Eton College Overview

Eton College is one of the most prestigious all-boys boarding schools in the UK, located in Berkshire in the South East of England. Just ten miles from London Heathrow Airport, its location is convenient yet steeped in tradition.

Founded in 1440 by King Henry VI to provide free education to 70 underprivileged boys, Eton has since grown into a renowned institution with around 1,300 pupils. Its development accelerated during the reign of George III (1760–1820), and it has maintained a reputation for excellence ever since.

More than just a Top 10 UK school, Eton is woven into the fabric of British history and culture. Though often misquoted, the Duke of Wellington’s comment—”There grows the stuff that won Waterloo”—is frequently associated with Eton’s legacy of developing character through sport and leadership training.

Eton places a strong emphasis on soft skills. Public speaking, confidence, and leadership are deeply embedded in its educational approach. While Eton once accepted pupils through early registration, since 2002, all applicants must pass a competitive admissions process that includes interviews, reasoning tests, and academic references.

Despite its exclusivity, Eton offers various scholarships and bursaries, including the prestigious King’s Scholarship for exceptional academic talent.

Academic Matters

Compared to schools like Harrow, Eton is seen as more traditional, with a strong commitment to preserving its customs and historical identity.

That said, Eton College also embraces a modern, forward-thinking approach to teaching and learning. Its openness to innovation has allowed the school to thrive for nearly six centuries.

This combined approach has yielded excellent results. Nearly all leavers go on to pursue higher education, with many accepted into top UK universities. Over the past thirty years, around 60 to 100 students have successfully gained places at Oxford or Cambridge each year.

The school publishes the Eton College Higher Education Guide, which provides detailed advice and information to boys on applying to universities and other institutions. Dedicated University Officers support applicants through the process, offering guidance and consultations.

Eton’s careers department organises work experience and shadowing opportunities, and advises boys on Gap Year planning and university choices—with the support of parents, alumni, and other well-wishers. The close-knit alumni network is a valuable resource, with many Old Etonians actively helping current students both during school and in their future careers.

Eton College Courses And Programmes

The academic structure at Eton College is organised into five year-groups, referred to as blocks, progressing from Block F (Year 9) to Block B (Year 13). Each pupil attends 35 formal lessons per week, known as “schools.” In addition to these, students also have allocated free periods called “reading schools,” which allow time for independent study or rest. Pupils are taught in divisions—Eton’s term for classes or sets. Class sizes are typically around 20–25 pupils in the earlier years and become smaller as students specialise, with fewer than 10 pupils per division in the Sixth Form. The block system aligns with the following progression: Block F (Year 9): Foundation year Block E (Year 10): First year of GCSE studies Block D (Year 11): Final year of GCSEs Block C (Year 12): First year of Sixth Form (A-Levels) Block B (Year 13): Final year of Sixth Form (A-Levels) Each pupil is supported by a House Master and an academic tutor who oversee their development and academic performance throughout their time at Eton.

Eton College Fees

The school fees are £17,583 per Half (term). From January 2025, VAT will be applied, bringing the total to £21,099.60 per Half, inclusive of VAT. An academic year is divided into three Halves: Michaelmas, Lent, and Summer.

Fees for the upcoming academic year are determined by the Provost and Fellows each May. All current and prospective parents are informed of the updated fees by the end of the Summer Half.

Eton College Application Deadline

Applications for boarding places should be submitted to the College before the September prior to the start of the academic year the student wishes to enter. For example, applications for entry in either September 2026 or January 2027 should be submitted before September 2025.

Eton College Boarding And Pastoral Care

Eton College is a full boarding school. Typically there are about 50 boys in a boarding house, ten in each year group. Each house is under the care of a house master, who will look after and support the students. The house master is supported by a dame who looks after a boarder’s health runs the domestic side of the house. In addition to the house master and dame, each house has a deputy house master, an assistant master and dame’s assistant attached as well as domestic staff. There will also be a personal tutor to guide the students developing their learning habits. The physical health of the boys is monitored by the three school doctors and they are well supported by five fully qualified nurses.

Eton College Extracurricular Activities

Games play a central role in life at Eton, both as part of the structured timetable and as a leisure pursuit. The school offers an extensive range of sports—from familiar options like football, rugby, hockey, cricket, rowing, athletics, and squash, to more traditional or lesser-known ones such as rackets and Eton Fives, a game unique to the school.

Eton’s exceptional sports facilities include access to the Thames Valley Athletics Centre, which is shared with local clubs and organisations. The school also owns the rowing lake at Dorney, which hosted events during the 2012 Olympic Games.

Beyond physical activity, Eton supports a wide variety of clubs and societies, spanning music, drama, art, computing, and design—ensuring every boy can explore his interests. The school also places strong emphasis on character and leadership through its community service programmes and Combined Cadet Force.

Eton’s academic facilities are equally impressive, with state-of-the-art libraries, science laboratories, and purpose-built classrooms. The school even owns a property in Florence, Italy, which serves as a dedicated study centre for educational trips.

Eton College Reviews

Most will enrol their children at Eton purely for the prestige, but I think the school should not be overlooked for its performance. The teaching here is well above excellent. The class sizes are good for learning and I’ve heard nothing but good comments about Eton. I am confident in the school and that my son is well taken care of here.

Vladimir

Had a great time at school here. The teachers were fantastic and the education is exemplary.

William

Eton College concentrates on striking a balance between ensuring students achieve good exam results and providing a stimulating curriculum for them to explore their interests. They do this very successfully in my opinion. I think the Classics department is incredibly strong, as well as the Russian department. But there are definitely no departments that could ever be described as weak. Class sizes at Eton become progressively smaller as you progress as people begin to specialise for A Levels.

Seth

Eton College Contact Information

Location: Eton College, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 6DW
Official website: https://www.etoncollege.com/
Telephone: (+44) 01753 370 100
Email: admissions@etoncollege.org.uk

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