This urban boarding school is the epitome of modernity. Anyone who loves art and city life will thoroughly enjoy their time in this striking building in the centre of London.
DLD is one of the most prestigious colleges in the United Kingdom, having built a global reputation among students, parents, schools, and universities since its foundation in 1931. Located right in the heart of London — just minutes from the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye on the South Bank — the school building itself is a true architectural highlight, offering students breathtaking views over the city and the nearby Thames.
In addition to a string of significant national awards, DLD College London is proud to be named by The Good Schools Guide, Tatler, and Talk Education as one of the best schools in the UK. With London quite literally on the doorstep, students have unrivalled access to the finest leisure, cultural, and entertainment experiences.
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 of students: 13–19
Total number of students: 386
Boarding students: 230
International students: (not specified)
Boarding fees for senior school per term: £17,700
The most important sports on offer in addition to traditional team sports: yoga, meditation, basketball, boxing, archery, climbing
Nearest airports:
London City (30 Min.), London Heathrow (50 Min.), London Gatwick (50 Min.)
https://www.dldcollege.co.uk
Key Strengths at a Glance
Located in the heart of London
One of the top schools in the UK
Very modern facilities and teaching
Well-equipped art and design department
DLD College London – Photo Highlights
DLD College London in Detail
A Modern Learning Environment
The college offers a wide range of courses and programmes, including A Levels, BTECs, GCSEs, and International Foundation Programmes. The subjects on offer are refreshingly modern, including Media Studies, Graphic Communication, Business, Sociology, and Computer Science — alongside the more traditional sciences. DLD is known also for its excellent offering in e-sports education. In 2022, 40% of students achieved top A*-A grades in their A Levels. Every student also receives high-quality guidance on career development, learning, and organisational skills, with collaborative research and partnerships with leaders in industry, business, and beyond actively encouraged.
Sport and Wellbeing
Whether it’s boxing, climbing, or yoga — an active lifestyle is very much part of life at DLD College. Football is particularly popular, with the team finishing 2nd in the CIFE 7-a-side Football Tournament in 2022. Unusually for a boarding school, the sports facilities are not spread across a vast campus: instead, behind the school there is an outdoor area, while the building itself boasts a pool, sauna, and gym more reminiscent of a luxury hotel. Students also use local sports centres and university facilities in London for activities such as basketball and archery. We especially like that mindfulness and wellbeing are taken seriously here, with stress-reduction techniques, for example, helping students relax before exams.
Creative Opportunities
The Art and Design department is equipped with state-of-the-art digital technology, enabling every student to explore activities such as drawing, printmaking, photography, 3D construction, and more. Two art studios, a graphics room, a photography classroom, and a dedicated studio are stocked with 34 iMacs running the full Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, including Photoshop, Lightroom, After Effects, Premiere Pro, and more. The school’s printmaking and drawing workshops provide both deep cultural and historical context alongside accessible, hands-on practice. The theatre and film club and the rock band are always happy to welcome new members, and private instrumental tuition is also available.
Life Beyond the Classroom
Beyond the formal curriculum, students can take part in a rich variety of clubs and activities, from the theatre and film club to joining a band and recording in the school’s own studio. The winter concert and summer ball are highlights of the year, bringing the whole community together. Regular educational trips and visits also take place, with museums, galleries, and theatres right on the doorstep. Those who wish to, can join the student council to help shape and improve life at DLD. And of course, there are plenty of opportunities to be active in sport during free time too.
Fees at DLD College London
School fees at DLD College London are £17,700 per term, or £53,100 per school year for a shared double room. If you prefer a single room with en-suite bathroom, the fees are £59,200 per year, while a premium single room with en-suite bathroom costs £61,850 per year.
DLD College London
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Conclusion
DLD College London is defined by its modernity and unique central city location.
However, it is by no means the only boarding school in the UK that could be a perfect fit for your child. We warmly recommend taking advantage of our free consultation service to discuss your individual preferences and requirements. Thanks to our long-standing relationships with the schools, we know their particular strengths and can offer you genuine insights. Together, we are confident we can find the right boarding school for your child.
We are also happy to advise you on other schools in England. You’ll find a full overview on our Boarding Schools in England page.
Benefit from:
- Authentic, first-hand insights
- Years of experience in placements
- Warm, personal support
- Simple, straightforward contact
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.
