Hampstead Fine Arts College

HFAC Promo New Parkhill Campus

Age: 13–18 years old.

Hampstead Fine Arts College is a school in Hampstead, London, which was founded in 1978. The school specialises in humanities and arts. Students are encouraged to think independently, express themselves freely and analyse the material consciously.

The school is located in the quiet neighbourhood of England's Lane, which has many cafés and restaurants, creating a comfortable environment for students to socialise. Belsize Park, Chalk Farm and Swiss Cottage underground stations are within walking distance, providing quick access to London's museums, galleries and theatres.

Most students successfully enrol in their chosen universities, mainly in the arts and humanities. This is due to a combination of factors: excellent specialist teaching, high motivation to learn and focused preparation.

The school takes a unique approach to education, combining high academic standards with a friendly and supportive atmosphere. Each student is treated as an individual, which helps to effectively maintain motivation and development. Lessons are structured in such a way that children actively participate in discussions and debates, developing critical thinking skills.

Graduates go on to successful careers in film, fine art, fashion, writing, media and academia, as well as many other creative and intellectual fields.

Those who choose academic subjects successfully enrol at universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, LSE, King's College, Courtauld Institute, St Andrews, Edinburgh, York, Bristol and Leeds.

Students who choose the arts continue their studies at universities such as Central Saint Martins, London College of Fashion, Camberwell and Kingston, while Parsons, Pratt, NYU and Cal Arts are particularly popular among American destinations.

Director (as of 2026)

Candida Cave received her art education at the Ruskin School of Art at Oxford University and a master's degree in art history from the University of Birmingham. In 1978, she founded Hampstead Fine Arts College with artist Nicholas Cochrane.
Candida Cave is a playwright and practising artist. Her work has been exhibited in London, and her plays have been staged in London theatres and, with the support of the British Council, in Florence, Bologna and Rome.

Famous alumni of the school

• Brooklyn Beckham, model and photographer, son of David Beckham and Victoria Beckham
• Sarah Berman and Amy Berman, fashion designers
• Orlando Bloom, actor (films ‘The Lord of the Rings’, Pirates of the Caribbean)
• Helena Bonham Carter, actress (films Fight Club, The King's Speech)
• Theo Adams, artist and director
• Alfie Allen, actor (films ‘Jojo Rabbit,’ ‘John Wick,’ TV series ‘Game of Thrones’)
• May Muller, singer
• Kaiwan Novak, actor and director
• Coco Sumner, singer
• Amelia Warner, actress
• Liam Watson, music producer
• Lila Moss, model
• Maria-Olympia, Princess of Greece and Denmark, model and member of the Greek royal family
• Rafferty Law, actor and model
• Johnny Borrell, guitarist and singer
• Clara Paget, actress and model (films Fast & Furious 6, Johnny English Strikes Again)
• Eliza Doolittle, singer
• Jane Green, writer
• Jazzy de Lisser, actress and model (TV series Game of Thrones)

Key factors

• Areas of study: from acting to film production, from fashion design and photography to painting and music. 
• Each student has a personal tutor who monitors their progress in all subjects based on reports provided by teachers every two weeks.
• There is a one-year portfolio preparation course for admission to bachelor's programmes at universities and art schools.
• Small classes (up to 12 students).
• Most students continue their education at leading universities or prestigious art schools around the world.
• The school regularly hosts lectures and masterclasses on higher education options and future careers, and the school team helps students apply to universities and art schools in the UK, Europe, the US, Canada and Australia.
• Since 2015, the school has been part of Dukes Education, and students receive support from a team of specialists in admissions to Oxbridge and leading American universities.

Facilities

The school is located in Belsize Park in north London. Its main building is set in a quiet courtyard, away from the noise of the city. The school buildings have been completely renovated and are now bright, modern spaces with lecture and teaching rooms, as well as art, theatre and music studios. The school has specialised studios for photography, media and textiles. Each subject has its own library with textbooks, supplementary literature and media materials.

Programme

GCSE

A two-year programme leading to a General Certificate of Secondary Education. Six subjects are compulsory, and four subjects are chosen by the student.

Creative and additional subjects:

• Art
• Photography
• Music
• Media
• Theatre

A-level

A two-year programme to prepare students for university. Students choose 4 or 5 subjects to study in depth. The school offers more than 20 subjects with no strict restrictions on combinations. This allows students to choose a programme that suits their skills, interests, university entrance and future career.

Some specialise by combining a group of similar creative subjects, such as performing arts with dance, theatre and music, or art and design with fine art, graphic design, photography and fashion/textiles.

Accelerated A-Level Programme (1 year)

Hampstead Fine Arts College offers an intensive one-year A-Level programme for motivated students who are ready for a serious academic workload and want to prepare quickly for university admission.

The programme is suitable for:

• students who have already studied A-Level, Pre-U, IB or similar programmes;
• international students who have completed their secondary education in their home country and need an A-Level programme to enter British or American universities.

Classes are held in small groups, allowing teachers to give each student maximum attention. Experienced tutors conduct classes at an intensive pace, ensuring a high level of academic preparation, constant feedback and professional guidance in choosing a university.

Foundation Course

A one-year preparatory programme (usually after school) with a flexible individual study plan. Students focus on a specific specialisation or field:

• Fine arts: drawing, painting, collage, graphic art, sculpture.
• Fashion: clothing design, tailoring, textile design, textile art.
• Communications: graphic design, photography, film production.

Each student is provided with their own studio space. All students keep an art journal, engage in studio practice, life drawing, contextual and critical studies. Art excursions take place every week to make the most of London's outstanding museums and galleries.

Students receive support in applying for creative courses at the most prestigious colleges in the UK and around the world: help in choosing the right course, writing a personal essay and creating an impressive portfolio.

Sports and extracurricular activities

Hampstead Fine Arts College supports the all-round development of its students through its General Studies programme. This includes lectures and masterclasses by guest specialists: lawyers, police officers, health and nutrition experts, personal development specialists, internet safety experts and drug prevention specialists.

Every week, students can attend sports and recreational activities, including football and netball, as well as individual activities such as yoga and personal training.

The school offers theatre, music and vocal lessons with professional teachers, allowing students to prepare for LAMDA and Guildhall exams.

Located in one of the world's most vibrant and cultural capitals, the school helps students discover London and make the most of the city's opportunities by visiting galleries, museums, theatres and musical events.

Cost, 2026-2027

£11,700 – £12,750 per term (depending on the programme).
There are 3 terms in the academic year.

The cost includes

• Tuition
• Accommodation and meals

Additional costs

• Registration fee – £300
• Deposit – £1,000
• Private lessons – £100 per hour
• Airfare
• Visa
• Services provided by the education company
• Selection of a guardian, which is a mandatory requirement of British schools

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