CATS Colleges – Reviews, Rankings And More
The CATS Colleges were founded in 1952 as the Stafford House Tutorial College in Kensington, which was later moved to Canterbury. Since then, CATS Colleges have expanded to three other campuses in Cambridge and London in the UK and Boston in the US. CATS Colleges have set the gold standard for international college preparatory programmes.
Summary
- School type: co-educational boarding school
- Ages: 13-16+
- Pupils: 381
- Boarders: 94%
- Tuition Fees: £30,990 - £33,990/year. Any additional A level subject £6,600
- 2023 A Levels Result: 43.8% A*/A
- 2021 IB Result: 94% of grades were 5-7, average points: 37 (compared to the worldwide average of 30)
- 2021 University Foundation Rankings: 55% A*/A/B
Table of Contents
CATS Colleges Overview
All students at CATS Colleges are international students from more than 85 countries worldwide. CATS Canterbury is the only international boarding college to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate qualification. The University Foundation Programme (UFP) was designed by CATS Colleges specifically for international students to have another pathway into UK universities. Ninety-six universities in the UK have recognised this programme and admitted students from CATS’ UFP programme.
CATS Colleges offer great support to assist their students’ learning and career choices. CATS’ experienced academic team has created subject blocks (three-level pathways that connect blocks of similar careers to the relevant university degrees and their required preparatory level subjects) to guide students toward the right degrees and careers. This gives students a clear understanding of what to choose and why they should choose blocks of subjects for their studying.
All Russell Group universities have received CATS Colleges’ students over the years. For ambitious students who have their sights set on Oxbridge, the college has a dedicated programme to prepare students for these two universities, which consists of mock interviews with Oxbridge academics, exam preparation, and personal development programmes to bolster their applications. For students that intend to study Medicine, Law, or Architecture, there is also the Key Professions Programme to help them prepare for their respective careers. Thanks to the college’s good relationship with top universities, students at CATS Colleges can get guaranteed progression to various programmes in a number of UK universities: the Business programme at the University of Birmingham, the Medical programme at Brunel University London, the Law programme at the University of Bristol, the Psychology programme at Royal Holloway University of London, the Architecture programme at the University of Kent, the Engineer – the University of Surrey, and the Computer Science programme at the University of Exeter.
CATS Colleges Courses and Programmes
Medicine, Pharmacy and Biomedical Science
CATS prepares their students well for this career pathway through many ways. The college will assist students in their preparation for the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) and the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT). Students can learn from visits to medical schools and local hospitals, attend healthcare lectures from experts in leading universities. CATS alumni who are learning or working in medicine will also offer mentorship to their currents students. They can also practise their Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) and join the college’s Medics Club. CATS has a conditional progression pathway to a degree in Medicine with a guaranteed interview at Brunel University London.
Law, International Relations and Politics
Students will get one-on-one tutorials to prepare for the university’s application and the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT). Students can get a glimpse of their future degrees and careers through visits to famous universities that offer Law, and educational trips to the magistrates’ court and law practices. Students can also attend the Citizenship Foundation’s Annual Mock Trial Competition to sharpen their verbal reasoning skills in front of real judges. Students at CATS have a conditional progression pathway to study Law, International Relations and Politics at the University of Bristol.
Architecture and Urban Planning
Students can choose either an Engineering or a Design route for this pathway. All CATS campuses have various Arts clubs and the programme organises various field trips to museums, architectural landmarks, famous architectural and design universities, and an annual visit to Europe to enrich their learning experience. The college will also assist students in building a portfolio. This programme has a conditional progression pathway to the Architecture and Urban Planning programme at the University of Kent.
