Admissions

We welcome boys from all over the world

Overseas boarder at Merchiston

Merchiston is a warm and friendly community of 470 boys, 90 staff and all our parents.

New international students join the School each year. Currently the School is especially popular with boys from Germany, Hong Kong, China, Russia and Mexico, some of whom choose to go directly into the Sixth Form.

In any academic year, between 17% and 19% of our pupils will be international students. They bring with them a diverse range of cultures, which greatly enhances the overall culture of the School.

Merchiston is ideally located for international students:

  • Set in the heart of one of Europe's most thriving capital cities, Edinburgh.
  • Co-curricular activities ensure benefit from all the cultural, social and sporting opportunities found in Edinburgh and in the Scottish countryside.
  • Easy access to Edinburgh International Airport and the railway station and an increasing number of direct flights to overseas destinations.
  • Excellent knowledge of school curriculums and educational requirements from a variety of countries.
  • Availability of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Support for Learning, and special dietary requirements.

A list of frequently asked questions is available on this link.

Click the tabs below for information on the following areas:

All international students have to fulfil the School's requirements in English: Sixth Form candidates are required to show that they possess a level of English appropriate to the subjects they wish to pursue, and will be tested in areas drawn from those subjects.

Most students also sit a Mathematics paper, and Sixth Form entrants will sit papers relevant to the subjects they wish to take at A level. These may be sat at any time during the year. Papers may be taken at Merchiston, or sent to a boy's current school (or to a recruitment agency or British Council office) for administration. The papers are returned to Merchiston for marking. Each candidate is considered on his individual results. We also take up a report from a pupil's current school.

International students are screened for English language tuition on entry and receive an individual programme, including small group, or one-to-one support.

Accounts of their experiences here by two students can be read by clicking on these links:

All international students require an educational guardian, who must be over 25 years of age and UK resident. The guardian acts on behalf of parents, looks after your son during half term or leave-outs, and can be contacted in an emergency. The School can recommend guardianship agencies, and, for our younger pupils, we may be able to offer guardian families from current parents.

Please click here for further details about Guardianship