Our Admissions Process
We offer approximately 60 places to boys and girls aged 16 or over each year. The successful candidates will join the vast majority of our current Year 11 boys as they continue into the Sixth Form.
Click here to apply for a place at St Albans School
To find out more about life in the Sixth Form, watch our videos here.
Click here to read our Sixth Form prospectus 'Life in the Sixth Form' created by our pupils.Click here to read our Sixth Form Curriculum Information Booklet 2024/25
Our friendly and experienced Admissions Department will be happy to answer any enquiries you have, and to guide you through each stage of the process. They are contactable via the links below:
We encourage families to get to know St Albans School better by visiting us.
Daytime tours are usually available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings for prospective Sixth Formers and their families and are a wonderful opportunity to tour the School, visit our Sixth Form Department and see it the School in action. Please contact the Admissions Department for more information:
A confidential report (including a forecast of GCSE grades or equivalent) will be requested from each candidate’s current school.
The minimum requirements for entry to the Sixth Form for external candidates are:
- A grade average of 6.6 or better across all GCSEs taken (where letter grades are awarded an A* = 8 points, A = 7, B = 6, C = 5, etc. so, by way of example, 6 A grades and 4 B grades, giving a grade average of 6.6, would satisfy this requirement).
- Where number grades are awarded, the grade will be converted into an equivalent number of points, i.e. a 9 will count as 9 points.
- GCSE passes at grade B/6 or above in English Language and Mathematics, irrespective of the chosen A level subjects.
- Individual GCSE grade requirements of A or A* (7 or 8) will be set in the four subjects to be studied in the Lower Sixth, or in a relevant and closely-related subject or subjects if the proposed A level subject was not available at GCSE (for example, Economics requires an A/7 grade or better in English Language and an A* in Mathematics).
Timings for 16+ applications:
| Registration | At any time in Year 11 unless applying for Academic or Music Scholarships for which the deadline is 31 October, or our Sports Scholarship, for which the deadline is 6 November. |
| Bursary applications | Application deadline is 29 November, paperwork returned by mid-December. |
Once an application is made a reference and predicted grades are sought from the child’s current school. If entry requirements are met, they will be invited for interview. If successful, a conditional offer will be made dependent on GCSE grades awarded.
To apply for a place in our Sixth Form please complete this form:
Click here to apply for a place at St Albans School
If you have already set up an OpenApply account for your child, please click here to access it.
There is a non-refundable £150 registration fee payable when you submit your application. You will be directed to our online payment facility when you have completed the form.
It is recommended that pupils register for a place in Sixth Form during the Autumn term of Year 11.
Bursary applicants should contact the Admissions Department in advance of applying.
Those who register after December may risk their chosen subject/s sets being full. Once an application is received, a request is made to the pupil’s school for an academic report and an interview will be arranged. We do not automatically interview all candidates – if GCSE predictions are lower than our entry requirements, we may suggest that an application is made again once the GCSE results are published.
CONDITIONAL OFFERS
Post interview, successful candidates will be made an offer conditional upon GCSE results, in accordance with our entrance requirements. Subject specific entry requirements can be found in our Sixth Form Curriculum Information Booklet here.
If you have any queries or would like to send additional information or documents, please contact the Admissions Department via the links below:
At 16+ entry we offer Academic, Music and Sport Scholarships. The deadline to apply for Academic and Music Scholarships is 31 October, and the deadline for the Sport Scholarship is 6 November.
A Scholarship is awarded for outstanding performance or potential and carries a small amount of financial remission. The value of the majority of scholarship awards is up to 20% of the fees.
Academic Scholarships
The Scholarship examination is held in November of each year and includes papers in two subjects of the candidate’s choosing. The subjects should normally be two of those the candidate intends to study at A Level, or a closely related one where the intention is to take up a subject which has not been studied at GCSE. There is an individual interview on the same day.
Click here for more information about Academic Scholarships for entry in September 2025
Music Scholarships
Auditions and interviews for Music Scholarships take place in November of the year preceding entry.
Candidates should be playing at, or have achieved, at least high merit standard at ABRSM Grade 7 or above in one instrument and/or singing. A second instrument would be an advantage but is not essential.
At the audition candidates will be required to perform two prepared pieces on their instrument(s) or voice. An accompanist and rehearsal time on the day will be provided. Candidates will be required to read at sight on their instrument(s). There will be a brief interview at the end of the audition, to find out more about candidates’ interests and commitment to music.
Click here for more information about Music Scholarships for entry in September 2025
Candidates must fulfil the 16+ academic entry requirements and the award of a music scholarship will be conditional on the subsequent gaining of a place to enter the School in the Sixth Form. Scholars will be expected to play a full role in the musical life of the School.
Sports Scholarships
Sport Scholarships are awarded to students who excel in one (or more) of the following major sports at the School:
- Cricket
- Cross Country/Athletics
- Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Netball
- Rugby
However, we will consider applications from candidates who demonstrate exceptional talent in other sports.
Candidates should be part of an elite (County, Regional, National) programme or talent pathway in their primary sport. Applications should include references from current schools and sports bodies (such as County) indicating clear evidence of the applicant’s sporting achievements. In addition to displaying a high level of competency within their chosen sport, applicants will also be expected to display attributes such as positive attitude, the ability to motivate and high levels of leadership.
