International Admissions | Bryanston School

International pupils represent approximately 15% of our total pupil numbers.

Some are British with parents living overseas; others are from a broad range of nationalities. For some, English is a second or additional language, but all pupils need to be proficient in both written and spoken English in order to access the curriculum.

Overseas pupils can join in Years 9 or 10 for GCSEs, Year 11 for pre-IB or Year 12 for Sixth Form. They can apply directly to the School or via an educational agency.

Pupils have a huge variety of options to engage them alongside their academic studies, with over 80 co-curricular activities. This helps them have a balanced education and to live life to the full.

Visiting us

We are delighted to welcome you to Bryanston on a time and date to suit you where possible. During this visit we will ensure that this is tailored to your childs academic and activity interests as well as visiting a boarding house and touring our exceptional facilities.

Please call +44 1258 484 544 or arrange your visit online to book your visit at a suitable time.

Registration

We always advise that you discuss applying to Bryanston before registration to ensure that a place is available.

Registration can then be completed online where you can also upload a copy of your child’s passport and latest school reports which should be translated. The registration fee can also be paid securely online as part of the senior school registration form.

Junior Boys Boarding House - Beechwood Boys on Lawn

Assessment

Once registered we will arrange for a CAT4 and Password English proficiency test to be taken; both are online tests. These can be invigilated by their current school, educational agent, British Consulate or Lawyers Office or we can invigilate online if the other options are not possible. If you are visiting Bryanston these tests can be taken here if you would like.

An interview will also be required and again this can be done online at a time to suit or can be conducted in person, if you visit.

If applying for scholarships for Year 9 and Sixth Form you will need to attend our assessment days in person at Bryanston.

Accepting a place

Following the assessments, if a place is offered and accepted, a deposit of £2,000 is payable. For all fee information please see the fee section of this website.

Bryanston has been welcoming pupils from overseas since its conception nearly 100 years ago and therefore we are experienced in supporting you through this journey to study in the UK. Bryanston is licensed by the UK Visas and Immigration to enrol international students. Sable International supports us and families to navigate the visa process to ensure that this is as smooth as possible.

Guardianship

Every pupil with a parent who lives overseas must have an adult guardian in the UK who is responsible for them during their studies at Bryantson and it is the parents’ responsibility to find a suitable guardian for their child.

Bryanston is a member of AEGIS (Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students) who can support you with this choice.

The guardian will:

Provide 24 hour contact for parents, pupils and the school in case of emergency
Liaise with the school and parents to make the necessary travel and accommodation arrangements during school holidays
Ensure pupils under the age of 16 are accompanied by an adult to and from their place of departure
Be available to attend school functions and meet staff to discuss pupil’s progress
Communicate routinely with the school regarding the welfare of the pupil

Information for international parents and agents

Entry process

All pupils will follow our normal CAT4 testing procedure and for those for whom is not their first language they will also sit an EAL English paper, and undertake an interview.

Offer and acceptance of a place

Once an offer of a place has been made, a deposit of a full term’s fees is requested for overseas families. Payment of the deposit and completion of the acceptance form guarantees the place.
Does my child need a visa?

If a child does not hold a British passport, they may need to apply for a Child Pupil visa to study in the UK.

If your child has an EU, EEA or Swiss passport and were living in the UK before 31 December 2020 you will need to have applied for pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme before 30 June 2021 to enable your child to continue to live and study in the UK.
How do I apply for a visa?

Once a place has been offered and accepted, we will issue a CAS number, which will allow the visa application process to start.

It is the responsibility of parents to ensure the application is correct and that their child is in possession of a valid visa before the start of the child’s first term. Parents must also ensure that their child’s passport and visa are renewed as required.
Guardianship

Children whose parents do not live in the UK will require an accredited guardian to act on their behalf whilst they are studying at Bryanston.
Travelling from airports to the school

Our coach service links up with Heathrow and Southampton airports. The School provides a ‘meet and greet’ service at the start of each half of term to coordinate the arrivals of pupils travelling from overseas.