Wellington College

• Location: Crowthorn, Berkshire
• Age: 13-18 years;
• Programs: High School, GCSE, A-level, IB;
• Number of students: 985;
• Year of foundation: 1853;
• Type of studying: joint.

Private boarding school Wellington College is one of the most prestigious boarding schools in England: unlike many private schools in England for girls , it accepts both children for education. It was established as a charitable educational institution. The first students of the school were orphans of military officers. The idea of ​​creating Wellington College belongs to Prince Albert, Queen Victoria, Lord Stanley - the 14th Earl of Derby. The first stone in the construction of the school was laid by Queen Victoria personally. Initially, the school accepted only boys. The boarding school opened its doors for students on 20.01.1859. Girls have been in school since 1970.

The boarding school has a special approach to teaching children. It's not just about trying to give students the best British education. Every child is encouraged to become better. Teachers, organizers of extra-curricular activities, sports coaches and masters of art help international students to discover potential, develop abilities, achieve outstanding results in academic, creative, sports field, public work.

Admission Requirements

Wellington College accepts international students on standard terms. For admission at any stage, you need knowledge of English at the level of fluency (B2 and above), good characteristics from the school, an extract of estimates. Each applicant is interviewed. In interview the applicant must demonstrate motivation, dedication, a desire for knowledge and a willingness to comply with the rules and regulations of internal regulations.

Academic programs

Wellington College enrolls students aged 13 and 16 years respectively in the 9th and 12th grade. In other classes you can also study, but through the waiting process.

In the upper years, students build an individual program: an in-depth study of three subjects at A-Level (students planning to apply to the United States are advised to take four of the most rigorous subjects) or six subjects of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme with a core skills component.

The college takes a systematic approach to university preparation: academic scholars in small groups work through interdisciplinary topics, prepare research projects in pairs with a public defense, and in the final year work with subject specialists and advisors for Oxford, Cambridge, and other universities.

Education is divided into middle school and the sixth form (Sixth Form, ages 16–18). In the final years, students choose between the International Diploma program and A-Levels:

• A-Level: 30 subjects to choose from, ranging from ancient history, Latin, and Greek to economics, physics, design, and business,
• International Diploma program — six subjects: three at higher level and three at standard level, plus a core component comprising an extended essay of 4,000 words, a Theory of Knowledge course, and a creativity, activity, and service component,

The additional EPQ course — an independent extended project in one of four formats: dissertation, investigation, artifact, or performance.

In 2025, 35 students from the new graduating cohort received Academic Colours, having achieved at least nine grade 9s at GCSE — placing them in the top 0.1% of the best performers in the country.

The winning pair of academic scholars is given the opportunity to present their research at the Power of Youth session of a youth forum in Switzerland.

• The layout of Anglesey House is said to have been designed by an educator rather than an architect,
• Beresford is named after Marshal Beresford,
• Students of Blucher House raise funds for their partner school Tiger Kloof by delivering waffles themselves and take part in an educational project in Nairobi,
• Benson House has preserved the Prince Consort's library — today it is used as a study space by Year 9 students,
• The story of the college's students does not end at 18 — graduates maintain their connection with the school throughout their lives, and the Sixth Form Centre hosts meetings with alumni of previous years.

Wellington College has 14 residences. They are all on the territory of campus. 6 residences are occupied by parts of the main buildings of the boarding school. Another 8 are within walking distance of the educational infrastructure. All residences are small in size. Boys and girls live separately. Each residence has 2-3-bed rooms and single apartments. The newly arrived are placed in the first. The students of the school live separately from the second year of study.

The amenities in the residences are on the floors. In each hostel there are recreation areas, self-training, mini-kitchens.

The students of the school are offered a full board meal. The dining room is famous for its varied menu.

Subject list: Art, biology, business, Business and management, chemistry, design, economics, geography, history, international relations, music, philosophy, physics, Political science, Psychology
Activity list: aerobics, basketball, cricket, Drama, Drawing on canvas, fencing, football, golf, hockey, horseback riding, lacrosse, netball, polo, Rifle shooting, rugby, sailing, sea kayaking, Sports running, Squash, swimming, tennis

The extracurricular program is extensive and diverse. Children are given many opportunities to discover talents and develop abilities. Creative personalities are awaited by theatrical, music studios, drama clubs, mugs of drawing, design, applied art. Intellectuals can attend electives and clubs of interest. In them certain disciplines are studied, certain natural, physical phenomena are considered.

The sports program is no less interesting. The choice of sections is impressive. Children here can practice cricket, rugby, golf, running, kayaking, basketball, track and field athletics, aerobics, cross-country running, tennis, swimming, squash, shooting, sailing, netball, polo, horseback riding, fencing, hockey, football, lacrosse.

Also the program of extracurricular activities provides excursion trips, walks, rest on the campus and beyond. All activities are supervised by the staff of the boarding school.