CATS Colleges Entry Requirements
| Age | Academic entry requirements | Language level requirements | Average class size | Hours per week | Course duration | |
| GCSE Preparation | 13-16 | At least 8 years of schooling A school report that identifies English needs that this course can meet Description of a student with a learning attitude | Minimum IELTS 3.5 | 8 | 26-27 | Canterbury 3 terms (September) |
| GCSE | 14+ (Cambridge) 13+ (Canterbury) | At least 8 years of schooling with a good school record | IELTS 4.0+ | 11 | 30+ Take three more subjects on top of Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics | Cambridge 6 terms (September) 5 terms (January) Canterbury 6 terms (September) 5 terms (January) |
| Pre-programme | 15+ | At least 9 years of schooling and a good school record | IELTS 4.0+ | 11 | 30+ | Cambridge 3 terms (September) 2 terms (January) Canterbury 3 terms (September) 2 terms (January) London 3 terms (September) 2 terms (January) |
| A – Level | 15.5+ | At least 10 years of schooling and a good school record | IELTS 5.0+ | 8 | 22+ | Cambridge 6 terms (September, January) Canterbury 6 terms (September) 5 terms (January) London 6 terms (September) 5 terms (January) |
| International Baccalaureate | 15.5+ | A good school record | IELTS 5.5+ | 9 | 32+ | Canterbury 6 terms (September) |
| University Foundation | 16.5+ | At least 11 years of schooling and a good school record | IELTS 4.5+ (September starts) IELTS 5.0+ (January starts) | 11 | 20+ | Cambridge 3 terms (September, January) Canterbury 3 terms (September) 2 terms (January) London 3 terms (September) 2 terms (January) |
| High School term | 14+ | A good school report | IELTS 4.0+ | Cambridge 1, 2 or 3 terms Canterbury 1, 2 or 3 terms London 1, 2 or 3 terms | ||
| Academic English Programme | 16+ | A school report that identifies English needs that this course can meet Description of a student with a learning attitude | IELTS 3.5+ | 8 | 27 | Canterbury 1, 2 or 3 terms London 1, 2 or 3 terms |
CATS Colleges Entry Deadline
Term | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
Autumn Term 2024 | Monday 2 September | Friday 13 December |
Half term holiday | Saturday 26 October | Sunday 3 November |
Christmas holiday | Saturday 14 December | Sunday 5 January |
Spring Term 2025 | Monday 6 January | Friday 4 April |
Half term holiday | Saturday 15 February | Monday 24 February |
Easter holiday | Saturday 5 April | Monday 21 April |
Summer Term 1 – 2025 | Tuesday 22 April | Friday 20 June |
Summer holiday (Summer Term 2 students only) | Saturday 21 June | Sunday 29 June |
Summer Term 2 – 2025 | Monday 30 June | Friday 8 August |
- New students should arrive in their accommodation 48 hours prior to the start of their first term.
- CATS Cambridge closes during the Christmas holiday but remains open throughout other holiday periods.Fees may apply if you wish to stay during these times.
- During half term, fees apply for all students who are aged under 16 on 1 September 2024.
CATS Colleges Results
Following are for 2023 graduates.
- For A Levels: 43.8% of all A Level students achieved at least one A* or A.
- For GCSE: 100% of students’ History grades are A* and 100% of our Art and Design grades are A* as well.
Past Results 2020/2021
- For University Foundation Programme: 55% of students gained at least one A*, A, or B. Some outstanding subjects are Accounting, Biology and Mathematics, where 51%, 48% and 41% of students achieved A* or As respectively.
- For International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme: The average IB points achieved by CATS students were 37 points compared to the global average of 33 points. While the maximum score for an IB diploma is 45 points, in 2020, CATS top-scoring students achieved 42 points compared to the top 5.8% of students globally who achieved a similar result. On top of that, 94% of grades achieved were 5-7, which means a 100% pass rate for the programme for its 5th consecutive year. The global pass rate for the same year is 89% only.
CATS Colleges Fees
The following tables show the fees for the academic year of 2024-25 for all CATS Colleges campuses.
