A school preparing international students for Oxford, Cambridge, and other Russell Group universities for over 35 years.
College Profile
CATS College Cambridge welcomes students from age 14 at its boarding campus in central Cambridge, a city whose economy grows faster than any other in Britain. The campus sits 15 minutes’ walk from the historic center, surrounded by tech startups and research institutes where over 70 nationalities now study together. Classes run entirely in English, and the college specializes in preparing international students for Britain’s strongest universities.
CATS College Cambridge Achievements
The college holds accreditations from ISI, ISA, and BSA—Britain’s leading educational bodies—while its CIFE membership connects it to institutions focused on top-tier university preparation. Recent graduates have entered St Andrews, Durham, UCL, Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Nottingham from the Russell Group. Partner universities offer conditional placements for those reaching target grades, and medical schools at Buckingham, Nicosia, and St George’s guarantee interviews to outstanding candidates.
Academic Structure
Students choose between GCSE and Pre-A Level from age 14, two-year A Level from 15.5, or the University Foundation Programme from 16.5. Classes average 11 students, allowing teachers to work individually with each one. The college uses a value-added approach with ALIS testing that predicts potential grades and tailors lessons accordingly. Over 70% of staff graduated from Oxford or Cambridge, bringing both academic rigor and firsthand insight into life at these universities.
Additional Opportunities
The Key Professions Programme serves those targeting Oxford, Cambridge, or competitive fields like medicine, law, and engineering. It includes preparation for UCAT and LNAT entrance tests, plus practice interviews with experts who understand how these universities select students. Students also complete an Extended Project—independent research demonstrating their ability to work autonomously—while the college arranges work placements and volunteering to give future applicants real experience in their chosen field.
After School
More than 30 weekly activities span four areas so everyone finds their interest. Sports include badminton, basketball, football, rowing, tennis, and volleyball, while creative pursuits cover dance, visual arts, literature, and textile crafts. Academic clubs let students deepen subject knowledge or explore new areas: chemistry club, chess, coding, robotics, Model UN, and Step Up Maths. Leadership initiatives develop skills through debates, Duke of Edinburgh Award, esports, and Young Enterprise for aspiring entrepreneurs, plus educational trips to Seville, Krakow, and Belfast.
Boarding
The campus has two full-boarding houses for students aged 14–17: Elizabeth House connects to the main building with 236 single rooms, while Darwin House opens in June 2026 just 50 meters away. All rooms are single with private bathrooms, beds, desks, and wardrobes, plus a Premium option with extra space and a welcome pack. House Parents live permanently in the residences, monitoring safety and supporting students around the clock, while in-house chefs working with Thomas Franks provide three daily meals.
