students by having a very flexible approach to each student’s individual learning needs. So if you are aiming for Medicine or Oxbridge, it can provide a specialist support programme to give you the best chance. If you need intensive English language support, it can also provide this.

Is it hard to get into Abbey College Cambridge?

As mentioned, it is fairly non-selective, so is not that difficult to get into. However, the college will only enrol a student onto specific programmes (for example, the very challenging A-level curriculum) if it feels the student will be able to access the curriculum and succeed.

What is boarding at Abbey College Cambridge like?

Pretty luxurious. Everything is purpose built and modern, so you can forget the idea of dilapidated old dormitories. Rooms are either shared twin rooms or singles.