Eton College Admissions Guide and Tutoring

Eton College Admissions Guide and Tuition

Eton College

Eton College is widely regarded as one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious schools. Founded in 1440 by King Henry VI, it is known for its strong academic tradition, extensive co-curricular programme, and distinctive tutorial-based pastoral system. The College combines rigorous scholarship with substantial opportunities in sport, the arts, community service, and leadership development.

Eton offers two principal admissions routes: the 13+ entry, which is the main point of admission, and the 16+ entry for sixth-form candidates. Each entry point has its own selection framework, including assessments, interviews and, in certain cases, scholarship examinations.

Since 2008, British Tutors has supported families in Hong Kong, Singapore, and across the region, guiding boys through the Eton application process and preparing them for success at every stage.

Our team of UK School Entrance tutors is carefully selected for their expertise in preparing students for Eton’s exams and interviews, as well as for their ability to inspire and motivate young learners.

Year 9 Entry (13+)

Candidates applying for Year 9 at Eton College need to register with the school by the end of UK School Year 5.

In the Autumn term of Year 6, all boys sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test covering Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, English and Mathematics. A reference from the candidate’s current Head Teacher is also required at this stage.

Selected candidates are invited to Stage 2 of the process, to attend the college for an assessment day in Spring / Summer of Year 6. This involves an interview along with a test of academic ability.

Boys who are successful in Stage 2 are offered a Conditional Place, confirmed by passing King’s Scholarship, Common Entrance or Eton Entrance examinations at age 12/13 in UK School Year 8.

Sixth Form Entry (16+)

Each year, only a small number of places, typically around 10 to 15, are available for entry into Year 12, making the process exceptionally competitive. Offers are made to candidates who demonstrate outstanding academic attainment and who are likely to make a significant contribution to school life. While the minimum academic requirement is six GCSEs at grade 7, successful applicants generally exceed this threshold by a substantial margin due to the high calibre of the candidate pool.

Once registered, applicants are required to submit their predicted GCSE grades (or the international equivalent for overseas students) and respond to a set of personal-statement-style questions. Eton will also request a reference from the candidate’s current school. Following this stage, candidates are shortlisted for assessment in late November. The assessment comprises an online cognitive test, written examinations in mathematics and general subjects, and two interviews: an academic interview and a pastoral interview conducted by the Director of Admissions. Results are normally announced in early December

How hard is it to get a place at Eton College?

Admission to Eton College is highly competitive. The principal entry point at 13+ attracts a large number of applicants each year, and places are limited. Candidates are evaluated not only on academic potential but also on character, engagement, and broader promise.

For 16+ entry, the competition is even more intense, with far fewer places available. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional academic ability, strong interview performance, and evidence of substantial co-curricular or personal achievement.

While acceptance rates are not publicly published in detail, the overall process is regarded as among the most selective within the UK independent school sector.

Expert School Entrance Tuition for Eton College Admissions

At British Tutors, we connect families with highly experienced UK School Entrance tutors who specialise in preparing students for entry into the UK’s top independent schools, including Eton College. Our expert tutors have in-depth knowledge of individual school requirements and provide personalised tuition to match the specific admissions criteria of your child’s chosen schools.

Whether your child is preparing for Pre-tests, examination days, or the Common Entrance exam, our tailored tuition programmes focus on subject strengths, areas for improvement, and targeted school preparation to maximise success.

Our Eton College Tutoring Programme Includes:

Comprehensive Exam Tuition – Covering English, Maths, Science, and Modern Languages
Exam Practice & Technique Development – Using past papers and structured feedback
Computerised Pre-test Preparation – Familiarisation with adaptive test strategies and question types
Specialist Mock Interview Coaching – Building confidence and communication skills
Scholarship Exam Preparation – Advanced support for competitive scholarship exams

“I just wanted to thank you and your most excellent tutors so very much for getting my daughter through this very difficult journey. We’re beyond thrilled with the results and it was really quite a shock she did so well! We definitely couldn’t have done it without all the many brilliant tutors at British Tutors.”

Schools we have prepared students for include:

Benenden School
Charterhouse School
Cheltenham Ladies' College
Downe House School
Eton College
Glendower Prep School
Harrow School
Highgate School
Latymer Upper School
Oundle School
Radley College
Rugby School
Sevenoaks School
St. Mary's School, Ascot
St. Mary's School, Calne
St. Paul's School
Summer Fields School (Prep)
The Dragon School (Prep)
The King's School, Canterbury
Tonbridge School
Uppingham School
Wellington College
Westminster School
Winchester College
Wycombe Abbey School