DLD College London offers a range of high-quality academic programmes, including GCSE, A Level , International Foundation Programme, BTEC, and Academic Preparation Courses for students looking to start their studies in September 2024.
General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSE) represent the first stage on the path to study at a UK university. As well as giving you useful skills and knowledge in themselves, GCSEs are an important stepping stone if you want to get a job or continue studying. Many employers and universities ask for candidates to have at least five GCSEs.
We offer a two-year experience for students in Years 10 and 11 to gain renowned qualifications which span a broad range, from well-established traditional subjects to those that are cutting-edge and innovative giving a strong basis for further study and A Level choices as well as the world of work.
Students will study a core set of GCSEs and are then able to choose between traditional GCSE subjects or BTEC awards in Business, Performing Arts, Sport and the ground-breaking new Esports BTEC. The BTEC qualifications are equivalent to a GCSE, recognised by universities and provide a real insight into the many career opportunities that are available in these industries, thereby informing future study choices.
In 2023, students achieved an 84% pass rate with 25% graded 9-7. This represents an increase of 16% on the number of students passing compared to the pre-pandemic results in 2019.
September 2024 GCSE study options at DLD College London
Course | Duration | Subjects available | Progress to |
GCSE | 2 Years (September 2024 – July 2026) | Compulsory Subjects:
NB A Double Science award equivalent to 2 GCSEs will be studied with the option of taking Triple Science, sitting three separate GCSEs in Year 11 for the students who are progressing well. Optional Subjects (choose one from each set):
| A Level International Foundation Programme BTEC |
GCSE | 1 Year (September 2024 – July 2025) | Compulsory Subjects:
Optional Subjects (choose one from):
| A Level International Foundation Programme BTEC |
Why study GCSEs?
Depending on the duration of studies, students will take between 7 to 10 subjects at GCSE or equivalent BTEC. They provide a great ‘grounding’, offering students a wide breadth of subjects. time to familiarise themselves with the UK education system and improve their English (English Language is a compulsory GCSE subject). They also provide a natural pathway to A Levels and BTEC Diplomas (equivalent to three A Levels), and students who have taken them tend to perform better in higher-level examinations.
How are they taught?
Each course content is broken up into units and taught in a linear structure, with an emphasis on understanding the connection between topics within the wider context of the subject.
Assessment
GCSEs are assessed by end-of-course exams. Some subjects will also have coursework or practical work. BTECs are assessed using a combination of vocational assignments, practical tasks, and written assessments relevant to each subject area.
Advanced Level courses, commonly known as ‘A Levels’ are the most widely recognised qualification for entry to UK universities.
In 2023, 79% of grades were given A*-C, with an overall pass rate of 98%. These are really positive results and represents an improvement on A*-C grades achieved by DLD A Level students comparative to pre-pandemic results in 2019.
September 2024 A Level study options at DLD College London
Course | Duration | Subjects available | Progress to |
A Level | 2 Years (September 2024 – July 2026) |
| Undergraduate course at university |
Why study A Levels?
Most students will take 4 or 3 A Level subjects over the duration of their studies. A Levels offer a good balance between subject specialisation and choice, allowing students to focus on the subject that really interest them with the option of maintain breadth of subject choice. A Levels also offer progression the widest range of universities, and are the best options for students looking to join a top rated university.
How are they taught?
Course content is divided into different sections, and students are encouraged to develop and understand the links between them. Learning is underpinned by the key concepts of the skills of the subject, with a strong focus on their practical real world application.
Assessment
A Levels have a linear structure, which means that exams take place at the end of the final year, apart from Geography which also has an exam at the end of the first year. Most A Level subjects are assessed by written examination unless the course has a large practical element (such as in Art or the sciences).
Our International Foundation Programme (IFP) is an intensive academic programme for students at least age 17, that offers international students direct entry to a wide range of UK universities.
In 2023, IFP students achieved an impressive 100% pass rate, with almost a third achieving a Distinction and 39% of those offered a place at a Russell Group university.
September 2024 International Foundation Programme Study options at DLD College London
Course | Duration | Subjects available | Progress to |
International Foundation Programme | 1 Year (September 2024 – July 2025)
|
| Undergraduate course at university |
Why study International Foundation Programme?
