Admissions Preparation

Prep-schools were developed in the early 19th century to prepare boys for studying at leading public schools. Since then, they have branched out and now cater to all children between the ages of 8 to 13.

For many international students, entry into a prep school is their first experience of studying abroad and a stepping stone to boarding school.

Parents of students who are aiming for the absolute best senior schools should strongly consider the prep school route, as access to prep schools’ own school networks enhances the chances of senior school admission.

Prep Schools benefit from small class sizes and exceptional pastoral care whilst at the same time offering the brilliant extracurricular opportunities that UK schools are so famous for.

Get your free guide to studying in the UK

We have helped numerous children enter the British Education system through the Prep School route.
Below you can see some of the different schools we have helped students apply to:

Planning your study abroad

Planning Properly

Planning ahead is key if you are seriously considering one of the UK’s elite schools for your child. Registrations need to be completed by the end of Year 5 and school entrance exams take place in Years 6 & 7.

The biggest entry point for boys and co-ed schools is Year 9, for all-girls schools there is a large intake in Year 7 and then a smaller intake for Year 9. Schools also offer a Sixth Form intake for students starting in Year 12. This is a much more competitive process than the Year 9 application because there are far fewer places available.

See More Student Stories

Our Consulting Team

Charles James Wilders | Premium Consultant

Studied at Pilgrims’ Prep school in Winchester, before going on to Eton College and then the University of Edinburgh. Charles spent the whole of his academic life immersed in the British private education svstem Charles’main passion has always been sport,mainly football, and he played in many1Xl teams throughout his school career.

Education and Qualifications: 


• The University of Edinburgh 2014-2017: 


Social Anthropology (2:1, BA Hons)


• Eton College 2009-2014: 


A-levels: Politics (A); Theology (A); History (B)


GCSE: English Language (A*) and Literature (A*), 


History (A*), Biology (A), Chemistry (A), Physics (A), 


Latin (A), Spanish (A), Religious Studies (A), Mathematics (A), Geography (A)


• International House, London 2016




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Oliver Galpin | Premium Service Manager

Oliver has worked at BE for nearly five years now and has accumulated a wealth of experience placing students into a broad range of UK boarding schools. On top of his China-oriented degree, Oliver has nine years of experience living and working in China and speaks fluent Chinese. This has led him to a broad understanding of Chinese culture and means Oliver is especially aware of the variance between the Chinese and UK education systems, and importantly, how best to bridge these gaps. His experience across four full application seasons had brought him an in-depth knowledge of the application process for all top UK boarding schools and has an excellent record in placing students in their target schools.

Education and Qualifications: 


• University of Nottingham 2009 – 2012: 


BA(Hons. 2:1) History with Contemporary Chinese Studies

Athletics Union Gymnastics team and committee


• Loughborough Grammar School 2002 – 2009: 


A-levels: History, Biology, Economics

Senior chorister

Badminton 1st Team Captain: 2007-2009

London College of Music: Vocals Grade 8  'Distinction'  Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award


• HSK Level 5: Chinese Language Qualification 


• Isis Tefl Greenwich: iTEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualification, 2012



List of offers Oliver's students have received:


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Sophie Smith | Director ‒ Admissions Management (UK Schools) / Premium Consultant

Graduated from the University of Manchester with a First Class degree in Mandarin and Business & Management and with a distinction in spoken Chinese. Sophie was one of the first UK study abroad consultants to work in China, having joined BE in 2014 and since then has personally helped over 80 children to win places at their dream schools. Over the years, Sophie has worked closely with many UK schools on developing their admissions procedures in Mainland China, conducting interviews on behalf of schools as well as supporting her own clients. Sophie is also a keen adventurer and has travelled all around China.

Education and Qualifications: 


• The University of Manchester, 2009-2014: 


Undergraduate Degree in Joint Honours Mandarin Chinese and Business & Management

First Class Honours Degree with a Distinction in Spoken Chinese


• A-levels: 


Mathematics 

Psychology 

Chemistry 

Spanish (AS-level)


2014-2021 Top Senior School offers as BE Consultant:


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Willliam Burrell | Premium Consultant

William graduated from Edge Grove Prep School, followed by Harrow School and then the University of Bristol. After receiving his university degree in Politics, William joined the visa section of the British Embassy in Beijing. William is extremely patient with students and excels at at getting them to enjoy reading and and to think for themselves.

