Winchester College is an international school in Winchester, United Kingdom. Founded in 1919. It serves 734 students for students aged 13–19.
Explore This School
Location & getting here
Historic cathedral city in South East England with strong academic tradition. Walkable center, ~70 miles from London with good rail access.
Nearest airports
Framed for international families — drive times are from the school, not the city centre.
| Airport | Distance | Drive from school | International note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow | 75 km | ~108 min | LHR — gateway for Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai |
| Gatwick | 79 km | ~113 min | LGW — good for SE Asia, Middle East via BA/EK/QR |
| London City | 107 km | ~149 min | — |
NanaSays Scorecard
Key Details
Scholarships Available
Winchester's means-tested bursary programme is among the most generous in the country, supporting more than 140 pupils annually with additional assistance for school trips and extra-curricular activities. Academic scholarships and Music & Sport Awards are available for exceptional pupils demonstrating outstanding ability and academic excellence.
Academic Performance
ISI Inspection Report
The school meets all regulatory standards and demonstrates excellent academic achievement with pupils achieving at extremely high levels in public examinations. Personal development is also rated as excellent, with pupils demonstrating outstanding self-reflection, confidence, resilience, and strong commitment to community engagement.
Key facts
Fees & the true cost of attendance
Published fees
| Phase | Per term | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Day pupils | £15,318 | £45,954 |
| Boarding pupils | £20,700 | £62,100 |
Compulsory extras (on top of tuition)
| Item | Frequency | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fee | One-time | £480 |
| Student Visa Support Charge | Per year | £1,440 |
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 (7 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
Winchester College is a full boys' boarding school set beside the River Itchen on the edge of a National Park in the historic city of Winchester. The school is known for academic excellence and its distinctive non-examined subject 'Div', which encourages boys to explore historical, cultural, artistic, scientific and philosophical themes. Winchester welcomes bright, curious boys guided by imaginative teachers who foster independent thinking and wide-ranging intellectual curiosity.
School data verified by NanaSays. Last updated: April 2026.
What Makes This School Different
Academic Results
Admissions
| Entry point | Assessment | Assessment date | Registration deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13+ (Year 9) | ISEB Common Pre-Tests (Year 6); Interview with Housemaster/SLT (45 mins); Winchester Entrance or Election exam (written + interview) | ISEB: Year 6; Interview: January–March Year 6; Entrance/Election: April–May Year 8 | 1 July of Year 5 |
| 16+ (Sixth Form) | Online assessment (maths, vocabulary, non-verbal reasoning); interviews at school | Online: 3 October; Interviews: November | 1 October 2026 |
How to apply
- Register online and submit required documents
- Sit entrance assessments (dates vary by entry point)
- Attend interview at school (13+ in Year 6; 16+ in November)
- Receive conditional offer of a place
- Accept offer and pay deposit (13+: £2,000; 16+: signed Parent Contract within 7 days)
- Attend induction day and confirm exam results (16+ confirm GCSEs in August)
What you'll need to submit
- Online registration form
- Full birth certificate showing parental details
- Passport
- Recent photograph
- Personal statement (16+ only; 800–1,000 words)
- Two recent academic reports (16+ only)
- Short CV of extra-curricular activities (16+ only)
- Court orders if applicable (parental responsibility, residence, contact)
- Registration/application fee (£480, waived if child qualifies for free school meals)
Open events
- 13+ Weekday Open Mornings (10:00–12:45)
- 13+ Saturday Open Days (09:15–13:30; dates: 21 May 2026, 6 June 2026)
- 13+ Virtual tours available
- 16+ Open Day (Saturday 2 May 2026)
- 16+ Twilight Tours (Thursday 11 June 2026 from 18:00; Wednesday 17 June 2026 from 18:00)
- 16+ Virtual tour (Tuesday 22 September 2026 from 18:30)
Scholarships: Founder's Scholarships (25% fee remission, merit-based, 13+ and 16+); Scholars & Exhibitioners; Music & Sport Awards; means-tested bursaries supporting 140+ pupils annually; specialist bursaries for Further Maths, Northern Ireland, and Golf.
Admissions contact: [email protected]; +44(0)1962 621247
Winchester admits boys at 13+ (full boarding) and boys/girls at 16+ (day and boarding). Girls boarding at Sixth Form launched September 2026. Admissions process well-documented with clear timelines.
Why Families Choose
Renowned academic reputation; unique non-examined 'Div' curriculum fostering broad intellectual curiosity; historic setting beside the River Itchen in Winchester; full boarding for all pupils
University Destinations
Facilities & Programmes
Student Demographics
School Background
Independent
Professor Paul Elkington (MBE recipient for developing the PeRSo Respirator), Michelle Meitiner (read English at Oxford), Tom Pakenham (founder of Green Tomato Cars and Green Tomato Energy)
Sports Programme
Cricket shows strongest competitive tier with professional pathway.