Pre-University Academic Programmes in Oxford, UK

Cherwell College Oxford:
We are a specialist GCSE and Sixth Form college based in the very heart of Oxford.

Academic Programmes for Day & Residential Students Ages 16-19:

GCSEs
All students must study the core curriculum of Mathematics, English and Science in order to progress to further study at any other UK school including Cherwell College or for employment. Beyond these, it is up to you. At Cherwell College while some students do take 10 or 11 GCSEs with us, we prefer to concentrate on five or six subjects, focusing on quality of performance and emphasising the relevance of GCSE study for development at A-level and beyond. Concentration on a smaller number of subjects allows for GCSE preparation over just one year of study. Focus on a smaller number of subjects can also be ideal for any students wishing to retake GCSEs to ensure successful progress to sixth form studies.

GCSE options include; Economics, Business Studies, Media Studies, Photography, and many more.

Sixth Form Study (AS & A2):
Generally, our students choose four subjects at AS level (first year of A-level study) although some very able students enjoy the stimulation and challenge of a fifth subject. Other students who wish to focus their energies and consolidate their GCSE performance will choose to concentrate on three AS levels.

At the beginning of their upper sixth year, most of our students drop their fourth subject and concentrate on the university requirement of three A2 qualifications. Again, some will choose to keep an additional subject alive and finish with four full A-level qualifications.

Short Term & Holiday Study:
Cherwell College offers the opportunity of extra tuition at Easter, Christmas, half-term, exeat weekends and evenings for students from other schools and colleges looking to maximize their potential. Tuition is offered throughout the year, geared to the needs of the individual.

We spend time understanding the exact needs of students approaching the college for tuition in support of full-time studies at another college or school, and ensuring that the teaching we provide gives greater depth to what has been covered previously and increases understanding. We aim to send visiting students away with greater confidence to deal with the task in hand and wih a greater sense of what is needed to ensure examination success.

Acdemic Examinations:
All exam boards (AQA, EDEXCEL, OCR and the Welsh Board) are available at the College and all sittings are available - not just June, but January exams for retake students and for those seeking an early sitting. There are also some opportunities offered by the Boards in March and November - the College will let you take advantage of these sittings too.

Arrangements can also be made for students wishing to sit the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) to support applications to universities in the USA, for IELTS and other English language related qualifications and for LNAT and BMAT in support of those applying for Law and Medicine to British universities.

Oxford/Cambridge preparation:
Cherwell assists with all aspects of the application process for either Oxford or Cambridge including mock interviews to preparation for the standardised tests. Preparation is challenging, but also stimulating and will develop you further. Oxford and Cambridge expect the highest standards and they also expect each student to be an individual. As with all support offered by the College, we aim to help you make the most of your talents and interests.