Cambridge
|
PROGRAMME |
INTERNATIONAL (PER YEAR) |
|
A level (3 subjects), GCSE Preparation, GCSE, Pre-programme, University Foundation Programme |
£33,990 |
|
Additional A level subject |
£6,600 |
All courses are subject to a £500 non-refundable registration fee and a refundable deposit of £2,500 (refundable at the end of your course subject to terms and conditions), except for the following High School Term students (1 and 2 terms) who pay a reduced deposit of £700. Fees do not include examination fees or mailing costs.
|
CATERED |
PER YEAR |
UNDER 16 YEARS |
16-17 YEARS |
18+ YEARS |
|
Premium single, en-suite |
£21,960 |
× |
× |
√ |
|
Premium single, en-suite (Elizabeth House) |
£19,710 |
√ |
√ |
× |
|
Single, en-suite |
£18,990 |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
SELF-CATERED |
||||
|
Premium single, en-suite |
£17,955 |
× |
× |
√ |
|
Single, en-suite |
£14,985 |
× |
× |
√ |
College policy requires students aged under 18 to take catered accommodations.
Catered accommodation fees include breakfast, lunch and an evening meal on weekdays and brunch and supper on the weekend during term time.
Day students or self-catered students will need to purchase any meals required.
Independent accommodation approval required by the Principal.
Canterbury (The Worthgate School)
|
PROGRAMME |
INTERNATIONAL (PER YEAR) |
|
A level (3 subjects), GCSE Preparation, GCSE, Pre-programme, University Foundation Programme |
£30,990 |
|
Fast-Track University Foundation Programme* |
£25,750 |
|
5-term A Level* |
£23,490 |
|
Additional A level subject |
£6,600 |
|
Academic English Programme |
£25,485 |
All courses are subject to a £500 non-refundable registration fee and a refundable deposit of £2,500 (refundable at the end of your course subject to terms and conditions), except for the following: High School Term students (1 and 2 terms) who pay a reduced deposit of £700.
These fees apply to the first 2 terms of the 5-term A level/GCSE programme. The remaining 3 terms follow Sept 24 fees.
|
CATERED |
PER YEAR |
UNDER 16 YEARS |
16-17 YEARS |
18+ YEARS |
|
Premium single, en-suite |
£20,460 |
× |
√ |
√ |
|
Single, en-suite |
£17,490 |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Shared, en-suite |
£13,995 |
√ |
√ |
× |
|
SELF-CATERED |
||||
|
Single, en-suite |
£14,490 |
× |
× |
√ |
Catered accommodation fees include breakfast, lunch and an evening meal on weekdays and brunch and supper on the weekend during term time.
Independent accommodation approval required by the Principal.
London (Guildhouse School)
|
PROGRAMME |
INTERNATIONAL (PER YEAR) |
|
A level (3 subjects), GCSE Preparation, GCSE, Pre-programme, University Foundation Programme |
£32,985 |
|
Fast-Track University Foundation Programme* |
£27,490 |
|
5-term A Level* |
£25,490 |
|
Additional A level subject |
£6,600 |
|
Academic English Programme |
£25,485 |
All courses are subject to a £500 non-refundable registration fee and a refundable deposit of £2,500 (refundable at the end of your course subject to terms and conditions), except for the following: High School Term students (1 and 2 terms) pay a reduced deposit of £700.
These fees apply to the first 2 terms of the 5-term A level programme. The remaining 3 terms follow Sept 24 fees.
|
CATERED |
PER YEAR |
UNDER 16 YEARS |
16-17 YEARS |
18+ YEARS |
|
Premium single, en-suite |
£25,965 |
× |
√ |
√ |
|
Single, en-suite |
£22,995 |
× |
√ |
√ |
|
Shared, en-suite |
£18,990 |
√ |
√ |
× |
|
SELF-CATERED (Not available anymore) |
||||
|
Premium single, en-suite |
£20,955 |
× |
× |
√ |
|
Single, en-suite |
£17,985 |
× |
× |
√ |
Catered accommodation fees include breakfast, lunch and an evening meal on weekdays and brunch and supper on the weekend during term time.
