Eton College Admissions 2026/27: Fees, Entry Requirements and Scholarships

Eton College is one of the best-known boys’ boarding schools in the United Kingdom. For families considering an application, the important questions are practical: when to register, how selection works, what the fees cover, and whether financial support is available. This guide explains the main routes using information published by Eton College and was last reviewed on 9 September 2026.

Quick answer: The standard 13+ route requires early registration, normally by 31 August in UK School Year 5. For the 2026/27 academic year, the published boarding fee is £21,891 per term, including VAT. Scholarships recognise talent, while means-tested bursaries provide fee assistance.

What is Eton College?

Eton College is a boys’ boarding school in England with approximately 1,350 pupils. The school says admission is based on a boy’s current and potential academic ability, alongside his suitability for boarding. Because Eton is fully boarding, families should consider not only academic fit but also whether the student is ready for residential school life.

Eton College admission routes

The principal entry point is Year 9, usually called 13+ entry. Eton also has a separate Sixth Form entry route and limited scholarship or award routes. The exact route depends on the applicant’s age and school year.

Year 9 (13+) entry

For normal Year 9 entry, a boy may be registered up to the end of UK School Year 5, the academic year in which he reaches age 10. Registration closes on 31 August and Eton describes this deadline as strict, apart from specific routes such as the King’s Scholarship and Music Awards.

The published registration fee for both Year 9 and Sixth Form applications is £480 including VAT. Families applying for Year 9 must also upload an unabridged birth certificate showing parental details.

How the 13+ selection process works

Stage 1 in Year 6: Applicants take the ISEB Common Pre-Tests, normally in October or November, and Eton requests a report from the current headteacher. The tests cover verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and mathematics and take about two and a half hours in total.
Stage 2 in Year 6: Selected candidates are invited for an interview and an online predictive test during the spring or summer.
Final confirmation: A conditional place is later confirmed through the King’s Scholarship examination, Common Entrance or Eton’s own entrance examination, depending on the candidate’s route.

Families should check the school calendar for their intended entry year. As examples currently published by Eton, the deadline for 2028 entry was 31 August 2025 and the deadline for 2029 entry is 31 August 2026.

Sixth Form entry

Sixth Form admission is a separate, highly competitive route. Applicants should use Eton’s current Sixth Form admissions page for the correct application window, assessments and eligibility rules for their proposed year of entry. Do not assume the 13+ dates or process apply to Sixth Form applicants.

Eton College fees for 2026/27

Eton publishes its fees by “Half”, the school’s term. There are three terms in an academic year.

Cost item	Published amount	What to know
Boarding fee	£21,891 per term	Includes VAT; three terms per academic year.
Three-term base total	£65,673	Calculated from the published term fee; excludes extras and any applicable visa sponsorship charge.
Typical extras	£500–£1,500 per term	Varies by pupil and activities.
Registration fee	£480	Includes VAT and is subject to change.
Acceptance fee for Michaelmas 2026	£3,840	Includes VAT; £500 is normally refundable when the pupil leaves, subject to the final bill.
Visa sponsorship charge	£3,000 per year	Applies when Eton is required to sponsor a Child Student or Student visa.

The main fee covers tuition, board, lodging, most games and the majority of educational materials. For an overseas applicant with at least one parent normally living outside the UK, Eton says an additional deposit equal to one full term’s fee is payable and credited against the final bill. Families should always confirm the latest figures directly with the school before making a financial commitment.

Scholarships and bursaries: what is the difference?

At Eton, a scholarship is an award recognising ability or promise; it does not automatically mean a reduction in fees. Financial help is provided through a separate means-tested bursary assessment.

Scholarships and awards

King’s Scholarships: Around 14 are awarded each year through a competitive examination.
Music Awards: Available to applicants with exceptional musical potential, subject to the school’s current rules.
Rokos Scholarship: Intended for academically outstanding boys from UK state primary schools who need financial support; Eton says up to four may be awarded each year and support can cover fees and extras where necessary.
Sixth Form awards: Current options include the Orwell Award, MCM Drama Award and Sixth Form Music Award.

Eton states that it does not offer sports or art scholarships. Applicants should check the criteria and closing dates for each award, as they differ from standard admission.

Means-tested bursaries

Bursaries can cover between 5% and 100% of fees, depending on a family’s circumstances and the funding available. Eton reports that in 2023/24, 247 boys received fee reductions, the average award was 71%, and 99 pupils paid no fees. There is no single published household-income threshold because the school assesses each family’s finances individually.

Guidance for international families

Start with the correct admission route and deadline; the standard 13+ process begins several years before entry.
Budget for fees, extras, travel, the overseas deposit and any applicable annual visa sponsorship charge.
Ask the school directly whether it can sponsor the applicant and when a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies may be issued.
Use the current UK government guidance before applying for a Child Student visa; immigration requirements can change.
Do not pay an agent who claims to guarantee admission, a scholarship or a visa.

Application checklist

Confirm the applicant’s intended entry year and route.
Read the current eligibility rules and record the official deadline.
Prepare the full birth certificate and requested school information.
Complete registration through Eton’s official application system and pay the stated fee.
Prepare for the relevant tests and interview without relying on promises of guaranteed selection.
If financial help is needed, ask about the bursary process as early as possible.
After an offer, confirm the latest deposit, fee and visa requirements in writing.

Frequently asked questions

Can international students apply to Eton College?

International families may apply through the appropriate admission route. A successful applicant who requires UK immigration permission must also meet the applicable visa and sponsorship requirements.

How much is Eton College per year?

For 2026/27, the published fee is £21,891 per term including VAT. Across three terms, that is a base total of £65,673 before extras, deposits and any applicable visa sponsorship charge.

Does an Eton scholarship make the school free?

Not automatically. Scholarships recognise achievement, while fee assistance is based on a separate means-tested bursary assessment. In eligible cases, a bursary may cover up to 100% of fees.

When should a family register for 13+ entry?

Registration normally closes on 31 August at the end of UK School Year 5. Always check the specific deadline for the intended year of entry on Eton’s website.

Official sources

Editorial note: This independent guide is not affiliated with or endorsed by Eton College. Fees, deadlines, admission rules and visa requirements can change. Verify all details with Eton College and the UK government before applying or paying.