At a glance
Curriculum and academics
Hampstead Fine Arts College follows the British curriculum rather than the IB, with GCSEs in the lower years and A levels in the sixth form. The published programme spans a wide spread of arts, humanities and social science A levels alongside a smaller set of GCSE subjects, and students entering Year 9 follow an academic core with art, music and drama built in. A distinctive feature is the creative portfolio course, designed for students preparing a body of work for art foundation and creative degree applications.
The college was established in 1978 by the painters Nicholas Cochrane and Candida Cave, and that origin still shapes it. Art and the creative subjects are its recognised strength, taught in studio conditions with small class sizes and a strong record of progression to art foundation courses and creative universities. Because it is a specialist college rather than a full through school, families typically arrive for GCSE or sixth form rather than for the primary years. It appears in our guide to the London zones for international schools as one of the creative sixth form options in the north of the city.
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Hampstead Fine Arts College fees
Hampstead Fine Arts College publishes its tuition by course on its admissions pages, and fees sit in the premium tier of our London fees guide, with reported figures from around GBP 28,000 a year. Because the rate is revised each year, families should confirm the current figure directly with the college rather than relying on a fixed number.
Budget also for materials and studio costs, examination entry fees, and the portfolio expenses that come with the creative courses. As a non boarding day college there is no boarding charge, though the central north London location carries the usual commuting cost. To estimate the full annual cost of a place here, use our fee calculator.
Admissions
Admission is by application and interview rather than a single competitive examination, with entry points at Year 9, Year 10 for GCSE, and Year 12 for the sixth form, plus places on the portfolio course. The college looks at prior school reports, a portfolio or work sample where relevant, and a conversation about subject choices and creative direction. This makes it a practical option for students moving into London mid course, including those joining for the sixth form alone.
For the most popular entry point, sixth form A level entry, families should apply in the year before the September start so that subject combinations can be confirmed. Portfolio course applicants discuss their intended progression route as part of the process, since the course is built around individual creative goals.
Location and who goes there
The college is at Centre Studios on England's Lane in Belsize Park, in the London Borough of Camden, a short walk from Belsize Park and Chalk Farm Underground stations and close to Hampstead and Primrose Hill. It draws students from across north and central London, including families in Hampstead, Camden, Islington and St John's Wood who want a small creative environment rather than a large mainstream school.
The intake reflects that creative pull, mixing British students with international families drawn to London for the arts, and older students who have chosen the college specifically for its art and portfolio routes. For how this corner of north London compares with central and west options on commute and cost, see the London city hub.
Hampstead Fine Arts College reviews
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Frequently asked questions
How much are Hampstead Fine Arts College fees?
The college publishes its tuition by course on its admissions pages and sits in the premium tier of London independent sixth forms, with reported fees from around GBP 28,000 a year. Families also budget for materials, examination entries and portfolio costs. Confirm the current rate with the college, as it is revised annually.
Does Hampstead Fine Arts College offer the IB?
No. The college teaches GCSEs and A levels within the British system, alongside a creative portfolio course for students preparing for art foundation and university. It does not run the International Baccalaureate.
Is Hampstead Fine Arts College good for art?
Art and the creative subjects are the college's recognised strength. It was founded by working artists in 1978 and offers a broad range of arts, humanities and social science A levels plus a dedicated portfolio course, with progression to art foundation and creative degree courses.
What ages does Hampstead Fine Arts College take?
The college takes students from Year 9 through GCSE and into the sixth form for A levels and the portfolio course, broadly ages 13 to 19 including retake and portfolio students.
Where is Hampstead Fine Arts College located?
It is at Centre Studios on England's Lane in Belsize Park, in the London Borough of Camden, in north London, a short walk from Belsize Park and Chalk Farm Underground stations.
