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Private school fees, the real annual cost.

The median UK independent day school costs £25,920 a year and boarding £56,319, including 20% VAT. Lunches, uniform, trips and transport come on top. Pick a school to see its full yearly and seven-year cost.

£25,920
Median day fee a year
£56,319
Median boarding fee a year
514
Schools with published fees
20%
VAT on fees since Jan 2025
Day fees per year

How 504 schools' annual day fees are spread

Band containing the median

Compare the full annual cost

Add yearly extras
Add one-off entry costs
Schools
504
Median annual cost
£25,920
Range
£3,000 – £59,550
Median 7-year cost
£204,724
Annual cost per day pupil, with VAT where the school quotes it separately

See every school's full cost

Create a free account to compare the full annual cost of every UK independent school we track.

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How this is calculated

  • Tuition: the school's most recent published annual fee for the mode you choose. Where it varies by year group we use the upper-school figure, the safer number to budget with.
  • VAT: added only when the school's figure is explicitly before VAT. Fees marked VAT unclear are shown as published rather than inflated.
  • Extras: the median of what the school publishes for each item you tick. One-off entry costs (registration, deposit) are added once, not every year.
  • Seven-year cost: Years 7 to 13, compounding the annual fee rise you choose, plus the one-off costs.

Reduce the bill

  • Bursaries: means-tested, up to 100% of fees at many schools.
  • Scholarships: merit awards, usually 5–20% off.
  • Sibling, forces and clergy discounts: ask each bursar, as few are published.
  • Fees in advance: some schools discount a lump-sum payment.

School fees: questions parents ask

How much are private school fees in the UK?

Across the 504 independent schools we hold day fees for, the median is £25,920 a year, with the middle half between £20,283 and £31,625. Boarding costs more: the median full boarding fee is £56,319 a year. Senior schools generally charge more than prep schools.

Do private school fees include VAT?

Since 1 January 2025, UK independent schools must charge 20% VAT on tuition and boarding. Most now publish fees including VAT. Some still quote the figure before VAT, so this page flags any fee where the school has not made its VAT treatment clear.

What extra costs should I budget for beyond tuition?

Lunches (often £1,000–£1,500 a year where not included), uniform and sports kit, trips and residentials, instrumental music lessons, transport, exam entry fees at GCSE and A level, and one-off costs on entry: a registration fee (typically £100–£350) and an acceptance deposit that can run to a full term's fees.

How much do private school fees rise each year?

Historically 3–6% a year, with sharper rises around the VAT change. Seven years of senior school therefore cost well over seven times this year's fee. The projection on this page applies your chosen rate across Years 7 to 13.

Can I get help with private school fees?

Yes. Means-tested bursaries can cover up to 100% of fees for families who qualify, and merit scholarships usually take 5–20% off. Many schools also offer sibling discounts and forces or clergy discounts.