Day students or self-catered students will need to purchase any meals required. College policy requires students aged under 18 to take catered accommodations.
There will be allocations for a shared room for younger students to help them settle into school life.
CATS Colleges Accommodation
All campuses offer single and shared bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. A standard room is 12 square metres and a premium room is 18 square metres. There is ample storage space, mini fridges, WiFi, phone chargers, UK power adaptors and many more. There are 1,700 rooms with houseparents available 24/7 to provide students with the best environment they need.
CATS Colleges Reviews
Names may be changed to protect anonymity
Tomasz – A levels A*A*A* – Mathematics – University of Cambridge ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The teachers are incredibly passionate about the subjects they teach and they encourage you to get involved and ask questions which is crucial if you want to study at one of the best universities in the world.”
Jag – A levels AAB – Film Production – University for the Creative Arts ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Personal tutors are all very approachable. Whenever I talk to them, they always give me constructive feedback on my studies and my progression towards university.”
Parent 1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Our son’s confidence definitely improved during his time at CATS, especially in Maths and in understanding English, thanks to the help from his tutors. The one-to-one lessons in Maths and encouragement from every tutor, we believe, are examples of the key difference and key advantages from studying in China, and we think that the really supportive way of teaching and helping really suited and helped him achieve his place at Cambridge.”
Parent 2 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“CATS is a vigorous college, always improving and taking responsibility for students. It has a wide range of courses, friendly tutors and rich experiences in education. It is a College of high merit.”
CATS Colleges Facilities
Bloomberg Business Lab
A purpose-built £200K lab with 15 Bloomberg terminals and access to real-life financial market data. It is the only Bloomberg lab in a high school in the whole of Europe.
Sports facilities
CATS Cambridge offers great sports facilities, for example, an outdoor basketball court, a football court and a volleyball corner. The campus also provides discounted rates at a local gym just a 15-minute walk from the College. Students can enjoy this fully equipped gym with sauna, jacuzzi, steam room and a first-class spa. Meanwhile, CATS Canterbury has a basketball court, a football and a table tennis corner. Students at CATS London can use the sporting facilities at Coram’s Fields from 4-5 PM just a 12-minute walk from College and Finsbury Park Leisure Centre Indoor Sports Hall from 6-7PM.
Central location
All CATS campuses are strategically located. While CATS Cambridge is close to the prestigious University of Cambridge, CATS London is nearby the famous University of London Colleges and many cultural institutions, and CATS Canterbury is close to the River Stour and the shopping centre.
CATS Colleges Student Activities and Clubs
CATS Colleges Cambridge
This campus has a bustling student life, offering over 30 weekly activities about academics and self-development for students to participate in. There are a wide range of clubs and activities for students to choose from, including 10 sports, 7 arts, 8 academic, and 4 leadership clubs. For students that are more inclined towards sports, there are a number of team sports as well as individual sports and a self-defence club.
CATS Colleges Canterbury
Canterbury has some exciting options including water sports such as paddleboarding and shooting sports such as clay shooting and archery. There are also some interesting academic clubs such as the Science club and Understanding Financial Markets as well.
CATS Colleges London
While CATS London has fewer offered activities, this campus has its own charms with the UK Maths Trust Challenge, Bloomberg Market Concepts and CATS London Magazine. The star of this campus is the Bloomberg Business Lab, where students can experience the real world of business and finance.
CATS Colleges Contact
Official website: https://www.catseducation.com/
Phone:
+44 1223 314431 (Cambridge)
+44 20 4529 0844 (London)
+44 1227 866540 (Canterbury)
+1 857 400 9700 (Boston)
Address:
CATS Colleges Cambridge
1 High Street
Chesterton
Cambridge CB4 1NQ
CATS London
43-45 Bloomsbury Square
London WC1A 2RA
CATS Canterbury
68 New Dover Road
Canterbury CT1 3LQ
CATS Academy Boston
2001 Washington Street
Braintree
MA 02184
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