University College School
Founded 1830 by University College London — non-denominational boys' day school in Hampstead with a co-educational Sixth Form, known for breadth, liberalism and strong A-level outcomes.
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Our take
Independent boys' all-through day school in Hampstead for ages 4–16 with co-ed Sixth Form (16–18). Non-denominational, A-level focused, top 25 nationally.
- Families seeking a senior school for ages 4–18, with thinking already on 11+ or 13+ entry.
- Parents who want a single-sex environment for their son.
- Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.
- Families comfortable with top-tier London independent fees in exchange for the level of provision.
- Fees sit at the top of the London market. Factor in extras (uniform, trips, lunches, music tuition) before committing.
- Selective entry — assume some form of assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early if needed.
- SEND provision isn't documented in our profile. If your child has an EHCP or specific learning needs, ask admissions about case-by-case capacity before applying.
- Single-sex (boys). Comfortable for some children, less so for others — worth a visit on a normal teaching day rather than only an open-day showcase.
About the head
“Paulatim Sed Firmiter”
A caring community of high academic ambition where pupils are encouraged to be themselves, founded in 1830 on the principle of non-denominational, non-discriminatory education.
Distinctive features
Member of the Eton Group of leading UK independent schools
Pioneer in teaching modern languages and sciences from the early 19th century
Grade II listed main building (Arnold Mitchell, 1907)
Co-educational sixth form since 2009
admits ~60-70 girls a year
AKO Sixth Form Centre opened 2021
Founded 1830 by University College London on non-denominational principles
Activities & co-curricular
sport
music
drama
academic club
service
other
Facilities
sports
arts
academic
Latest exam results
Where leavers go
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cohort | 183 | 192 |
| Oxbridge | 22 | 23 |
| US Ivy | 1 | 1 |
| Medicine | — | 4 |
Recent coverage
Sunday Times Schools Guide 2026 ranked UCS in the top 25 with 92% of GCSEs at 9-7 and 94% of A-Levels at A*-B in 2025.
Notable alumni
Open-day dates not yet published
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How well does University College School match?
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Check fit for my childApplication timeline
2 of 6 admissions stages have confirmed dates. Save this school to be notified when dates are published.
| Year | Opens | Closes | Reply by | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | 1 Sept 2025 | 15 Jan 2026 | TBC | Closed |
| 2027-28 | TBC | 30 Sept 2026 | TBC | Open |
Open events
Private tours and additional visits available by arrangement — contact admissions to arrange.
Talks & tasters
| Wed, 9 Sept 2026 | UCS Junior Branch Open Evening - Wednesday 9th September 2026 | Open Evening |
| Thu, 10 Sept 2026 | UCS Senior School 16+ Open Evening - Thursday 10th September 2026 | Sixth Form Evening |
| Thu, 17 Sept 2026 | UCS Senior School 11+ Open Evening - Thursday 17th September 2026 | Open Evening |
| Tue, 22 Sept 2026 | UCS Senior School 16+ Open Evening - Tuesday 22nd September 2026 | Sixth Form Evening |
| Mon, 12 Oct 2026 | UCS Senior School 11+ Open Evening - Monday 12th October 2026 | Open Evening |
Fees
Bursaries & Scholarships
Excerpts
“But my neices and sil - who's well placed to keep up with local schooly gossip - have often said that a lot of what's behind the school's good results is a heavy amount of outside coaching...”
Academic reputation — parent discussion1 2 Yes Frogs but because it has a sibling policy, there will be children in every year who might not have passed the exam. Basically you just need a clever first born and you're sorted. But presumably the Islington places are still based on ability, ie. they take the top N...
I'm not as sold on DAO as most people seem to be, partly because I know a couple of people who were very unhappy with their children's experience there. It seems that they deal best with bright, motivated children (also depreesing but not surprising) and were less good with...
House system
Wellbeing
University College School offers a comprehensive pastoral care system including a house system, peer mentorship via a Student Support Service, and wellbeing education. The school emphasizes resilience, responsibility, relationships, and resourcefulness as core learning values supporting pupil welfare and mental health.
Inspection
Isi — 15 Oct 2024
2 inspection reports on file.
- Isi · Regulatory Compliance1 Jan 2024met
Term dates 2025-26
Feeder schools
Schools like University College School
Ranked by semantic similarity across curriculum, ethos, intake and admissions style. Most parents shortlist 4–6 schools before applying.
Questions parents ask
Common questions about University College School, answered from this school’s structured profile data. Always confirm specifics with admissions before applying.
What kind of child is University College School best for?+
Independent boys' all-through day school in Hampstead for ages 4–16 with co-ed Sixth Form (16–18). Non-denominational, A-level focused, top 25 nationally.
How does admissions work?+
Admissions are selective — expect an entrance assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early. See the admissions timeline above for confirmed dates.
Are fees published?+
Yes — see the Fees table further down the page. Add extras (uniform, trips, lunches, music tuition, registration fees) on top of the base figure before budgeting.
Does the school support SEND?+
Some SEND provision is documented in our profile, but specific conditions supported aren't itemised. Contact admissions for details before applying.
Are there open days?+
8 upcoming open days or tours — see the admissions timeline. Booking is usually required.
How do I contact admissions?+
email at admissions@ucs.org.uk or phone on +44 (0)20 7435 2215. Reference your child's age and intended entry year in the first message.
What similar schools should I compare?+
We've ranked 6 schools by semantic similarity to University College School — see the "Schools like University College School" grid below. Most parents shortlist 4–6 schools before applying.
Reviews
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