Unlike many foundation programmes, our destinations are limited to a choice of one or two partner universities. This means students are free to progress to a wide range of UK universities, including many top-ranked Russell Group institutions.
An exclusive agreement gives our Fashion Management and Art pathway students the option to progress on to study at the London, Milan or Paris schools of the prestigious Istituto Marangoni as well as at the Conde Naste College of Fashion & Design.
How are they taught?
The programme offers a range of subject-related pathways, which give access to complementary subjects at university. Each pathway is made up of a number of modules, depending on which pathway you choose you might have a choice of modules, they may be all compulsory, or a mix of elective and compulsory modules.
Assessment
Each module is assessed individually, with three assessment points through each term. Students will achieve an average score.
Business and Technology Education Council Diplomas, known as BTECs offer an alternative route to study at university. They provide a more practical, real-world approach to learning alongside delivering a key theoretical background.
September 2024 BTEC Study options at DLD College London
Course | Duration | Subjects available | Progress to |
BTEC | 2 Years (September 2024 – July 2026)
|
| Undergraduate course at university |
Why study BTECs?
In 2019, over a quarter of students accepted into UK university had studied BTECs. With their focus on work related learning and real world application, BTECs have grown in popularity because they allow students to develop practical skills related to the career they want to pursue, as well as understand the theory that underpins them.
DLD BTEC students have recently worked with Ticketmaster, the British Film Institute (BFI) and Harrods. Having the opportunity to engage with real world employers is an element that separates BTEC courses from traditional study. They are recognised in more than 100 countries and in recent years DLD graduates have moved on to study at top UK universities, and also in Europe and North America.
How are they taught?
DLD offers BTEC qualifications that are the equivalent to taking three A Level subjects. BTECs are divided into units, which cover specific areas of knowledge, skills, and understanding required by the particular sector or industry. They are a flexible qualification and can be taken alongside A Level.
Assessment
BTECs offer students a variety of assessment methods which allows them to build on their strengths. Each course provides students with a mix of project based assessments which typically involve employer links, as well as written tests, online assessments and examinations.
DLD College London BTEC Results 2023
In 2023, BTEC Certificate students have secured a 100% pass rate, including 33% of grades awarded at Distinction star (D*) and 83% of grades at Distinction or above.
Our Academic Preparation Course prepares international students for further either GCSE, A Level, BTEC or International Foundation Programme (IFP) study at the the school. The target exam is IELTS, the result of which will determine which pathway the students will follow.
Course | Duration | Subjects covered | Progress to |
Academic Preparation Course | One – Three Terms
|
| GCSE A Level International Foundation Programme BTEC |
The course develops English language skills and helps students to familiarise themselves with the challenges of learning in a typical British classroom environment. This includes skills development in areas such as pair work, group work, independent reading and discussion work.
Overall, the aim of the Academic Preparation Course is to give students a solid foundation of academic skills and academic expectations, and to familiarise them with the demands (including pastoral needs) of a UK-based study course.
A distinctive, multi-award-winning school on the South Bank:
* Developing confident & independent young people
* First class teaching and wellbeing support
* Expert university guidance
* Unique learning opportunities
* London is our classroom
* Innovative 5* boarding
Much like the city that we call home, DLD College London is a fusion of the historic and the modern. Our history dates back to 1931, and we still hold close traditional values such as academic rigour, discipline, and exam success. We have combined these values with a focus on student wellbeing and personal development which means that DLD graduates are well-prepared for life after college.
As central London’s only purpose built on-campus boarding school, studying at DLD puts you in the heart of the city. Students wake up to the iconic London skyline, and our home on the South Bank puts some of London’s best leisure, cultural and entertainment experiences on your doorstep.
Our co-curricular programme of after school and weekend clubs make the most of our amazing location whilst ensuring that students remain safe and focused on their studies.
*Please note that the UK Government has announced on 29th July it intends charging VAT on all independent education tuition and boarding fees from January 1st 2025. This means that the second and third term of this academic year for all independent education establishments in the UK will be subject to VAT. The college has to charge students for the total amount of VAT, but is working to establish the level of increased cost the college can absorb so as to keep the actual fees increase figure as low as possible. There will therefore be a revised invoice sent to you in December 24 which will include the confirmed VAT amount due on tuition and boarding fees for the second and third term.