Winchester College encourages 13+ registrations when pupils are in Year 5 with the first round of assessments scheduled in November of Year 6. If your child is currently in Year 6, Year 7 or Year 8, their registration will be added to a waiting list, with applicants assessed only as places become available. The registration fee is applicable for both first round applicants and those wishing to be added to the waiting list. If you would like to discuss your child’s circumstances prior to registration, please contact [email protected], +44 1 962 621 247.
If your child is currently in Year 5, please REGISTER HERE
If your child is currently in Year 6, Year 7 or Year 8, and you would like them to be added to the 13+ waiting list, please REGISTER HERE
I’m delighted you want to explore all the opportunities that are on offer and the admissions team is here to help you at each step of your journey.
We value conversation, curiosity and contribution and want each boy to reach their full potential, both in and out of the classroom. To do this, we have a highly personalised assessment process that looks at the whole child.
Please refer to the admissions timeline at the bottom of this page for key dates and next steps. If you’ve missed the Year 5 registration deadline, please do still get in touch. We also encourage you to attend one of our open events to learn more.
We look forward to welcoming you.
Communal life in our Houses is central to the Winchester experience.
Full boarding offers a unique space where pupils gain a deep sense of belonging, build lifelong friendships, and develop true independence and resilience as part of something greater than themselves.
Election, our competitive academic scholarship examinations, awards Scholarships (with a place in College – home of our academic scholars) or Exhibitions (in other boarding houses). The most exceptional candidates may also be awarded Founder’s Scholarships: prestigious awards, granted solely on academic merit, carrying 25% fee remission.
Music and Sports Award holders demonstrate outstanding ability, commitment, and potential. They receive expert coaching, have access to excellent facilities, and receive meaningful support during their time at the College.
Winchester has one of the most generous bursary programmes in the country with more than 140 pupils currently receiving financial support.
(Stage 1) Those applying to Winchester College are required to sit the ISEB Common Pre-Tests in Year 6. The Common Pre-Tests are age-standardised tests which seek to assess a pupil’s attainment and potential. The tests are multiple-choice and cover verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and Maths. No preparation is required.
(Stage 2) Candidates will have an interview with a Housemaster or member of the senior leadership team in January – March of Year 6. The interview is 45 minutes long and allows a boy to step forward, show his academic and extra-curricular potential and shine.
The Winchester Entrance exam is designed to give all candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their academic potential. We recognise that candidates from the state sector will have followed KS3 of the National Curriculum and we welcome applications.
The Academic Scholarship exam is known as ‘Election’. Election is taken instead of the Winchester Entrance exam and is a unique selection process involving both written examinations and interviews. Election typically takes place at the school over three days in the April or May of Year 8.
Year 5
Opportunity to attend an Open Event
If you have not done so already, please book an Open Event. Upcoming dates can be found here.
Visit the Housemaster and choose your boarding house
Your family will have the opportunity to visit up to two Housemasters, including a tour of each house. Please contact us to arrange your visits.
If you would like advice about Houses, please email our admissions team or call us on 01962 621247 and we’ll be happy to guide you.
Please complete your registration form and pay the fee
Please complete the registration form below, along with your payment of £480.
Please tick the relevant box in the form if you are interested in applying for a bursary or a Founder’s Scholarship.
Year 6
Stage 1: ISEB Pre-Tests
All boys sit the ISEB Common Pre-Tests during September-November, either at their current school or at an agreed centre. We will also request a report from the pupil’s Head Teacher covering his academic strengths, extra-curricular interests and character. The multiple choice tests are age-standardised and seek to assess a pupil’s attainment and potential. They cover verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and Maths. Decisions are released in early December.
Stage 2: Interview
An interview with a Housemaster or member of the senior leadership team will take place between January-March. The interview is 45 minutes long and allows a boy to step forward, show his academic and extra-curricular potential and shine. The results of the interview, together with any bursary application, are released in April/May.
Please accept your son’s place and pay the acceptance fee
If your son is successful at interview, you will receive an offer letter from the Headmaster. Please accept the place and pay the Acceptance Fee of £2,000, by 1 July.
If you applied for a bursary, you will be informed of this decision at the same time.
Year 7
Invitation to ‘Our Journey Together’ Open Morning (Jan-Feb)
The Our Journey Together Open Morning is for families who have accepted a place. This event welcomes you and your son to the school, and helps your family to prepare for the next steps.
Year 8
Apply for an Academic Scholarship, known as Election, if suitable
We encourage exceptionally bright boys to apply to take part in Election, the academic scholarship exam. Election is taken instead of the Winchester Entrance exam. It is a unique selection process involving both written examinations and interviews.
Apply for a Music or Sports Award, if suitable
If your son is a talented musician or exceptional sportsman, you may wish to apply for a Music or Sports Award.
Please sign the contract and pay the deposit (November)
In early November you will be sent the Contract and accompanying documents by email. Please sign the Acceptance Form and send the deposit by the end of November.
Your son will sit Election or Entrance exams (April / May)
We will invite your son to sit either Election or Winchester Entrance exams in April or May.
Election is taken over three days at Winchester.
The Entrance exams are taken in your son’s own school or at an approved centre.
Your son’s place will be confirmed (May)
Your son’s place will be confirmed by email. You will then receive our New Pupil’s Pack, which includes all the practical information your son needs before joining Winchester.
Invitation to our New Pupils’ Day (June)
We look forward to welcoming your son, and his peers, to our New Pupils’ Day. This is designed to offer advice and support for parents and boys as they prepare to join Winchester the following September.
Year 9
You and your son will be welcomed on the first day by your Housemaster, who will remain your main point of contact throughout your son’s time at Winchester.
In the first few weeks of term, boys will have a full schedule of activities every day so that they can learn about what is on offer at Winchester and can start to form lifelong friendships.
We understand the importance of your son’s first day, week, month, term and year with us. The House teams, dons, and support staff devote time and care to ensure that each boy settles in and has a happy and successful time at Winchester.
