Meet just a few of our A-level students...

Altyn Sincheva Sakinah Badamasuiy Cheuk Him NG (Nigel) Sharjil Hannan Chinemelu Ezeh Amber Wheatley

Altyn Sincheva

Country: Kazakhstan
Results: AAABC
Destination: Durham University, studying Economics & Politics

"I originally wanted to go to study in Torquay, and had been researching that area for several years, but then I found CATS College Cambridge and within two weeks I had changed my mind!

There’s a friendly atmosphere, the teachers are lovely and so helpful and always available. There’s an international community here so it feels like an exciting place to be and with Cambridge University so close you get to mix with all the students. There’s always something ‘on.’

My Personal Tutor is Anna. I love her. She’s the best teacher in college, she amazing, so helpful, the best! There are no words to describe her; she’s been like a parent to me. We meet every day and talk about news and life. We have personal chats as well as ones about school. She teaches me lots of different things too, for example about all the different colleges in Cambridge.

I attended a lot of University preparation sessions, which were really useful. They gave a lot of advice about my UCAS application, suggested a reading list and did mock interviews with me – teaching me how to present myself and how to hold myself – keeping eye contact and how to sit and things. They also gave me help to prepare me for the questions, both the Economics and the general ones, so I knew what to expect.

My Time Management lessons were really helpful. They taught me how to best use my time and my teacher and I developed a timetable which I use all the time now.

My homestay family are marvellous! They look after me like real a mother and father. If the weather is bad, they bring me to school, they buy me little presents and they really care for me. And the food is really nice.

My advice to someone thinking of coming to CATS is to be prepared. It can be difficult at first, but once you get to know people the teachers and students, things get much better. I’ve been really happy here!"

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Sakinah Badamasuiy

Country: Nigeria
Results: A*A*A
Destination: London School of Economics (LSE), studying Government & Economics

"I found CATS College by searching online. I didn’t know where I wanted to go, but I wanted somewhere with a real international feel but that was also highly academic, and CATS met all the criteria.

I think it’s perfect for someone from Nigeria or overseas as it is so International and the classes are really small so you get a lot of attention and support which is a massive advantage. Also Cambridge is a fantastic city; it’s very academic with a lot of high-achieving people which is inspirational.

I see my Personal Tutor every day and we get on really well. Last year my PT was also my maths teacher, so I got a lot of extra lessons and help. This year my PT is the exams officer, so I can get all the past papers and things. They also provide emotional support and advice – I see them more as friends than teachers.

When I came to CATS, I was asked what my ambitions were and what I wanted to do in the future. I was given help finding the right university courses for me and which A Levels I would need to do them. As a result I decided to study History, which I was apprehensive about as I had never studied it before and was three months behind the rest of the class. But with the help of my teacher and a lot of extra classes, I managed to catch up in just a term. 

We have a three week cycle of weekly assignments here. It’s hard work, but it really helps me to revise and stops me falling behind.

The University preparation was really good. We had a lot of meetings and sessions about how to apply and then we had mock interviews. The Higher Education Service also arranged meetings with a lot of Cambridge Dons which was brilliant.

I really like my accommodation. I share a house with four other girls and we’re all really close-knit and get on well. They’re like my family."

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Cheuk Him NG (Nigel)

Country: Hong Kong
Results: AAAB
Destination: Nottingham University, studying Law

"When I received my exam results in Hong Kong, I was worried because they were not good enough for me to get into the top local universities. I started to look for UFPs and A Level programmes in the UK and Australia. Eventually I narrowed my choice down to CATS and Belleby’s – the two most popular colleges in HK.

I chose CATS because I think it is less commercial and more interested in students and their results. Also, I chose not to study in London because it doesn’t feel very safe, especially at night.
Cambridge is much more pleasant and feels like a place to study. It’s quite small but if you’re bored, you can always find something to do. There’s always somewhere to go and always some entertainment available, but not too much to make you forget that you’re here to study.

I get on well with my Personal Tutor. She’s very task-oriented and efficient, so she makes sure I work hard. We discuss problems and issues I may have, and we set regular targets for my work and she gives me revision and improvement advice.

The staff here are really good – they’re well educated and a lot of them are Doctors. They’re always willing to provide support and Cambridge is a nice place, next to the Cambridge Union chamber. I have weekly assignments, which is good preparation for university. It’s a good way to keep track of my subjects and help me see if I am falling behind.

The Higher Education team have been useful. They produced an Oxbridge information pack giving tips and advice about applying to those Universities. They also did sessions and meetings, but I didn’t attend them. It’s a nice experience to study in a different environment and atmosphere."

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Sharjil Hannan

Country: Oman
Results: AABB
Destination: studying Economics

"When we first moved to Switzerland from Oman I needed to find a new school to continue my A-Level studies. I applied to many boarding schools in the UK but none were willing to take me from year 13. CATS College was considerate enough to take me on from year 13 and I have really enjoyed my time here.

The best thing about CATS is that the students are so diverse; it’s a real international school which I have found interesting.

The best thing about studying in the UK is that if I choose to stay here for university, I am already prepared for the lifestyle, language and culture.

The best thing about life in Cambridge is that there is so much academic history, you can really feel it. It’s been very inspiring for me!"

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Chinemelu Ezeh

Country: Nigeria
Results: A*A*A
Destination: Imperial College London, studying Electrical & Electronic Engineering with Management

"For me, the best thing about studying at CATS College Canterbury is the freedom that's offered to students.

Also, we're a close-knit environment, like a family of students from all over the world.

I've found that my time here has provided me with a lot of opportunities and taught me how to live a balanced life."

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Amber Wheatley

Country: British Virgin Isles
Results: ABBC
Destination: Cardiff University, studying Biomedical Science

"I came to CATS College Cambridge following a personal recommendation for my Aunt who came here 7 years ago. I really like it. It’s not a like a traditional school, if you want to do something different you will be supported by the teachers. There are more opportunities here than I would have at home. I’m treated more like an adult.

Since I came here I have developed so much as a person. I have become more confident and outgoing; I am more willing to try new experiences and can do things I would never have dared to do before.
I have taken up ballet following classes at the school, I was in the school band, I took part in the music club, I joined the Science Club and am a mentor for other students. Also, with the help of a member of CATS staff I have just set up a hair braiding business.

They have supported me to achieve my goals too – helping me to complete the UCAS application process and helping me to find work experience at the hospital. The teachers are really friendly and outgoing. They’ve really helped me with my confidence – it’s impossible to be shy at CATS!

So I’d say, if you want to move away from a small island, both emotionally and physically, come to CATS – you won’t regret it."

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