The assessment consists of:
- References from current school and/or relevant sporting organisations as appropriate
- Application Form
- Interview
- Video highlight reel, competitive performance context, maximum 10 minutes duration (if available
Candidates must fulfil the 16+ academic entry requirements and the award of a sport scholarship will be conditional on the subsequent gaining of a place to enter the School in the Sixth Form. Scholars will be expected to play a full role in the sporting life of the School.
Click here for more information about Sports Scholarships for entry in September 2025
I’m interested in a St Albans School education for my son or daughter, where do I start?
The best place to start is to come into the School in person to see what makes St Albans School such a wonderful place to learn. We offer two 16+ Open Evenings in the Autumn Term with an opportunity to tour the School with one of our prefects. We also offer daytime tours of the School with a prefect.
What is the registration deadline for 16+?
For 16+ there is no deadline as such, however scholarship candidates must register by 31 October of Year 11. Registration is done electronically via our website homepage and for scholarship registration, please contact Admissions.
Do you offer 16+ Scholarships and Bursaries?
Yes, a Bursary is means-tested funding provided by the School to assist pupils in obtaining a place at St Albans School when it wouldn’t otherwise be accessible. Assistance generally ranges from 40% to 100%. A 16+ Scholarship is awarded for outstanding performance or potential and carries a small amount of financial remission (5% to 25%). Music, Academic and Sports Scholarships are available at 16+.
What is the format for the Academic Scholarship?
All our Sixth Form students study four A Levels. For scholarships, papers are taken in two of those prospective A Levels. There is also a Verbal Reasoning paper and an interview on the Scholarship Day at the School.
What is the format for the Music Scholarship?
The Music Scholarships are taken in School in November. It involves an audition and two interviews. Candidates should have achieved distinction standard, or close to it, at Grade 7 or 8 of the Associated Board Examination in one instrument and/or singing. A second instrument would be an advantage but is not essential.
What is the format for the Sports Scholarship?
The Sports Scholarship involves completing an application form, submitting relevant references, an interview and a sporting highlight reel, if available. Candidates should be part of an elite (County, Regional, National) programme or talent pathway in their primary sport.
I am interested in applying for a Bursary, what do I need to do?
You can indicate on your online registration form that you would like to be considered for a Bursary. The Admissions Team will then be in touch to discuss the next steps. The level of funding awarded is usually between 40-100%. The deadline to apply is 30 November.
For more information on assistance with fees (bursaries), please click here.
I’ve completed the registration form, when will I hear from the School again?
We will request a reference and predicted grades from your child’s current school. Where the grades and references meet our 16+ entry requirements we will offer an interview.
Where do most new entrants come from at 16+?
We receive applications from boys and girls across Hertfordshire and North London but also further afield where candidates may be in a boarding environment and wish to switch to being a day scholar. Our new entrants are predominantly girls and largely girls that may feed in from a single-sex environment and would like the opportunity to experience a mixed Sixth Form.
How many applicants join and what is the ratio of girls?
Approximately 45 to 60 new applicants join our Sixth form. The girls will account for a quarter to a third of the cohort when combined with our Fifth Form boys moving into Lower Sixth Form. We do not have an upper limit as such but the size of each Sixth Form year will be approximately 160 to 180 pupils.
What schools do your current Sixth Form joiners come from?
Abbot's Hill, Beaumont, Bedford School, Bishop's Stortford College, British International School Nigeria, Habs Boys, Habs Girls, Haileybury, Kellett (Hong Kong), Monks Walk School, North London Collegiate, Palmers Green High School, Parmiters, Presdales, Queenswood, QE Boys, Richard Hale, Roundwood Park, Rugby School, Sandringham, Sir John Lawes, St Albans Girls’ School, St Albans High School for Girls, St Columba’s College, St George’s Harpenden, St Helens Northwood, St John’s Enfield, St Margaret’s Bushey, The Swaminarayan School and Verulam School.
When and how will we find out if a place will be offered?
In accordance with the North London Consortium, offers will be posted on 30 November in the case of Scholarship candidates or the fortnight following interview, for subsequent candidates.
What does a typical day at St Albans School look like?
Morning registration is at 8.35am. Abbey, Assemblies and Tutor time take place until 9.15am. There are six 50-minute lessons per day and academic lessons finish at 4.00pm. Pupils who are staying for one of the many evening clubs, sports practice or clinics may use the late coach service which departs at 6.00pm. Lower Sixth Form pupils have two study periods during the week. These are not free periods but specific study opportunities.
How is the Lower Sixth Form year timetabled?
Students have six lessons per week for each of their four A levels. In most cases, this is split between two teachers. They also have a lesson of enrichment, a study lesson with their tutor, two lessons of games and two lessons on a Friday afternoon doing a chosen extension activity. Additional study periods (two per week) are allocated within their subject lessons for private study supervised by their subject teachers.
How is the Upper Sixth Form year timetabled?
In the Upper Sixth Form there are 18 lessons per week timetabled for the three A Levels with six lessons of private study. If a student continues with four A Levels then they will have 24 timetabled lessons for their subjects. There is also a study lesson with their Tutor, an extended project lesson, and an enrichment lecture as well as two lessons of Games. Students may have an academic challenge seminar also timetabled dependent upon their chosen university path. Students will be given permission to attend up to five university Open Days.