Rochester Independent College
- Boarding school
- Private school
- School
- International college
- College
- Full-time
- english
About the Rochester Independent College
Rochester Independent College (RIC) was founded in 1984 as an alternative to traditional boarding schools. Located in the historic city of Rochester, Kent, the college is housed in the buildings of a former Victorian school and offers an informal, supportive environment. The college is known for its progressive approach, lack of uniform and hierarchy, and focus on university preparation, especially through A-Level and Foundation programs. RIC positions itself as an "anti-boarding school," emphasizing individual responsibility and "adult-adult" relationships between students and teachers. The educational philosophy of Rochester Independent College is based on principles of flexibility, individual approach, and creating a university-like atmosphere. The uniqueness of the college lies in its rejection of many formal traditions: there are no mandatory assemblies, house systems, or strict dress codes here. Instead, practices include a flexible schedule, small class sizes, intensive exam preparation, and constant feedback. The college specializes in "rebooting" students' academic careers, students who may not have realized their potential in more traditional schools. Rochester Independent College plays an important niche role in the British education system, offering an alternative path for students who do not fit into the strict and formal environment of traditional boarding schools. Its reputation is a place where students are prepared for university without unnecessary formalities, where individuality and academic results are valued. The college has an impact, providing a second chance and helping students achieve their goals. The institution's main goals are to achieve outstanding results in A-Level exams, develop independent learning skills necessary for university, and cultivate confident, critical-thinking young individuals.
MoreLoading...
Admission conditions in Rochester Independent College
The admission process at RIC is individual and informal, aimed at evaluating the student's motivation and potential for successful study in a less structured environment. Required exams: Entrance exams are not mandatory. International students are required to provide proof of English proficiency (IELTS or internal college test). Minimum age: 15 years old (for GCSE program). 16+ for A-Level and Foundation programs. Application process: The application is done through an online form on the official website or upon request. The process begins with an informal inquiry or visit to the college. Educational qualifications: Providing transcripts for the last 2-3 years. Special attention is paid to the current level in subjects the student plans to study. Required documents: Completed application, transcripts, recommendation from previous school (sometimes), personal essay/statement of purpose. Requirements for international students: English language proficiency level of at least IELTS 5.5 for A-Level. All documents must be translated into English. A guardian residing in the UK is required. Financial conditions: International students need to demonstrate financial stability. A deposit payment is required. Application deadlines: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The college is flexible with regards to start dates. Testing or interview: Mandatory informal interview with the admissions director or academic leader (in person or online). A short entrance test in a subject may be required. Qualifications or experience: The student's motivation and readiness for independent work are considered. Past academic failures are not necessarily a barrier if there is potential for growth. Notification of results: The decision on enrollment is usually communicated quickly, within a few days after the interview.
MoreMinimum rating for admission to Rochester Independent College
The college conducts individual assessment. There are no strict minimum scores. The main thing is to demonstrate the potential for successful study of the chosen subjects at A-Level.
Prospects after completing studies in Rochester Independent College
Graduates of Rochester Independent College successfully enter a wide range of universities in the UK, including Russell Group universities (such as the University of Warwick, University of Exeter, King's College London), as well as universities for studying creative specialties (art, design, drama). The College pays special attention to assisting with the application process through UCAS, including writing personal statements.
Title | Age | Period |
|---|---|---|
| GCSE Program | 15+ | 1 year |
| A Level | 16+ | 2 years |
| Foundation Program | 17+ | 1 year |
| Middle School | 13+ | 3 years |
| STEM Courses | 17+ | 1 year |
Leave a review
Loading...
Reviews
A good option for studying humanitarian disciplines. The child took the A-level program here. I want to especially note the teacher in additional English: for 2 years it was possible to raise the language by 2 levels. At the same time, children are not overwhelmed with a mountain of material for independent work. My son had time to play sports. With sports, there may be small difficulties if you want to engage in some kind of professionally, since the school does not have its own developed sports infrastructure. But, as far as I know, children who are professionally involved in sports are enrolled in sports sections in the city. Specifically, my child was engaged in rock climbing.
Read in fullRochester Independent College became interested when they chose the foundation program for their daughter. We planned to enter the university in the direction of art & design, so we were looking for a college option with an artistic bias. We turned to the Smapse agency with a request to choose options for us and are grateful to the employee Elena for competent advice and assistance with enrollment! As for the college itself, I liked that the school does not have such pressure as in the classic famous British schools, after which some children get mental problems and complexes for life! A small minus is that the school has a very small territory and, for example, there are no large sports fields for football, as in the same classical schools. But there's a fully equipped gym where you can work out for free, and the playground was with a new "smart coating"). Most of all, when getting acquainted with the college, we were struck by the level of students' work on graphics and painting. Part of the works is posted on the school's website, you can see. The school was recognized for outstanding achievements and innovations in the visual arts, which is fully justified!
Read in fullDid foundation in Rochester. Especially pleasant in college was the respectful attitude of the staff. Teachers and other school staff call each other by name. A creative space with particularly good training in the humanities and art. There were no problems with enrollment in the university - the curator helped a lot here. I am currently studying Arts Management at Goldsmith.
Read in fullIn 2019, they sent my 17-year-old son to study at the Rochester Independent. We were looking for a small school with a good teacher:student ratio due to the fact that our child was lost in a large class and it was difficult for him to communicate. The Rochester Independent has really small classes of 8 or 10 people. In some lessons, children sat around one large table with chairs rather than rows. They give a large selection of items on the A-level, and the list is constantly updated. A good option if you don't chase ratings.
Read in full