doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
C

Cardiff Sixth Form College

United Kingdom, Cardiff

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · Co-founder & CEO

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees £22,300 - 55,400
Ages 14 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 323
Type Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 2004
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum
Taught languages English, French, German
Typical class size 7
Strengths Sport, Academic Enrichment, Performing Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Leadership and Professional
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Cardiff Sixth Form College offers a British curriculum for students aged 14 to 18 at its Cardiff campus, with a second campus in Cambridge. Most students study four A Levels, with some taking more, and they extend their learning through extension projects, research, TED Talks, online courses and podcasts to fuel passion for their subjects beyond the syllabus. The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is available to develop independent study and UCAS points, supported by weekly critical-thinking sessions and tailored university preparation. On-site facilities include modern boarding houses within a short walk of teaching spaces, with cluster rooms, apartments and studio flats, plus common rooms, music practice rooms, art rooms and an on-site medical centre. Meals cater for halal, vegetarian and vegan diets, and a multi-faith prayer room supports diverse needs. A dedicated sports facility and auditorium complement academic life, with weekend teams, clubs in sport, music, drama and arts, and local work placements.

Cardiff campus: Cardiff College, Merchant Place, Bute Street, Cardiff CF10 5AD; Cambridge campus: Cardiff Sixth Form College Cambridge, 89 Regent Street, Cambridge CB2 1AW

The Essentials

Cardiff Sixth Form College has 323 pupils, typical class sizes of 7, instruction in English.

Location
Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. Address: 1-3 Trinity Court, 21-27 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0AA.

Stages
Most students study four A Levels.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Around 85% of students are full boarders and live in purpose-built boarding houses a short walk from the main academic buildings. There are three room types: cluster rooms (shared by four to six with single bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms, plus a shared kitchen and lounge), apartments (two single bedrooms with a shared bathroom, kitchen and lounge), and studio flats (a single room with an en-suite bathroom and a kitchen; lounges are not included and allocation is on a first-come, first-served basis). On-site facilities include large communal common rooms, laundry facilities, music practice rooms and art rooms, plus on-site medical centres, with experienced boarding staff providing pastoral care.

Uniform Requirement
The school has a uniform worn most of the time.

Food Options
Full board is provided as part of boarding; cluster rooms have a shared kitchen for meals.

House System
There are House activities and House sports events as part of school life.

Governance and Ownership
The college is owned and governed by Dukes Education Ltd.
Fees

Annual tuition at Cardiff Sixth Form College ranges from GBP 22,300 to GBP 55,400 for 2026/27.

Application and registration fees

- A non-refundable registration fee is required to start an application: International applicants £250; UK applicants £180.

Acceptance deposit

- Boarding students: acceptance deposit for international and EU/EEA students £9,500. UK/Ireland boarding deposits are handled at a lower rate (see below). Day students pay a deposit of £500 at acceptance. The deposit is held against the student account and returned at the end of the course after financial reconciliation, less any outstanding charges.

Tuition fees by category (typical amounts and term equivalents)

- Day pupils (annual): £22,300 per year. Typical term-level equivalents used by school listings fall in the range of about £8,366 to £9,600 per term.

- Boarding pupils (annual): commonly published annual ranges are approximately £52,800 to £58,000 per year (official inspection figures show boarding from £53,800 to £58,000). Typical term-level figures published by independent school listings are in the range of about £19,800 to £21,766 per term; published campus-specific term figures for the Cambridge campus differ (see campus note below).

- Campus variation: the College operates both Cardiff and Cambridge campuses and published fees can vary by campus; for example, an ISC listing shows the Cambridge campus with different per-term figures to those quoted for the Cardiff campus. Confirm the chosen campus when checking the applicable fee level.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition invoices are issued bi‑annually. Payment deadlines are 30 June and 30 November for the following term, or immediate payment is required if acceptance occurs after those dates. Tuition does not commence until fees are received.

