When the college adopted its current name in 1979, it also opened up to male students.

[2] The college was founded in 1878 by the Daughters of the Cross of Liège, a Catholic female religious order.

Holy Cross College offers A Levels in a variety of subjects, vocational BTEC and CTEC diplomas, PGCEs (Postgraduate Certificate in Education), undergraduate, masters and foundation degrees in the field of education, and GCSEs.

[citation needed] It is also a member of the Maple Group, a partnership created in 2013 between some of country's leading sixth form colleges.

[7] Holy Cross College was previously ranked one of the top ten sixth form colleges in the United Kingdom, being placed eighth on the list[which?]