Admission

Admission Policy

St Edmund’s College welcomes children aged 3 to 19 through a selective process that includes interviews and entrance assessments. The college requests recent school reports and a reference letter before placing successful candidates in their age-appropriate year group. Main entry points are Nursery, Reception, Year 7, and Year 12, each with tailored procedures — younger children spend a trial morning playing among peers, while older students complete computerized tests and subject-specific discussions with teachers.

Entrance Exams

Candidates applying to Years 7–11 take the CEM test, a 60-minute assessment measuring numerical, verbal, and non-verbal abilities designed to reveal genuine potential. Notably, CEM doesn’t publish practice materials, which helps the college maintain equal conditions regardless of family budget. These results enable accurate stream placement and serve as a baseline for tracking each student’s academic progress throughout their time here.

International Admission to St Edmund’s College

The college accepts boarding students from abroad starting at age 11, requiring those whose parents live outside the UK to appoint a guardian within the country. St Edmund’s College holds UK Border Agency licensing, while Newland Chase assists families with visa matters. All candidates undergo the Password Test to confirm their English meets minimum CEFR levels for their year group, and those requiring Child Student visas pay an additional £810 administrative fee.

Minimum English requirements:

• Year 7 (Elements): A2–B1.1
• Year 8 (Rudiments): B1.1
• Year 9 (Grammar): B1.2
• Years 10–11 (Syntax–Poetry): B2.1
• Year 12 (Rhetoric): B2.2

Costs

St Edmund’s College maintains transparent fee structures that include VAT, meals, and textbooks. Registration costs £180, while the £1,500 deposit returns upon completion minus any outstanding expenses. Day fees range from £2,120 (Nursery) to £9,468 per term for senior years. Full boarding runs from £13,398 to £16,752 per term depending on age. Families with multiple children enrolled simultaneously receive discounts from 5% to 50%, and HM Forces families benefit from a 10% reduction.