Cardiff Sixth Form College: Reviews, Rankings, Fees, And More
Located in the vibrant city of Cardiff, education experts widely regard Cardiff Sixth Form College as one of the UK’s leading academic schools. This article takes a detailed look at the college, covering everything from parent and student reviews to academic rankings and tuition fees.
Table of Contents
Key Features of Cardiff Sixth Form College
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: Cardiff
- Pupils: 470; sixth formers: 240
- Religion: Non-denominational
- Fees: Day £30,120 – £34,560 pa; Boarding £71,280 – £72,200 pa (inclusive of VAT)
- Ranking: 1
Cardiff Sixth Form College Results 2025
Cardiff Sixth Form College (CSFC) has once again made it to the top of the A-level and GCSE league tables with their excellent academic performance.
2025 Results:
- 2025 A Level Results: 94% A*-A
- 2025 GCSE Results: 74.8% 9-7
Past Results:
2024: 81.8% 9-7 at GCSE; 90.7% A*/A at A level
2023: 84% 9-7 at GCSE; 95% A*/A at A level (100% A*-B).
Teaching and Learning at Cardiff Sixth Form College
CSFC combines Eastern discipline with Western creativity, producing students who are not only academically strong but also capable of independent thought.
From the outset, students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning. Teachers emphasise active learning approaches, with lessons built around discussion, debate, and problem-solving rather than passive instruction. Regular, structured feedback allows students to monitor their progress and make continuous improvements.
Beyond the classroom, the academic programme is both broad and demanding. All students complete the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), developing essential research skills and critical analysis. Many also enrol in online university-level courses to deepen their understanding of specific subjects.
Critical thinking lessons take place weekly, sharpening students’ ability to construct arguments and make evidence-based judgments—skills that are vital for success at leading universities.
The college also prepares students for real-world academic demands. Throughout the year, the school embeds workshops on time management, note-taking, and independent study into the programme. Close academic supervision, including regular one-to-one tutorials, complements these workshops.
The academic environment is fast-paced. Most students take four A Levels in rigorous subjects such as Mathematics, the Sciences, and Economics. While expectations are high, strong support systems are firmly in place. Students meet frequently with tutors to review goals, track performance, and address challenges early.
Importantly, the school cultivates a strong work ethic. The school deeply values precision, focus, and consistency, yet never sidelines creativity. Students participate in essay competitions, science fairs, and public-speaking opportunities, including TED-style talks, ensuring intellectual curiosity thrives alongside academic discipline.
Boarding Experience in Cardiff Sixth Form College
CSFC offers a functional yet accommodating boarding experience, primarily designed to facilitate the attendance of overseas and distant students. Situated in two blocks of former university accommodation, a short stroll from the main college building, it serves as a practical solution for students seeking a secure and comfortable place to stay.
The boarding options are diverse, with students having the choice of either studios or cluster rooms. In the cluster rooms, 5-6 single rooms share a kitchen for light snacks and socialising, fostering a sense of community. GCSE students benefit from a communal dining table, encouraging shared meals and camaraderie. The decor and setup are contemporary, mirroring a university-style atmosphere, preparing students for their future educational journeys.
What sets CSFC’s boarding experience apart is the presence of dedicated staff who provide both practical and emotional support when needed. For day students and parents alike, the boarding facility offers a safety net; there’s always enough capacity to accommodate a student arriving late or stranded due to adverse weather conditions.
When it comes to sustenance, staff conveniently serve all meals on the utilitarian top floor of the main building. The college takes pride in catering to various dietary needs, with an emphasis on halal meat. However, during our visit, the cuisine was notably noodle-heavy, serving up delicious and diverse options for the students. This culinary diversity adds to the overall experience of life at CSFC.
University Destinations of Latest Cardiff Sixth Form College Graduates
For the 2025 cohort, eight students received offers from Oxford and Cambridge, while fourteen secured places at Imperial College London, ranked second in the world in the QS World University Rankings this year.
OXFORD – 5 OFFERS
- Law (Jurisprudence)
- Biochemistry (molecular and cellular)
- Law
- Physics
- Medicine
CAMBRIDGE – 3 OFFERS
- Medicine
- Medicine
- Engineering
IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON– 14 OFFERS
- Civil Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Physics
- Economics, Finance and Data Science
- Computing
- Civil Engineering
- Economics, Finance and Data Science Mechanical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medicine
- Civil Engineering Biological Science
- Mathematics and Computer Science
Extracurricular Activities in Cardiff Sixth Form
Cardiff Sixth Form College encourages students to broaden their horizons and explore a variety of extracurricular activities. Debating is a universally praised activity that not only hones critical thinking and argumentative skills but also boosts confidence in English, particularly for non-native speakers.
For those looking to strike a balance between work and play, the college offers a range of creative outlets. The Glee club allows students to showcase their singing and dancing talents, with recent productions like Hairspray and Mulan demonstrating the diverse and culturally rich student body. The annual Eisteddfod, a cultural evening, serves as a highlight, where students celebrate national dress, music, and dance.
