Since 1976, when St Andrew's College began as Cambridge's first independent sixth form college, its niche has remained steady: preparing international students aged 15-22 for progression to UK universities. Located on Station Road, near the train station and Cambridge's botanical gardens, the college draws an exceptionally diverse cohort from 38+ countries, creating a genuinely global academic environment. The 150-strong student body attends a college purposefully designed for post-16 study, with multiple pathways including Pre A-Level, GCSE, A-Level, and University Foundation courses. In recent years, St Andrew's has invested substantially in facilities, opening a modern science centre and canteen complex in 2023 and adding new physics laboratories. The college became part of Dukes Education, a significant education group, in 2021. While results are mixed across the cohort and progression to university remains the primary metric for success rather than elite competitive entry, the college has cultivated genuine strength in university preparation and pastoral care for a student population that might otherwise struggle with transition.
The college occupies a deliberately compact footprint across multiple buildings within central Cambridge, placing students physically immersed in one of England's most intellectually stimulating environments. Walking the streets between lessons, students pass world-class university buildings, research institutes, and technology company headquarters. This proximity creates an intangible advantage: the culture of rigorous academic inquiry becomes simply ambient.
Principal Annette Poulain, who joined in recent years, brings over 25 years of leadership experience from independent schools including Cheltenham College and Our Lady's Abingdon. She leads a faculty notably strong in academic credentials. Many staff hold PhDs or advanced degrees from Oxbridge and other research universities. Denis, for instance, holds a forensic science degree and has collaborated with Cambridgeshire Constabulary. The Assistant Head for STEM, Andy, completed a PhD from the University of Bristol and previously worked in academic publishing with the Royal Society of Chemistry. This calibre of staffing means students benefit not just from subject knowledge but from genuine intellectual engagement with their disciplines.
The boarding houses are a defining feature. St Andrew's operates 11 residential halls distributed throughout Cambridge, each staffed with dedicated House Parents who live on-site. This creates what students describe as a "home away from home" environment. The college's newest hall, Scholars House, will open in January 2026 with 57 single en-suite rooms. Unlike some boarding schools where day students form a secondary tier, the majority of St Andrew's students board, so boarding culture dominates. Meals are taken communally; pastoral check-ins happen naturally through house community. The college is genuinely warm without being saccharine.
St Andrew's A-Level performance, measured by FindMySchool rankings, places the college 1,665th in England (15th in Cambridge), within the lower 40% of schools in England (40th to 100th percentile). This honest positioning reflects the college's actual demographic: it attracts students not selected for traditional academic pathways in the UK system, including those retaking GCSEs, those switching systems internationally, and those who did not achieve selective school entry in their home countries. To expect elite outcomes would be misplaced.
The most recent cohort data shows A-Level grades distributed across the spectrum: 9% achieved A*; 12% achieved A; 13% achieved B. This means 34% of all A-Level grades fell at A*-B, compared to the England average of 47%. The college publishes that 66% of A-Level students achieve grades A*-A overall, and 92% achieve A*-B. This discrepancy suggests selection effects within the published figures.
The college explicitly targets Russell Group progression for the strongest students. It claims 2/3 of A-Level students received offers from G5 universities (Oxbridge, Imperial, LSE, UCL), though this represents top-tier cohort performance rather than college-wide norms.
The University Foundation Programme is the college's academic flagship. These one-year (or six-month accelerated) courses target students who do not meet direct entry requirements to UK universities. The college reports 100% university progression for foundation students, with 87% advancing to Russell Group institutions. These figures suggest a highly purposeful selection process and strong placement outcomes for students on these pathways.
Oxbridge entry remains modest but consistent. 3 applications and 1 acceptance in the measurement period, representing a 33% offer rate. This is far below elite school norms but reflects the college's open intake policy.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
33.59%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The college emphasises personalised academic support as its core pedagogical approach. Class sizes are deliberately limited to 6-8 students. Every student receives weekly tutoring sessions with a personal tutor, independent of classroom teaching. For students aiming at elite universities, the college partners with Cambridge University PhD students who provide additional mentoring specifically targeting Oxbridge, G5, medicine, and law entry.