- The acceptance deposit secures the place; the deposit is held on account and is offset against final charges or returned after reconciliation at the end of the course. The College aims to complete reconciliations and return any refundable balances by 31 December following successful completion.

Boarding fees and accommodation

- Boarding fees cover accommodation and most standard boarding services; published annual boarding fee ranges are in the mid‑£50,000s (example ranges £52,800–£58,000 and inspection-reported ranges £53,800–£58,000). Termly published ranges used by independent school directories are typically around £19,800–£21,766 per term. Accommodation is single ensuite bedrooms at the College's boarding provision.

Other mandatory and common additional costs

- Uniform: a College-issued uniform pack is provided on arrival and charged to the student account. Uniform pack prices shown in College materials: Year 12 pack £120; Year 10 & 11 pack £175. The pack includes jumpers, tie, jacket and house sports shirt; some items (white shirts, black trousers/skirts, black shoes) are to be supplied by the student. The uniform pack charge is added to the second fees invoice (November).

- Incidental charges: the College specifies an incidental charge (currently stated at £500 per annum) covering routine incidental items; other one‑off costs (exam entry/re‑sit fees, trips, specialist materials) are charged in addition. Re‑sit and external examination fees are payable by the candidate.

- Acceptance/administration fees: some events or promotions may advertise reduced registration offers, but the standard registration and deposit structure above applies for normal admissions.

Refunds and cancellation

- If a student is unsuccessful in obtaining the required student visa (Child Student visa) or fails to meet stated offer conditions, the acceptance deposit will be refunded in full on receipt of evidence of visa refusal or failure to meet conditions. The deposit is otherwise retained until the end of the course and returned after account reconciliation, less any outstanding charges. Final reconciliation and return of refundable balances are completed according to the College's published timelines (the College aims to reconcile and return balances by 31 December following course completion).

Fee payment options

- The College accepts payments by international payment services and bank transfer; a Flywire online payment option and full bank transfer details (HSBC account information) are provided for remittance. Card payment via the College's online payment portal / Flywire is commonly used for the registration fee. The College's administrative systems record payments and issue invoices via the accounts process.

Scholarships, bursaries and fee assistance

- Scholarships and bursaries are offered; details and eligibility vary by award. Some awards may reduce tuition charges but may affect deposit and acceptance fee treatment; check the specific award terms when applying.

Summary of key fee figures (typical published ranges)

- Registration (non-refundable): International £250; UK £180.
- Acceptance deposit (boarders): International/EU/EEA £9,500; UK/Ireland deposits for boarding/day noted at lower UK rates and day deposit £500.
- Tuition (annual, typical): Day pupils around £22,300 per year; Boarding pupils commonly in the mid‑£50,000s per year (approx. £52,800–£58,000). Term equivalents are commonly quoted in the ranges £8,366–£9,600 per term for day pupils and £19,800–£21,766 per term for boarders (published listings vary by campus).

If you are placing these figures into an external database, use the deposit, registration fee, annual tuition ranges and term equivalents above for the 2025/26–2026/27 planning period; fees are published and invoiced according to the College's admissions and accounts procedures described above.
Academics

Cardiff Sixth Form College teaches British Curriculum for students aged 14 to 18.

Curriculum
Most students study four A Levels; some study more. The school offers extension projects, research, TED Talks, online courses and podcasts to fuel a passion for their subjects and to extend learning beyond the curriculum.

Exam Results
A*-A: 2018 88.47%, 2019 89.88%, 2020 98.5%; A*-B: 96.22%, 99.18%, 100%; A*-C: 98.87%, 99.80%, 100%

Higher Education Progression
University destinations include University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of St Andrews, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Imperial College London and University College London.

