Scholarships

Academic scholars are at the heart of academic life at Bedford School.

Boys are expected to achieve good results not only for themselves, but to contribute to the school community as a whole. They are encouraged to participate in co-curricular academic societies, set an example to others with their work ethic and share their love of learning and abilities with fellow students. Ultimately, scholars at Bedford School are proud of who they are and take pride in what they can offer.

Entry at 13+ 

• All external boys, along with boys in Year 8 at Bedford Prep School, are required to sit the Bedford School Aptitude Test (BSAT). Boys who perform particularly well on the BSAT will be invited back for further academic scholarship testing and an interview, prior to us selecting award recipients.
• A confidential reference request will also be made to their current school in the case of external applicants. For boys at Bedford Prep School, feedback will be sought from the Prep School Headmaster.
• Families are welcome to apply for a 13+ Academic Scholarship, and if they wish to do so should submit an application form to the Admissions Team by the 1 December in the year prior to entry; however, we will consider all boys for this award (both internal and external), regardless of whether or not they have formally applied.

Entry at 16+ 

• Academic scholarship applicants need to provide a current school report detailing predicted GCSE grades.
• A confidential reference request will be made to your son’s current school.
• Applicants undergo two assessment papers in subjects of their choice, as well as a verbal reasoning test.
• Applicants attend a formal interview with a senior member of staff.

2027 Scholarship Dates

• 13+ Entry Assessments w/c 11 January 2027
• 13+ Academic Scholarship Call Back Thursday 21 January 2027
• 16+ Assessments and Academic Scholarship Tuesday 19 January / Tuesday 26 January 2027

Bedford School Art Scholarships offer talented boys who are passionate about art and eager to make the most of all the co-curricular opportunities available to them, an opportunity to develop and explore their artistic skills under the expert guidance of our art staff, who are all practising artists.

Art scholars are encouraged to pursue their particular interests and develop their skills, both within and outside the taught curriculum. They are expected to demonstrate a commitment and enthusiasm for the subject. Scholars are also expected to follow a suitable course to GCSE level in Year 11 and typically proceed to A-Level Art.

Entry at 13+ and 16+ 

• Both a digital portfolio of evidence and one sketchbook should be submitted by 1 December in the year prior to entry.
• Boys whose portfolios reach the required standard for consideration for an art scholarship will be invited to attend the art scholarship assessment.
• For the assessment, candidates will be required to produce a test piece in the studios at Bedford School. The test will require candidates to produce a drawing on paper based on the observation of a chosen subject – very often a themed still life.
• Candidates will also have an interview with the Director of Art, offering them an opportunity to discuss their work, developing interests and any artists or designers that they admire, or recent exhibitions they have visited.
• Candidates will also be expected to bring their portfolios with them on the day of their interview.

2027 Scholarship Date

• 13+ and 16+ Art Scholarships Wednesday 20 January 2027

Bedford School Computer Science Scholarships offer talented boys who are passionate about programming and problem-solving and who are eager to play a full part in our active co-curricular computing programme, the opportunity to develop their skills under the guidance of our nationally acclaimed department.

Computer Science scholars are expected to participate in cyber-security and programming challenges and competitions, and to act as role models for the whole school with their ambitious, collaborative, ethical and creative approach to computing. Scholars are expected to study GCSE Computer Science and typically proceed to A-Level Computer Science in the Sixth Form.

Entry at 13+ and 16+ 

• A portfolio of three to five pieces of code written by the candidate should be submitted by 1 December in the year prior to entry. The code should demonstrate a wide range of skills, including parameter passing, iteration, data structures and string handling. 16+ boys should demonstrate a basic understanding of object orientation.
• Boys whose portfolios reach the required standard for consideration for a scholarship will be invited to attend the Computer Science scholarship assessment.
• For the assessment, candidates will be required to complete a 20-minute coding task with a member of staff, which will assess problem-solving skills and the key techniques of selection, iteration, decomposition and error handling. They will also complete a 25-minute group task to create a hardware-based system by working together.
• Candidates will also have an interview with one of our Computer Science teachers, offering them the opportunity to discuss their code and its function or application and why the techniques and structures used were chosen.

2027 Scholarship Date

• 13+ and 16+ Computer Science Scholarships Thursday 28 January 2027

Bedford School Drama Scholarships offer boys with a talent for stage performance the opportunity to hone their dramatic and creative skills.

Drama scholars are offered specialist mentoring and an exciting programme individually tailored to challenge and inspire them, including complementary LAMDA lessons. Boys study and perform within the school’s multi-million pound Quarry Theatre, an impressive performing arts facility with links to the local community as well.

Drama scholars are expected to rise to their position of scholar, just as they do to their dramatic roles, showing dedication, enthusiasm and commitment; to act as role models for the whole school with their creativity, energy and drive; to guide younger boys with their invaluable experience and insight in acting and performance.

Entry at 13+ and 16+ 

• A digital portfolio of evidence should be submitted to the Admissions Team by 1 December.
• Boys whose portfolios reach the required standard for consideration for a Drama scholarship will be invited to attend the Drama scholarship assessment:
  13+ candidates will be asked to perform one monologue and take part in a group workshop. In addition, candidates will be asked to complete a written task on a live theatre production that they have seen recently. The candidate will be expected to come to the scholarship day with prior knowledge of a live theatre production.
  16+ candidates will be asked to perform two contrasting monologues and take part in a group workshop. In addition, 16+ candidates will sit a written paper, which focuses on the monologues they have performed and any other play(s) they have studied or seen in performance.
• Both 13+ and 16+ assessments will also include an interview with the Head of Academic Drama and the Head of Speech and Drama about the candidate’s interest and involvement in Drama.

