September 2025 Start Courses at Abbey College Manchester
Abbey College Manchester offers a range of high-quality GCSE, A-Level, International Foundation Programmes and short courses for students looking to start their studies in September 2025.
SEPTEMBER 2025 COURSES AVAILABLE
Abbey College Manchester offers a wide range of academic programmes for students aged from 14 – 21 years.
Courses Available.
| COURSE | COURSE DURATION | FOR STUDENTS AGED | PROGRESS TO |
| GCSE | 1 or 2 years | 14-15 | A-Level, International Foundation Programme |
| A-Level | 2 or 3 years | 15-20 | Undergraduate Course at University |
| International Foundation Programme | 1 or 2 years | 16 – 21 | Undergraduate Course at University |
| British School Experience | 1 to 3 Terms | 14-17 | Full-time course |
Study GCSE in September 2025
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, including English or IELTS and Maths.
In 2024 65% of GCSEs awarded to Abbey College Manchester students achieved grades 9-4 (A** – C).
September 2025 GCSE study options at Abbey College Manchester
| Course | Duration | Subjects available | Progress to |
| GCSE | Two Year (September 2025 – July 2027) | Compulsory Subjects:
Optional Subjects (Choose 7 from the following):
| A-Level International Foundation Programme |
| GCSE | One Year (September 2025 – July 2026) | Compulsory Subjects:
Optional Subjects (Choose 4 from the following):
| A-Level International Foundation Programme |
Why study GCSEs?
Depending on the duration of studies, GCSE students will take between 5-6 subjects. GCSEs provide an introduction to the UK education system, offering students a breadth of subjects, time to familiarise themselves with the academic rigor of the UK education system and improve their English (English Language or IELTS is a compulsory GCSE subject). GCSEs also provide a natural pathway to A Levels, and students who have taken GCSEs tend to perform better in higher level examinations.
How are they taught?
GCSE course content is broken up into topics, with an emphasis on understanding the connection between topics within the wider context of the subject. The exams are linear which means they are all taken at the end of the course.
Assessment
GCSEs are assessed by an end of course exam. Some subjects will also by coursework or practical work.
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, including English or IELTS and Maths.
Study A Level in September 2025
Advanced Level courses, commonly known as ‘A-Levels’ are the most widely recognised qualification for entry to UK universities.
In 2024, 70% of A Levels awarded to Abbey College Manchester students achieved grades A* – C
September 2025 A Level study options at Abbey College Cambridge
| Course | Duration | Subjects available | Progress to |
| A Level | 2 Years (September 2025 – July 2027)
|
| Undergraduate course at university |
IELTs is an additional subject taught alongside A-Levels for those who require it.
Why study A-Levels?
Most students will take three 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 offer progression to the widest range of universities, both in the UK and abroad.
How are they taught?
Course content is divided into different topics, 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 or Photography) or coursework such as Geography. All science A-Levels have a practical endorsement which does not contribute to the final score, but is compulsory to pass the A-Level.
Study International Foundation Programme in September 2025
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.
In 2024, Abbey College Manchester students achieved an average overall score of 67% on our International Foundation Programme.
September 2025 International Foundation Programme Study options at Abbey College Manchester
| Course | Duration | Subjects available | Progress to |
| International Foundation Programme | 2 Years (September 2025 – July 2027)
|
| Undergraduate course at university |
| International Foundation Programme | One Year (September 2025 – July 2026) |
| Undergraduate course at university |
Customise your International Foundation Programme
Students have the option to combine modules from different Abbey College Manchester Foundation Programmes to creat their own programme.
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 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.
Sports Programmes
Students at Abbey College Manchester can apply to participate in professional sports training programmes whilst they study. We offer professional coaching in Football, Cycling, and Tennis.
Participation in our sports programmes provides the perfect preparation for students wishing to progress to a sports-related degree at university, or who wish to continue training at a high level whilst they study,
Sports training sessions are offered alongside GCSE, A Levels, and International Foundation Programmes at no extra cost.
British School Experience
Spend one or two terms studying the British curriculum at Abbey College Manchester and improving your English whilst living in the heart of one of the UK’s most exciting cities.
Course Benefits:
• Improve your written and spoken English.
• Live and study in one of three 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.
Why Study at Abbey College Manchester?
A world-class university city
Manchester is world famous for sport, and creativity and has a long history of innovation. As one of the UK’s safest and most affordable student cities, many top UK companies have relocated from London to Manchester in recent years. Manchester is home to 5 universities and more than 100,000 students. Located in the heart of the city, Abbey College Manchester is well-placed to offer access to university facilities and resources, including the world-renowned University of Manchester.
A truly international College
The 200 Abbey College Manchester students are part of a small & friendly community. Our supportive & caring environment means that no-one gets lost in the crowd. We are a popular choice for local British and International families alike. Around a quarter of students are from the local area, this creates a dynamic and truly international learning environment for our students. Our international students benefit from an immersive British culture and excellent language development whilst our British students benefit from being exposed to an array of different culture.
We foster independence
We prepare students to be successful at university and beyond. We encourage students to embrace their independence and support them as they gain the life skills that will be crucial to their future success. Our younger students, live with local host families, many of whom have worked with us for many years. Host families help our younger students adjust to life away from home in a safe & secure environment. As they progress through the college, students move into supervised boarding. Students are encouraged to connect with one another through boarding activities and over fresh & healthy meals, prepared by our chef, but have the freedom to make their own arrangements too.
We offer a unique and flexible International Foundation Programme for international students
We are experts in Sciences, Business and Economics courses. With 15 modules spanning 8 pathways students can combine a broad range of subjects to create a unique pathway for example Business and Photography, Science and Sport or Economics and Psychology. Abbey College Manchester offers specialist programmes such as the Medicine enrichment programme, where students receive weekly specialist tuition designed to equip them for success in medicine, dentistry and veterinary sciences at university. We offer professional sports coaching in football, tennis and cycling alongside our academic courses. Students with a passion for sport can continue to pursue their sporting interests in a way that compliments their studies.
We have a strong track record of progression to top universities
We offer a route to the University of Manchester. Since 2019, 28 students have progressed to the University of Manchester, 15 from the International Foundation Programme and 13 from A Level. Each year Abbey College Manchester students’ also progress to top universities in the UK. Since 2019, students have progressed to University of Oxford, Durham University, Lancaster University, University of Sheffield and University of Manchester. At Abbey College Manchester, we offer bespoke 1:1 UCAS support, and IELTS tuition to all students.
Complete the form below to enquire now for September 2025 entry
*In line with the UK Government announcement, from 1st January 2025, all independent education tuition and boarding fees in the UK will be subject to VAT.
