Boarding school in England costs between 35,000 and 70,000 euros a year, depending on the school and the child's age. That is the price you see on the school's website. The realistic budget is 20-30% higher once you add travel, visas, uniforms and extracurricular activities.
- The average price for senior boarding (ages 13-18) ranges from 42,000 to 58,000 euros a year.
- Prep schools (ages 7-13) are somewhat cheaper: 32,000 to 42,000 euros a year.
- Elite schools such as Eton and Harrow cost 70,000 to 80,000 euros a year.
- State boarding schools (state-funded schools with boarding) are considerably more affordable: 13,000 to 27,000 euros a year, but they have a limited number of places for international students.
- Hidden costs (travel, visas, uniforms, extracurricular activities) add 8,000 to 15,000 euros a year.
How billing works
English schools charge fees termly, three times a year. The terms are called Michaelmas (September-December), Lent (January-March) and Summer (April-July).
When a school publishes a price of 15,000 pounds per term, that means 45,000 pounds a year, or roughly 52,000 euros at the current exchange rate.
Before enrolment you pay a deposit equal to 10-30% of the annual fees. The deposit is usually refundable at the end of schooling, unless you withdraw the place after signing the contract.
Most schools offer termly payment as the standard option, though some allow monthly instalments for a small fee. Families in Italy generally use international bank transfers, and we recommend checking any currency transfer regulations and limits before the first payment so there are no unpleasant surprises. It is also worth opening a GBP account if you are planning several years of schooling, since this avoids losses from currency conversion.
Prices by age and school type
Senior boarding schools (Year 9-13, ages 13-18) make up the majority of boarding schools and have the widest price range. The average price is 12,000 to 16,500 pounds per term, which comes to 36,000 to 49,500 pounds a year (42,000-58,000 euros).
Schools at the lower end of the price spectrum charge around 10,000 to 12,000 pounds per term (35,000-42,000 euros a year). Schools at the higher end go up to 17,000-23,000 pounds per term (60,000-80,000 euros a year).
Prep boarding schools (Year 3-8, ages 7-13) are generally cheaper since they have less demanding programmes. Expect 9,000 to 12,000 pounds per term, or 27,000 to 36,000 pounds a year (32,000-42,000 euros).
State boarding schools are a category of their own. These are state-funded schools that offer boarding accommodation. Tuition is free (funded by the government), but accommodation and meals are charged. The price is 3,700 to 7,700 pounds per term, or 11,000 to 23,000 pounds a year (13,000-27,000 euros). This is significantly cheaper, but places for international students are limited and competition is high.
What is included in the fees
Standard fees cover tuition, accommodation, three meals a day plus snacks, basic sports and extracurricular activities, and access to all school facilities (library, sports grounds, swimming pools where available).
Pastoral care support is also included: a houseparent, a tutor (academic mentor), access to a school counsellor and a nurse based on campus.
Textbooks are usually included, and some schools also provide a laptop for use during schooling.
What is usually not included: private instrument lessons (20-50 pounds per lesson), individual sports coaching, off-campus trips and pocket money.
Hidden costs you need to plan for
Beyond tuition fees, here are the costs most families don't budget for at the start:
Travel is the biggest additional expense. Children come home a minimum of three times a year (winter break, spring break, summer break), and most schools require students to leave campus during shorter breaks too (half-term). Budget 2,500 to 5,000 euros a year for flights between Italy and London and back.
Uniforms and equipment cost 1,500 to 3,000 euros in the first year. English schools have detailed uniform requirements: everyday uniform, sports kit, formal wear for special occasions. Most items are bought through the school shop.
Visa and health insurance come to 800 to 1,500 euros a year. A UK student visa costs around 490 pounds, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is around 776 pounds a year for students.
Extracurricular activities not covered in the base fee can add 2,000 to 5,000 euros a year. Private piano lessons, horse riding, golf, specialised sports programmes - all of these are charged separately.
Tests and application costs come to 500 to 1,000 euros. The UKiset test costs around 300 pounds, and school registration fees are 100-300 pounds per school.