• Wellington College is one of the best English boarding houses. Studying here is prestigious.
• The school offers its students the most comfortable (within the framework of British traditions) conditions of stay and teaching. There are no luxury here, but there is everything necessary for effective studying, development of sports skills and creative abilities.
• Mentoring is practiced at the school. Curators help international students in achieving academic goals, motivating them to personal development.
• A special atmosphere reigns in the boarding school. Here teachers and students cooperate effectively, senior students help the younger to achieve results in their studies. This is a close-knit community, a real big school family.
• Graduates of the boarding school work in various fields, from production to politics.
• The enrollment rate for priority universities is 98%.
• Parents can monitor the learning process of their child. They are provided with detailed reports on academic progress in electronic form.

Wellington College is a well-equipped boarding school. All auditoriums are equipped with interactive whiteboards, in many there are projectors, Internet access. In the educational buildings there are information centers, computer classes. The school is proud of its library. The scientific laboratories of the school are equipped with everything necessary to organize an interesting educational process within the framework of the envisaged educational program.

The sports infrastructure is represented by 13 cricket grounds and 17 - for rugby, a golf course, a modern sports complex. In the latter there are gyms, aerobics, mini-grounds and fields for team games, a gym.

The school has its own theater. Also, the school-board has musical resources. On the campus there are music rooms, a recording studio, and vocals.

The school year starts on August 31, ends on June 29. It is divided into trimesters (autumn, spring and summer), each of which provides 10 - 14 day holidays.

Additional fees:

• registration fee - 200 pounds;
• confirmation of the place in the school - 1,300 pounds;
• deposit - 10,625 pounds;
• administrative fee - 200 pounds;
• insurance - from 67.50 pounds;
• exams;
• fees for membership in circles and communities, additional classes (Cadet Corps - 80 pounds per year, playing musical instruments - from 253 for 10 classes, etc.);
• medical care (trips to the doctor, dentist, etc.);
• pocket money.

1. Getting to know the college: Saturday open days with a 45-minute tour, meetings with college leadership and the director of admissions, student-led tours,
2. Candidate registration via the online form for the chosen entry point (11+, 13+, 14+, or 16+),
3. For families requesting financial support: a confidential online financial circumstances form, submitted after the registration deadline. A means assessment is completed by the time an offer is made,
4. An offer of a place — the college's decision following assessment of the candidate.

Smapse specialists will guide you through every stage of the application process.

The college's academic results are consistently high: for several years running, the average score on the IB Diploma Programme has exceeded 38, placing the school among the best not only in the United Kingdom but worldwide.

In May 2025, 123 IB Diploma Programme graduates (87% British and 13% international students) achieved an average score of 39.14 with an average core score of 2.5 — a result notably above the world and UK averages. 51% of graduates scored 40 or more points, and 91% were accepted to their first-choice university.

In the 2025 GCSE examinations, grade 9 was the most common — 42.1% of all grades. 68.4% of grades were 8 or 9, and 86.7% were 7 to 9.

According to UK statistics, IB Diploma Programme graduates:

• Are three times more likely than A-Level peers to gain places at top-20 UK universities,
• Are 21% more likely to progress to their second year,
• Are 7% more likely to earn a first-class honors degree,
• Are 40% more likely to earn a first- or upper second-class degree,
• Six months after graduation, are 38% more likely to be continuing further study.

According to a survey of admissions tutors, the programme develops independent research skills (94%) and self-organization (91%), compared with 49% and 47% for A-Level.

Admissions are open at the 11+, 13+, 14+, and 16+ entry points and into Years 9, 10, and 12. Candidate registration is completed through the online form for the chosen entry stage. An offer of a place depends on availability and the entry requirements at the time of the offer.

Candidates for financially supported places must meet the minimum academic criteria — the college assesses both potential and current academic achievement. Applicants for scholarships in art, dance, drama, and sport undergo separate assessments in accordance with the scholarship program's requirements.

Financial support at the college is awarded based on an assessment of family means and can cover up to 100% of tuition costs. Candidates with exceptional abilities are offered awards ranging from 10 to 100% of the cost. On average, the college admits around 20 such students with an average award size of around 50%.

• Academic scholarships for 13+ entry are awarded based on an examination and interview in Year 8 of the British system. Seven named scholarships for the highest academic distinction  are awarded at the end of Year 9. From the start of Year 10, around 24 academic scholars participate in a dedicated development programme.
  Academic scholarships do not come with a fee reduction but provide access to the scholars' programme,
• For 16+ entry, scholarships are offered in art, dance, drama, music, and sport. Every candidate is automatically considered for an academic scholarship, and Academic Colours are awarded for outstanding GCSE results,
• Prince Albert Foundation — 10–15 fully funded scholarships annually, predominantly for 16+ entry, for families in difficult socioeconomic circumstances,
• David Lofthouse Award — support for students who have overcome significant physical hardship,
• Music awards, including choral scholarships, are awarded by audition. Candidates for scholarships in sport, art, dance, and drama are invited to an Inspire day prior to entry.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision