Start your journey with confidence. At St Andrew’s Cambridge, our admissions team provides a clear, supportive process designed to help every student transition smoothly into college life and UK study.
I’m delighted to welcome you to St Andrew’s Cambridge. We’re a warm, friendly, academically focused college, and my role is to make your admissions journey clear, efficient, and fully supported from the moment you enquire.
I work closely with our academic staff to coordinate entrance assessments, prepare offers alongside the Principal, guide families through pre-arrival paperwork, and ensure a smooth handover to our visa team. Every student who joins us has been carefully advised and interviewed—either by me or a member of our international team—so we can understand their goals and support them from day one.
We take pride in offering a calm, organised admissions process that helps students and families feel informed, confident, and ready for the transition to the UK.
If you have any questions at any stage, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. I’m always happy to help.
I look forward to supporting you on your journey to St Andrew’s Cambridge.
Charlotte Saber
Admissions Manager
How does admissions work at St Andrew’s College Cambridge?
Applying to St Andrew’s is a clear, supported process. Most families complete it in four to eight weeks, although we can move faster for late applicants and Year 13 A-Level retake candidates in August. The journey has six stages.
Stage one is your initial enquiry. You can apply directly through our online form or via a recognised education agent if you are based overseas. We will respond within one working day with a course recommendation and an outline of next steps.
Stage two is the entrance assessment. Every applicant takes a short academic assessment in English and Maths. The assessment is taken online, takes around 90 minutes, and is scheduled flexibly across time zones.
Stage three is the interview. This is a friendly conversation with our Admissions Manager or a member of the academic team. We use it to confirm course fit, talk through subject choices and answer any questions you have about boarding, fees or daily life at St Andrew’s.
Stage four is the formal offer. Successful applicants receive a conditional offer letter setting out the course, intake date, fees and any specific entry conditions such as IELTS uplift or a particular grade outcome.
Stage five is the deposit and CAS letter. Once your deposit is paid, we issue your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies and, for international students, the visa documentation you need to apply for a UK Student Visa.
Stage six is your pre-arrival paperwork. We send a full welcome pack covering boarding house allocation, airport pickup, medical and consent forms, term dates and what to pack for British weather. Our team is available throughout to answer questions.
What are the entry requirements for international students?
Entry requirements vary by course, but the core requirements are the same across the college. A minimum age of 15 for our one-year GCSE, 16 for sixth-form courses and 16.5 for University Foundation. Academic transcripts covering the past two years of schooling. Two academic reference letters. An IELTS score appropriate to your course (typically 5.0 for GCSE, 5.5 for Pre A-Level, 5.5 to 6.0 for A-Level, and 5.5 to 6.5 for the University Foundation Course depending on pathway). Course-specific entry requirements are listed on each course page.
When can I start at St Andrew’s College Cambridge?
Most students start in September, but we also offer January and April intakes for selected courses. The September intake is the largest, with most one-year GCSE, A-Level and Foundation students arriving for the start of the autumn term. The January intake suits students joining the One Term Taster Course, second-year A-Level transfers and selected Foundation pathways. The April intake is mainly for Pre A-Level (taken out Pre-IB) students preparing for a full September start. Our admissions team will confirm available intakes when you apply.
How does international boarding school Cambridge admissions work?
International student admissions Cambridge applications run on exactly the same six-stage process as UK applications, with extra support added for visa, guardianship and arrival. We issue Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letters in-house, work with families directly or through approved education agents, and arrange UK guardianship for students under 18. Airport transfers from London Stansted, London Heathrow and London Gatwick are available for arriving students, and our boarding teams meet new students on the day they land.
What documents do I need to apply?
To submit a complete application, you will need school transcripts for the last two academic years, two reference letters from current or recent teachers, a copy of your passport ID page, an English language test result if you have one (IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent), and a short personal statement explaining why you are applying to St Andrew’s. International applicants may also need to provide proof of financial support for their UK Student Visa application; our admissions team will explain exactly what is required for your country of origin.
