International Pupils

Cheltenham College and Cheltenham Prep are home to over 100 international students from over 30 countries. Our international pupils value the provision of an outstanding holistic English education with a global outlook.

If required, international pupils are supported by our specialist English as an Additional Language (EAL) department. The EAL specialists within this department ensure that each individual can achieve their full potential during their time here.

At College, our pupil-led International Committee gives international pupils their own voice as a part of the school community and the pupil body as a whole. Each year, the committee organises a number of events that celebrate the cultural diversity of our community and also ensures key festivals and national days are recognised.

If you haven’t already, please do read our Good Schools Guide review for both The Prep and College.

Exeat weekends 2026-27

For 2026-27 international boarders from Third Form to the Upper Sixth can choose to stay at College for Exeat weekends, except the weekends of 18-20 September 2026 and 1-3 May 2027. There is charge of £200 for those pupils staying at College.

The application process for International Pupils joining The Prep

If you live overseas and wish to apply for a place at The Prep for your child (aged 7 and above), they will need to:

• When possible, attend a Taster Day and sleepover at The Prep. Your child will be buddied up with another pupil who will be their guide throughout their stay. They will attend a day’s lessons and activities before having a sleepover in our Boarding House.
• Sit entrance assessments for their age group.
• In some instances, you will need to provide a Child Student Visa for your child. Once a place has been formally accepted, College is happy to provide a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS) to enable you to do this.

The application process for International Pupils joining at 13+ & 14+

If you live overseas and wish to apply for a place at Cheltenham College for your child at 13+ and 14+, they will need to:

• Take papers in English as an Additional Language and Maths.
• Provide supporting references.
• Undertake an interview either at College or via Skype with a member of College staff.
• In some instances, you will need to provide a Child Student Visa for your child. A Child Student Visa is only available for full boarders. Once a place has been formally accepted, College is happy to provide a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS) to enable you to do this.

The application process for International Pupils joining at 16+

If you live overseas and wish to apply for a place at Cheltenham College for your child at 16+, they will need to:

• Take papers in English as an Additional Language, plus papers in the subjects to be taken at A Level.
• Provide supporting references.
• Undertake an interview either at College or via Skype with a member of College staff.
• In some instances, you will need to provide a Child Student Visa for your child. Once a place has been formally accepted College is happy to provide a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS) to enable you to do this.
• Your child’s offer may also be conditional upon achieving a minimum of five B grades at GCSE (or the equivalent examinations).

Entrance Requirements for EAL

Prospective pupils who do not have English as their first language may apply for a place at the school, either for a short-term placement, or as a full-time pupil. Assessment will include an online proficiency test, a written test of English language and an interview. All forms of entry will be marked by the Head of EAL (English as an Additional Language) to check that students meet College’s language requirements. The results of these English language tests are then added to those for other subjects to determine whether the pupil would be able to cope with studying in a second language and thus, may be offered a place to study at College. The Head of EAL would also use these results to determine whether a pupil would benefit from additional EAL lessons, or would cope without direct support.

For full details of what Cheltenham College has to offer international pupils, please download our Welcoming International Pupils guide using the link below.

If you have any questions about your child coming to Cheltenham College as an international pupil, please do not hesitate to contact the Admissions Office by telephone on 00 44 1242 265600 (College) or 01242 265639 (Prep) or by email at admissions@cheltenhamcollege.org or prepadmissions@cheltenhamcollege.org.

View our International Pupils Guide