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Dulwich College

School typeIndependent

AddressDulwich Common, Dulwich, London, England, SE21 7LD

Dulwich College offers Year 7 entry for boys through a two-stage 11+ entrance exam process. The exams are set by Independents and Quest Admissions, and an interview is part of the admissions. Dulwich College is an independent school.

If your son is academically able and sociable, the sort who comes alive with a great deal going on around him, Dulwich College gives him room to do it. The Good Schools Guide calls it a gracious and intriguing south London landmark, sitting amid vast manicured pitches, and notes that despite the school's size, boys feel they know one another within their year. Around 70 acres of grounds, an eight-house system that breeds fierce but healthy loyalty, and strong provision for sport, music and drama mean there is always something to throw himself into.

The College was founded in 1619 by the Elizabethan actor Edward Alleyn, the first great celebrity of his stage, who set it up as the College of God's Gift. The head has carried the title of Master ever since. History sits close to daily life here: the school's archive holds the James Caird, the small lifeboat in which Ernest Shackleton, an Old Alleynian, made his rescue voyage to South Georgia in 1916. He is in good company, with P.G. Wodehouse, Raymond Chandler and the actor Chiwetel Ejiofor among former pupils. The Guide picks out the school's own traditions too, including the boldly striped "colours" blazers awarded to boys. A strong bursary programme widens who can come, drawing day boys and boarders from across London.

For all its age, the College feels current, and it suits a boy who will make the most of a big school with a long reach. It has been led since September 2025 by the Master, Robert Milne, the 28th to hold the post, leading a school that still measures itself by what each boy goes on to do.

Key facts

Gender

Boys

Year 7 places

Around 70 (Year 7 / 11+ entry)

Website

Visit school website

Admissions

Open day

Oct, Apr, Sep

Registration closes

Nov

Admissions contact

the.registrar@dulwich.org.uk

Admissions phone

0208 299 9263

Registration form

View registration details

What this school tests

Online Tests

English17 question types

GrammarPunctuationReading Comprehension - ComparisonReading Comprehension - EvaluationReading Comprehension - Grammar and punctuationReading Comprehension - Inference and DeductionReading Comprehension - Information RetrievalReading Comprehension - Language Techniques and ImageryReading Comprehension - Sentence-level ComprehensionReading Comprehension - SequencingReading Comprehension - Structure, Form, Voice and ToneReading Comprehension - SummarisingReading Comprehension - Text Classification and PurposeReading Comprehension - Types of Words and PhrasesReading Comprehension - Word Meaning / ChoiceSpellingVocabulary

Maths21 question types

AlgebraAngles and DegreesBIDMASCoordinate GridsEstimation and RoundingFactors and MultiplesFractions, Decimals and PercentagesMeasurementMoneyNumber and Place ValueOperationsPerimeter, Area and VolumePosition and DirectionProperties of ShapesRatio and ProportionReflection, Rotation and SymmetrySequencesSpecial NumbersSpeed, Distance and TimeStatisticsTime

Non-verbal Reasoning12 question types

Figure AnalogiesFigure MatricesFigure SeriesGrid MatricesHorizontal CodesMatch to a Group of FiguresMost Like Three FiguresOdd Figure OutOdd Shaped MatricesStar MatricesTriangle MatricesVertical Codes

Verbal Reasoning23 question types

Alphabet LogicAnagramsCompound WordsEmbedded WordsForm a WordInsert 2 / 3 LettersInsert a LetterLetter AnalogiesLetter SequencesMove 1 / 2 LettersOrdering WordsRhyming SynonymsShuffled SentencesSynonymsWord / Logic PuzzlesWord AnalogiesWord CompletionWord MatchWord OppositesWord PairsWord RelationshipsWord SwapWords and Codes

Spatial Reasoning14 question types

2D Rotations2D View of 3D Shape3D RotationsBlock CountingBuilding BlocksCombining ShapesDiagonal ReflectionsFigure Missing from ImageFold and PunchFolding CubesHidden ShapesMissing Face of CubeNets of 3D ShapesShape Completion

Puzzles and Problem Solving6 question types

Number Properties & ProportionLogic & Systematic ThinkingGeometry, Measures & DataEquations & Early AlgebraMagic Shapes & Additive PuzzlesCalculation Fluency

Critical Thinking7 question types

Logical & Deductive ReasoningInference & EvaluationExtracting & Distilling InformationVisual SourcesComparison & OrderingData AnalysisCodes & Decoding

Creative Writing

English3 question types

Creative Writing - DescriptiveCreative Writing - NarrativeCreative Writing - Personal

Previous exam results

GCSE results

Most pupils at this school sit IGCSE and Pre-U qualifications, which are not reflected in DfE's published GCSE measures. See the school's own website for full results. Reference: https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/

A-level results

In 2025 students achieved an A- average grade per A-Level entry. 61.4% gained AAB or better including two facilitating subjects. Reference: https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/

Frequently asked questions

What exam boards does Dulwich College use for the 11+?

Dulwich College uses Independents and Quest Admissions for its 11+ entrance exams.

Does Dulwich College include an interview stage for 11+ entry?

Yes, an interview stage is part of the 11+ admissions process at Dulwich College.

Is Dulwich College a single-sex or co-educational school?

Dulwich College is a single-sex school, admitting boys for Year 7 entry.

How many stages are there in the Dulwich College 11+ exam?

The Dulwich College 11+ entrance exam process consists of two stages.

What is the official website for Dulwich College Year 7 admissions?

You can find Year 7 admissions information on the official Dulwich College website: https://www.dulwich.org.uk/admissions/year-7-entry.

Does Dulwich College offer bursaries or help with fees?

Yes. Dulwich offers means-tested bursaries giving full or partial help with fees, and most awards are made on entry to Year 7. Indicate that you would like to apply when you register your son. Applicants are usually sent a bursary form in November to complete by the end of the month. The financial assessment is confidential and handled by an independent company appointed by the College.

What scholarships does Dulwich College offer?

At 11+ Dulwich offers Academic, Music and Sports scholarships. Every boy who sits the entrance examination is automatically considered for an academic scholarship, awarded to those who do exceptionally well in the exam and interview. For Music or Sports, tick the relevant box when you apply online. Scholarships are not means-tested, but can be topped up by a bursary where there is genuine financial need.

What is the Dulwich College 11+ interview like?

Boys who show promise in the entrance examination are invited to an interview in January. It is a chance for staff to get to know your son, talk about his interests and see how he thinks. Offers are based on the examination, the interview and a reference from his current school. The interview is a relaxed conversation rather than another test, so your son can simply talk about what he enjoys.

Location

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