Harrow School UK: 2026 Admissions, Fees & Boarding Guide
Quick summary: Harrow School is a full-boarding, all-boys independent school in northwest London, founded in 1572. Around 830 boys live in 12 boarding houses. Main entry points are Year 9 (13+) and Year 12 (16+). Termly fees for 2025/26 are £21,245 (~£63,735/year). Admissions use the ISEB Common Pre-Test plus the Harrow Test. 2025 results: 65% A*-A at A-level and 66% grade 9–8 at GCSE.
Harrow School UK is one of the world’s most recognisable boarding schools — a full-boarding, all-boys institution where straw boater hats, House traditions, and a 450-year history define daily life. For international families comparing elite British schools, Harrow offers something distinct from Eton or Winchester: a London-adjacent campus on the Metropolitan Line, a House system of 12 boarding communities, and an admissions path built around the ISEB Common Pre-Test and Harrow’s own assessment day. This guide covers Harrow School admissions, fees, academic results, bursaries, and what international applicants need to know — using data from the school’s official admissions pages.
Harrow School UK — profile at a glance
Harrow is an independent boarding school for boys aged 13–18 (Years 9–13). Unlike many UK schools, Harrow has no day pupils or weekly boarders — every boy boards full-time during term. The school sits on a 300-acre hilltop campus in Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex, roughly 20 minutes from central London by tube.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1572 (Royal Charter under Queen Elizabeth I) |
| Type | Independent, full-boarding, all-boys |
| Age range | 13–18 (Years 9–13 / Sixth Form) |
| Enrollment | ~830 boys |
| Boarding houses | 12 (each ~60–70 boys) |
| Main entry points | Year 9 (~160–165 places) and Year 12 (~15–20 places) |
| Address | 5 High Street, Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex HA1 3HP |
| Website | harrowschool.org.uk |
| Registrar contact | admissions@harrowschool.org.uk |
Why families choose Harrow School UK
Harrow sits in the “Big Nine” cluster of historic English public schools alongside Eton, Winchester, and Westminster. What sets it apart for many international families:
- Full boarding only — immersive community life with no day-student divide
- London access — Metropolitan Line to Baker Street; cultural and university opportunities nearby
- House identity — 12 distinct boarding houses, each with its own garden, culture, and House Master
- Global alumni network — former Harrovians include Winston Churchill, Jawaharlal Nehru, Lord Byron, and leaders across politics, law, medicine, and business
- Strong exam outcomes — consistently high GCSE and A-level results (see below)
- Bursary programme — means-tested awards from 5% up to 100% of fees for qualifying families
After A-levels, Harrovians regularly gain places at Oxford, Cambridge, and other Russell Group universities, with a significant cohort also heading to top US universities each year.
Harrow School academic results (2025)
Harrow publishes annual public examination results. The 2025 cohort achieved strong outcomes across both GCSE and A-level:
| Qualification | Benchmark | 2025 result |
|---|---|---|
| A-level | A* grades | 31% |
| A-level | A*–A grades | 65% |
| A-level | A*–B grades | 89% |
| GCSE / (I)GCSE | Grade 9 | 41% |
| GCSE / (I)GCSE | Grades 9–8 | 66% |
| GCSE / (I)GCSE | Grades 9–7 | 84% |
At A-level, five boys achieved five or more A* grades; 83 boys gained three or more A*–A grades. At GCSE, sixteen boys achieved 10 or more grade 9/A* results. These figures place Harrow among the strongest-performing UK boarding schools by raw attainment.
Harrow School UK fees and deposits (2025/26)
Harrow publishes transparent fee schedules. All figures below are from the official fees page and apply to the 2025/26 academic year.
| Fee type | Amount (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Termly boarding fee | £21,245 | Includes board, tuition, textbooks, stationery, laundry (VAT inclusive) |
| Annual boarding fee (3 terms) | ~£63,735 | £21,245 × 3 terms |
| Registration fee | £450 | Non-refundable; paid at registration |
| Year 9 acceptance fee | £1,200 | Non-refundable on acceptance |
| Year 9 entry deposit | £2,400 | Paid on acceptance |
| Final confirmation deposit | £2,400 | Due 31 January in entry year |
| Overseas additional deposit | One term’s fees (£21,245) | For families with a parent residing overseas; credited on final bill |
| Visa administration fee | £3,000/year | Payable termly; for boys requiring school visa sponsorship |
| Year 12 acceptance fee | £600 | For Sixth Form entry |
Subjects requiring extra tuition (e.g. additional language support) carry supplementary charges. Families should budget beyond headline fees for uniform, trips, and personal expenses — though high-level bursaries can cover many of these costs.