Education and Qualifications: 


• Bristol University, 2013 – 2016: 


BSc Politics and International Relations (2:1)


• Harrow School, 2007 – 2012: 


A-levels:  Maths, History, Politics (AAA)


• International House, London 2016



List of offers William's students have received: 


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Helen Dalgleish | Premium Consultant

Graduated from the University of Oxford. Helen has been working in education since graduating universityin 2014 and posseses a rich understanding of the application procedures for private schools in the UK.

Education and Qualifications: 


• University of Oxford, Lady Margaret Hall 2010 – 2014: 


BA Classics (2:1)


• The Henley College, 2008 – 2010: 


A-levels: Classics, Latin, Ancient History, French (AAAA)


AS-level: Maths (A)


• HSK Level 5: Chinese language qualification


• TEFL Certificate (140-hour course)



Senior School Offers Received: 


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Alex Peers | Premium Consultant

Graduated from King’s College School, Wimbledon, followed by Harrow School and the University of Bristol. Alex is a keen rugby player and an active member of the Old Harrovian community,both in London and Shanghai. He is currently playing rugby for the Shanghai Dolphins. Before moving to Shanghai, Alex worked in BE's London office, during which time he gained an intimate knowledge of a wide range of the best boarding schools in the country.

Education and Qualifications: 


• Bristol University, 2012 – 2016: 


BSc Politics and International Relations (2:1)


• Harrow School, 2007 – 2012: 


A-levels: Government & Politics,

Economics, Geography, French (AAAA)


• International House, London 2016


CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)



List of offers Alex's students have received:


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Request More Information

The UK is home to the most famous senior schools in the world. Names such as Eton, Harrow, Wycombe Abbey, Cheltenham Ladies College, Wellington College and others are world renowned and represent the pinnacle of British Education.

British boarding schools offer an education that is truly special. The schools have some of the best facilities in the world. This combined with their phenomenal sites deliver a world class education to their students.

Get your free guide to studying in the UK

Planning Appropriately

Forward planning is key if your child is serious about attending one of the elite schools in the UK. Registrations need to be completed by the end of year 5 and testing for the school entrance exams happens in years 6 & 7.

The biggest entry point for boys' and co-ed schools is year 9. For girls' schools the main intake in year 7 with a smaller group for year 9. Schools will also offer a sixth form intake for students. This is a much more competitive process than the year 9 application because there are far fewer places available.

See More Student Stories

Our Consulting Team Fully committed to achieving the best interests of students

Charles James Wilders | Premium Consultant

Studied at Pilgrims’ Prep school in Winchester, before going on to Eton College and then the University of Edinburgh. Charles spent the whole of his academic life immersed in the British private education svstem Charles’main passion has always been sport,mainly football, and he played in many1Xl teams throughout his school career.

Education and Qualifications: 


• The University of Edinburgh 2014-2017: 


Social Anthropology (2:1, BA Hons)


• Eton College 2009-2014: 


A-levels: Politics (A); Theology (A); History (B)


GCSE: English Language (A*) and Literature (A*), 


History (A*), Biology (A), Chemistry (A), Physics (A), 


Latin (A), Spanish (A), Religious Studies (A), Mathematics (A), Geography (A)


• International House, London 2016




编组 28.png

Oliver Galpin | Premium Service Manager

Oliver has worked at BE for nearly five years now and has accumulated a wealth of experience placing students into a broad range of UK boarding schools. On top of his China-oriented degree, Oliver has nine years of experience living and working in China and speaks fluent Chinese. This has led him to a broad understanding of Chinese culture and means Oliver is especially aware of the variance between the Chinese and UK education systems, and importantly, how best to bridge these gaps. His experience across four full application seasons had brought him an in-depth knowledge of the application process for all top UK boarding schools and has an excellent record in placing students in their target schools.

Education and Qualifications: 


• University of Nottingham 2009 – 2012: 


BA(Hons. 2:1) History with Contemporary Chinese Studies

Athletics Union Gymnastics team and committee


• Loughborough Grammar School 2002 – 2009: 


A-levels: History, Biology, Economics

Senior chorister

Badminton 1st Team Captain: 2007-2009

London College of Music: Vocals Grade 8  'Distinction'  Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award


• HSK Level 5: Chinese Language Qualification 


• Isis Tefl Greenwich: iTEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualification, 2012



List of offers Oliver's students have received:


编组 6.png

Sophie Smith | Director ‒ Admissions Management (UK Schools) / Premium Consultant

Graduated from the University of Manchester with a First Class degree in Mandarin and Business & Management and with a distinction in spoken Chinese. Sophie was one of the first UK study abroad consultants to work in China, having joined BE in 2014 and since then has personally helped over 80 children to win places at their dream schools. Over the years, Sophie has worked closely with many UK schools on developing their admissions procedures in Mainland China, conducting interviews on behalf of schools as well as supporting her own clients. Sophie is also a keen adventurer and has travelled all around China.

