Year 12 entry (16+)

A very warm welcome to Dulwich College; we look forward to guiding you through the admissions process. 

Dulwich College is a diverse community of bright, creative, intellectually curious and compassionate boys aged 7 to 18 years. Each academic year, around 40 new boys enter the Upper School in Year 12 (aged 16+), either as boarders or day boys, making a year group of around 250 students, divided into 23 forms. Here they develop their intellectual and extra-curricular interests, both inside and beyond the classroom; they are stretched and challenged and build the resilience and independence they need to prepare themselves for life beyond Dulwich College.

Applying for a place

If you are interested in applying for a place in Year 12, we encourage you to begin the process by registering your son.

Apply Now

From the very first visit, we knew Dulwich College was the right place for our boy. The admissions process was so welcoming and supportive, and as a family we felt at home straight away. Our boy has settled in wonderfully, he is challenged, encouraged, and, most importantly, happy. - Parent

Beyond Dulwich

Two young men in business attire are engaged in a conversation, with one of them using a laptop computer in what appears to be an office or workplace setting. — Beyond Dulwich

Old Alleynians talk about their time at Dulwich

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Visit Us

We would be delighted to welcome you to Dulwich College; there are a variety of ways to visit us. Booking is now available for tours and open events for boys seeking Year 12 entry in September 2027.

Small Group Tours

Our small group tours take place on a Wednesday afternoon during the Summer Term. Prospective applicants and their families will have the opportunity to tour the campus with current students and meet with the Head of Upper School. Tours are available on the following dates:

20 May, starting at 2.00 pm
3 June, starting at 2.00 pm
17 June, starting at 2.00 pm
24 June, starting at 2.00 pm

Reserve a place

Open Events

For applicants seeking entry to Year 12 in September 2027, we will be hosting the following open events:

An Upper School Admissions Information Evening on Tuesday 19 May, starting at 5.45 pm

Reserve a place

A Year 12 Open Morning on Saturday 10 October, starting at 10.45 am.

Reserve a place

Applicants and their families will hear from the Head of Upper School, as well as Senior Staff and past and current students. Our Higher Education, Overseas University Counsellors and Careers Advisors will also be on hand to answer any questions you might have and there will be an opportunity to take a student led tour of the College campus.

Safeguarding Policy

All visitors to the College, including prospective parents, are asked to read our Safeguarding Policy.

Apply for a Place

Registration for Year 12 entry in 2027 is now open.

Applicants sitting the Entrance Examinations in the UK should complete the 'Year 12 - Registration Form'. The registration fee is £200 and is non-refundable.

Applicants sitting the Entrance Examinations Overseas should complete the 'Overseas Year 12 - Registration Form'. The registration fee is £400 and is non-refundable.

Registration deadline for Year 12 entry in 2027 is Friday 16 October at midday.

To complete the online registration form you will need the following:

Your son’s passport and birth certificate
A recent photograph of your son
Your son’s most recent academic school report
Educational Psychologist report (if applicable)
Details of any medical condition indicating examination concessions (if applicable)
A debit or credit card to pay the non-refundable registration fee
If your son is in receipt of the Pupil Premium, a letter from your current school confirming this. Those in receipt of Pupil Premium do not need to pay a registration fee. Please complete the online registration form, tick the Pupil Premium box and upload the school letter. Please complete the form up to the point of making payment and then email the Upper School Registrar who will complete the registration process for you. (upperschooladmissions@dulwich.org.uk).

New users

To use our Admissions Portal to register for an event or submit a registration form for the first time you will need to set up a user account.

Complete a Registration Form

Existing users

If you have registered to attend an event since April 2025 or registered for a son to sit our examinations in the past you will already have created an account. Please sign in before continuing.

To complete a new registration form please select 'Add New Applicant'. If you are re-applying for the same son please do not edit his 'past application', instead select 'Add New Applicant'.

You will then find links to events and additional forms specific to your son's application in your 'Checklist'.

Key Dates

Entry to Year 12 (16+) in September 2027

Entry Procedure Overview
Age of applicant	Applicants should be 16 years old in September 2027 (born between 1 September 2010 and 31 August 2011)
Number of places available	Approximately 40 places (the majority for boarding)
Academic, Music, and Sports Scholarships	Available
Sport scholarship day	Candidates will be invited to attend a day during the week commencing Monday 23 November 2026.
Bursaries - Full or Partial Financial Support	Available for day places
Registration deadline	Friday 16 October (Midday)
Entrance Examinations	The entrance examinations for UK based applicants will take place at Dulwich College on Wednesday 11 November. For applicants based in Hong Kong, the entrance examinations will take place in Hong Kong on Sunday 25 October, and for all other overseas applicants, the entrance examinations will be arranged in a pupil’s home country (where possible) between 25 October and 8 November.
Interview for Shortlisted Applicants	Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interview. Interviews will take place at Dulwich College or online, between 23 and 27 November.
Results	Will be sent by email within three weeks of the examination or interview. Offers of places to successful applicants will be sent by email, on or before Friday 4 December.
Acceptance Deadline	Friday 11 December

Assessment, Entry Requirements & Selection

Assessment

Entrance Examination
Applicants will sit written examinations in each of the three subjects chosen to be studied at A level, except for the following subjects:

Art and Design & Technology – Applicants should submit a portfolio of work
Computer Science – Applicants are expected to perform strongly in the mathematics examination and to demonstrate their aptitude in interview, as well as their programming experience and ability
Physical Education – Applicants will be invited to a group interview

Applicants for whom English is not their first language will be expected to also pass the College’s English as an Additional Language examination.

