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Private school scholarships.

2,847 scholarships at 637 UK independent schools, with what each is worth, who can apply and when applications close. Where a school publishes a value, the typical award is 20% of fees — the larger sums are usually means-tested bursaries.

2,847
Scholarships listed
637
Schools
20%
Typical published award
374
Upcoming deadlines

Scholarships by type

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206 schools with music scholarships

Scholarship or bursary?

A scholarship is awarded on merit — academic, musical, sporting or artistic — and is usually a fixed, modest share of the fees plus recognition, extra tuition or a place in a scholars' programme. It does not depend on income.

A bursary is awarded on financial need, means-tested against household income and assets, and can cover up to 100% of fees. At many schools this is where the real money is. Compare bursaries →

Frequently asked questions

How much is a private school scholarship worth?
Where schools publish a figure, the typical scholarship is worth about 20% of fees. Many schools now make scholarships largely honorary — 5–10% or a fixed sum — and put their real financial support into means-tested bursaries, which can reach 100% of fees. A few schools still offer larger merit awards, most often at 16+ or for exceptional musicians.
What types of scholarship do independent schools offer?
Academic scholarships are the most common, followed by music, sport, art and drama. Many schools also offer all-rounder awards, design & technology scholarships and, at some, chess, choral or STEM awards. Each type is assessed differently: academic by exam and interview, music by audition, sport by trial, art by portfolio.
When do scholarship applications close?
Most scholarship deadlines fall between October and December for entry the following September, often a few weeks before the school's general registration deadline. Music awards usually close first because auditions are scheduled before the main assessment round. Every upcoming date we hold is on our scholarship deadlines page.
Can you get a scholarship and a bursary at the same time?
Yes, at most schools. A scholarship recognises merit and a bursary meets financial need, so a family can hold both — and at many schools the bursary is how a scholarship's value is topped up for families who need it. Some schools cap the combined award at 100% of fees.
Do scholarships have to be applied for separately?
Almost always. Registering a child for a place does not enter them for an award; schools run a separate scholarship application with its own deadline, and usually ask for a reference, a recording, a portfolio or a list of achievements.

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