St Andrew’s College Cambridge is one of the top UK boarding schools and a leading independent sixth form in Cambridge, ranked among the best private schools and best independent schools in the country for international student outcomes. For nearly fifty years we have helped students from across the UK and more than 30 countries reach competitive UK universities, and we do it from inside one of the world’s great academic cities. This page sets out why families choose us over other top UK high schools and other private sixth form Cambridge providers, with the credentials, the results and the differentiators that matter most.
Why choose St Andrew’s?
Founded in 1976, St Andrew’s College Cambridge is the oldest tutorial college in the city and a proud member of the BBSN. We are inspected by the Independent Schools Association (ISA). As a specialist boarding school for students aged 15–21, we offer an academically rigorous and highly personalised education in the heart of central Cambridge. The College is also an official examination centre for GCSEs, A-Levels, EPQ, and British Olympiad assessments.
- Offers Pre-A, Pre-IB, 1-Year GCSE, A-Level, and University Foundation courses.
- Flexible one-term academic programme available with September, January, or April intakes.
- Small class sizes (approx. 8 students per class) for personalised academic support.
- En-suite boarding accommodation (single/twin) and homestay options for students aged 16+.
- Access to University of Cambridge libraries, sports centre, public lectures, and
- Merit-based scholarships available — up to 35% tuition reduction.
- Part of Dukes Education, offering enhanced university preparation via Dukes Plus:
- The Medic Portal (Medical school preparation)
- The Lawyer Portal (Law school preparation)
- Oxbridge Applications (Oxford and Cambridge preparation)
- A-List Education (Ivy League preparation)
- Regular academic mentoring and university preparation with Cambridge University PhD student tutors.
- Visits to leading Cambridge cultural sites including the Fitzwilliam Museum,. Zoology Museum and Botanical gardens.
- Over 30 extracurricular clubs and monthly school trips to enrich the student experience.
- Over 55% of A-Level students receive offers from G5 universities (including Cambridge University).
- 100% university progression success for Foundation students – 84% placed at Russell Group universities.
- True integration with the Cambridge academic ecosystem – lectures, labs and academic immersion.
What makes St Andrew’s one of the top schools in the UK?
Our academic credentials stack up against the most competitive private schools in the country. We are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, members of the Independent Schools Association, the British Boarding Schools’ Network and NCFE, and part of the Dukes Education family. Class sizes average eight students, every learner has a personal tutor, and the academic team includes teachers with Oxbridge backgrounds and PhD-level subject expertise. The mix of small-school attention and big-city resources is unusual among UK independent schools, and it is what gives our students such a strong launchpad to top UK high schools and beyond into the world’s leading universities.
What results do students at St Andrew’s achieve?
Results speak for themselves. Around 55% of our A-Level students progress to G5 universities (Cambridge, Oxford, LSE, Imperial College London and UCL), 84% progress to a Russell Group university, and 100% of our University Foundation Course students progress to UK higher education with 87% going on to Russell Group destinations. These outcomes put us in the same conversation as the best independent schools and best private schools in the UK, and you can see the full picture of where our students go on our University Destinations page.
How does St Andrew’s compare to other private sixth forms in Cambridge?
Most private sixth form Cambridge providers offer some combination of small classes, a city location and university preparation. What sets St Andrew’s apart is the depth of the Cambridge ecosystem we plug our students into. Our boys and girls hold borrower cards at Cambridge University libraries, train at the Cambridge University Sports Centre, attend free public lectures across the university faculties and are mentored by Cambridge PhD candidates in subjects from Natural Sciences to Architecture. This is a Cambridge education in the truest sense, and it is the single biggest reason families choose us over schools on the edge of the city. You can read more in our Living in Cambridge guide.
How does pastoral care and boarding work at St Andrew’s?
Boarding is at the heart of what we do. Around 90% of our students board with us in one of our ten houses, all walking distance from college, all with live-in house parents, all overseen by a Deputy DSL and a team of mental health first aiders. We are a full-board school, with three meals a day on campus, structured study time and a dedicated student welfare team available 24/7. Our Our Boarding Houses page sets out each house in detail.
How does St Andrew’s prepare students for university?
Every student at St Andrew’s has a personal tutor who guides them through the full 18-month UCAS cycle, from subject choice and super-curriculars through to personal statement, admissions tests, interviews and decisions. Through Dukes Plus they also access Oxbridge Applications, The Medic Portal, The Lawyer Portal and A-List Education for US applications. There is detailed information on our University Preparation hub and our Oxbridge Support page.
Why do international students choose St Andrew’s College Cambridge?
Students from more than 30 countries study with us each year, and the reasons families give are remarkably consistent. A safe, walkable, English-speaking city with low crime and a global academic reputation. An adult, focused community of 15 to 22-year-olds rather than a school that includes much younger pupils. Full boarding inside that city with houses staffed by experienced house parents. A clear academic route into UK universities, supported by IELTS provision, EAL support and a guardianship system for under-18s.
Who recognises and accredits St Andrew’s College Cambridge?
St Andrew’s is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, the body responsible for inspecting UK independent schools, and our most recent November 2025 inspection met all required standards. We are a member of the Independent Schools Association, the British Boarding Schools’ Network and the Boarding Schools’ Association, accredited by NCFE for our Pre A-Level course, and part of the Dukes Education group. You can find every report we have ever received on our Inspection page.