Throughout the year, students can look forward to themed balls at Halloween and Christmas, fostering a sense of community and fun. Occasionally, team-building trips to the nearby Brecon Beacons provide an opportunity for adventure and camaraderie.
In the realm of arts and music, Cardiff Sixth Form College offers A-level art, and soon, leisure pursuits in art as well. Music ensembles play a significant role, with lessons available in 18 instruments, including unique options like the harp and euphonium. The NASA club, for instance, has earned recognition for its participation in a global competition focused on future human settlements in space.
The college also organises educational trips that align with student interests and aspirations. These range from visits to Bristol Zoo to remarkable international experiences, like the International Citizenship Experience, which takes students to locations such as Malaysia, Tanzania, or India for work experience in diverse settings, including government and NGOs.
Regarding sports, while the college’s city centre location limits traditional sports facilities, students are not short of opportunities to stay active. Sport and fitness activities, including dance, yoga, and swimming, are organised through local gyms and providers, with the college providing transportation. Additionally, there are three hours of compulsory weekly sports for students below sixth form, ensuring that physical activity remains an integral part of student life at Cardiff Sixth Form College.
Cardiff Sixth Form College Relocation
Established at its current Cardiff location since 2009, Cardiff Sixth Form College will relocate to Cardiff Bay in September 2026, marking a significant milestone in the College’s continued growth and long-term vision.
The College has designed a new purpose-built campus, located just a 10-minute drive from the current site, to elevate its sector-leading teaching and learning. Thoughtfully planned academic spaces will create a more dynamic, engaging and future-focused environment, enabling students to thrive both academically and personally.
The development will also introduce an all-new 17-storey boarding residence. This modern facility will further enhance the College’s award-winning pastoral care, offering more personalised and contemporary living spaces that support student wellbeing, independence and a strong sense of community.
Through this relocation, Cardiff Sixth Form College will strengthen its commitment to academic excellence, student care and innovation, setting a new benchmark for pre-university education.
Cardiff Sixth Form College Cambridge
In addition to its Cardiff campus, Cardiff Sixth Form College is firmly established in Cambridge, an academic environment widely regarded as unparalleled. Students benefit from what is often referred to as “the Cambridge Edge,” with opportunities to engage in collaborative projects with the University of Cambridge, visit leading organisations, and receive mentorship from current Cambridge students. For those with strong Oxbridge ambitions, studying within this academic setting has proven to be both highly motivating and aspirational.
While academic excellence remains the central focus, the college also supports student development beyond the classroom. A range of facilities and activities are accessible to encourage balance and wellbeing, including basketball, volleyball and badminton facilities, as well as recreational options such as a nearby bowling alley. Although the breadth of activities may not match that of traditional large boarding schools, a supportive and focused environment has been maintained.
Ultimately, the same rigorous curriculum, assessments and academic expectations delivered in Cardiff are now available in Cambridge. Despite a relatively small cohort and only a few years of operation, strong progression outcomes have already been achieved, with students progressing to G5 universities and other leading institutions worldwide.
Admissions Process: Entering Cardiff Sixth Form College
The admissions process at Cardiff Sixth Form College is designed to ensure that students who join are well-prepared for the challenging academic environment. For the one-year GCSE course, some students enroll as a preparatory step before embarking on A levels. Proficiency in English is a fundamental requirement, with overseas students needing to achieve a score of 6.5 in the academic version of the IELTS test.
Furthermore, CSFC is highly selective, admitting students who demonstrate not only linguistic proficiency but also academic excellence. Applicants for the two-year GCSE programme must undergo English, maths, and online reasoning tests, followed by an interview.
Those with prior GCSE qualifications must have achieved a minimum of six 8-9 grades in total, with 8-9 grades in all subjects chosen for A levels. Additionally, they must perform well in college admission tests, including an online reasoning paper, and undergo an interview.
The college’s induction process is well-regarded, providing students with a smooth transition into their academic journey. Parents appreciate the fact that students are not immediately thrust into lessons but are given an opportunity to acclimate to the college’s environment and, in some cases, adapt to higher academic expectations.
Cardiff Sixth Form College Gallery
Cardiff Sixth Form Testimonials and Reviews
Excellent college and brilliant service.
AMAZING SCHOOL.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cardiff Sixth Form College
For eight years running, Cardiff Sixth Form College has been awarded Top Private Co-educational Boarding School and Top Independent Sixth Form College in the Education Advisers’ Awards.
Take an entrance exam for all 4 of the subjects you would like to study for A Level plus GL Assessment. You are also required to have six A*s (grades 8/9) in yout GCSE/IGSE examinations including subjects chosen for A Level.
Cardiff Sixth Form College is a co-educational, independent boarding college for pupils aged from 14-19.
Students will generally be required to have A* grades in the subjects they will be taking at A-Level and the whole combination of results will be taken into consideration. Students may be required to sit for additional tests if deemed necessary. A standard unconditional offer would be a minimum of six A* grades.
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