Earlscliffe is a specialist Sixth Form College catering to students aged 15 to 19. Here, young adults are nurtured towards independence and equipped with the best possible opportunities for their future.
Located on the beautiful Kent coastline in South-East England, Earlscliffe enjoys a stunning seaside setting. To the east lie the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, and to the west the breathtaking dunes of Camber Sands. The atmosphere at Earlscliffe is cheerful, welcoming, and vibrant. Traditional English values meet an international, open-minded community – over 90% of students come from abroad!
The school is based on an “in-town” campus in the small town of Folkestone. Classrooms, dining hall, and boarding houses are all within walking distance of shops, cafés, and – best of all – the beach, enabling students to develop a high degree of independence within a safe 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
Number of students: 140
Age range: 15 bis 19
International students: 133
Average class size: 8
Boarding fees per term: £19.095
Main sports offered besides the traditional team sports: Basketball, Badminton, Horse riding, Tennis, Golf, Swimming
Nearest airports: London Heathrow (90 minutes), London Gatwick (75 minutes)
https://www.earlscliffe.co.uk
Key Strengths at a Glance
Academies for Creative Arts, Basketball, and Business
Five different academic degrees and qualifications
Beautiful coastal location in the southeast of England
One hour from London by train
Earlscliffe College – Photo Highlights
Earlscliffe College in Detail
Academic Life
Earlscliffe stands out academically for its impressive range of qualifications. Options include short courses lasting just one or two terms, as well as the International Transition Year, which allows students to complete their GCSEs in just a single year.
At Sixth Form level, alongside regular A-Levels, students in Year 13 can also choose to pursue a Diploma in Business Management or a University Foundation Year. There is even a dedicated Business Academy, where students can benefit from lectures at universities such as the London School of Economics and take advantage of a partnership with Globe Business College in Munich.
Sport
A healthy, active lifestyle is a top priority at Earlscliffe. Students can choose from a wide variety of sports, including tennis, golf, swimming, gym-based strength and endurance training, football training, and weekly league matches. Sport is also a key element of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award outdoor programme. Facilities are shared with the town and include a well-equipped gym and a 25-metre indoor pool. The school even runs its own Basketball Academy, offering elite-level training. Ambitious young players can start their day with pre-school training sessions to set a focused tone for the day.
The Arts
At the Creative Arts Academy, students can immerse themselves in artistic activities such as painting, illustration, graphic design, textiles, photography, and sculpture. Trips, for example to the Frieze International Art Fair in London, provide fresh inspiration.
Students are also encouraged to enter national competitions such as Portrait of Britain. Every Wednesday afternoon, everyone has the opportunity to unleash their creativity – whether they’re a seasoned artist or just starting out. Earlscliffe values art not just for its contribution to mental wellbeing, but also as a way to develop communication, critical thinking, and presentation skills.
Enrichment and Leisure
The SCS programme (Sport, Culture, and Service) makes up the second half of the Earlscliffe experience. Students can, for example, ride at a local stable or play golf on some of Britain’s most beautiful courses, with views that on clear days stretch all the way to France.
Weekend trips to London, Oxford, Cambridge, the Harry Potter Studios, or even Paris add excitement to boarding life. During the week, a range of activities – such as volunteering, Model United Nations, public speaking, theatre, debating, or the Italian Club – offer a stimulating balance to academic studies.
Mark Love
This is Earlscliffe College
Fees at Earlscliffe College
Fees are £19,095 per term, or £57,285 per year.
What our clients say about us
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Conclusion – Earlscliffe College
Earlscliffe College stands out for its dedicated Sixth Form focus and truly international student body.
However, it is by no means the only school in the UK to offer bespoke academic programmes and a multicultural environment. We strongly recommend seeking personalised advice to match your specific needs and aspirations. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us – with years of experience and close contact with the schools, we understand their unique characteristics and can give you an authentic assessment.
We are confident that together we can find the right school for your child.
You can find an overview on our “Boarding Schools in England” page.
Benefit from:
- Our years of experience in school placements
- Our strong relationships with admissions offices
- Help with visa questions
- Our support throughout the application process
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.