The curriculum spans over 24 A-Level subjects and 11 foundation pathways including Business, Engineering, Law, Medicine, and Architecture. Teaching staff actively encourage exploration beyond formal assessment. The college runs Cambridge Science Week participation, subject Olympiads, and academic competitions in writing, mathematics, and photography. The Student Development Programme, run jointly with Cambridge University and Maxer Education Institute, aims to expand thinking beyond narrow subject boundaries.
For international students, English language support is integrated. Students with IELTS scores below target receive additional English tuition (3 hours weekly minimum). The college is explicit that IELTS proficiency is non-negotiable for university entry and takes this requirement seriously.
University progression is the college's primary measure of success, and it frames its entire operation around this outcome.
The 2023-24 cohort data shows 22% of leavers (10 of approximately 45 leavers) progressed to university. This is significantly lower than the college's published claims of 80-100% "onto top universities" and reflects either a data definition discrepancy or a contradiction in reporting. The published figures suggest a genuine 22% rate, while the college's own marketing claims higher figures. Parents should clarify this discrepancy directly with the college.
Where students do progress to university, named destinations include Cambridge University (nuclear energy, mathematics), Kingston University (architecture), Queen's University Belfast (mathematics), University of Essex (actuarial science), and University College London, King's College London, Bristol, and UAL. These reflect a diverse profile rather than a concentrated pipeline to single institutions.
The college provides substantial university preparation infrastructure. Students receive UCAS support including personal statement editing and interview preparation. The college partners with specialist organisations including Oxbridge Applications, A List Education, The Medic Portal, and The Lawyer Portal. These partnerships are genuine, not mere branding.
Total Offers
1
Offer Success Rate: 33.3%
Cambridge
1
Offers
Oxford
—
Offers
The college offers 30+ clubs and societies, with membership fluctuating termly based on student interest. Named ongoing offerings include STEM Club, Model United Nations (MUN), Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, Coding Club, Photography and Design Club, Music Club, Debating, Running Club, Critical Thinkers Club, and Young Enterprise Scheme. This term, students served as museum ambassadors at Cambridge University Museums and contributed to children's education materials.
Sports facilities include access to the Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre (Cambridge's main athletic facility). On-campus, the college maintains an Astroturf pitch laid in 2022, and a basketball court. Sports activities offered include football (with students competing in the Cambridge University league), basketball, badminton, volleyball, squash, cricket, table tennis, golf, touch rugby, and indoor climbing. Fencing is available. The college emphasises sport as community-building rather than elite competition, though competitive fixtures do occur.
Music Club operates regularly. The college hosts a Student Council that runs social programming. This term includes museum ambassadorships and design workshops. The Student Voice mechanism allows students to raise issues weekly with senior staff; a student coordinator meets the Principal weekly to surface concerns and feedback.
The Dukes Plus Career School programme runs explicitly to build employability and professional skills. Students undertake work experience placements in Cambridge, including internships at local hospitals, IT firms, and Cambridge Water. The college offers weekend career experiences across 15 different sectors. Volunteer placements and work-based learning are actively supported. These are not token additions but integral to curriculum design.
An active social programme includes the Summer Ball, day trips to museums and galleries, film nights, festivals, and punting on the Cam. The May Ball is highlighted as the year's social pinnacle. Weekend excursions extend beyond Cambridge; trips to London, Oxford, and other UK cities occur regularly. These deliberately build community cohesion among the geographically dispersed cohort.
Annual combined costs for boarding A-Level students therefore range from approximately £38,850 (minimum residential) to £49,620 (superior single en-suite), calculated as 3 terms. This positions St Andrew's in the mid-tier of independent boarding college fees, substantially below traditional boarding schools such as Winchester or Cheltenham but above most state sixth forms (which are free).
All fees include tuition, examinations, textbooks, lab materials, full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch, dinner daily), Wi-Fi, pastoral care, onsite nursing, and access to university facilities. The college explicitly states fees are subject to annual increases at its discretion.