Education and Qualifications: 


• The University of Manchester, 2009-2014: 


Undergraduate Degree in Joint Honours Mandarin Chinese and Business & Management

First Class Honours Degree with a Distinction in Spoken Chinese


• A-levels: 


Mathematics 

Psychology 

Chemistry 

Spanish (AS-level)


2014-2021 Top Senior School offers as BE Consultant:


编组 29.png

Willliam Burrell | Premium Consultant

William graduated from Edge Grove Prep School, followed by Harrow School and then the University of Bristol. After receiving his university degree in Politics, William joined the visa section of the British Embassy in Beijing. William is extremely patient with students and excels at at getting them to enjoy reading and and to think for themselves.

Education and Qualifications: 


• Bristol University, 2013 – 2016: 


BSc Politics and International Relations (2:1)


• Harrow School, 2007 – 2012: 


A-levels:  Maths, History, Politics (AAA)


• International House, London 2016



List of offers William's students have received: 


编组 20.png

Helen Dalgleish | Premium Consultant

Graduated from the University of Oxford. Helen has been working in education since graduating universityin 2014 and posseses a rich understanding of the application procedures for private schools in the UK.

Education and Qualifications: 


• University of Oxford, Lady Margaret Hall 2010 – 2014: 


BA Classics (2:1)


• The Henley College, 2008 – 2010: 


A-levels: Classics, Latin, Ancient History, French (AAAA)


AS-level: Maths (A)


• HSK Level 5: Chinese language qualification


• TEFL Certificate (140-hour course)



Senior School Offers Received: 


编组 30.png

Alex Peers | Premium Consultant

Graduated from King’s College School, Wimbledon, followed by Harrow School and the University of Bristol. Alex is a keen rugby player and an active member of the Old Harrovian community,both in London and Shanghai. He is currently playing rugby for the Shanghai Dolphins. Before moving to Shanghai, Alex worked in BE's London office, during which time he gained an intimate knowledge of a wide range of the best boarding schools in the country.

Education and Qualifications: 


• Bristol University, 2012 – 2016: 


BSc Politics and International Relations (2:1)


• Harrow School, 2007 – 2012: 


A-levels: Government & Politics,

Economics, Geography, French (AAAA)


• International House, London 2016


CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)



List of offers Alex's students have received:


编组 32.png

Request More Information

The UK is home to some of the world's leading higher education institutions and choosing the right university is a big, life-changing decision not to be taken lightly. Led by experts, the BE university programme is comprehensive, giving each student the best possible chance to fulfil their potential.

Each student has a Primary Advisor to guide them through every step of their application and we focus on the fact that this journey is different for every individual. With a tailored application timeline and regular our one-to-one meetings, we make sure students know exactly what they need to be doing and when and are encouraged at every step. It can be a daunting time for young people but we are always right by their side.

Supercharging the application profile building service is our team of Subject Specialists, all graduates of top universities. They provide extensive enrichment support which includes personal statement writing, admissions test practice and interview preparation. Our service also includes workshops where students can learn and develop key knowledge and skills vital for a successful application.

Higher Education Team

Frances Downham |Director of UK Higher Education

Graduate in English Literature and holds a PGCert in Counselling. Gained extensive knowledge and experience as Head of Higher Education and Careers at Godolphin and Latymer School in London. Former teacher of English Language at Wonkwang University in South Korea.

Neelam Sultan | Higher Education Advisor

Graduate in Computing and Management and holds an MA in Management. Understands UCAS process from both applicant and university perspective from working within the Undergraduate Admissions Departments at two prestigious Russell Group universities. Supports our work with research and in-depth analytics.

Graham Morgan Smith |Higher Education Advisor

Over 13 years' experience in supporting students with their university applications. Former teacher of Business Studies and Economics, Head of Department, Head of Sixth Form. IGCSEs and A Level Examiner for CIE.

Tim Jervis | Higher Education Advisor

Over 30 years of teaching and 12 years of university counselling experience. Taught in schools around the world including in the US, Middle East and Asia. Holds an MA in Teaching, an MSc in Operational Research and a PGCE in English and Business Studies .

Request More Information

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