'Read our top tips to support you in making an application to study at a UK boarding school.'
Most UK boarding schools prefer new pupils to start at the beginning of the academic year in September (though most will agree to admit pupils at the start of a new term in January or April, if arrangements have been made well in advance).
Visas
Pupils from certain countries need a visa to study in the UK. Visas are managed by the UK Border Agency (UKBA). To find out if you need a visa and how to apply, please see the UKBA website.
School categories
Schools fall into two broad categories: state schools (publicly funded) and independent schools, where parents usually pay fees for their children to attend:
State school appplications
Families who live in the EU or who have EU passports may be able to send their children to UK state schools. Applications for places at state schools in England, Scotland and Wales are usually handled by the school’s local authority (or, in Northern Ireland, by the school’s local education and library board).
You can find out more about state boarding schools here.
Independent school applications
The process of applying to UK independent boarding schools can vary. Some UK independent schools have formal application procedures, and often they prefer prospective students to apply up to a year before they wish to start. Other schools are more informal and welcome applications at any time.
If you have decided on a particular boarding school but need to find out more about the application process then the first step is to either contact the institution directly or read the admissions section on its website or in its printed prospectus. If you cannot find the information you are looking for the school will be more than happy to answer your questions by email or by phone - many have designated international student officers who will be happy to assist you.
If you do not have a specific school in mind, a good place to start is the Independent Schools Council and the Boarding Schools' Association. These organisations, which represent thousands of schools, provide guidance on how to find a school and explain in detail about life as a boarder. You can also read about individual schools online at www.schoolswebdirectory.co.uk.
It's also worth noting that most schools hold 'open days' throughout the year where prospective pupils and their parents or guardians can visit the school and ask questions about the applications process.
A typical application process
If you are ready to begin your application, the first step will likely be to obtain and fill in a number of forms about the prospective pupil. These will either be downloadable from the school's website or can be sent directly to you on request. The information required will vary depending on which school year the pupil is applying to enter, but will include some or all of the following:
Visas
Pupils from certain countries need a visa to study in the UK. Visas are managed by the UK Border Agency (UKBA). To find out if you need a visa and how to apply, please see the UKBA website.
School categories
Schools fall into two broad categories: state schools (publicly funded) and independent schools, where parents usually pay fees for their children to attend:
State school appplications
Families who live in the EU or who have EU passports may be able to send their children to UK state schools. Applications for places at state schools in England, Scotland and Wales are usually handled by the school’s local authority (or, in Northern Ireland, by the school’s local education and library board).
You can find out more about state boarding schools here.
Independent school applications
The process of applying to UK independent boarding schools can vary. Some UK independent schools have formal application procedures, and often they prefer prospective students to apply up to a year before they wish to start. Other schools are more informal and welcome applications at any time.
If you have decided on a particular boarding school but need to find out more about the application process then the first step is to either contact the institution directly or read the admissions section on its website or in its printed prospectus. If you cannot find the information you are looking for the school will be more than happy to answer your questions by email or by phone - many have designated international student officers who will be happy to assist you.
If you do not have a specific school in mind, a good place to start is the Independent Schools Council and the Boarding Schools' Association. These organisations, which represent thousands of schools, provide guidance on how to find a school and explain in detail about life as a boarder. You can also read about individual schools online at www.schoolswebdirectory.co.uk.
It's also worth noting that most schools hold 'open days' throughout the year where prospective pupils and their parents or guardians can visit the school and ask questions about the applications process.
A typical application process
If you are ready to begin your application, the first step will likely be to obtain and fill in a number of forms about the prospective pupil. These will either be downloadable from the school's website or can be sent directly to you on request. The information required will vary depending on which school year the pupil is applying to enter, but will include some or all of the following:
- the pupil's name, date of birth and address in their country of origin
- the same details for the pupil's parents or designated guardians
- the pupil's intended accommodation while they are resident in the UK. This may be confirmation that the pupil is living with family or with a guardian in the UK, or their choice of boarding options if they are planning to board.
- the term in which the pupil intends to begin studying at the school
- the school year that the pupil intends to join
- details of any special educational needs the pupil may have
- the pupil's passport details
- an indication of the pupil's intention to apply for any available scholarships.
Most independent schools will also require further information about the particular merits, abilities or aptitudes of the pupil. Details about the pupil's academic ability is important, but the school will also be interested in things such as musical or sporting talents. Schools that have a selective admissions policy will require this information before they make a decision on whether to award a pupil a school place. This information will usually be provided in some or all of the following ways:
- a report from the pupil's present or most recent school
- results from an examination or a series of them
- an interview with the pupil
- a short personal statement, written by the pupil, stating their interests and why they wish to study at the school
- certificates showing that a pupil has achieved certain grades in their school exams, such as GCSEs or equivalents if they are applying for post-16 study (age 16 and over).
The school is unlikely to be able to consider a pupil for a place if the requested information has not been provided in advance of specified deadlines, so it's a good idea to submit your application well in advance of the term in which you wish to start begins. This is particularly important if you are planning board.
Scholarships
Many schools offer scholarships to help with school fees. These are usually awarded to students who demonstrate excellence in academic, musical or sporting fields, though their exact nature can vary significantly between schools. Information about scholarships will usually be given on the school's website or in its prospectus, though it's worth contacting the institution directly if you are unsure about the schemes they run.
The stage at which scholarships or bursaries must be applied for also varies from school-to-school. Competition is likely to be high, so it is a good idea to make sure you complete your scholarship application well within any specified deadline.
Again, if you are unsure about how to apply for any available scholarships you should contact the school directly.
You can find out more about scholarships for UK boarding school pupils on the scholarships page
Allocation and awarding of places
State boarding schools typically allocate places by the beginning of March, though this can vary from school-to-school.
The allocation of places at independent schools will also vary. Some schools, for a proportion of their places, will allocate on a first come, first served basis. Most will rely on examination results before awarding a place. These may be results from general examinations sat at the pupil's current or previous school (such as GCSEs), or from the independent boarding school's own admissions examination, which the prospective pupil will often be required to sit in their home country. The allocation of a place may be also dependent on the results of examinations in other fields, such as a music.
If a scholarship is to be awarded with a place this may also be dependent on the results of specific examinations.
Information on the pupil's English language ability may also be required before a place is allocated. As indicated above, this may involve the submission of written work, but also may require a telephone conversation with an admissions tutor or proof of an IELTS score or other language qualification.
The school will have an admissions timetable that will give dates for when places are likely to be allocated, but typically most will want to have awarded places by February half-term in order to prepare for the autumn intake.
Arriving to study in the UK
You will be informed of whether you have been allocated a place in writing. If allocated a place the school will send you more information about preparations for the start of term, including details of boarding accommodation. Boarders should note that cupboard space in rooms can be limited (and rooms may need to be cleared in the holidays), but the school will specify exactly the kind of personal possessions it is sensible to bring.
You will also be sent a schedule of fees in advance of the term, detailing when in the year these need to be paid.
You can find out more about independent boarding and day schools on the Boarding Schools' Association and Independent Schools Council websites.
You can search for UK boarding schools using the Education UK search tool, to the top-right of this website.
Scholarships
Many schools offer scholarships to help with school fees. These are usually awarded to students who demonstrate excellence in academic, musical or sporting fields, though their exact nature can vary significantly between schools. Information about scholarships will usually be given on the school's website or in its prospectus, though it's worth contacting the institution directly if you are unsure about the schemes they run.
The stage at which scholarships or bursaries must be applied for also varies from school-to-school. Competition is likely to be high, so it is a good idea to make sure you complete your scholarship application well within any specified deadline.
Again, if you are unsure about how to apply for any available scholarships you should contact the school directly.
You can find out more about scholarships for UK boarding school pupils on the scholarships page
Allocation and awarding of places
State boarding schools typically allocate places by the beginning of March, though this can vary from school-to-school.
The allocation of places at independent schools will also vary. Some schools, for a proportion of their places, will allocate on a first come, first served basis. Most will rely on examination results before awarding a place. These may be results from general examinations sat at the pupil's current or previous school (such as GCSEs), or from the independent boarding school's own admissions examination, which the prospective pupil will often be required to sit in their home country. The allocation of a place may be also dependent on the results of examinations in other fields, such as a music.
If a scholarship is to be awarded with a place this may also be dependent on the results of specific examinations.
Information on the pupil's English language ability may also be required before a place is allocated. As indicated above, this may involve the submission of written work, but also may require a telephone conversation with an admissions tutor or proof of an IELTS score or other language qualification.
The school will have an admissions timetable that will give dates for when places are likely to be allocated, but typically most will want to have awarded places by February half-term in order to prepare for the autumn intake.
Arriving to study in the UK
You will be informed of whether you have been allocated a place in writing. If allocated a place the school will send you more information about preparations for the start of term, including details of boarding accommodation. Boarders should note that cupboard space in rooms can be limited (and rooms may need to be cleared in the holidays), but the school will specify exactly the kind of personal possessions it is sensible to bring.
You will also be sent a schedule of fees in advance of the term, detailing when in the year these need to be paid.
You can find out more about independent boarding and day schools on the Boarding Schools' Association and Independent Schools Council websites.
You can search for UK boarding schools using the Education UK search tool, to the top-right of this website.
