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Top 51 Best Sixth-Form Colleges in the UK (2023/2024)

Bukki Bello

Content Lead

22 March, 2023

9 min read

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In the UK, sixth-form colleges are educational institutions that provide post-secondary education for students aged 16-19.

These colleges are dedicated to preparing students for university, apprenticeships, or the workforce, and they offer a wide range of academic and vocational courses.


In London alone, there are over 46 top sixth-form colleges. There

are several other leading sixth-form colleges in other parts of the UK all attracting thousands of students every.


It can be a daunting task to choose a sixth-form college in the UK for your child. Never mind, this list will help you greatly. I’ve listed some of the leading and best-performing sixth-form colleges in the UK below, feel free to go through them.


This list is informed by the resources we gathered online and further research we made on individual schools.

Please note that this list is not in any particular order.


Best Sixth-Form Colleges in the UK - 2023/2024


1.      Exeter Maths School, Exeter

Exeter Mathematics School is a state-funded, selective, co-educational school located in Exeter, Devon, UK. It was established in 2014 and is one of only two state-funded mathematics schools in the UK, the other being King's College London Mathematics School.


Exeter Maths School is definitely one of the best sixth-form colleges in the UK.


2.      King’s Maths School, London

Another Maths school on the list. King's Maths School is a state-funded, selective, co-educational school located in London, UK. It was established in 2014 and is dedicated to providing world-class education in mathematics to students aged 16-19.


Students will enjoy a wide range of enrichment activities, including lectures, workshops, and research projects, to support students' academic and personal development.


3.      London Academy of Excellence Stratford, London

Next on the list is London Academy of Excellence Stratford, a co-educational, sixth-form free school located in Stratford, London.


It was established in 2012 and is known for its rigorous academic standards, with a focus on preparing students for admission to top universities in the UK and around the world.


4.      Newham Collegiate Sixth Form Centre, London

Newham Collegiate Sixth Form Centre (NCS) is a state-funded, co-educational sixth-form college located in East Ham, London. It was founded in 2014.  They offer a wide range of A-level courses, including STEM subjects, humanities, and social sciences.


The college has a strong focus on preparing students for university with a particular emphasis on admission to top universities in the UK and around the world.


5.      St Dominic’s Sixth Form College, Harrow-on-the-Hill

St Dominic’s Sixth-Form College is arguably one of the best sixth-form colleges in the UK. The College is a 16 to 18 co-educational Catholic College, situated in Harrow on the Hill, North West London.


 Establsied in 1878, the school specialises in delivering high-quality level 3 courses, offering some 29 different A-levels and BTEC courses, suited to the needs of all our learners.


6.      Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form, Norwich

Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form, named after the renowned scientist Sir Isaac Newton. It offers a range of courses including A-levels, BTECs, and vocational qualifications.


The college aims to provide high-quality education to students and support them in achieving their goals, whether that be progressing to university or entering the workforce.


7.      Greenhead College, Huddersfield

Greenhead College ranks as one of the best sixth-form colleges in the UK. Greenhead College is a sixth form college located in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK.


The college was established in 1974 and has a strong reputation for academic excellence, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).


8.      Woodhouse College, London

Woodhouse College is a sixth form college located in North Finchley, London, UK. The college was founded in 1927 and provides education for students aged 16-19.


It offers a range of courses including A-levels, BTECs, and vocational qualifications.


9.      Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College (BHASVIC) Hove

Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College, commonly known as BHASVIC, is a sixth form college located in Hove, East Sussex, UK. It was founded in 1976.


The college has a strong reputation for academic excellence and has been consistently ranked as one of the top colleges in the UK.


10.  London Academy of Excellence Tottenham, London

The London Academy of Excellence Tottenham, commonly known as LAE Tottenham, is a sixth form college located in Tottenham, London, UK.


It was established in 2017. The campus has modern facilities, including state-of-the-art classrooms, science labs, and a library. LAT Tottenham remains one of the leading Colleges in the UK in 2024.


Best Sixth-Form Colleges in the UK 2023-2024


11.  Harris Westminster Sixth Form, London

Harris Westminster Sixth Form is a selective sixth form college located in Westminster, London, UK. It was founded in 2014 and offers a range of courses including A-levels and has a strong focus on academic excellence.


12.  Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge

The Hills Road Sixth-form College has a diverse student population and offers a supportive and inclusive learning environment. It was founded in 1974 and provides education for students aged 16-19.


The College also offers a range of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, drama, and a student-run radio station.


13.  Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College, Northwich

Sir John Deane's Sixth Form College is a sixth form college located in Northwich, Cheshire, UK. It was founded in 1557 and provides education for students aged 16-19.


The college offers a wide range of courses including A-levels, BTECs, and vocational qualifications. Today, the college remains one of the best sixth-form colleges in the UK.


14.  Peter Symonds College, Winchester

Another leading sixth-form college on the list is Peter Symonds College. Peter Symonds College has a strong reputation for academic excellence and has been consistently ranked as one of the top colleges in the UK.


