Bursaries and Scholarships
Prep
The Prep School does not operate a scholarships programme in the same way as the Senior School. From Prep 3 onwards the Prep Leadership Team may make awards which carry fee remission either on the basis of assessment (internal or external) or by parents making a direct application to the Head of Prep. These awards will be reviewed on an annual basis and terminate at the end of Prep 6. For further information or to apply, please contact Mary Masters at prepadmissions@stcolumbascollege.org
Senior
St Columba’s College offers two types of scholarship:
Major scholarship: 15% of the tuition fee
Minor scholarship: 10% of the tuition fee
Deadlines
Deadlines for scholarship applications are the same for Internal & External students:
11+/13+ Entry – Friday 13th November 2026
Sixth Form – Friday 4th December 2026
11+ and 13+ Scholarships
Academic Scholarships
Academic scholarships are offered to external applicants at 11+ and 13+ and St Columba’s College Prep School students at 11+.
Academic scholarships for 11+ and 13+ candidates are awarded by the Scholarship Review Panel, chaired by the Headmaster, and will be reviewed annually. The panel will take into account candidates’ performance in the entrance assessment and interview, plus the report and reference from their current school. No specific application is required to be considered for an academic scholarship.
Music Scholarships
Music scholarships are offered to external applicants at 11+ and 13+, and St Columba’s College Prep School students at 11+. The scholarships are dependent on on the applicant’s audition and passing the Senior School entrance examination. These scholarships will be reviewed annually.
Candidates should be established performers on one or more instruments, are likely to have reached Grade 4 or above at 11+ and Grade 6 or above at at 13+, and will have good musical skills. Applicants are required to complete an application form and take part in an audition in late January.
16+ Scholarships
Music Scholarships
Music scholarships are dependent on the applicant’s audition and satisfying the current academic entry requirement into the Sixth Form. Applicants should be established performers on one or more instruments and should have reached at least Grade 7 in their first instrument.
If you would like more information please contact Mr J Starling, Director of Music: starling.j@stcolumbascollege.org
Sports Scholarships
Sports Scholarships are awarded to students in recognition of sporting excellence, talent, and future potential. Students must have attained the entrance criteria for the School.
The candidate is expected to be on a National Governing Body ‘Sporting Elite Level Pathway’ or similar, and ideally have representative experience as well as provide evidence of commitment to school sport. The College also welcomes applications from talented ‘all-rounders’ who will contribute significantly to a range of sports at 1st team level.
If you would like more information please contact Mr A Lowles, Director of Sport: lowles.a@stcolumbascollege.org
Drama Scholarships
Drama scholarships are dependent on the applicant’s audition and satisfying the current academic entry requirement into the Sixth Form. Applicants should be committed to Drama in and outside of school and convey a genuine passion for and commitment to the subject.
If you would like more information please contact Mrs R Meadows, Director of Drama: meadows.r@stcolumbascollege.org
Academic Scholarships
Academic scholarships may be offered to external applicants with a record of outstanding academic achievement, following an interview, at the discretion of the Headmaster. For internal students academic scholarships are awarded to students who have achieved outstanding outcomes over the course of their GCSE studies.
Bursaries
Bursaries
St Columba’s College is committed to broadening access to its education by offering means-tested bursary support to eligible families whose children meet the College’s entry criteria, but who may not otherwise be able to meet the full cost of fees. Bursaries are awarded on the basis of financial need and are considered individually and with careful regard to the family’s overall circumstances.
Support may be available both to prospective pupils applying to join the College and to existing pupils where a family has experienced a significant and unforeseen change in financial circumstances. In exceptional cases, bursary support may also supplement a scholarship award where further fee assistance is required. All awards are subject to the availability of funds and to the College’s commitment to fair, responsible and sustainable stewardship of its bursary resources.
Families wishing to apply for bursary support are invited to contact the College in confidence by emailing bursarpa@stcolumbascollege.org. The application process requires completion of a confidential means-testing form, together with appropriate supporting financial information, so that the College can assess the household’s circumstances fully and fairly. There is no fixed income threshold or automatic entitlement; each application is reviewed holistically, taking account of income, savings, assets, family commitments and any relevant compassionate factors. All bursary awards are reviewed annually and may be varied according to changes in financial circumstances. For more information please refer to our Bursary Policy here Bursary Policy 2026.pdf
