Wallace College is a small, independent college offering first-rate education on a human scale. Progress is made within an environment that is free from unnecessary rules and routines.

Young people who find their present school environment stressful or restrictive but who are determined to continue with their education in order to gain the qualifications needed for further education or employment, will enjoy the more adult approach of Wallace College, whilst parents will appreciate the degree of support and guidance offered to every student and the regular reports which chart each individual's progress throughout their course.

For students wishing to gain qualifications in the shortest possible time, we provide a focus on exam preparation without the distractions of the conventional school curriculum.

Flexibility is a major advantage of our educational provision. Subjects and subject combinations which are not available in mainstream schools can be taken at Wallace College and we can negotiate a study programme with days and times to suit your needs. This is particularly valuable for students who wish to live at home and commute two or three days a week, or for students wishing to combine study with a part-time job.

Our experience of both the English and Scottish examination systems means that we can offer a wide choice of syllabuses and we can advise students on which system is more appropriate for their academic aims. Some students are more likely to succeed with fewer subjects studied more intensively (as in the English system) whilst others benefit from the wider range of subjects and less specialised approach of the Scottish system.

All tuition at Wallace College takes place in small groups or on a one-to-one basis.

The atmosphere in our classes is similar to that of university tutorials with students being encouraged to participate in (rather than merely attend) classes. The main advantage of this method is that students feel comfortable about asking questions and raising difficulties, and teachers can focus on the needs of individuals, varying the pace at which the syllabus is delivered as appropriate. The experience is, of course, very useful for anyone proposing to go on to further or higher education.

Study schedules are agreed with the Director of Studies taking into consideration the availability and preferences of individual students as far as possible. The number of hours a student attends per week will vary according to the number of subjects taken and the type of course being followed. Typically, a student will receive a minimum of 3 contact hours per week. In addition students are required to take weekly tests in all their subjects to allow us to monitor progress and to identify at an early stage any problems with timing or exam technique.

All classes take place within the college premises on George IV Bridge. Facilities for private study are available within the college.

A settling-in report is sent to parents within the first few weeks of the first term. Thereafter, end of term reports keep parents up to date with students' progress. Parents are encouraged to contact the Director of Studies at any time during the academic year if they have concerns about any aspect of the course their son or daughter is following.

For those wishing to proceed to university upon completion of their studies at Wallace College, help and advice on the application procedure is available from the Director of Studies who will normally also supply the academic reference.

It is our policy not to give study leave in the run-up to the external examinations since we believe that a structured revision programme is more useful at this time.

Tutors are all Honours graduates and specialists in their subjects. They work under the supervision of the Director of Studies who is an Assistant Examiner for AQA, SQA and the International Baccalaureate Organisation.

We accept students between the ages of 15years and 18 years. Students who do not fall within this age range may wish to consider private tuition.

Some of our students live locally; others stay with host families arranged by the college. Our host families are carefully selected and take an active interest in the well-being of their students. If, for any reason, a student is not happy with their host family then an alternative arrangement will be sought.

There is no "typical" Wallace College student. Each year the individuals who come to study here create their own unique atmosphere. There is no formal social programme but students with similar interests will naturally get together in their free time and class visits to theatres, museums etc. are arranged to complement classroom-based activities where appropriate.

Before completing an application form, you may wish to arrange an interview with the Director of Studies to discuss your requirements. An appointment can be made by telephoning the College. When you have decided to enrol, complete the application form and return it to the College. This unsigned document is an expression of interest only. When we receive it, we will send an Offer of a Place which is the official registration document. You will receive two copies of this; both copies should be signed by you, one to be returned to the College and the other retained for your own records.

Apply online for a College place.

Download an application form in pdf (Adobe Acrobat) format.

Download an application form in doc (MS Word) format.