Gifted and Talented
The school provides extensive careers guidance with industry talks, work experience and opportunities to win awards, plus an 18‑month university preparation course; it offers extra-curricular and super-curricular activities to stretch and challenge able pupils.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The college prioritises pupil care through a structured pastoral system. Each student is assigned to a Head of House who provides guidance on pastoral care, careers and academic monitoring and serves as the main point of contact. The college offers Wellbeing Officers and Wellness Officers, plus a buddy system and student groups to support wellbeing. Students have weekly PSE and RSE sessions as part of the pastoral programme, with monthly themes integrated into assemblies and activities. The CREATE Wellness Programme awards Bronze, Silver and Gold for engagement in wellbeing activities, reinforcing students' social and emotional development. Regular opportunities for student voice through councils and policy reviews feed into wellbeing initiatives.

Mental Wellbeing
The World Health Organisation definition of health underpins the college's approach to wellbeing. The Wellbeing Officer provides individual support and runs wellbeing workshops, supported by Wellness Officers and a campus buddy system. The Wellbeing Hub online offers up-to-date information on wellbeing and safeguarding, with helplines and self-care resources. Kooth and Meic counselling services are promoted as accessible options for students, with details shared during induction. The safeguarding team and staff trained in safeguarding and mental health first aid provide additional support, and an Independent Listener is available to students. The college runs awareness days and campaigns to promote mental health and resilience.

Safeguarding
The college has a dedicated Safeguarding Team to support students with safeguarding concerns. All pastoral staff have safeguarding training and mental health first aid training. The online Wellbeing Hub provides safeguarding information, helplines and self-care resources. Students are given full contact lists for in-house staff and local and national safeguarding contacts; information about health, safety and security is provided during induction and in the safeguarding policy. An Independent Listener is available to students, alongside promoted counselling options such as Kooth and Meic. The Safeguarding policy is integrated with other policies, including the Health and Medical Policy and PSE/RSE policies, and is aligned with related guidance on safeguarding and child protection.
Parent Experience

Community
The school has been the top school in the UK for A Level results for over a decade and is among the top A Level schools in the world. Excellent teaching, one-to-one support, a bespoke super-curricular programme, and tailored UCAS guidance, work placement and volunteering help students progress to leading universities. Extra-curricular activities include debating, sport, music and drama, and Duke of Edinburgh; students live in state-of-the-art accommodation in the heart of Cardiff. The culture is friendly, enabling and supportive, with internationalism valued as part of the community.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Most Cardiff Sixth Form College students live in purpose-built, modern boarding houses within a short walk of the main academic buildings. Rooms come in three types: cluster rooms (single bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, shared by four to six students with a shared kitchen and lounge), apartments (two single bedrooms with a shared bathroom, kitchen and lounge), and studio flats (a single room with an ensuite and kitchen). All students have access to large communal common rooms, laundry facilities, music practice rooms and art rooms, as well as an on-site medical centre. Meals are served in the school dining room in a buffet-style setup with halal, vegetarian, vegan and other dietary options. There is a multi-faith prayer room and a wide range of weekend activities, cultural events, sports, clubs and work placements as part of the residential experience; the College operates from campuses in Cardiff and Cambridge.

Sports Facilities
Dedicated sports facilities and a gym are available as part of the campus development. A dedicated auditorium and other teaching and recreation spaces accompany the sports facilities. Boarding life includes weekend sports, sports teams and inter-house activities. Gym membership is part of the student facilities.

Academic Facilities
Most students study four A Levels, with some taking more, and extend their learning through extension projects, Ted Talks, research projects and online courses. All students have the opportunity to undertake the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which develops independent study and UCAS points. Weekly critical thinking skills help students analyse facts and prepare for university interviews. Students studying architecture or engineering may develop an art portfolio for their course applications. Facilities include a computer suite and a library.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Cardiff Sixth Form College offers sport, music, art and drama clubs and a wide range of extra-curricular and enrichment activities. There are House events, inter-House competitions, and whole-school celebrations and social events. There are weekend activities and cultural events; students join extra-curricular clubs and activities, participate in sports teams, undertake charity work and local work placements. The Cambridge campus also offers sport, music and drama clubs and related activities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The college has a reputation for academic excellence, with strong GCSE and A Level results. Most students study four A Levels, with some studying more, and learning often extends beyond the curriculum through extension projects, research, TED Talks, online courses and podcasts to fuel a passion for subjects. Students are encouraged to think for themselves, to understand and enjoy their subjects at a deeper level and to explore areas of individual interest. An extensive careers guidance programme includes international and UK work experience, careers societies with talks from industry, and an 18‑month university preparation course that provides support with writing personal statements, interview practice, coaching for admissions tests and navigating UCAS.