The college has a diverse student population and offers a supportive and inclusive learning environment.


15.  Winstanley College, Wigan

Winstanley College is a sixth form college located in Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. It was founded in 1978. The school leads as one of the best colleges in the UK for students.


The college has a strong track record of students progressing to top universities in the UK and abroad, and of alumni pursuing successful careers in various fields.


16.  Harington School, Oakham

Harington School is a co-educational state-funded secondary school located in Oakham, Rutland, United Kingdom.


The school was established in 2018 and offers a comprehensive education for students aged 16-19 years.


17.  Cardinal Newman Collegem, Preston

Cardinal Newman College is a Catholic Sixth Form College located in Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom.


Alongside rich academic curriculum, Cardinal Newman College also places a strong emphasis on personal development and enrichment, with a range of extra-curricular activities available to students, including sports teams, music groups, drama clubs, and volunteering opportunities.


18.  The Sixth Form College Farnborough, Farnborough

The Sixth Form College Farnborough is a state-funded sixth form college located in Farnborough, Hampshire, United Kingdom. The college was established in 1971.


The college has strong links with local employers and higher education institutions to support students' transition into the workforce or further education, which is one of the many reasons students prefer it.


19.  Callywith College, Bodmin

Callywith College places a strong emphasis on personal development and enrichment, with a wide range of extra-curricular activities available to students, including sports teams, music groups, drama clubs, and volunteering opportunities.


The college has a supportive and inclusive environment and values diversity and equality. The college was established in 2017.


20.  Bilborough Sixth Form College, Nottingham

Bilborough Sixth Form College is a state-funded sixth-formcollege located in Bilborough, Nottingham, United Kingdom.


The college was established in 1987 and has maintained its reputation as one of the leading Sixth Form Colleges in the UK.


21.  The College of Richard Collyer, Horsham

Here is another nice sixth-form college form for your teenager. The College of Richard Collyer, commonly known as Collyer's, is a state-funded sixth-form college located in Horsham, West Sussex, United Kingdom.


The college was established in 1532. It’s one of the best sixth-form colleges in the UK in 2024.


22.  Esher Sixth Form College, Thames Ditton

Esher Sixth Form College is a state-funded sixth-form college located in Thames Ditton, Surrey, United Kingdom.


The college was established in 1977 and offers a wide range of academic courses, including A-levels, BTECs, and vocational courses in subjects such as Art & Design, Business, Humanities, Languages, Science, and more.


23.  Richard Huish College, Taunton

Ranking as a leading College in the United Kingdom, Richard Huish College offers a wide range of academic courses, including A-levels, BTECs, and vocational courses in subjects such as Art & Design, Business, Health & Social Care, Humanities, Languages, Science, and more.


The school has a strong focus on academic excellence and provides excellent facilities, including modern classrooms, science labs, and IT suites.


24.  Loreto Sixth Form College, Manchester

Established in 1851, the college has a strong track record of academic achievement, with many students going on to study at top universities in the UK and abroad.


It also has a strong commitment to social justice and community engagement, with many students involved in social action projects and volunteering in the local community.


25.  Godalming College, Godalming

Godalming College is a state-funded sixth form college located in Godalming, Surrey, United Kingdom. The college was established in 1975 and provides education to students aged 16-19 years.


It has a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness, with initiatives such as a bike-to-school scheme, recycling facilities, and energy-saving measures in place.


Below is a list of the other top sixth-form colleges in the UK


26.  Hereford Sixth Form College, Hereford

27.  John Leggott Sixth Form College, Scunthorpe

28.  King Edward VI College Stourbridge, Stourbridge

29.  Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough

30.  Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College, Leicester

31.  Reigate College, Reigate

East Norfolk Sixth Form College, Great Yarmouth

32.  New College Pontefract, Pontefract

33.  Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington

34.  The Blackpool Sixth Form College, Blackpool

35.  Holy Cross College, Bury

36.  Shrewsbury Colleges Group, Shrewsbury

37.  Barton Peveril Sixth Form College, Eastleigh

38.  Notre Dame RC Sixth Form College, Leeds,

39.  Melton Vale Sixth Form College, Melton Mowbray

40.  Wyke Sixth Form College, Hull

41.  Rochdale Sixth Form College, Rochdale

42.  Queen Mary’s College, Basingstoke

43.  Carmel College St Helens

44.  Scarborough Sixth Form College (S6F), Scarborough

45.  Cirencester College, Cirencester

46.  Aquinas College, Stockport

47.  Woking College, Woking

48.  Xaverian College, Manchester

49.  Ashton Sixth Form College, Ashton-under-Lyne

50.  The Sixth-form College Colchester

51.  Bexhill College Bexhill-On-Sea


There you have it for the best sixth-form colleges in the Uk guys, thanks for reading the article. Don’t miss out on informative and fun content on our social media platforms, kindly give us a follow:

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Bukki Bello

Content Lead

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