International Application ProcessA modern British boarding school with a Global outlook

International pupils are very warmly welcomed at King Edward’s and greatly enrich the lives of our whole school community.

We provide the opportunity to be part of a modern British boarding school with a Global outlook – enjoying the benefits of our beautiful 100-acre learning environment in the heart of the Surrey Hills, just an hour away from major London airports Gatwick and Heathrow, London Waterloo and onwards to other towns and settings.

Each year around 15% of our pupils come from 30+ different countries and we are wholly committed to continuing to create the broad and balanced blend of pupils that has helped us shape a community that is kind, unprejudiced and worldly wise in its finest contemporary sense. We currently host pupils from Bulgaria, Germany, Kazakhstan, Austria, Ukraine, Spain, Hong Kong, China, South Korea, Uganda, Japan, France, Singapore, Pakistan, Portugal, South Africa, Thailand, Italy and Switzerland which provides for a truly global school experience for all.

This unique blend of familiarity and opportunity makes the world so much more accessible for our pupils and the adventure of broader understanding begins at King Edward’s with straight-forward school-time connection. All international pupils study and relax alongside our UK day and boarding pupils are fully immersed in British education developing both language skills and a unique cultural perspective of British life.

By living, learning and laughing together in our warm environment, all of our pupils acquire, and contribute to, a positive global outlook like no other.

Applying to King Edward’s

Pupils are able to apply to the School directly or via an educational consultancy service. Whilst we would always encourage families to visit King Edward’s to meet us in person to explore and experience everyday school life and opportunity here. We are delighted to offer online information sessions if this is not possible.

Entrance Requirements

Pupils whose first language is not English will be required to sit our own online entrance test, this will be in Maths and English (EAL) followed by a skype or Zoom interview. Testing may take place here at King Edward’s, at the British Council or through an approved educational consultancy.

For international pupils already studying within the United Kingdom, we would normally ask that the pupil visits King Edward’s and that they undertake their Entrance Test and interview here.

Year 7 (11+) and Year 8 (12+)

Pupils whose first language is not English will be required to sit our own online Entrance Test, this will be in Maths and English (EAL) followed by a skype or Zoom interview. At initial enquiry, we would ask for a copy of the pupil’s last school reports (in English).

Year 9 (13+)

Pupils whose first language is not English will be required to sit our own online Entrance Test, this will be in Maths and English (EAL) followed by a skype or Zoom interview. At initial enquiry, we would ask for a copy of the pupil’s last school reports (in English).

Year 10 (14+)

The Admissions team at King Edward’s is here to support you at every step of your journey to senior school; we understand choosing your son or daughter’s senior school is one of the most important decisions your family will take together.

Please contact admissions to check space availability for Year 10 (14+) entry.

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Pre-Sixth Course (15+)

Our bespoke Pre-Sixth Course is a one-year intensive IGCSE programme, primarily intended for international students as an ideal transition to our sixth form here at King Edward’s.

Pupils whose first language is not English will be required to sit our own online Entrance Test, this will be in Maths and English (EAL) followed by a skype or Zoom interview. At initial enquiry, we would ask for a copy of the pupil’s last school reports (in English).

Sixth Form (16+)

Pupils will be required to indicate their choice of A-Level subjects. All pupils will then sit our own online Entrance Test, this will be in Maths and English (EAL) followed by a skype or Zoom interview.

Explore our Pre-Sixth one-year GCSE programme

to prepare for a full Sixth Form Life at King Edward’s
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Explore Sixth Form Life

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Guardianship

A condition of entry to King Edward’s is that all pupils coming from overseas have a guardian whose residential address is in the UK. This may be a relative or family friend but must be someone of more than 25 years of age, not living in student accommodation.

If you do not have a family friend or relative who can fulfil this role, then the Admissions Department can provide a list of guardian agency families local to King Edward’s. We do not participate in inspecting any Guardian/Host Family or Agency arrangements and the School cannot be held responsible for the welfare of your child whilst under the care of a host family or Guardian.

Please see a list of AEGIS accredited Guardians – Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students here.

Visas

Any pupil who does not hold a British Passport and who is a citizen outside the UK, must have a visa to allow them to study in the UK. King Edward’s is able to provide a CAS (Certificate of Acceptance to Study) via our visa specialist partners Fragomen LLP once a place has been accepted at the school. For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Agents

Our admissions team works with educational agents from around the world and we greatly appreciate the important role played in helping overseas families to make important decisions about the education of their children. Please contact our admissions team via admissions@kesw.org to discuss any aspect of our international application process in more detail or to arrange a personal tour of our school. The Journal is a half termly newsletter newsletter creating to keep agents updated on latest news from King Edward’s to help inform your discussions with prospective families. Click here to view the most recent version.

Join us at an Open Morning

The best way to experience what life is like at King Edward’s is to join us at an Open Morning. You will have the chance to talk to pupils and teachers about what makes our school such a special place, and to answer any questions you have about life here.

Friday, 21st March 2025

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Request an on-line Information Session

The Admissions team at King Edward’s is here to support you at every step of your journey to British boarding life. We understand choosing your son or daughter’s school is one of the most important decisions your family will take together and would be delighted to discuss the English language requirements and the application process in more detail via an online information session.
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Join Us for a Personal Visit

We warmly invite you to visit us and explore and experience everyday school life here at King Edward’s. Personal visits usually last around 90-minutes including a meeting with our Head, Mrs Joanna Wright, and opportunities to meet with pupils and tour the school.
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