Harrow School admissions — Year 9 (13+) entry
Year 9 is Harrow’s main intake, with approximately 160–165 places each September. The process is competitive and begins several years before entry. Full details are published on the school’s official Year 9 entry page.
Registration deadlines
| Applicant type | Register by | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard applicants (UK) | 1 July of Year 5 | Academic year of the boy’s 10th birthday |
| Late applicants (UK) | 1 January of Year 7 | Very few places remain; rolling assessment |
| Applicants in Hong Kong & China | Follow school-specific guidance | Separate testing arrangements may apply |
Step-by-step Harrow School admissions process (Year 9)
| Step | When | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Registration | Year 5–6 | Online form + £450 fee + passport upload |
| 2. School reference | Autumn, Year 6 | Confidential reference from current head teacher |
| 3. ISEB Common Pre-Test | Oct–Nov, Year 6 | Online test: verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English, Maths (~2.5 hours) |
| 4. The Harrow Test | Spring, Year 6 | 20-min House Master interview + computerised English/Maths (1 hr) + group activity (20 min) |
| 5. Results | Late Apr / early May, Year 6 | A1 (place + House), A2 (place, House TBC), B (waiting list), or C (no offer) |
| 6. House meetings | Summer, Year 6+ | Meet allocated House Master |
| 7. Common Entrance or Scholarship | Year 8 | Conditional offers confirmed via CE exams or Academic Scholarship papers |
All offers are conditional until the boy passes Common Entrance (CE) or performs well in Academic Scholarship examinations in Year 8. Boys at schools that do not prepare for CE — including many overseas schools — sit Harrow’s own scholarship-style papers instead.
Harrow School admissions — Year 12 (16+) Sixth Form entry
Harrow admits roughly 15–20 boys into the Sixth Form each year. Registration opens from April of the year preceding entry.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Registration deadline (standard) | Early September of Year 11 |
| Late applications | First Monday in January, Year 11 |
| GCSE requirement | 8+ passes at grade 7/8/9; grade 8–9 expected in A-level subject choices |
| Assessment | Interview, reference, predicted grades, subject tests where required |
Scholarships and bursaries at Harrow School UK
Harrow separates merit awards from financial need support:
| Award type | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Scholarships (Academic, Sport, Music, Drama, Art, DT) | 5% fee remission | Merit — excellence in academics, sport, or arts |
| Means-tested bursaries | 5%–100% of fees | Financial need; can include books, equipment, trips |
A full five-year bursary can exceed £250,000 in total value. Important: Harrow offers places before assessing bursary need — a place offer does not guarantee bursary funding. Families requiring near-100% support should contact the Access team at accessteam@harrowschool.org.uk early in the process.
Boarding life at Harrow School
Every Harrovian lives in one of 12 boarding houses, each home to 60–70 boys. Houses have their own gardens, facilities, and traditions — boys’ names are carved onto House boards, and inter-House competition is fierce.
Pastoral care is structured around each House team:
- House Master and Assistant House Master
- Matron and House Tutors
- House Visitor (often an Old Harrovian)
School-wide support includes a 24/7 Medical Centre, full-time Clinical Psychologist, two counsellors, and Chaplaincy. Boys go home only at exeats (short breaks), half-terms, and holidays — full boarding is central to Harrow’s identity.
Co-curricular life is extensive: Harrow Football (the school’s own code), cricket, rowing, drama, music, and more than 80 societies. The school’s Speech Room, Ryan Theatre, and sports centre support arts and athletics at elite level.
