Admissions Process at Fettes College

Our Pre-Prep opened in September 2025 for pupils from the compulsory schooling age of 4+. Places in the Pre-Prep are limited and we encourage early registration to avoid disappointment. Assessments take the form of a 'Stay and Play' which is arranged on receipt of a Registration Form. To find out more please contact admissions@fettes.com and we will be delighted to invite you and your family to join us for a visit.

Entry to Fettes Prep commences at Year 3/P3 (our M Form). Children can join Fettes Prep at all stages of the Prep School and from age 7 they will usually be asked to complete a CAT4 assessment. This is a Cognitive Aptitude Test and it does not involve any preparation. In addition, prospective Prep School pupils will also be invited to join a taster morning, meet and have an interview with the Headmaster, Charlie Minogue, and boarders will also have an interview with the relevant Houseparent. Applications are welcome at any time throughout the year and (subject to availability of a space) assessments are completed on receipt of a Registration Form.  

Pupils joining the Prep School at age 11+ years, will usually be asked to complete a CAT4 assessment. This is a Cognitive Aptitude Test and it does not involve any preparation. In addition, prospective pupils will meet and have an interview with the Charlie Minogue, Headmaster of Fettes Prep, and boarders will also have an interview with the relevant Houseparent. Applications are welcome at any time throughout the year and (subject to availability of a space) assessments will be arranged on receipt of your Registration Form.

Students looking to enter Fettes at 13+ will join our Senior School in our Third Form (Year 9/S3). Students can enter Fettes via the scholarship or general entry route.  Scholarships are available in the following categories: Academic Scholarships, Art, Drama, Music, Pipes and Snare Drumming, Sports and All-Rounder Scholarships - view full Scholarship details for 2027 here. Students wishing to join Fettes via general entry will usually be asked to complete a CAT4 assessment (a Cognitive Aptitude Test which does not involve any preparation) and to meet and have an interview with the Head, Richard Girvan, or a member of the Senior Management Team. When you are ready to apply please submit a Registration Form and we recommend all applications are submitted as early as possible, however general entry can be at any time, during the year (subject to availability of a space) assessments will be arranged on receipt of a registration form.  Early Offers are also available for students attending a UK school - view Early Offer details.

Students looking to join Fettes at age 14+ years will join our Senior School in Fourth Form (Year 10/S4) and will usually be asked to complete a CAT4 assessment. This is a Cognitive Aptitude Test and it does not involve any preparation. In addition, prospective students will also meet and have an interview with the Head, Richard Girvan, or a member of the Senior Management Team. There is no set date for Fourth Form assessments and these are subject to availability.  Applications are processed on receipt of the completed Registration Form, so an early application is highly recommended.

Students looking to join Fettes for the Sixth Form (age 16-18 years), join in Lower Sixth (Year 12/S6) and can take A-Levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB) pathway. There is the option to enter Sixth Form at Fettes via either the Scholarship or general entry route. Academic Scholarships and Scholarships in Art, Music, Pipes and Snare Drumming and in Sport are available - view full Scholarship details and deadlines. For general entry into Sixth Form, all students will be invited to sit papers in three subjects (plus an additional English paper for students whose first language is not English). Students will also meet and have an interview with a member of the Senior Management Team. Applications are processed on receipt of a completed Registration Form so an early application is highly recommended. 2027 entry assessments will take place in November 2026. Applications to join the Sixth Form are also welcomed throughout the year, but are subject to availability of a space.