January Places

Our January-start courses are ideal for students who may find themselves needing an alternative route partway through the year. This includes:

– Students who have realised early on that their current school is not the right fit
– International students who have finished their high school education in their home country in November/December time and want to progress to A-level
– Students who have relocated to the UK mid-year and require a smooth, structured transition into A-level or GCSE study.
– High-achieving students who after their first term at university, have decided to alter their career path and reapply for Medicine for example.
– Students who want to change subjects which their current school cannot accommodate.

These courses are designed to give students the best possible chance to rebuild confidence, rediscover motivation and stay on track to reaching their potential despite the change mid-year.

Ashbourne’s January-start pathway offers the flexibility for students to adapt and pivot their educational path without waiting until the following September. This helps students to stay on track with their goals without unnecessary delays to their commencing an A-level programme at Ashbourne. Why students excel on our 18 month programmes:

– Small class sizes allow teachers to personalise feedback, nurture confidence and address knowledge gaps quickly.
– Emphasis on exam technique from day one helps students become efficient, strategic learners.
– A fresh start in a new environment allows students to sometimes re-imagine how themselves as learners
– A culture of high expectations supports students in rapidly developing independence, discipline and strong study habits.

Our January-start A-level and GCSE courses follow an 18-month structure that balances pace with depth:

– January – June: Core content teaching with strong emphasis on foundations, skills building and guided revision.
– Summer: Independent study and consolidation, supported by tailored Summer work
– September – Exam Period: Full integration into the main academic year with continued structured teaching, mock exams, and regular progress assessments.

January students will join the existing classes in their year group, with an extra two hours of class time per subject per week. Due to Ashbourne’s warm and welcoming social environment, 18 months students are fully integrated into the college community. Our goal is to ensure every student feels supported, settled and academically secure from the moment they join.

Please contact our admissions team to understand exactly which documents we require from you to start an application. Upon receiving these documents we swiftly book an individual appointment for the students to complete an interview and sit our admissions tests. Once we have reviewed all these components of the application, we get back to you as to the outcome within the following days.

If you are considering a January application, we encourage you to contact our admissions team as soon as possible.

1. What subjects are available for the January start?
Most of our A-level and GCSE subjects are offered as January-start options, although availability can vary depending on demand.

2. Will joining in January affect a student’s university application?
Not at all. Students follow the same academic programme and UCAS preparation as those who start in September. Many January-start students go on to secure places at top UK universities, including Russell Group institutions.

3. Do January-start students integrate with the rest of the college?
Yes. Students are immediately welcomed into the wider Ashbourne community and take part in tutorials, enrichment activities, mock exams and academic support sessions. They join the standard timetable from September onwards and are fully part of college life.