Year 9 scholarship

For 90 years Gordonstoun has been the world leader in character education, with a curriculum which, unrivalled in its breadth, helps every child to achieve their full potential.

The Year 9 Scholarship assessments for Autumn 2025 entry will take place on 30 August - 1 September 2024

If you are interested in applying for a Year 9 Scholarship for 2024 or 2025 entry, please complete our registration form here

View Year 9 booklet

If you wish to discuss a possible application for a scholarship Sabine Richards, Admissions Director, will be very happy to speak with you. Please contact admissions@gordonstoun.org.uk who will make an appointment.

We stretch and challenge students through a uniquely broad curriculum encompassing academic, outdoor, cultural and sporting activities and a commitment to service to our community. Our students gain real value from learning to live alongside people from different backgrounds and with differing strengths, as well as within a community where one third of our students are from Scotland, one third from the rest of the UK and one third from overseas.

We encourage scholarship applications from any young person who can demonstrate their ability in one of the scholarship categories listed below, is capable of benefiting from a Gordonstoun education and committed to enhancing the life of the community and setting an example to their peers.

Awards are made for the duration of a school career, subject to review each year, in the light of progress in all aspects of school life. To fund our extensive scholarship programme Gordonstoun uses its own resources, draws on a designated scholarship fund and seeks funding from external Trusts and benefactors.

The Selection Process

All candidates will take papers in Mathematics, English and verbal and non verbal reasoning. In addition they will be interviewed by senior members of staff, take part in group activities and be gently assessed over the weekend.

Categories of Award

Academic Scholarship

For boys and girls who are currently doing very well at school. We are looking for outstanding academic performance and potential.

All Round Scholarship

Awarded to candidates who possess, and have the potential to develop, clear all round abilities. Successful candidates will demonstrate a high level of academic competence, combined with strengths in other areas such as art, sport, music, drama or design. Candidates should indicate in their application which skills and abilities they wish to demonstrate in support of their application.

Music Scholarship

Awarded to candidates who show talent and potential as instrumentalists or vocalists, with a genuine enthusiasm and love of music.

Art Scholarship

Awarded to candidates who can demonstrate outstanding artistic talent and potential through presentation of a portfolio and interview.

Value of Scholarships

We know that young people and their families are proud to be awarded a scholarship to Gordonstoun. Scholars play an active and leading role in school life and those awarded a subject specialist scholarship such as in art or music are at the heart of activity their relevant department. Scholars are expected to attend our well established and popular enrichment and extension programme which encourages dialogue, problem solving and wider thinking skills. In line with our charitable status a Gordonstoun scholarship does not come with a remission in fees, however, scholars are prioritised in the allocation of means tested bursaries.

The Awards are subject to review each year in the light of progress in all aspects of School life.

Bursaries

Parents or guardians who need to apply for a means-tested bursary should request the appropriate form from the Fees Administrator, Alison More, by emailing fees@gordonstoun.org.uk or by telephoning 01343 837914. 

Specific Bursary Funds

We have access to a number of bursarial funds which can provide financial assistance to successful scholarship candidates in the following categories:

  • Children of serving Royal Navy or Royal Marines personnel. The School’s scholarship award of 10% of fees may be increased to 50% of fees
  • Children from Scotland with a preference for children from Perthshire
  • Children from mid-Wales
  • Children from Jersey
  • Children of sea fishing families from the former county of Banff

For further information

If you would like to have a conversation about whether your child should enter, about the scholarship process or any other issue relating to joining Gordonstoun please contact Sabine Richards, Director of Admissions on T: +44 (0)1343 837829 or E: admissions@gordonstoun.org.uk