(update 05/11/2025)
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.
Extras
- 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.
Guardianship
In addition, there are costs for guardianship services for international boarding pupils, which vary depending on the provider and the level of support. Prices for a basic First Guardian Response Package start at around £400 per term, while more comprehensive packages – including regular visits, emergency support, or travel arrangements – can be higher. Through von Bülow Education, we can also offer our own in-house guardianship service, tailored to the needs of each family and the requirements of the school.
Entry and Health Insurance
Additional costs may include those related to entry requirements and health insurance. Since 2025, EU travellers have been required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK, which can easily be applied for online at a cost of £16. For stays of longer than six months, a Child Student Visa (£524) is required and can be applied for up to six months before the start of term. There is also the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), a statutory healthcare charge of £776 per year (plus a one-off fee of £388 in the first year), which covers emergency medical treatment in the UK. For broader coverage, we recommend taking out additional private international health insurance.
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.
When to pay
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.