Royal Hospital School is an international school in Ipswich, United Kingdom. It serves 545 students for students aged 11–18. Annual tuition ranges from $39,047 to $61,895 USD.
Explore This School
Location & getting here
East Anglian port city with working-class roots and strong regional character—less typical boarding-school locale than the Cotswolds, but well-connected for families from London and beyond.
Nearest airports
Framed for international families — drive times are from the school, not the city centre.
| Airport | Distance | Drive from school | International note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stansted | 65 km | ~95 min | STN — European and budget carriers |
| London City | 97 km | ~136 min | — |
| Luton | 106 km | ~148 min | LTN — European and budget carriers |
NanaSays Scorecard
Key Details
Scholarships Available
Means-tested bursaries are available. Contact the school admissions office for details.
Academic Performance
ISI Inspection Report
All statutory Independent School Standards are met across all five areas of inspection. The school demonstrates effective governance and leadership, a well-designed curriculum with good pupil progress, effective pastoral care, and suitable boarding facilities. The main recommendation is to ensure teaching consistently challenges pupils with high prior attainment.
Key facts
Fees & the true cost of attendance
Published fees · inclusive of VAT
| Phase | Per term | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Day (Years 7-8) | £7,509 | £22,527 |
| Three-Night Boarding (Years 7-8) | £11,319 | £33,957 |
| Weekly Boarding (Years 7-8) | £12,599 | £37,797 |
| Full Boarding (Years 7-8) | £13,229 | £39,687 |
| International Boarding (Years 7-8) | £14,094 | £42,282 |
| Day (Years 9-13) | £8,734 | £26,202 |
| Three-Night Boarding (Years 9-13) | £13,576 | £40,728 |
| Weekly Boarding (Years 9-13) | £15,640 | £46,920 |
| Full Boarding (Years 9-13) | £17,033 | £51,099 |
| International Boarding (Years 9-13) | £17,945 | £53,835 |
Compulsory extras (on top of tuition)
| Item | Frequency | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lunch (day pupils) | One-time | £942 |
| Pocket money (day pupils) | Per year | £75 |
| Pocket money (boarders Years 7-9) | Per year | £150 |
| Pocket money (boarders Years 10-13) | Per year | £225 |
| Friends of RHS (RHSPA) | Per year | £7.5 |
| Careers Advice Programme (Years 10-11) | Per year | £45 |
| Careers Advice Programme (Years 12-13) | Per year | £60 |
| RHS Microsoft Surface Scheme | Per year | £432 |
| Return 2 Play (concussion service) | Per year | £15 |
Budget beyond the sticker price. Assume the real annual spend is 5–15% higher than the headline fee. Hidden costs typically include: registration fee, acceptance deposit (usually one term's fees, refundable at the end of schooling), uniform + sports kit, trips and expeditions, individual music tuition, exam entry fees, travel to/from home.
Ask the Bursar for a sample "all-in" first-year invoice before committing.
Merit-based scholarships (4 types)
ℹ️ This school has not published the exact % fee remission for each award. Ask the admissions team directly — typical independent school scholarships range from 5% to 50% of fees.
About
Nestled in the tranquil Suffolk countryside, Royal Hospital School combines 300 years of naval heritage with a 'future ready' focus on a picturesque 200-acre campus. Set 10 minutes from Ipswich and under an hour from London, RHS inspires pupils to realise their potential through exceptional sailing, sports, and creative arts facilities.
School data verified by NanaSays. Last updated: April 2026.
What Makes This School Different
Academic Results
Admissions
| Entry point | Assessment | Assessment date | Registration deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years 7-9 | Not specified in crawled content | — | — |
| Sixth Form (Year 12) | Not specified in crawled content | — | — |
How to apply
- Online registration (£100 non-refundable registration fee)
- Assessment (criteria not specified in crawled content)
- Offer made if successful
- Acceptance Deposit: £1,000 for day pupils, £1,750 for boarding pupils
- Additional Deposit: £2,000 for pupils whose normal residence is outside the UK
What you'll need to submit
- Online registration form
Open events
- Experience Day (Years 7-9 entry): Saturday 6 June 2026
- Open Morning (whole school): Saturday 3 October 2026
- Sixth Form Open Evening: Tuesday 10 November 2026
- Scholarship Insight Evening: Tuesday 13 October 2026
- Sailing Taster (Years 7-9, minimum age 10): dates to be announced in 2026
- Personal tours and virtual tours available on request
Scholarships: Scholarship Insight Evening held to discover talent nurturing in music, creatives, sport, and academics through stretch, challenge, and enrichment; specific scholarship types, entry points, and remission levels not detailed in crawled content
Admissions contact: 01473 326136 (UK) / +44 1473 326179 (International) / [email protected]
Admissions team indicates late applications are welcomed subject to space availability. Registration deposit is credited to final invoice on departure. Assessment criteria and format not detailed in crawled pages.
Why Families Choose
- 300 years of naval heritage
- RYA accredited Sailing Academy
- Musical excellence
- Graham Napier Cricket Academy
- Equestrian Centre
- Golf Course
Fees & Financials
Original currency: Year 7-8: Full Boarding £35,927 pa – Year 9-13: International Boarding £48,736 pa.
Student Life
Facilities & Programmes
Student Demographics
School Background
Independent