2027 Scholarship Date

• 13+ and 16+ Drama Scholarships Friday 15 January 2027

Music Scholarships offer boys with considerable musical potential opportunities to develop their talents and pursue their passions in our stunning Music School and beyond.

Music scholars are personally mentored as they move through the school, with a programme individually tailored to challenge and inspire them. They benefit from our Music Fellowship Programme, offering the opportunity to work with some of the UK’s finest musicians. Each of the five musical faculties (brass, keyboard, strings, vocal, woodwind) has an appointed fellow who visits the school on at least two separate occasions per year, giving recitals, directing ensembles, leading workshops, as well as performing with and inspiring boys throughout.

Successful candidates also receive free instrumental tuition on two instruments in addition to the possibility of fee remission. We expect our scholars to set high standards of dedicated practice and personal achievement. We ask that they shine not only within the Music School but act as musical ambassadors for the whole school. Music scholars lie at the heart of music at Bedford; they are the backbone of our many ensembles and set the tone for the high standard and great variety of music within the school.

Entry at 13+ and 16+ 

• Experience in at least two instruments (including one orchestral) is preferred.
• Overall musicianship and potential are assessed, as well as current performing standard.
• We will also take a good voice or choral experience into consideration.
• Candidates are required to perform two contrasting pieces on their first instrument and one piece on any other instrument and/or voice.
• There will be tests on scales/arpeggios, sight-reading and aural awareness.
• There are no written tests, but candidates are welcome to bring a composition if they wish.

2027 Scholarship Dates

• 13+ and 16+ Music Scholarships Tuesday 26 & Wednesday 27 January 2027

Sports Scholarships are available to boys who demonstrate outstanding sporting ability and potential for future development in one or more of our four major sports of rugby, hockey, cricket and rowing.

Sports scholars are expected to provide leadership and act as role models, setting the very best example in training and attitude, both in specific sessions and their own preparation. They are expected to embody the genuine sporting ethos of Bedford School: to play sport with determination and a drive for success but always within the rules. They are also asked to share their invaluable advice and provide guidance to our junior teams. Our sports scholars are offered specialist mentoring, with personalised advice on fitness, mental attitude, and diet. They also benefit from access to a sports psychologist, a conditioning coach and on-site physiotherapy.

Entry at 13+ and 16+ 

• Candidates are assessed in the following areas:
  – Leadership
  – Aerobic capacity, strength, power, speed, agility and coordination
  – Aptitude and potential in one or more of our major sports: rugby, hockey, rowing and cricket
• Candidates will be asked to submit references/testimonials from the people who train them.

2027 Scholarship Dates

• 13+ Sport Scholarships Monday 18 January 2027
• 16+ Sport Scholarships Friday 22 January 2027

Bedford School, in association with Woburn Golf Club, offers golf scholarships to boys who are outstanding golfers or good golfers who show serious potential.

Golf scholars are expected to approach their game with determination and a desire to hone their abilities to the highest level. Scholars are expected to embody the genuine sporting ethos of Bedford School and to play with respect to the etiquette of golf and its high standards of honesty.

Golf scholars benefit from the opportunity to play on three outstanding championship courses at Woburn, regular professional coaching with Woburn’s senior teaching professional and full Junior Membership of Woburn Golf Club, as well as twice weekly sessions on a golf simulator within the school’s on-site Golf Performance Centre. Access to a sports psychologist, a conditioning coach and on-site physiotherapy is also provided.

Entry at 13+ (Year 9) and 16+ (Year 12)

• Candidates would usually possess an official WHS handicap of 16 or less at 13+ and 7 or less at 16+.
• Candidates are assessed by the Woburn Golf Club Professional on the following areas:
  – On-course assessment
  – Range assessment
  – Short game assessment
• Candidates are interviewed by the Woburn Golf Club General Manager and the school’s Master in Charge of Golf.

2027 Scholarship Date

• 13+ and 16+ Golf Scholarships Monday 25 January 2027

Thanks to Old Bedfordian Brian Cawley (60-69), a generous benefactor, Bedford School is delighted to be able to offer a scholarship for talented rowers to join and enhance the pool of gifted athletes already studying at the school.

This scholarship aims to further raise the impressive level of rowing at Bedford School, ensuring that crews compete at the highest level, regularly winning at elite events such as the Henley Royal Regatta, and set even more students on the path to competing internationally.
The Brian Cawley Rowing Scholarship is available to boys joining the school in Year 12 (16+), and awards of up to 100% of fees are possible for successful applicants.

Boys who have what it takes to become elite rowers and want to join one of the world’s top boys’ boarding schools as a day or boarding pupil are invited to apply.

Entry at 16+ (Year 12)

Candidates must:

• have rowed competitively for at least three years
• be in the top 20 in the national rankings for Year 11, 2,000m ergometer test
• satisfy the standard academic entry requirements of Bedford School
• be motivated to act as a role model and inspire peers to reach high standards
• set the best example through their effort and attitude
• embody the sporting ethos of Bedford School: to compete with determination and a drive for success but always within the rules

Strong candidates will also ideally:

• have featured in finals of National Schools or National Championships, with medals being desirable
• currently be in the GB training system or have their sights firmly set on gaining international representation

2027 Scholarship Date

• 16+ Sport Scholarships Friday 22 January 2027