Scholarships of up to 35% tuition discount are available for academic merit. The college does not publish bursary availability or means-testing thresholds, so families should inquire directly regarding financial aid eligibility.
Fees data coming soon.
The college operates a streamlined application process. Prospective students complete an online application form, submit recent school reports, passport and birth certificate copies. All applicants sit a joint English and Mathematics entry test (50 minutes, conducted online or in-person) followed by an interview with senior staff, typically the Principal. The process is transparent and non-selective in the manner of grammar schools; rather, it assesses whether the applicant meets English language thresholds and has academic readiness for the chosen course level.
Entry requirements specify minimum IELTS levels depending on course pathway:
Academic scholarships offering up to 35% tuition fee reduction are available for merit-based applicants. The college accepts applications September and January intakes; this flexibility is valuable for students whose academic pathways have been delayed or interrupted.
The college participates in Dukes Education's wider recruitment ecosystem. It actively markets to international agents and education consultancies. There is no evidence of entrance examination competitiveness comparable to selective grammar schools; the limiting factor is English language proficiency and academic readiness, not ranking-based selection.
Pastoral provision is genuinely strong and is clearly a institutional priority. Every student has an assigned personal tutor independent of classroom staff. House Parents live in residential buildings with students and provide day-to-day care. The college employs onsite nursing staff and has established a Medical Centre. A trained counsellor is available for students requiring emotional or psychological support.
The college is notably inclusive of students with additional needs. The website explicitly welcomes students with special educational needs, mental or physical health conditions, and those with English as an additional language. IELTS provision is routine, not stigmatised. The Student Voice mechanism creates genuine student agency in college governance.
Safety and safeguarding are documented as central. The February 2024 ISI inspection (Non-Routine Inspections framework) found the college to have met all regulatory compliance requirements, with particular strength noted in "implementation of all aspects of safeguarding procedures" and "effective recruitment procedures including appropriate checks on boarding staff."
International student body dominates. The college is deliberately structured around supporting students from outside the UK system. British students do attend, but the culture is international-first. Families seeking a traditional UK school experience should recognise this context. The absence of British sporting rivalries, the multilingual campus, the focus on IELTS — these define daily life in ways that suit international families but may feel unusual to UK-based students.
University progression is not guaranteed. 22% of leavers progressed to university in the latest cohort year, contradicting the college's published claims of 80-100% progression rates. This discrepancy requires clarification. The college is effective at supporting students who arrive with clear academic goals; it is less clear what happens to students who do not meet university entry criteria or who decide against university after commencing. Parents should ask for detailed destination data before enrolling.
Results are modest compared to selective alternatives. A-Level attainment sits below national average. If students are comparing St Andrew's to traditional selective sixth forms or elite independent colleges, academic outcomes will not match. St Andrew's success is measured by progression for students who would not be accepted elsewhere, not by elite university entry numbers.
Location is central Cambridge, not rural. Unlike many boarding schools, St Andrew's lacks the dedicated grounds, playing fields, and pastoral seclusion of traditional campuses. Daily life involves navigating busy urban streets. Some students thrive in this stimulating environment; others may find the lack of physical separation from urban life challenging.
St Andrew's College serves a genuine and underserved educational need: preparing diverse, often academically interrupted students aged 15-22 for university entry in a second language. The college does this purposefully through small classes, relentless pastoral care, and genuinely strong mentoring from Oxbridge-educated staff. Facilities have improved substantially with recent investment. The location in central Cambridge provides academic immersion unavailable elsewhere. For families seeking a boutique, personalised education for students who do not fit traditional selective pathways and who value university preparation infrastructure, this is a solid option. For families seeking elite A-Level results or traditional British boarding school atmosphere, St Andrew's is misaligned. Best suited to international students aged 15-18 with clear university aspirations, adequate English language foundation (IELTS 4.5+), and comfort with small-group, tutor-led learning. The college works because it is unambiguous about its mission — university entry — rather than attempting to be all things to all students.
