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How much does an English boarding school cost?

Hello from Richmond,

Anyone interested in attending school in the United Kingdom will sooner or later come across a question we hear regularly: How much does a British boarding school actually cost? The short answer is: between £42,000 and £69,000 per school year.

Not exactly a bargain – but it’s an offer that has a lot to give.

In this article, we provide a detailed overview of fees, additional costs, scholarships, and everything else you need to know.

British boarding schools operate on a trimester system, rather than the half-year system used in Germany. For the 2025/2026 school year, tuition fees range from £14,000 to £23,000 per term, meaning £42,000 to £69,000 per year, depending on the school.

These fees usually include:

Lessons in small classes
Accommodation in the boarding house
Three meals per day
Most sports, music, and extracurricular activities
24-hour care and supervision from houseparents and tutors

In other words: you get an all-inclusive package, with around 95% of all costs already covered – no hidden fees or monthly extra bills.

However, there are a few extras not included in the school fees:

School uniform (£600–£1,000, depending on the school)
Music or language lessons (e.g. individual instrument tuition or IELTS preparation)
Pocket money (recommended: £30–£50 per week)
Flights and transfers (for travel home during holidays)
Excursions and field trips (e.g. visits to London or outdoor weekends)

For these additional costs, you should budget around £2,000–£5,000 per year, depending on the school and activities.

At first glance, these figures may seem high – and we completely understand that. But: the value for money is, in most cases, worth it. You are not only paying for teaching and accommodation, but for a fully organized life at the highest standard: excellent teachers (often graduates from Oxbridge or other leading universities worldwide), individual support through small class sizes and personal tutoring, first-class facilities for music, art, and sports, an international community that fosters openness and independence, and state-of-the-art equipment – from stables to theatres with professional lighting systems.

Many schools offer scholarships for talented students – in sport, music, art, or academics – which can reduce tuition fees. In addition, there are bursaries, which are means-tested financial aid packages available upon application.

We are happy to assist you with the application process and preparation for potential auditions or interviews.

School fees are due two weeks before the start of each term. Payment is usually made in pounds sterling, directly to the school – sometimes via an online payment platform (e.g. Flywire or Wise).

As a general rule, two terms must always be paid, unless the child is enrolled for only one. If a student leaves school early, this must be communicated in writing and well in advance – otherwise, the third term may still be charged.

Yes, British boarding schools are an investment. But they also offer an educational experience that is truly unique. If you want your child to gain not only knowledge but also confidence, curiosity, leadership skills, and international openness, then this is the right place.

A small tip: when checking a school’s website for “Fees” or tuition information, always look to see whether VAT (Value Added Tax) is already included. If in doubt, ask – to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Would you like to know more or have specific questions? Get in touch with us – we’ll be happy to advise you.

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