Winchester has one of the most generous bursary programmes in the country providing more than £5m in total bursary support each year.
Means-tested bursaries range from 5-100% of fees and can also cover extras such as laptops, trips, and extra-curricular activities.
A generous bursary programme, alongside a wide range of academic scholarships and awards, enables us to support pupils who will both thrive in our community and enrich the life of the College.
Bursaries, academic scholarships and music or sport awards may be combined, resulting in a greater level of financial support.
We are delighted to announce The Paddy Dear Bursary Award, a new £10 million endowment created to support families who can contribute towards school fees but can’t meet the full cost of an independent education.
Alongside our existing transformational bursaries of up to 100%, this generous donation will enable us to continue attracting outstanding talent from a broad cross section of society.
The Award has been made possible by Old Wykehamist Paddy Dear and is rooted in his own experience of receiving financial support to attend the College:
“The bursary I received from Winchester College changed my life. It enabled me to have an incredible education, which shaped the way I think, learn, and approach life. I have never forgotten how transformative that support was.”
2024/2025 Annual Report
The Wykeham Bursary Award
For Sixth Form entrants from UK state schools joining as a day pupil or boarder.
The Paddy Dear Bursary Award
For candidates at 13+ or 16+ who qualify for means-tested support between 20 – 70% of fees.
Keniston-Cooper Maths Bursary Award
For Sixth Form entrants from UK state schools intending to study Further Mathematics at A-level.
Golf Bursary Award
For candidates at 13+ and 16+ with exceptional golfing ability or potential.
Northern Ireland Bursary Award
For pupils joining from Northern Ireland.
Founder’s Scholarships are available to new pupils joining the school at either 13+ or 16+. They are awarded purely on academic merit and recognise original thinking, intellectual curiosity, and analytical rigour. They carry 25% fee remission and are not means-tested.
Scholars and Exhibitioners join the school at 13+ having succeeded in Election, our academic scholarship examination. Scholars board in College, the home of academic scholars at 13+ and are distinguished by the black gowns they wear. Exhibitioners accept a place in a boarding house rather than College. These titles do not automatically include fee remission.
Music Awards recognise young musicians with outstanding ability, potential, and commitment. Recipients benefit from significant performance opportunities and an engaging introduction to the school’s musical community, alongside expert teaching and structured lesson time devoted to supporting their musical enjoyment and development.
Sport Awards at Winchester College offer pupils an exceptional opportunity to develop their sporting and academic potential. Recipients receive specialist technical coaching, a bespoke strength and conditioning programme, mental-skills training, and a dedicated sports tutor.
Music & Sport Awards do not automatically include fee remission.
