'When you study at a UK boarding school, you are getting a great start to life. Excellent education and great facilities provide lots of opportunities for personal growth and achievement. '
Why choose a UK boarding school?
Every year thousands of international pupils attend more than 500 UK boarding schools. They come to experience top quality teaching and the outstanding facilities, with small class sizes and extra-curricular learning. For many pupils, it’s the adventure of a lifetime and an exceptional learning experience that gives them a head start in their adult life.
What is a boarding school?
A boarding school is a residential school, where most or all pupils live and study during the school term. The school provides accommodation for pupils, usually on the school grounds, and they attend the school for lessons during the day. Most or all of the pupils will be boarders; some schools also accept day pupils who return home at the end of the school day.
In the UK there are two main types of boarding school: state and maintained.
Admission to state boarding schools is limited to children who are nationals of the UK and are eligible to hold a full UK passport, to nationals of other European Union countries and those who have the right of residence in the UK. Teaching is excellent and so is the pastoral care. You pay the cost of boarding and extra-curricular activities, while the state pays the education costs.
Independent boarding schools (also known in the UK as public schools, and referred to as private schools in other countries) provide excellent teaching, fantastic facilities and an exceptional learning experience for their pupils. Many schools offer the option of attending as a day pupil. The age range of pupils ranges from seven to 18 years old. Some schools cover the whole age range, others specialise in a smaller age range such as seven to 13, or 11 to 18.
Daily life
What is a boarding school?
A boarding school is a residential school, where most or all pupils live and study during the school term. The school provides accommodation for pupils, usually on the school grounds, and they attend the school for lessons during the day. Most or all of the pupils will be boarders; some schools also accept day pupils who return home at the end of the school day.
In the UK there are two main types of boarding school: state and maintained.
Admission to state boarding schools is limited to children who are nationals of the UK and are eligible to hold a full UK passport, to nationals of other European Union countries and those who have the right of residence in the UK. Teaching is excellent and so is the pastoral care. You pay the cost of boarding and extra-curricular activities, while the state pays the education costs.
Independent boarding schools (also known in the UK as public schools, and referred to as private schools in other countries) provide excellent teaching, fantastic facilities and an exceptional learning experience for their pupils. Many schools offer the option of attending as a day pupil. The age range of pupils ranges from seven to 18 years old. Some schools cover the whole age range, others specialise in a smaller age range such as seven to 13, or 11 to 18.
Daily life
If you choose to be a boarder (live as well as study at your chosen school) you will usually live in a school house. You’ll probably have a communal sitting-room and study area, and maybe a kitchen as well. You sleep in a shared room known as a dormitory (older pupils often have their own room). You follow the school timetable, eating meals in the school dining room or refectory, going to lessons with fellow pupils and enjoying sport. Outside lessons you’ll have homework but there are lots of opportunities for extra-curricular activities.
Depending on your preferences there are many different types of boarding school: in towns and cities, or rural locations; single-sex or co-educational schools; schools with a special focus such as sport or music.
Depending on your preferences there are many different types of boarding school: in towns and cities, or rural locations; single-sex or co-educational schools; schools with a special focus such as sport or music.
A range of qualifications
Boarding schools offer a wide range of qualifications. Across the UK, you can take GCSEs, A-levels and BTECs, while in Scotland you may take Standard Grades and Highers. The International Baccalaureate is widely offered as an alternative qualification (instead of A-levels or Highers), as is the prestigious Cambridge Pre-U Diploma – both highly rated by UK and international universities.
Activities and facilities
When you go to a UK boarding school, you’ll be immersed in a safe, nurturing environment with high academic standards and fantastic facilities. You’ll find lots of extra-curricular activities, indoors and in the fresh air – all designed to give you the experience of a lifetime. It’s a great opportunity to discover your talents and explore new interests.
UK boarding schools are modern and multicultural, attracting pupils from a wide range of countries. If English is not your first language, you’ll find your language skills improve quickly, as it will be your everyday language. You’ll mix with friends from the UK and from many other countries, and probably make friends for life.
UK boarding schools are modern and multicultural, attracting pupils from a wide range of countries. If English is not your first language, you’ll find your language skills improve quickly, as it will be your everyday language. You’ll mix with friends from the UK and from many other countries, and probably make friends for life.
And when you come to apply to university with UK qualifications, you’ll have a head start over those international students who need to complete an international foundation year before starting on their undergraduate studies at a UK university.
UK boarding schools require international students under 16 years old to have a UK-based guardian if their parents are not based in the UK. Ideally this should be someone over the age of 25 who is able to take care of you if you are ill or need somewhere to stay during a vacation.
Applications
The process of applying to independent schools can vary. There is plenty of information to guide you through the application process, and a good place to start is the Independent Schools Council website, or the State Boarding Schools’ Association.
Some UK independent schools have formal application procedures, and often they ask prospective students to apply up to a year before they wish to start. Other schools are more informal and welcome applications at any time.
The UK school year starts in September (August for some schools in Scotland), and most pupils start at that point of the year. If you would like to start at a different time of year, that is generally at the school’s discretion.
Use the Education UK Search tool (at the top right of each page) and filters to find the UK boarding school that suits you.
The UK school year starts in September (August for some schools in Scotland), and most pupils start at that point of the year. If you would like to start at a different time of year, that is generally at the school’s discretion.
Use the Education UK Search tool (at the top right of each page) and filters to find the UK boarding school that suits you.
