6th Form
This is just the beginning
Since 1865 we have been forging an enviable reputation as a leading independent school where self-assured and grounded young adults are shaped with the ability to work with anyone, anywhere. For generations our pupils have influenced the modern world of science, sport, literature and the arts.
Our academic programme is broad and rightly challenging. We teach our pupils a deep and rich curriculum, developing their knowledge and fostering their curiosity. In addition to academic awareness, to thrive in a rapidly changing world, young people need confidence, integrity and initiative. The foundation for developing these characteristics is a stimulating, varied and well-balanced school curriculum. At Sixth Form we offer choice - delivering the International Baccalaureate and A levels alongside a rich balance of super-curriculum and co-curriculum motivation. In recent years our academic programme has expanded to include BTECs and CTEC.
When pupils enrol in the Sixth Form at Malvern College, they are choosing to invest in their future pathway to higher education and subsequent career. We partner vast opportunities with deeprooted support ensuring our young people are ready for success.
Jennifer Major Head of Sixth Form, Malvern College
“Malvern College is a real calling card, and waiting lists to get into the Sixth Form are testament to this. Students come from 46 overseas countries, so it’s a cosmopolitan campus, giving pupils a global life outlook on life, not to mention a lifelong network of friends around the world.”
Muddy Stilettos School Review
A destination and a journey
A place of innovation, a seat of learning, a home away from home
For over 160 years, Malvern has been recognised as a school that is the epitome of a classic English education. A rich heritage of academic excellence is woven into the fabric of our architecture, where ideas can reach new heights, to be as expansive and inspiring as the views.
Take a walk through the grounds and you can feel the vibrations of a noble past, following the footsteps of CS Lewis, Francis William Aston, Edward B Titchener, Baron MacLaurin of Knebworth, James Meade, and Professor Sir Chris Whitty. A new generation of Malvern alumni, who excelled in the classrooms and studios, on sports pitches and under the spotlight, have also paved the way to make Malvern a dynamic school where every pupil thrives.
But above all, Malvern is a home. A safe place where potential is uncovered, where ambitions are discovered, and childhood is enjoyed. Where pupils are encouraged, supported and nurtured. They have every opportunity to achieve – not just academically – so that they can transform their future and the lives of those around them.
Growth and transformation
Building the self-confidence to step out boldly into the world
Malvern pupils develop confidence, adaptability and resilience. Our young adults are prepared to make their mark, pushing boundaries to transform themselves, and their world.
Through our academic, super-curricular and co-curricular programmes, we teach the importance of the human values enshrined in the ‘Malvern Qualities’. All pupils follow the Malvern Award, with Sixth Formers aiming to achieve Bronze, Silver or Gold status.
The principles of our educational philosophy at the College are highly valued internationally. We have developed a worldwide network of schools that serves to extend that global recognition. Across all our family of schools we are able to share best practice, provide extensive international learning opportunities and extend the professional development opportunities for our staff.
As a Sixth Form pupil, you will be involved in the super-curriculum. This unique curriculum is entirely pupil-led. It enables pupils to individualise their curriculum choice whilst supporting the academic core of their International Baccalaureate, BTEC, CTEC, or A level courses.
Learning and achievement
Awakening a passion for life-long learning
At Malvern, our pupils do more than just remember and recite facts. By encouraging curiosity and diversity of thought, we ensure each pupil develops a well-rounded approach to learning.
Academic progress is underpinned by a robust support network and classwork and homework are complemented by a programme of lectures and educational visits designed to inform and inspire.
The Sixth Form nurtures each individual pupil’s research and learning capabilities, equipping them not only for success in their exams, but also life beyond Malvern College. We are one of the leading International Baccalaureate schools in the UK and offer 26 subjects both for A level and IB, providing every pupil with a pathway to suit their requirements and wider aspirations.
Since 2024, we have extended our Sixth Form curriculum by introducing BTEC and CTEC qualifications, further broadening the range of academic pathways available. These courses offer pupils greater flexibility and choice, allowing them to shape a timetable that reflects their individual strengths, interests, and future ambitions. Whether combining vocational and academic studies or focusing on a particular discipline, pupils can build a personalised programme that truly supports their goals beyond Malvern College.
Our Sixth Form academic programmes International Baccalaureate (IB)
levels
“Judging
by the hordes of delightful, down-to-earth pupils with big grins on their faces, you get the impression that it is a very happy environment. One of Malvern’s many strengths (and where some schools fall short) is enforcing discipline, and it is run as a nicely tight ship.”
