Admissions

Bursaries

City is committed to enabling access to the school for those for whom its education will be most transformational. A bursary is a financial support package for a capped number of pupils who would not ordinarily be able to afford fees and is distinct from scholarships which are a much more limited form of recognition for excellence in certain disciplines.

Bursaries at City

We currently have around 100 pupils at City receiving bursary support. We usually have 12-15 bursary places to allocate at 11+, and up to three at 16+. Bursaries are awarded if an applicant is successful in the entrance exams and interview, the family is eligible for a bursary and there are sufficient funds available in the bursary fund. Please note that priority is given to applicants for whom the bursary will be most transformational. We have many applicants who pass our assessments and are eligible for a bursary, but due to demand will still not receive one.  

Please note that the school does not consider applications for bursaries when offering occasional places nor from overseas students.  

Our bursaries are awarded thanks to the generosity of benefactors, other parents, the City of London Corporation, and the City livery companies, with whom the school maintains a strong and special link. Where pupils are selected for bursaries from certain donors, they may be expected to stay connected with those donors and give feedback on their progress.  

If you have any questions about bursaries, please email our bursaries team. 

If you would like to make a gift to our bursary fund or learn more about philanthropy at City, please visit our support us page.

Eligibility criteria  

Bursary awards range from partial to full awards. These awards are all means-tested. While the criteria depend on a range of financial variables, and are subject to annual review, below are some guidelines you might find helpful:  

• Families with a net income of less than £45,000 per annum, with limited assets, may be eligible to receive a full bursary equivalent to 100% of fees.  
• Families with a net household income of £50,000 per annum, with limited assets, may be eligible to receive a bursary up to 75% of fees.  
• Families with a net household income of £70,000 per annum, with limited assets, may be eligible to receive a bursary up to 25% of fees.  

Should applicants be awarded a bursary, the level of the award will be re-assessed annually and may be adjusted either up or down for the following academic year, according to any change in the family circumstances. Please remember many more families will meet these criteria than be awarded bursaries. Therefore, meeting these guidelines will not be a guarantee, and those with incomes above these will be very unlikely to be considered. 

What is included  

In addition to support with school fees, we realise that extra costs quickly add up, so a pupil in receipt of a full bursary will also receive support with the following;  

• Acceptance deposit waived
• Curriculum-based compulsory school trips  
• Free school meals for eligible families
• iPad stylus to accompany school-issued iPad
• Public exams (e.g., GCSEs, A-levels)
• Registration fees waived for anyone in receipt of social benefits (excluding Child Benefit)
• Travel to school on public transport for families in Zones 2 and up
  • £350 per year from years 7 to 11
  • £500 to £1200 from years 12 to 13
• Uniform (a one-off payment upon joining the school of £500) 
• Further additional funding for co-curricular activities (music lessons, school trips, Duke of Edinburgh, etc.)