International students at Harrow School UK
Harrow welcomes boys from around the world. Overseas applicants follow the same admissions pathway (ISEB Pre-Test + Harrow Test) but should note:
- Visa sponsorship: Harrow acts as Child Student Visa sponsor — annual admin fee of £3,000
- Overseas deposit: One term’s fees (£21,245) held in advance if a parent resides overseas
- Hong Kong & China: Dedicated admissions guidance on the school website
- English proficiency: Assessed through ISEB and Harrow Test; EAL support available
International families often compare Harrow with US boarding schools. For context on elite boarding admissions in America, see our Phillips Exeter Academy admissions guide. After A-levels, many Harrovians apply to UK Russell Group universities — our University of Edinburgh admissions guide shows how international students navigate UCAS from a top Scottish university perspective.
Harrow School UK vs other elite British boarding schools
| Factor | Harrow | Typical peer school |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | All-boys | Eton, Winchester: all-boys; Westminster: co-ed Sixth Form |
| Boarding model | Full boarding only | Some offer day places |
| Location | London suburb (tube to central London) | Eton: Windsor; Winchester: Hampshire |
| Main entry test | ISEB CPT + Harrow Test | Eton: ISEB + Eton exam; Winchester: own papers |
| Annual fees (~2025/26) | ~£63,735 | Comparable tier: £55,000–£65,000 range |
| Distinctive tradition | Straw boaters, Harrow Football, Songs | Each school has unique customs |
How to prepare for Harrow School admissions
Competition for ~165 Year 9 places is intense. Practical preparation tips:
- Register early — by 1 July of Year 5 for standard applicants; late registration dramatically reduces chances
- Prepare for ISEB Common Pre-Test — practice verbal/non-verbal reasoning, English comprehension, and Maths; register via the ISEB Guardian Portal when open
- Build a strong school reference — head teachers report on character, attitude, and academic potential
- Interview readiness — the House Master interview tests personality, curiosity, and boarding suitability
- Plan for Common Entrance or scholarship papers — conditional offers require Year 8 exam success
- Discuss bursary needs upfront — if fees are a barrier, contact the Access team before or during registration
Frequently asked questions about Harrow School UK
How much does Harrow School cost per year?
Termly boarding fees for 2025/26 are £21,245, totalling approximately £63,735 per year across three terms. This includes board, tuition, textbooks, stationery, and laundry. International families requiring visa sponsorship pay an additional £3,000/year.
What age do boys start at Harrow School?
The main entry point is Year 9 at age 13. A smaller Sixth Form intake accepts boys at Year 12 (age 16). Harrow does not admit boys below age 13 except in rare mid-year vacancies.
Is Harrow School only for boarding students?
Yes. Harrow is a full-boarding school with no day pupils or weekly boarders. Every boy lives in one of 12 boarding houses during term time.
What is the Harrow School acceptance rate?
Harrow does not publish an official acceptance rate. With ~160–165 Year 9 places and registrations from hundreds of families globally, competition is very high. Late applicants compete for significantly fewer remaining places.
What exams are required for Harrow School admissions?
Year 9 applicants sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test in Year 6, followed by the Harrow Test (interview, English/Maths assessment, group activity). Conditional offers are confirmed via Common Entrance or Academic Scholarship exams in Year 8.
Can international students apply to Harrow School?
Yes. Harrow accepts boys from worldwide, including dedicated pathways for applicants in Hong Kong and mainland China. The school sponsors Child Student Visas for qualifying pupils.
What GCSE and A-level results does Harrow achieve?
In 2025, Harrow achieved 65% A*-A at A-level and 66% grades 9–8 at GCSE. Nearly one-third of A-level grades were A*.
Does Harrow School offer financial aid?
Yes. Means-tested bursaries range from 5% to 100% of fees. Scholarships (academic, sport, music, drama, art) carry a 5% fee remission. Bursaries and scholarships are assessed separately.
Who are famous Harrow School alumni?
Notable Old Harrovians include Winston Churchill (British Prime Minister), Jawaharlal Nehru (India’s first Prime Minister), Lord Byron (poet), Robert Peel (Prime Minister), and numerous leaders in law, medicine, sport, and business.
Last updated: June 2026. Fees, deadlines, and admissions steps sourced from Harrow School’s official website (harrowschool.org.uk). Policies change annually — verify current requirements on the school’s admissions pages before registering.
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