Talk Education School Review
Malvern pupils are taking places at 8/10 top ranked UK universities* and attending 3 out of the top ten QS World Ranking Universities.
*Complete Universities Guide 2026
Results and destinations
Providing the tools to succeed as modern leaders.
Our Tutor system provides well-considered academic support for each pupil throughout their school career. Tutor groups are co-educational and from a mixture of Houses to ensure balance and integration.
In the Sixth Form, pupils have the opportunity to choose their own Tutor, giving them autonomy to make the decisions that matter to them, further strengthening their life at Malvern.
With dedicated departments for both UK university applications and international universities, including the USA, Canada and Europe, the College provides outstanding support to all pupils in their onward journey. We have expert staff on-hand to advise on making applications to study Medicine and Veterinary Science.
Pupils typically go onto Russell Group universities including: Oxford, Cambridge, Warwick, London School of Economics, Imperial College London, University College London, Durham, Edinburgh, King’s College London, St Andrews, Bath, Bristol and Exeter. Popular European university choices include Amsterdam, Maastricht, Bocconi (Milan), Sciences Po (Paris), IEU (Madrid) and TU, Delft, (The Netherlands).
Malvern College is a SAT exam centre and is well-placed to prepare pupils for entrance procedures to American universities. Top university choices in the USA and Canada include Chicago, Harvard, Brown, North Eastern, NYU, Princeton and McGill (Canada).
Some of our pupils choose degree apprenticeships across the globe; and advice and guidance about the world of work is given to all pupils by independent careers advisors and former pupils.
In 2025, 90% of IB candidates achieved 7-5
(equivalent to A*-B grades at A level)
2025 Results:
Combining the 2025 IB and A level scores into UCAS Tariff points, this equates to an average result of:
at A level
International Baccalaureate or A levels
Both courses are academically rigorous.
Given the choice available to pupils joining the Sixth Form, Malvern provides a great deal of guidance in helping pupils to choose which course would be best for them. Individual tutors, the Head of Sixth Form, subject teachers and those members of staff responsible for university admissions are all able to provide advice as to what subjects would be most suitable for a particular pupil.
It is not possible to generalise about whether a pupil should study A levels or the IB. However, some general guidelines are set out below:
A levels enable early specialisation which may suit some pupils wishing to apply for university courses in, for example, engineering or medicine (it should be stressed that the IB provides an equally good, although broader, route into these two areas).
Although all major university systems recognise and support both A levels and the IB, those pupils wishing to study in the US will find that the breadth provided by the IB is particularly well suited to the US ‘liberal arts’ approach to university education.
Malvern offers a wide range of subjects for the IB. Most subjects are available at both Higher and Standard Levels, including German A Language and Literature.
Our IB course is recognised by, and appears on the Vector School List, which enables pupils to get full abitur status - even with Maths SL.
The requirements of IB that a pupil must study Mathematics and an additional language other than their mother tongue may put some pupils off, but Spanish is taught on the IB at Malvern assuming no prior knowledge at all.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Malvern has the enviable reputation of being one of the top IB schools in the UK, with candidates in the last 5 years achieving an average of 36 points.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) has been available in the Sixth Form at Malvern since 1992. It is now followed by approximately 2,300 schools worldwide, and every year this number increases. It is a recognised route to all of the world’s top universities. However, the IB is much more than simply a route to university. The IB ethos is to educate the whole person and provide the necessary skills to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Malvern offers a wide range of subjects for the IB. Most subjects are available at both Higher and Standard level, with more teaching hours dedicated to those studying at a Higher Level. Pupils typically take three subjects at Higher Level and three at Standard Level.
Structure
Group 1: Language A
Group 2: Language B
Group 3: Individuals & Society
Group 4: Experimental Sciences
Group 5: Mathematics
Group 6: The Arts & Electives
All pupils must choose a subject from each subject group except for Visual Arts, with the sixth subject to be chosen from any of the subject groups. Links are made between subjects and pupils are given opportunities for independent learning in all subjects, with coursework a part of the assessment in most subjects.
As well as studying their chosen subjects, pupils complete the IB core requirements.
The Theory of Knowledge course seeks to promote in a pupil a questioning attitude to each of their subjects. It develops the skills to enable them to test the validity of arguments and the strength of evidence.
Each pupil does an Extended Essay, a 4,000-word research paper on a topic of the pupil’s choosing.
The Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) component ensures pupils are learning experientially, developing skills in entirely new areas and building their strengths whilst at the same time discovering new talents.
A levels
Pupils will study either three subjects or four subjects throughout their two years in the Sixth Form.
Malvern offers a broad range of A level subjects and pupils may choose either to specialise in a particular area such as sciences for those wishing to become, for example, doctors or engineers, or offer a wide spread of subjects in the case of pupils who may not be sure what they wish to study in advanced education.
The teaching staff at Malvern offer a great deal of advice to pupils about their choices and their suitability for specific subjects, a particular degree course, or career path. Our aim is to ensure that each pupil chooses the most appropriate subjects, given their abilities and interests, and their longer-term objectives.
A focus on independent learning throughout the Sixth Form aims to equip pupils with the skills and desire to be responsible for their own learning with the ultimate goal of preparing them to perform strongly at university and in subsequent work environments.
A level subjects offered include*: English Literature
French, German, Greek, Latin, Spanish
Business Studies, Classical Civilisations, Economics, Geography, Government and Politics, History, Psychology, Religious Studies
Biology, Chemistry, Design Technology, Physics, Physical Education
Mathematics, Further Mathematics
Art, Drama, Music, Photography
*subject to demand
Enrichment programmes:
» EPQ
» Global Perspectives AS
» Further Maths AS
» L3 Core Maths
» MOOCs (Massive
Open Online Courses)
» Gold Arts Award
» Private language tuition
Scholarships and Bursaries
Putting pupils on the path to great heights
Malvern scholars are expected to have the desire and appetite for continual learning, challenging thought processes, being curious, interested, determined and with the motivation to develop intellectually.
We set high expectations for all of our scholars and award holders, not just in the pursuit of excellence but in conduct and behaviour, setting the highest standards and acting as role models within College.
Scholarships are awarded to those with exceptional talent and means-tested bursaries are also available*.
Many of our scholars go on to attend the elite universities of the UK and the world.
“Academic scholars at Malvern are given enormous opportunities to allow them to flourish and fly. Scholars at Malvern take the lead. We expect them to lead both in and beyond the classroom and in the societies.”
*Bursaries are available to UK pupils
*Scholarships are for external applicants
We offer 16+ scholarships:
Academic
Sport
Music
Drama
Art
Design & Technology
Visual Arts
Photography
Life in Sixth Form
A transformational learning space
Each pupil has their own needs and their own ambitions. When you're part of the Malvern family, we make sure those needs are understood to help pupils on their journey.
Sixth Form is a stepping stone to university and the wider world. Pupils at Malvern College enjoy freedom and independence, and our House staff are always on-hand to provide that extra bit of guidance when needed.
The Sixth Form timetable means that there is plenty of time for new experiences, co-curricular clubs and opportunities alongside pupils’ academic commitments.
As well as outings at weekends and evenings we also have an on-site bar called the Longy, where our Sixth Form pupils can let off steam and meet their friends.
In September 2024, we opened a new contemporary Sixth Form Centre in the Memorial Library. Spread over two floors, it houses a series of versatile areas that are used for independent, self-directed study as well as group and teamwork, providing diverse working zones. It is modelled on the learning spaces found throughout universities, preparing our pupils for life after Malvern College.
“Good news for sixth-formers comes in the shape of a phenomenal new sixth-form centre.”
Talk Education School Review
A second family
Lifelong friendships forged in the Malvern foothills
Boarding provision at Malvern gives pupils the advantages of a transformational education and it helps them develop social skills, emotional intelligence, cultural awareness and an open-minded approach to the society that they are, and will be, a part of. It also affords pupils the space and time in which to grow and thrive, with the support and care of our experienced House Teams.
Naturally, the College recognises the changing needs of contemporary family life, supporting families so they can achieve the optimal balance between school, home life and work commitments. So whilst we are proud of our Full Boarding School status and the opportunities that it offers, we have two further options. Day Boarding is perfect for families who want the benefits of boarding over three nights per week. Day Pupils have extended opportunities to access benefits open to our Boarders.
Upon leaving Malvern College, you join a rich network of contacts and fellow Malvern alumni with automatic and life-long membership to the Malvernian Society. The Society exists to nurture connections and to share experiences. There are regular reunions and events hosted around the globe, allowing you business networking opportunities and career support.
This really is a place where lifelong friendships are forged and run deep.
“The boarding houses are among the nicest we’ve visited – warm, welcoming and as non-institutional as it’s possible to be in a school setting.”
The Good Schools Guide 2022