The Cambridge admissions cycle, end to end
Cambridge attracts a steady inflow of international families: research professionals at the university and the Babraham campus, life-sciences and AI talent at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, and senior managers from the consulting and tech firms clustered around Cambridge Science Park. The independent school market here is mature and academically intense, with a clear admissions rhythm that rewards families who plan ahead.
This step-by-step 2026 guide explains exactly how international school admissions work in Cambridge, what each stage involves and what to prepare. It is written for parents arriving from overseas who want a clear, sequenced view of the process.
The Cambridge school year and key dates
The academic year runs from early September to mid-July. Main entry points for independent schools are:
Reception (age 4), Year 3 (age 7), Year 7 (age 11) and Year 9 (age 13) at the major prep-to-senior schools. Year 12 (sixth form, age 16) is open at almost every school and is the most common international transfer point. Occasional places appear in Years 5, 8, 10 and 11, especially during the autumn term after the previous cycle closes.
For September 2026 entry, the main admissions windows have already closed. For September 2027, registration usually opens between October 2025 and February 2026, with assessments through that spring and offers in March or April.
Step 1 — Build a focused shortlist
Cambridge has a small but distinguished cluster of independents:
Selective senior day schools
The Perse School, The Leys, St Mary's School and St Faith's (pre-prep and prep through age 13) attract families who plan to live within easy commute of the city centre. All are academically strong with extensive overseas-applicant support.
Boarding and day schools just outside the city
Kimbolton School and Oundle School (a short drive north and west of Cambridge) offer full boarding alongside day places, with a long tradition of internationally diverse cohorts.
Sixth-form colleges
MPW Cambridge, Cambridge Centre for Sixth-form Studies and Hills Road Sixth Form College are the main sixth-form options. The first two are private and international-friendly; Hills Road is a top-rated state college that admits internationally only in limited cases.
Step 2 — Submit the registration
Registration is standardised across most Cambridge independents. You will need:
Child's passport details and visa or settled-status documentation if applicable. Last two years of school reports, translated to English if necessary. A short head's reference, which most schools provide as a template the current head fills in. A non-refundable registration fee, typically £125 to £300 per child. Preferred year of entry and a short paragraph about the child's strengths and any additional needs.
Once received, the school confirms whether assessment slots are available. Year 7 and Year 9 entry slots fill up first, so submit registrations early.
Step 3 — The entrance assessment
Each school has its own assessment, but the formats are similar across Cambridge:
Reception: a 30-minute play-based observation, no formal pass mark. Year 3: a 60-minute mixed paper covering English, mathematics and reasoning. Year 7 and Year 9: a one-day assessment with English, mathematics, reasoning and a written task. International candidates can take the assessment online in their current time zone. Year 12: subject-specific papers in the chosen A Level or IB Diploma subjects, plus an academic interview with the head of department.
EAL is handled separately. Most schools expect B1 English at primary level and B2 at secondary, with structured EAL support in the first year. The 11+ and 13+ assessments in Cambridge are competitive, so it is worth requesting past papers or sample tasks from the admissions office before the test date.
Step 4 — The interview
Every Cambridge independent interviews above Year 3. Expect 25 to 45 minutes with the head of admissions, head of year or, for sixth form, the relevant department head. Questions usually cover:
Why your family is moving to Cambridge and your move horizon. Your child's academic interests, recent reading and a topic they would happily explain. Curiosity and how the child responds to a problem they have not seen before. For sixth form, motivation for the chosen subjects and university trajectory.
Schools weight interview fit alongside the academic paper. Strong interview performance with a solid paper is often enough; a brilliant paper with a weak interview is sometimes declined.
Step 5 — Offer, acceptance and deposit
Offers come within four to eight weeks of the assessment, sometimes sooner for sixth form. Acceptance requires:
A deposit of one term's fees, held against the final term of attendance. A signed acceptance form returned within two to three weeks. Confirmation of any subject choices (for Year 12) and academic concessions (additional learning needs, EAL support).
Most Cambridge schools accept multiple acceptances and allow withdrawal up to a published date, although deposits are non-refundable.
Documents to keep ready
Having the following ready accelerates the process noticeably:
Apostilled or notarised translations of school reports older than 12 months. Vaccination records, especially MMR and meningitis. Educational psychologist reports, if applicable, in the original language plus a certified English translation. Passport copies and any UK visa documentation. A preliminary statement of the child's typical school day, hobbies and current achievements (asked for at most schools).
Fees to budget for
Cambridge independent school fees in 2026 typically range between £18,500 and £27,500 per year for day pupils, plus £15,000 to £22,000 for full boarding. Including lunches, uniforms, trips and registration, the realistic annual outlay sits between £24,000 and £32,500 per child per year for day pupils. The 2025 UK VAT change on private school fees is included in these figures.
Compare schools and find admissions contacts
For a verified comparison of independent and international schools across the UK with parent reviews and admissions contacts, see the ISA ranking of best schools in the United Kingdom.
Frequently asked questions
Can my child apply to a Cambridge school before we relocate?
Yes. Every major Cambridge independent offers remote assessment for overseas candidates, with online papers and video interviews. A school visit is recommended once you arrive, but it is not a precondition for an offer.
How competitive is Cambridge Year 7 entry?
Year 7 entry to the top Cambridge selective day schools is one of the most competitive 11+ rounds in the East of England. Successful candidates typically achieve at or above 80 per cent in their mock papers in English, mathematics and reasoning. Schools also weight the interview and head's reference.
What is the difference between the IB Diploma and A Levels at Cambridge schools?
Some Cambridge independents offer both; some offer only A Levels. The IB Diploma is broader (six subjects plus core), suiting students who want range. A Levels are deeper (three to four subjects), suiting students with a clear specialisation. UK and international universities accept both.