In little more than 15 years, Cardiff Sixth Form College has established itself as one of the UK’s top-performing private schools. Located in the heart of the historic Welsh city of Cardiff, this modern and dynamic college offers students the chance to enjoy all the cultural and sporting opportunities that come with life in a thriving university town.
Demanding and rigorous, yet warm and supportive – at Cardiff, these qualities go hand in hand. Teachers are constantly refining their methods, and students benefit from cutting-edge technology and forward-thinking academic strategies. The results speak for themselves: an astonishing 95% of A-level grades are A* or A. We know of no other school that consistently achieves at this level.
Cardiff’s student body is far more international than that of most British boarding schools, creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere in which new students feel at home quickly. Its modest size also means it retains a family feel. Students live in sleek, modern boarding houses just outside the main school building, with each pupil enjoying a comfortable single room. Daily life is very much that of an authentic urban experience – students become members of local fitness clubs and enjoy the independence of living in a real city environment.
Akademis makes history – A Triple Award-Winning Consultancy (2023, 2024 & 2025) 🏆
Akademis has been recognised three years in a row by StudyTravel for excellence in the education sector:
2025 & 2024: Winners of the StudyTravel Secondary School Award (Best Western European Agency)
2023: Winner of the StudyTravel Star Award
(Best Western European Agency)
The StudyTravel Awards are among the most prestigious honours in international education, recognising outstanding quality, client focus and trusted partnerships. Being the first consultancy ever to win for three consecutive years is something we are deeply proud of. For us, these awards highlight our commitment to offering the very best guidance, personal service and long-term support for families embarking on this exciting journey.
Quick Overview
Age ranger: 14-19
Number of students: 370
Boarders: 310
Students in Sixth Form: 333
Boarding fees per term: £19,000
The most important sports on offer besides the traditional team sports: external fitness club with swimming pool
Nearest airports: Cardiff Airport (30 km), London Heathrow (180 km)
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Key Strengths at a Glance
exceptionally strong academic results
small, close-knit community, mainly international students
location in Cardiff
strong focus on sixth form students
Cardiff Sixth Form College – Photo Highlights
Cardiff Sixth Form College in Detail
Academic Excellence
Cardiff Sixth Form College is especially suited to international students in Years 12 and 13 who are aiming for the very best universities worldwide. It also offers GCSEs for those entering earlier. As part of the respected Duke Education group, the college specialises in academic excellence, particularly in the sciences, including medicine, but also in business, politics and psychology. Practical experience is a key part of the curriculum, and students are encouraged to develop leadership skills alongside academic prowess.
Arts and Creativity
It’s not all about the academics. The college offers a full programme of events to allow students to express their creative side, including balls, talent shows and musicals. The Glee Club stages a major production each year – recent shows have included Hairspray, Mulan and Grease – and a major Cultural Event showcases music and dance from around the world. There are regular concerts, a well-equipped music room, and the opportunity to take lessons in a wide range of instruments including piano, guitar, violin and drums. Drama workshops and an art club are also part of the co-curricular life.
Clubs and Enrichment
Cardiff offers an unusually rich co-curricular programme. From career and critical thinking clubs to design competitions, the NASA club and university fairs, there’s plenty to inspire anyone. Students take part in debating, Model United Nations, and public speaking contests, while also enjoying museum trips, enterprise projects, cooking classes, film nights and Duke of Edinburgh. Celebrations such as Halloween, Chinese New Year and Christmas are annual highlights, adding to the strong community feel.
Sport
While the college doesn’t have its own sports grounds, all students automatically gain membership to a local high-end fitness club with access to a swimming pool, gym, tennis courts and badminton facilities. Other activities include football, basketball, table tennis, yoga and dance. A fun and inclusive annual Sports Day encourages participation from all, and inter-house competitions and friendly matches with other schools are also on the calendar. Students also enjoy trips to major sporting events, including rugby matches and stadium tours.
This is Cardiff Sixth Form College
Cardiff Sixth Form College Fees
The annual fees for boarding students at Cardiff Sixth Form College are £57,100, which equates to £19,000 per term.
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In Summary Cardiff Sixth Form College
Cardiff Sixth Form College is an exceptional academic institution, ideal for ambitious and hardworking students aiming for the world’s top universities.
But it’s not the only boarding school in the UK with outstanding academic provision. Every family has unique needs, and we strongly recommend getting in touch with us for tailored advice. Thanks to our longstanding relationships with British schools, we can offer genuine insights and help you find the right match.
We’ve helped many German students find their ideal school, and they’ve been delighted with their boarding experience. Many are happy to share their stories – a great way to get a feel for life at a UK boarding school.
We’re always happy to advise you further. You’ll find more excellent schools on our Boarding in England page.
Why Families Trust Us:
- Authentic, first-hand insights
- Excellent relationships with admissions departments
- Many years of placement experience
- Advice on visas and application processes
What Makes Akademis Stand Out?
- We remain your trusted contact throughout your child’s stay, well beyond the placement process.
- We provide support with guardianship, visa applications and recognition of qualifications within the German school system.
- We offer fully tailored advice. Our school recommendations are unique to each child and can run to 40 pages in length.
- Families receive our 30+ page boarding school guide, packed with practical tips and insights.
- We prepare your child thoroughly for entrance exams and interviews to maximise their chances of success.
- We arrange school visits, ensuring you have the opportunity to experience each school first-hand.
Every boarding school has its own character and ethos. Having personally visited more than 100 schools, we understand these nuances. We also work with schools that do not pay commission, ensuring that our advice remains independent and always in the best interest of your child.
Our roots lie in the UK. For years, we have placed 200–300 families annually into British boarding schools. While our portfolio now includes schools beyond Britain, the UK remains at the heart of what we do.
Our tailored approach results in exceptional acceptance rates. For example, in 2022/23, all seven students we placed at the highly selective Malvern College received offers – a 100% success rate.
We arrange for prospective families to speak with our current students to hear first-hand accounts of life at a UK boarding school.
