Cherwell College Oxford’s A-Level Step Up Programme

Oxford A-Level Programme, snapshot:

  • Start Date: August/September 2025
  • Duration: 1 year (3 terms: Michaelmas 2025 – Trinity 2026)
  • Age Group: 18–19-year-olds (recent A-Level, IB, or high school graduates; or first-year undergraduates exploring new pathways)
  • Entry Requirements: Minimum English level B2 CEFR
  • Special Features:
    • Two exclusive bootcamps in Oxford (University of Oxford) and California (UC Berkeley SCET)
    • Option of an extra summer term in California
    • Modules in innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership, venture creation, startup finance, and pitching
  • Ideal for:
    • Students seeking clarity on academic or career direction
    • Aspiring entrepreneurs or innovators
    • Undergraduates considering a change in discipline or approach

A Fast-Track A-Level Experience with Global Perspective

Cherwell College Oxford has launched the A-Level Step Up Programme, a one-year intensive course crafted for students looking to sharpen their academic focus, explore new disciplines, or gain practical entrepreneurial experience before progressing to university or professional pathways. Designed for 18–19-year-olds, this programme begins in September (with the possibility of August pre-sessional) and runs over three terms, offering a unique bridge between secondary education and higher academic or career ambitions.
Unlike traditional two-year A-Level routes, the Step Up Programme delivers a focused curriculum in just one academic year. While gaining formal qualifications, students are also immersed in a forward-thinking environment that fosters critical thinking, innovation, and leadership. The course is ideal for recent A-Level, IB or high school graduates, and first-year undergraduates considering a shift in academic direction or career aspirations.

Entrepreneurship Meets Academic Excellence

What makes the Step Up Programme stand out is its dynamic approach to learning. Alongside A-Level subject study, students take part in two exclusive bootcamps — one in Oxford, hosted in collaboration with the University of Oxford, and another at UC Berkeley’s Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology (SCET) in California.
These bootcamps provide hands-on, real-world exposure to the world of innovation and entrepreneurship. Topics include:

  • Venture Fundamentals
  • Business Models & Go-to-Market Strategies
  • Startup Finances & Fundraising
  • Entrepreneurial Mindset & Leadership
  • Customer-Centric Thinking
  • Pitching Techniques

This practical curriculum empowers students to develop confidence, creativity, and adaptability — all vital traits in today’s ever-evolving global economy.

A Strong Academic Core with a Broad Range of Subjects

At the heart of the Step Up Programme is a solid academic foundation. Students study three A-Level subjects, selected from a comprehensive list that includes:
Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Politics, History, Economics, Business, Art, English Literature, and Computer Science. These facilitating subjects form the core of the one-year intensive curriculum, ensuring students meet university entrance requirements and academic benchmarks. Whether aiming for degrees in science, the humanities, economics, or the arts, students receive rigorous subject-specific preparation while developing valuable academic discipline and critical thinking skills.

Who Should Apply?

The A-Level Step Up Programme is designed for:

  • 18–19-year-olds who have completed A-Levels, IB, or high school studies
  • Students with a minimum English level of B2 CEFR
  • Individuals with an interest in technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, or those exploring a more purposeful academic direction

Whether you’re taking a strategic gap year, preparing for university, or exploring entrepreneurial ambitions, this course provides a powerful foundation.

An Optional Term in California

For students seeking further global exposure, the programme offers an optional summer term in California, placing them at the heart of Silicon Valley. This unique opportunity allows direct interaction with startup ecosystems, mentors, and investors, and offers a deeper understanding of how to thrive in high-impact, technology-driven environments.

Why the Step Up Programme is a Game-Changer

The A-Level Step Up Programme isn’t just a fast-track A-Level option — it’s a transformational year that encourages students to think beyond the classroom. It equips them with the tools, networks, and mindset to make informed academic and career choices. By integrating academic study with entrepreneurial training and global experience, Cherwell College Oxford offers a pre-university course like no other.

Find Out More

To learn more about the A-Level Step Up Programme, visit www.cherwell-college.co.uk or contact the admissions team directly at admissions@cherwell-college.co.uk or call +44 (0) 1865 242670