students in their uniforms are sitting underneath a tree on the grass chatting

Our Articles

How Much Does a British Boarding School Cost?

A brunette man in a dark suit and a white shirt is looking into the camera By Ferdinand Steinbeis

Anyone interested in a school stay in Great Britain will sooner or later stumble across a question we hear regularly – and quite rightly so: How much does a British boarding school actually cost? The short answer is: between £42,000 and £69,000 per school year. Not a bargain – but an offer with real substance.

In this article we give you a well-founded overview of fees, additional costs, scholarships, and everything else that matters.

British boarding schools calculate in trimesters rather than semesters as in Germany. For the school year 2025/2026, school fees range between £14,000 and £23,000 per trimester, which adds up to around £42,000 to £69,000 per year, depending on the school. 

These costs usually include:

  • Lessons in small classes
  • Accommodation in the boarding house
  • Three meals a day
  • Most sports, music and leisure activities
  • Round-the-clock care by houseparents and tutors 

In other words: you get an all-inclusive package where about 95% of all costs are already covered – without hidden fees or monthly add-ons.

Nevertheless, there are some extras that are 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)
  • Pocket money (recommended £30–50 per week)
  • Flights & transfers (for travel home during holidays or exeat weekends)
  • Excursions and field trips (e.g. London visits or outdoor weekends) 

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

At first glance the numbers seem high – and we understand that. But: the value for money is actually remarkable. You don’t just pay for teaching and accommodation, but for a fully organised life at the highest level: excellent teachers, often with degrees from Oxbridge or leading universities worldwide, intensive support through small classes and personal tutoring, top conditions for music, art and sport, an international community that encourages open-mindedness and independence, and state-of-the-art facilities – from riding stables to theatres with professional lighting.

Many schools offer smaller scholarships for special talents – whether in sport, music, art or academics. These can provide partial reductions on fees. In addition, there are so-called bursaries, i.e. means-tested support granted on application.

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

As a basic rule: at least two trimesters must always be paid, unless the child was only enrolled for a single trimester. An early school departure should be communicated in writing and in good time – otherwise the third trimester may still be charged.

Yes, British boarding schools are an investment. But they also offer an educational experience that is unique in this form. Anyone who wants their child to gain not only knowledge, but also self-confidence, curiosity, leadership skills and international openness, is in exactly the right place.

A small tip: when checking school websites for “Fees”, always look to see whether UK VAT is already included. If in doubt, ask – to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

 Would you like to know more or have individual questions? We are also happy to help with the application process and preparation for auditions or interviews.

Talk to us – we are happy to advise you.

30 Years experience in the UK boarding school placements

For over 30 years, we have been guiding families in choosing the right British boarding school. This makes us one of the first and only agencies to specialise exclusively in this field. Our experience makes all the difference. Find out why that matters here.

Why us?

Want to discuss any of the schools?

Please never hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. One of our consultants will be more than happy to talk to you and your child. 

BOOK A CONSULTATION