A school becomes a Cambridge school in four steps: express interest, complete the application form, pass an approval visit, and sign the contract letter. Cambridge says the process “can take around 12 weeks”. The school must be fully operational, with classes running, before the visit. Fees include an application fee and annual programme fees, priced by region.
What are the four steps?
Cambridge describes “four steps to becoming a Cambridge school” (Cambridge):
| Step | What happens | Cambridge’s stated timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Express your interest | Submit an online expression of interest | ”We aim to contact you within five working days” |
| 2. Complete the Application Form | Your local Cambridge representative sends the form; you confirm facilities, including for any science practicals | ”Within five working days of submitting your application form” |
| 3. Approval visit | A Cambridge representative visits and recommends an outcome | Arranged once the application is complete |
| 4. Become a Cambridge school | Contract letter; signing it completes registration | ”Within 30 working days of the approval visit” |
After registration, schools receive a Cambridge Welcome Pack, “a Cambridge International School wall plaque, certificate and marketing resources”. They also get access to curriculum resources and training.
What happens at the approval visit?
Cambridge checks the school against its standards, in a working school. “It will be necessary for your school to be fully operational, with classes already taking place” (Cambridge). The representative makes one of three recommendations: “approved”, “approved with conditions” or “not ready to join Cambridge”. Schools are revisited later: Cambridge says “reapproval visits are not about looking to identify issues but rather to support you”.
What standards must a school meet?
Cambridge’s registration quality standards cover five areas (Cambridge). Key requirements include:
| Area | Examples of what Cambridge requires |
|---|---|
| Mission and educational values | ”A clear mission statement that makes reference to its educational values”; a learner-centred culture |
| Management and leadership | ”The school principal is suitably qualified and experienced in educational leadership”; clear goals and planning for introducing Cambridge |
| Quality of teaching and learning | ”Appropriately resourced with sufficient staff employed in management, teaching and support roles”; a clearly expressed curriculum |
| Physical environment | Specialist facilities where syllabuses need them (e.g. art, music, languages, ICT, PE, sciences); “secure storage arrangements for question papers”; suitable exam rooms; “a good understanding of the Centre responsibilities set out in the Cambridge Handbook” |
| Legal requirements | ”Fire certificate”; “Government approval to operate, including any approvals needed to provide the Cambridge curricula”; health and safety and first aid |
Online schools have their own set of registration quality standards.
How much does it cost to become a Cambridge school?
Cambridge does not publish amounts. Its fees page lists three kinds of fee (Cambridge):
- Application fee. “A school application fee will apply to cover this process. We will refund a portion of the application fee if a school does not meet our standards.”
- Annual programme fees, which “maintain your status as a Cambridge school”, for each programme offered.
- Exam entry fees, per syllabus per candidate, from the fees list in Direct.
For budgeting entries, see Cambridge exam fees 2026-27. Ask your regional Cambridge representative for all three fees in writing before applying.
How long does it take?
Around 12 weeks from interest to contract, by Cambridge’s estimate, if the school is ready. The real timeline starts earlier. Staff, exam facilities and government approvals must be in place before the visit. Working back from a first exam series:
| Before first exams | Milestone (our recommendation) |
|---|---|
| 24+ months (IGCSE) | Decide the programme and syllabuses; secure government approval for the curriculum |
| 18 months | Express interest and apply; recruit or train Cambridge teachers |
| 15 months | Approval visit with classes running |
| 12 months | Contract signed; teachers on Cambridge training; exams officer in post |
| Entry deadline | First entries through Direct |
IGCSE is usually a two-year course, so a school wanting first IGCSE exams in June 2029 should be registered well before September 2027 teaching starts.
What can a school do before it is approved?
Prepare, but not promote. The Cambridge Handbook says that until you are an approved school, “you must not use any element of the Cambridge Identity” or say you already offer Cambridge programmes. Schools can train staff, plan the curriculum and build exam facilities, but should not advertise as a Cambridge school until the contract is signed.
How should a school prepare for approval?
- Secure government approval first, including for the Cambridge curricula, since it is a stated requirement.
- Appoint an exams officer who has read the Cambridge Handbook’s centre responsibilities.
- Set up secure storage and exam rooms that meet Cambridge’s regulations.
- Check specialist facilities for the syllabuses you plan, especially science practicals.
- Show a plan for introducing Cambridge: syllabuses, staffing and training.
- Have classes running before the visit.
For choosing between boards first, see Cambridge vs Edexcel for schools. For the Pearson route, see how to become a Pearson Edexcel centre.
How schools do this with AI Buddy
New Cambridge schools often have teachers new to Cambridge syllabuses and no bank of past results. AI Buddy gives them past-paper-style questions across Cambridge IGCSE and A Level subjects from the first term, marked instantly. Leaders get cohort data from day one, before the first real exam series. Registration itself is between the school and Cambridge.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a Cambridge school?
Cambridge says the four-step process can take around 12 weeks, once the school is ready and operating.
How much does it cost to become a Cambridge International school?
Cambridge charges an application fee, annual programme fees and exam entry fees, but does not publish amounts. Fees are quoted by region; part of the application fee is refunded if a school does not meet the standards.
Can a new school become a Cambridge school before it opens?
No. The school must be fully operational, with classes already taking place, for the approval visit.
What happens if the approval visit is not successful?
The outcome can be “approved”, “approved with conditions” or “not ready to join Cambridge”. Cambridge refunds part of the application fee to schools that do not meet its standards.
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Sources
- Cambridge International, Join Cambridge, Step 2: Application form, Step 3: Approval visit and Step 4: Become a Cambridge school
- Cambridge International, Our requirements and Our fees
- Cambridge International, Becoming a Cambridge school: registration process and Cambridge Handbook 2026