Arts & Creative
Students take part in a range of sport, music, art, drama and music clubs. Clubs operate alongside high-quality teaching staff. House parents and a broad team of pastoral staff support students in managing club commitments. The campus provides accommodation and welfare facilities to support student life beyond the classroom.

Social & Hobbies
Students take part in a range of sport, music, art, drama and music clubs. These clubs contribute to the social and cultural life of the college. House parents and pastoral staff help students balance club commitments with studies, ensuring support for wellbeing and time management.

Leadership & Professional
The college offers an extensive careers guidance programme with international and UK work experience, talks from industry, careers societies and opportunities to win awards and gain skills in critical thinking, academic extension work and practical skills. An 18‑month university preparation course helps students with UCAS applications and admissions. These elements support leadership and professional development as students prepare for higher education and careers.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The campus provides excellent accommodation with single ensuite bedrooms, gym membership and a fully staffed medical centre. House parents and a broad team of pastoral staff look after students 24 hours a day, supporting wellbeing and safety while they study in Cardiff.
Languages

Language Provision
French and German are taught as GCSE subjects and as A Level options. English is taught as GCSE First Language and as an A Level subject (English Literature). The curriculum includes English for Academic Purposes under the Supporting Curriculum, and there is provision for own language (if not English).
Admissions

Admissions
1. Register and apply. Register and submit a formal application through the online portal. After submission, a registration invoice is issued and the application portal is enabled for uploading documents. Documents to upload include a copy of the passport, birth certificate and the latest school report. 2. Sit entrance exams. GCSE entrants sit English, Maths and GL Assessment (online); International students on the two-year GCSE course do not require IELTS, while the one-year GCSE course requires IELTS 5.5, with results sent to admissions@ccoex.com. A Levels – International students sit four subjects plus GL Assessment and must have IELTS 6.5; results should be sent to admissions@ccoex.com and a conditional offer will be made on the entrance results subject to meeting the IELTS requirement. A Levels – Day students sit four entrance exams plus GL Assessment and require six A*s (grades 8/9) in GCSEs including English Language; results are sent by 12:00 on GCSE results day in August. 3. All applicants will attend an interview either in person or via Zoom. 4. Applicants offered places must accept within one week and pay the deposit; acceptance is confirmed in writing and is bound by the college terms and conditions. 5. International students must employ a guardian; the guardian arrangement is between the family and a guardian provider; the college provides a list of accredited guardianship agencies. 6. Pre-arrival information is issued in April in two parts: part one requests medical and guardian forms and travel pickup information; part two provides information about the college. 7. For international students, visa applications commence from May; the CAS processing team will assist with visa arrangements. 8. Start packing and get excited about arriving; a packing checklist is provided.

Scholarships
The Cardiff Sixth Form College scholarship programme is administered by the college. Eligibility is based on high academic achievement and performance in the application process. To maintain a full scholarship, attendance must reach 95% or higher and an average of AAA with at least 85% in each subject; sanctions may lead to review of the scholarship. Recipients are expected to participate in College activities and promote the scholarship system while representing the college. AS examination results must contain AAA to maintain the full scholarship; if results fall to AAA or AAB, a partial scholarship for the A2 year may be offered or the scholarship may be withdrawn. Scholarships are awarded based on demonstrated academic achievement, performance at interview and commitment to the college's values.
School Events
The school has not added events
Compare Cardiff Sixth Form College with
vs Westbourne School
Search for more schools
Search schools in United Kingdom View all schools in Cardiff View all schools in United kingdom British curriculum schools in United Kingdom Open days & tours in Cardiff What is the British curriculum? View all schools Search all schools