Interview
Applicants who perform strongly in the entrance examinations are shortlisted for interview, either in person or online.

Requirements for entry to Year 12

The Upper School provides a demanding academic curriculum that requires both intellectual ability and a strong work ethic. It is therefore suitable only for boys who have both qualities:

For 16+ applicants to enter the Remove from elsewhere in the UK, the minimum requirement for entry will be 65 points at GCSE (calculated by adding up the grades achieved at GCSE) or the equivalent. We look for a grade 8 or above in English Language, Mathematics, and in all subjects chosen for study at A level, where previously studied.
For overseas applicants who are not studying GCSEs there are special qualifications and procedures, details of which can be obtained from the Head of Upper School or from the Upper School Registrar.

Selection

The offer of a place at the College is made based on

the applicant’s performance in the examination
an interview
a report from the Head of the candidate’s present school

and is subject to the College's Standard Terms and Conditions.

Where IELTS is required for immigration purposes or as evidence of language proficiency for a pupil's university application language preparation sessions will be provided for those requiring support. The College can also arrange IELTS tests.

Access Arrangements in Entrance Examinations

Access Arrangements are pre-examination adjustments for candidates based on evidence of need and normal way of working. They can include, but are not limited to, extra time, supervised breaks and use of word processor. Access Arrangements are reviewed by our Learning Support team and granted in line with JCQ regulations. To evidence a need and normal way of working, you will need to submit the following at time of application:

a letter/report from CAMHS, a HPC registered psychologist, a medical consultant, a psychiatrist, a Speech and Language Therapist; or
a letter/report from the Local Authority Specialist Service, Local Authority Sensory Impairment Service or Occupational Health Service; or
a current EHCP
We will also require a letter from the current school stating the pupil's normal way of working

The College needs this information so that it can assess a pupil’s particular needs and (if required) can consult with their parents about the adjustments which could reasonably be made to cater for those needs during the admissions process.

If there are any changes to requirements, please inform the Upper School Registrar no later than 10 days before the entrance examination.

Sample Papers

The sample papers featured represent a guide to the style of paper applicants might expect. Further information about the entrance papers for subjects not featured here is available from the Upper School Registrar.

Biology

Chemistry

Classical Civilisation

Choosing A Level Options

Factors to consider:

What are you good at?
What do you most enjoy?
What would you like to do next?
What are your plans after A levels?

Useful Resources

Upper School Curriculum
A level Examination Results
Leavers’ Destinations and University Courses

An appointment can be made with the Head of Upper School, to discuss subject options both prior to registering for a place and throughout the admissions process. Please contact the Upper School Registrar to arrange an appointment.

Future Pathways

The table below is a guide drawn from the HEAP Guide 2025 and the UCAS website.

Subject area	Preferred subjects (subjects in square brackets are useful but not essential)
Accounting and Finance	Mathematics [Economics]
Architecture	Mathematics and/or Physics [Sciences, Art, DT, Geography]
Biochemistry	Chemistry + another Science. Biology sometimes required [Sciences, Mathematics]
Biology	Biology + another Science [Sciences, Mathematics]
Biomedical Science	Biology, Chemistry [Sciences, Mathematics]
Biotechnology	Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics [Physics]
Business and Management	None [Mathematics, Economics, English, Humanities, Social Sciences]
Chemistry	Chemistry + another Science. Mathematics sometimes required [Sciences, Mathematics]
Chinese Studies	None [A modern language]
Classics	Some may require Latin/Greek [Latin, Greek, English Literature, History, Philosophy/RS, Languages]
Combined Honours	Check course requirements [Languages are common combination subjects]
Computer Science	Mathematics. Further Mathematics sometimes required [Sciences, Computer Science]
Dentistry	Chemistry, Biology [Sciences, Mathematics]
Ecological/Environmental/Earth Sciences	Sciences [Sciences, Mathematics, Geography, Psychology, Computer Science]
Economics	Mathematics [Economics, Further Mathematics]
Engineering	Mathematics, Physics [Chemistry, DT, Further Mathematics]
English	English [Humanities, Languages]
Geography	Geography [Sciences, Mathematics, Politics]
History	History [English, Humanities, Politics, Economics, Classics, Languages]
International Relations	None [Humanities, Economics, Politics, Languages]
Law	None [Humanities, Social Sciences, Languages]
Mathematics	Mathematics. Further Mathematics sometimes required.
Medicine	Chemistry, Biology [Physics, Mathematics]
Modern Languages	The language to be studied [other languages]
Music	Music [Instrumental grades required for many courses]
Natural Sciences	Sciences [Mathematics]
Neuroscience	Biology, Chemistry [Mathematics, Physics, Psychology]
Pharmaceutical Science/Pharmacology	Chemistry, Biology [Mathematics, Sciences]
Philosophy	None [Mathematics, Humanities, Social Sciences]
Philosophy, Politics and Economics	At least one of Politics, Philosophy or Economics. Mathematics required for some courses. [Politics, Philosophy, Economics, English, Languages, Humanities, Social Sciences]
Physics	Physics, Mathematics [Chemistry for Natural Sciences routes]
Politics	None [Humanities (especially History), Social Sciences]
Psychology	A science subject (preferably Biology) [Psychology, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Languages]
Sport Science	A science subject (preferably Biology) [Sciences, PE, Mathematics]
Theology	None [Religious Studies, Philosophy, Humanities, Social Sciences, Languages]
Veterinary Medicine/Science	Chemistry, Biology [Physics, Mathematics]
Zoology	Two sciences [Mathematics, Sciences]