Scholarships & Bursaries
Scholarship Awards are for Entry from year 7-10 and year 12
At Downside, we seek to encourage and nurture excellence through our Scholarship Awards, and for these awards to be funded by a financial package to enable pupils to come to the school who, without the assistance of a scholarship, would not be able to do so. As a guide, scholarships are potentially worth up to 40% of the fees (for new pupils from September 2027), or cover music and art lessons. This financial award may be enhanced by a means-tested bursary if parents are able to demonstrate, through application, that they could not otherwise send their child to the School.
Awards for new entrants to the school are made at Year 7-10 and Year 12 entry, for excellence and potential in various fields. Please do get in touch with the Admissions team, who would be delighted to connect you with a Head of Department if you would like further information on each award.
Please see the Scholarship booklet for further information.
Please click here for Scholarship and Bursary Application and Assessment Dates.
Scholarship Awards Available
- Academic Scholarship
- All-Rounder Scholarship (Academic & one other discipline)
- Art Scholarship
- Drama & Theatre Scholarship
- Music and/or Choral Scholarships
- Product Design Scholarship
- Sports Scholarships
- The Sill Organ Scholarship
- The Bevan Choral Scholarship
- Pilar Scholarship
Please note: The Year 9 Francis Dix Awards are awarded by the School and candidates are not required to enter.
Scholarship Deadlines
Year 12 – 16th October 2026
Year 7, 8, 9 &10 – 10th December 2026
TIMINGS
Monday 9th November 2026
Art, Music/Choral/Organ, Product Design, Sport, Theatre Studies.
Tuesday 10th November 2026
Academic
FORMS
Please click to download further information and the relevant application form.
TIMINGS
Tuesday 19th January 2027
Year 7-10 Scholarship Assessments (Academic and Sport)
Wednesday 20th January 2027
Art, Drama, Music/Choral, Organ (Year 9 and 10 only), Product Design.
FORMS
Please click to download further information and the relevant application form.
Bursaries are means-tested and are available to pupils entering the School at all age levels. Bursaries can also be awarded to parents of current Downside pupils whose financial circumstances may have changed unexpectedly.
Bursary application forms can be obtained from the Admissions Office. All applications are treated in the strictest confidence.
Year 12 Scholarship and Bursary application deadline Friday 16th October 2026
Year 7- Year 10 Scholarship and Bursary application deadline Thursday 10th December 2026
for any enquiries about scholarships or bursaries please email admissions@downside.co.uk
APPLICATION PROCESS for 2027 entry
Start
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Contact Admissions Team
admissions@downside.co.uk
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Express interest in the School & Register for entry
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Download/complete scholarship application forms
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Submit application by deadlines:
Year 12: October deadline
Year 7-10: December deadline
↓
Attend assessment(s):
Year 12: November
Year 7-10: January
↓
School evaluates → Scholarship Offer made
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Accept offer, sign contract, pay deposit
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Join School and commence studies