Accommodation
As a boarding school located within the heart of Cambridge, Abbey College Cambridge offers boarding accommodation in more than 400 student rooms, all located either on-campus or within a few minutes’ walk of Abbey College Cambridge. All of our student accommodation is of the highest possible standard, and we offer a room and board options to suit any student requirement.
ABBEY HOUSE
Our Abbey House student boarding house is located on campus. 118 single ensuite bedrooms are offered on campus. All rooms are offered on a full-board basis, twin rooms are also available. Priority for our Abbey House boarding house is given to our younger students (aged 13 – 16 on arrival). Features include:
- Fully catered (3 meals per day, 7 days per week)
- Live-in house parents
- WiFi
- Secure access
- Designated male and female floors
- Weekend activities organised by our boarding team
- Communal social and study areas
- CCTV in operation and security on site 24/7
- Room cleaning
- Weekly linen and towel change
- Access to Laundry facilities (students aged 13 – 15 have their laundry sent offsite once per week)
- In room safe
- Secure bicycle storage
Abbey House Location
TRIPOS COURT
Located a 5 minute walk from Abbey College Cambridge, we offer 106 single ensuite rooms. Tripos Court is available to students aged 16 – 21 years on arrival. Features include:
- Fully catered (3 meals per day, 7 days per week)
- Live-in house parents
- Wi Fi
- Secure access
- Designated male and female blocks
- Communal social and study areas
- CCTV in operation and security on site 24/7
- Room cleaning and on-site laundry
- Weekly towel change
- Communal kitchenettes
- Secure bicycle storage
- In room safe
- Weekend activities organised by our boarding team
Tripos Court Location
ORCHARD HOUSE
Our new Orchard boarding house is located off campus a short walk away from the College, we offer 45+ single room accommodation at Orchard House. Orchard House is available to students aged 17+ on arrival. Features include:
- Single bed
- Designated male and female blocks
- Study desk
- WiFi
- Clothes wardrobe
- Safe for personal items
- Shared bathroom
- Weekly room clean
- Access to onsite Laundry facilities
- Half board meals
- Students cook for themselves at weekends and in the holidays
- Weekend brunch service
- Two large common rooms
- Secure bicycle storage
- Outdoor recreation space
- Basketball court
Orchard House Location
PURBECK HOUSE
Located immediately opposite college, offering 124 single ensuite rooms (some single studio rooms are available for conversion into twin rooms if required). Purbeck House is available to students in Year 13 only.
- Fully catered (3 meals per day, 7 days per week)
- Live-in house parents
- Wi Fi
- Secure access
- Designated male and female blocks
- Communal social and study areas
- CCTV in operation and security on site 24/7
- Room cleaning and on-site laundry
- Weekly towel change
- In room kitchen facilities for light snacks
- Secure bicycle storage
- In room safe
- Weekend activities organised by our boarding team
Purbeck House Location
HOST FAMILY
Students interested in staying with a host family should contact Stephanie Stafford, Head of Accommodation and Student Services for further information and availability. Please note we have no availability for students joining us in September 2023.
Our host families provide an opportunity to experience British family life whilst studying. Full Board accommodation is offered, with all students having their own single study bedroom. Host families offer many different room types of home, accommodating between 2 and 4 students. All of our host families are located within the city of Cambridge, within walking distance of school (10-40 minute walk), and are fully DBS Police checked and personally vetted by our Head of Accommodation and Student Services. Features include:
- Full Board catering
- WiFi
- Secure access
- Room cleaning
- Weekly linen change
- Towels
- Secure bicycle storage
- Weekend activities organised by our boarding team
ACCOMMODATION FEES AND APPLYING
2024/25 Accommodation Fees
BOARDING HOUSE & ROOM TYPE | |
| Abbey House – Standard Single – Full Board | £27,100 per year |
| Abbey House – Superior Single – Full Board | £28,800 per year |
| Abbey House – Superior Twin – Full Board | £22,200 per year |
| Purbeck House – Studio – Full Board | £29,500 per year |
| Purbeck House – Apartment – Full Board | £31,300 per year |
| Purbeck House – Twin – Full Board | £22,900 per year |
| Tripos Court – Standard Single – Full Board | £24,000 per year |
| Orchard House – Standard Single – Half Board | £19,900 per year |
| Host Family – Range – Half Board (fully booked for September 2023) | £12,000 – £18,100 per year |
Applying for Accommodation
Students should apply for accommodation as soon as they have accepted a place to study at Abbey College Cambridge. Students must complete their Accommodation Application Form and return it to the Accommodation Team making a note of any specific preferences or special requirements that they have, which will be met if possible.
Accommodation Terms and Conditions
Upon the successful receipt of the Accommodation application form the accommodation team will confirm accommodation by booking letter. Rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis. Bookings are for the academic year or for two terms from January of the academic year. In the event of an early departure, the accommodation fee is not refundable. Full terms and conditions are listed on the Terms and Conditions of the Enrolment form.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Boarding Principles and Practices
Abbey College Cambridge aims to provide boarding facilities of the highest standard to allow students to thrive in their educational studies. Students are given an appropriate degree of independence while boarding staff monitor and support a healthy and safe lifestyle. Great care is taken to help students adjust to being away from homes for what may be the first time. The ethos is of mutual respect which is maintained throughout the school and boarding and at all levels from the staff and students. Our students are cared for by members of the Boarding Team who live in the boarding house and who are available to help students at all times outside of the school day. Boarding staff take their meals with the students, organise social activities and are on hand for support and advice. The Boarding Team is led by the Director of Boarding.
Boarding Aim
“To build a safe and happy community where our students can develop the skills needed for future independent living, within a professional, supportive and nurturing environment.”
Inspection Reports
Our boarding accommodation is regularly inspected to ensure student health and safety requirements are met. Latest ISI inspection report can be found here.
Holiday Accommodation
Students living in our halls of residence or in host families may only remain in their accommodation for half term holidays and Easter break. In other years all college accommodation closes during the three week Christmas break, and during the summer holiday. All students are encouraged to return home during the Christmas break. Any student wishing to stay in Cambridge over the Christmas holidays will need to arrange alternative accommodation. Our Accommodation Team cannot arrange accommodation for students over the Christmas period.
Please see our college term dates for more information.
Catering
Our College catering team provides students with daily fresh, nutritious meals and a range of healthy snack options. We also work to educate our students on how to make healthier food choices, and regularly consult with them to tailor menus to suit their tastes and preferences.
View our dining page to find out more.
Information and Guides
