Each academic year, around 35 new boys enter the Upper School into Year 12 (aged 16 plus). The great majority of these are international boarders who join the boys moving up from Year 11, making a year group of around 250 students, divided into 23 forms. Applicants for day places will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the College. Tours of the campus will be available from the beginning of May for those looking for admission in September 2024, and may be arranged with our Upper School Registrar. Mrs Foster would also be happy to talk to you on the phone to answer any individual queries you may have regarding the application process.
Please do explore our website further to capture a flavour of what life at Dulwich College could be like for your sons.
Registration for Year 12 entry in 2024 closed on Friday 29 September
Date of Examinations
Boarding applicants at schools in the UK will be invited to sit our entrance examinations at Dulwich College on Saturday 11 November 2023. Boarding applicants overseas sit the examinations in the country of residence at our representatives' offices or the British Council.
Applicants for day places will be invited to sit our entrance examinations at Dulwich College on Saturday 20 January 2024.
Interview
Interviews may take place at Dulwich College or online, on dates to be advised.
Results
Published within three weeks of the examination or interview
Applicants will sit written examinations in each of the subjects chosen to be studied at A level, except for subjects such as Theatre Studies, Physical Education, Art, and Design & Technology, where assessment will be by interview and a portfolio of work may be requested.
Applicants for whom English is not their first language will be expected to pass the College’s English as an Additional Language examination.
Examination Access Arrangements
Additional time is available for boys who have an Educational Psychologist’s report that shows they have below average scores for speed of cognitive processing. Use of a computer is available for applicants for whom it is the normal way of working and where it is appropriate to their needs. Please indicate requirements and provide supporting documentation at the time of registration.
Interview
Applicants who perform well in the entrance examinations are shortlisted for interview which may be conducted in person or online. Our aim is to provide a friendly atmosphere for the interview during which applicants will be given the opportunity to provide further evidence of their academic strengths, discuss their interests, and demonstrate how they might contribute to the College community.
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 all applicants, places are offered based on their performance in the College’s entrance examinations and at interview.
For those applicants currently studying GCSEs, we also require 14 points as a minimum entry requirement, where Grades 8 and 9 = 3 points, Grade 7 = 2 points and Grade 6 = 1 point. We would expect applicants to achieve significantly higher than our minimum grade requirement. GCSEs should include English Language, Mathematics, and a grade 8 in the three subjects to be studied at Advanced Level, where appropriate.
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
Successful applicants who are offered a place are expected to complete two years of study.
Entrants who are required to take IELTS for immigration purposes or as evidence of language proficiency for their university application will be expected to take the IELTS test. Those who need support with this process will be given language preparation sessions and the College can arrange IELTS tests for these students.
Students in the Upper School study A Levels in a range of subjects from Classics to Humanities, Mathematics to Modern Foreign Languages, and the Sciences. The full range of A level subjects offered can be found in the Upper School Curriculum Guide. Further information about the entrance papers for subjects not featured here is available from the Upper School Registrar.
