Be aware of the costs

A quality education does not come cheap. Independent schools can be expensive and if anything, independent sixth form colleges are more expensive than the sixth forms in senior schools. However, as with all things there is variation in price and the most expensive college could be twice as expensive as the cheapest. You tend to get what you pay for, but it is all a question of establishing your priorities and seeing what is available within your budget.

Fees will vary by
• Type of college
• Reputation and exclusivity
• Accommodation options
• Range of courses
• Teacher experience and exam track record
• Geographical area

The menu of costs

Unless you managed to nab a good scholarship, studying is poised to drain you of your savings. This makes it doubly important to look at the factors that generate these costs. Nearly all colleges charge on a menu basis, by the number and type of courses taken over what period. They will not just be offering A levels, but also GCSEs, AS levels, English IELTS, Resits, Foundation Courses etc. Most colleges publish the tuition fees on their websites, but if not, just phone them and ask. Here are some sample fees, which are about the average mark for a reputable college in London.

4 X AS Levels £15,000 per annum

3 X A2 Levels £14,000 per annum

8 X GCSEs £12,000 per annum

A level resits £2500 per subject

Practical fees (e.g. for science) £ 120 per subject per term

Registration fee £ 250

Accommodation £3,000 college based self catering termly

Accommodation £1,750 homestay termly

Note 1: London colleges range from £10,000 pa to £18,500 pa for day tuition.

Note 2: For international students needing boarding the total costs could be in the range of £20,000 to £35,000 pa for tuition, boarding and living costs.

Be aware that most colleges offer scholarships and awards, sometimes as a means of discounting their prices to fill courses. Note that you may be asked to apply early and sit tests for scholarships. We can arrange private tuition for this (Phone 0845 226 28 20)

Total costs

For a student taking 2 years to do 4 AS levels and 3 A levels, the base tuition fees could easily come to £29,000 in total. If accommodation is required, then the total will exceed £40,000 . For international students there will likely be another £3,000 to £5,000 p.a. in costs such as food, living expenses, visas, travel, leisure and insurance.

Best value colleges

The least expensive college is around £10,000 per annum on day tuition costs. We can sometimes find a day and boarding college for less than £16,000 using homestay with a local family. If the student is talented and has exceptional existing exam grades, we can often negotiate a discount. If you have a limited budget please contact us on 0845 226 28 20 or fill in this enquiry form for best value colleges.

Best value colleges enquiry form

If your budget is restricted, complete this form and we will advise you of your nearest top value colleges. Note that we cannot offer anything for less than £8,000 per annum (day cases) or £14,000 per annum (boarding)