Welcome

Abacus College is one of Oxford's oldest established colleges of pre-university education and has more than 30 years experience in preparing international students for entry to UK University Degree Courses.

University Preparation Courses

Abacus College offers students a choice of routes to university.

The University Foundation Programme is a fast track university access course, specially designed for international students whose qualifications are not recognised as sufficient for entry to British universities. The programme takes less than one year to complete and provides successful students with a place at a participating university. It is recognised by universities across the UK, including Bath, Birmingham, Bristol, Exeter, Liverpool, Nottingham, Oxford Brookes, Royal Holloway (University of London) and UMIST.

A Level qualifications are recognised throughout the world and are accepted for entry to the UK's top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. Abacus College offers a standard 2 year course, as well as 1 year intensive course and a 5 term course starting in January.

Accommodation & Welfare

The Welfare and Accommodation Officer gives students all possible help in selecting student accommodation and arrangements are made well in advance of arrival. Most students stay with carefully selected host families (homestay) or in self-catering accommodation. As a major UK tourist destination, Oxford also has plenty of hotels and guesthouses from which to choose.

On arrival, each student attends an induction programme and full assistance is given on registering with a doctor, obtaining a bus pass and opening a bank account. The Welfare and Accommodation Officer is always available to help students and offer practical advice on medical requirements, financial planning, visa renewals, social and leisure activities and personal problems of any nature.

Facilities

Abacus college is situated in a modern building, right in the centre of the historic City of Oxford. Classes are taught in small groups in modern classrooms. There is a large supervised library with a computer area and free internet access, plus a fully equiped science laboratory and information technology room. A student common room is provided, where students can break for refreshments between classes, relax with friends and listen to music. Facilities include a lift and disabled toilet and there is wheelchair access to 75% of the premises.