St. Andrew's is effective within its specific remit: preparing post-16 students, particularly international students, for UK university entry. The college meets all regulatory standards (confirmed in the February 2024 ISI inspection). A-Level results sit below national average, but the cohort is deliberately non-selective. University Foundation students achieve 100% progression to university, with 87% reaching Russell Group institutions. For students on this pathway, outcomes are strong. For A-Level students, 66% achieve grades A*-A overall. The college excels in pastoral care, small-group teaching, and university application support. It is a good fit for its target demographic but not for students seeking elite academic results.
A-Level tuition costs £13,200 per term (approximately £39,600 annually). Pre A-Level and foundation courses cost £10,950 per term (approximately £32,850 annually). Residential accommodation ranges from £7,450 to £9,315 per term (approximately £22,350 to £27,945 annually). Combined day student costs start at approximately £46,200 annually for budget accommodation. All fees include examinations, textbooks, meals, and pastoral support. Merit scholarships of up to 35% tuition reduction are available. The college does not publish bursary thresholds; inquire directly regarding financial assistance.
Entry is non-selective by academic ranking but requires English language proficiency. Applicants sit a 50-minute English and Mathematics test and attend an interview with senior staff. The limiting factor is IELTS level, not academic competition: A-Level entry requires IELTS 5.0 minimum, Pre A-Level requires IELTS 4.0-4.5. Most applicants who meet language thresholds and demonstrate reasonable academic grounding are accepted. The college prioritises intake diversity over academic selectivity.
University Foundation students achieve 100% progression with 87% reaching Russell Group universities. A-Level students targeting elite entry work with Cambridge PhD mentors and receive dedicated Oxbridge/G5 support. Recent cohorts have included leavers at Cambridge University (nuclear energy, mathematics), King's College London, University College London, Bristol, and Edinburgh. Foundation pathways particularly support medicine and law entry. The college reports that 2/3 of top-tier A-Level students received G5 offers. However, note that the overall 22% university progression rate (from latest data) is substantially lower than marketed claims; clarify destination data before enrolling.
The college operates 11 residential halls throughout Cambridge, with a new hall (Scholars House, 57 rooms) opening January 2026. Accommodation options include Superior Single En-suite (£9,315 per term), Superior Twin En-suite (£8,075), Standard Single En-suite (£8,075), and Single with Shared Shower (£7,450). All accommodation is full-board: breakfast in house, lunch and dinner in college canteen, seven days weekly. Each house has a dedicated House Parent living on-site. Laundry, cleaning, Wi-Fi, and common areas are provided. Homestay options are also available.
Over 30 clubs and societies operate on a termly basis, varying by student interest. Named ongoing clubs include STEM Club, Model United Nations, Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, Coding Club, Photography and Design Club, Music Club, Debating, Running Club, Critical Thinkers Club, and Young Enterprise Scheme. Sports include football (Cambridge University league), basketball, squash, cricket, badminton, table tennis, golf, touch rugby, and indoor climbing, with access to Cambridge University's Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre. An active Student Council organizes social events; the Summer Ball is an annual highlight. Work experience placements and volunteer opportunities are integrated into pastoral programming.
Yes, extensively. The college specializes in international student support. English language tuition is provided for students with IELTS below entry requirements (3 hours weekly). The college supports students from 38+ nationalities; no single nationality dominates. International students benefit from dedicated pastoral networks through House Parents and Student Voice mechanisms. The college is explicit about welcoming students with varying educational backgrounds and systems. IELTS can be taken on-site in partnership with test centres.
Get in touch with the school directly
Disclaimer
Information on this page is compiled, analysed, and processed from publicly available sources including the Department for Education (DfE), Ofsted, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, and official school websites.
Our rankings, metrics, and assessments are derived from this data using our own methodologies and represent our independent analysis rather than official standings.
While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee that all information is current, complete, or error-free. Data may change without notice, and schools and/or local authorities should be contacted directly to verify any details before making decisions.
FindMySchool does not endorse any particular school, and rankings reflect specific metrics rather than overall quality.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on information provided. If you believe any information is inaccurate, please contact us.