Families are most often caught off guard by the costs of half-term breaks, since children have to leave campus for a few days and return flights for such short periods are expensive. Another common surprise expense is private instrument lessons and specialised sports programmes, which are charged on top of tuition. A good part of these costs can be reduced by booking flights in advance, arranging to stay with a family friend during short breaks, and choosing activities that are already included in the price.
A realistic budget for a family in Italy
Here is what a realistic annual budget looks like for an average school:
Tuition fees: 42,000-55,000 euros
Travel (4-5 return flights): 3,000-4,000 euros
Uniforms and equipment: 2,000 euros (first year), 500-1,000 euros (following years)
Visa and insurance: 1,000-1,500 euros
Extracurricular activities: 1,000-3,000 euros
Pocket money and incidentals: 1,000-2,000 euros
Total for the following year: 48,000-65,000 euros
Tip: the pound-to-euro exchange rate fluctuates. Plan a 10% buffer for exchange rate movements.
Scholarships and financial aid
Scholarships can significantly reduce costs, from 20% up to 100% of tuition fees in exceptional cases.
Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, sporting talent, musical ability or artistic talent. They usually cover 20-50% of tuition fees.
Means-tested bursaries (based on the family's financial situation) can cover up to 100% of tuition fees, but require detailed documentation of income and assets.
Sibling discounts amount to 10-25% for a second child from the same family.
Scholarship applications are submitted alongside the school application. Additional essays and documentation are required. Deadlines are often earlier than for the regular application.
Around 35-40% of the families we work with secure some form of scholarship or financial aid. The best chances go to students who combine an academic average above 9.5 with proven talent in sport, music or another extracurricular area, since schools want students who will actively contribute to the school community beyond the classroom.
Examples of prices at specific schools (2025/2026)
For a clearer picture, here are the prices at a few schools of different ranking:
Oakham School (mid-range, A-levels and IB): around 17,500 pounds per term, or 52,500 pounds a year (around 61,000 euros).
Sevenoaks School (higher-ranked, known for its IB programme): around 19,500 pounds per term, or 58,500 pounds a year (around 68,000 euros).
Eton College (elite): around 21,000 pounds per term including VAT, or 63,000 pounds a year (around 73,000 euros).
State boarding school (average): around 5,000 pounds per term, or 15,000 pounds a year (around 17,500 euros) - accommodation only, tuition is free.
A note on VAT: since January 2025, private schools in the UK charge 20% VAT on tuition fees. Most schools have already included this in their published prices, but check whether the price you are looking at includes VAT or not.
State boarding: a more affordable alternative
State boarding schools deserve a special mention because they offer quality education at a considerably lower price.
These are state-funded schools that offer boarding accommodation. Tuition is funded by the government and is therefore free. Parents pay only for accommodation and meals, which comes to 13,000 to 27,000 euros a year.
The quality of teaching is often comparable to private schools, and some state boarding schools achieve excellent A-level results.
The catch for international students: the number of places is limited because schools must prioritise British nationals. Competition is high, and the application process takes more time.
Frequently asked questions
Do prices rise every year?
Yes, by 3-6% a year on average. When budgeting for several years of schooling, plan for a 5% annual increase.
What if we can't afford the full price?
Apply for scholarships. Even a partial scholarship of 20-30% significantly reduces costs. Also consider state boarding schools as an alternative.
Is there a cheaper type of boarding school?
State boarding schools are the cheapest option (13,000-27,000 euros a year). Weekly boarding (the child comes home at weekends) is around 20-30% cheaper than full boarding, but it isn't practical for families based in Italy.
Is travel included in the price?
No. Flights, airport transfers and travel during holidays are paid for separately.
Can I pay for the whole year in advance?
Most schools offer the option of annual payment, sometimes with a small discount (1-2%). But termly payment is the standard.
Conclusion
Boarding school in England costs 50,000 to 70,000 euros a year once you factor in all the expenses. It's a significant investment that requires planning.
Before focusing purely on price, think about the value: quality of education, university preparation, development of independence, network of contacts. Choosing a cheaper school poorly can end up costing more in the long run than choosing a more expensive school well.
If you're not sure how to plan your budget or want to see which schools fit your financial situation, we can spend 30 minutes in a free consultation going through the options and building a realistic plan.
