Founded in 1619 by Edward Alleyn, Dulwich College is a boys’ selective day and boarding school in London. Dulwich has a strong global brand with 11 outposts in other countries, including China, South Korea and Singapore. While it is certainly a very academically selective school, it also fosters an inclusive educational and social environment, and partners closely with its sister school James Allen’s Girls’ School.
The main senior-school entry points are Year 7 (11+), Year 9 (13+) and Year 12 (16+). Dulwich also has a Junior School entry point at Year 3 and a small number of occasional places in Years 4 and 5 and, for boarders, Year 10.
How to get into Dulwich College
Entering in Year 7 (11 Plus):
Around 90 external pupils join Dulwich College's Lower School in Year 7 each year. Boys from the College's Junior School also move up into Year 7, making a total year group of around 150 boys.
The Year 7 admissions process involves two stages. Candidates first sit a series of online assessments and a creative writing task. Those who perform sufficiently well are invited back to the College for an interview.
Year 7 entrance examination
The Year 7 assessment consists of six online sections:
- Mathematics – 20 minutes
- English – 30 minutes
- Non-Verbal Reasoning – 10 minutes
- Verbal Reasoning – 10 minutes
- Puzzles and Problem Solving – 15 minutes
- Creative Comprehension – 20 minutes
Candidates then complete a 20-minute creative writing task, with five minutes for planning and 15 minutes for writing. The full assessment takes approximately three hours including breaks.
The Mathematics, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections are adaptive, meaning the difficulty of questions changes according to a candidate's answers. The English, Puzzles and Problem Solving and Creative Comprehension sections are non-adaptive.
Maths and English cover the range of topics set out in the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum.
Those who perform well in tests – around 180 boys - are then invited back for interviews in January of the year of entry. Results are released in February.
The offer of a place is based on the candidate's performance in the entrance assessment and interview, together with a report from the candidate's current school.
What questions does Dulwich College ask at interview?
The interview gives Dulwich an opportunity to get to know candidates beyond their examination results. Boys should be prepared to talk naturally about:
- Their current school
- Favourite academic subjects
- Books and reading
- Hobbies and interests
- Sport and other activities
- Achievements and things they are proud of
- Their interests outside school
- Why they would like to attend Dulwich College
Candidates should not simply memorise answers. The aim is to have a natural conversation that allows the interviewer to understand their personality, interests, intellectual curiosity and potential contribution to College life.
Entering in Year 9 (13 Plus):
There are two routes into Year 9 at Dulwich College: Deferred Entry and Year 8 Late Entry.
Around 50 places are available through Deferred Entry for boys attending UK prep schools. A further 30 places are available to boys who sit the entrance examinations in Year 8, giving around 80 external places in total.
Deferred Entry
Deferred Entry is available to boys who are in Year 6 at a UK 13+ preparatory school and intend to remain there until they join Dulwich College.
For September 2029 entry, there are 50 Deferred Entry places. Boys who accept a Deferred Entry place remain at their prep school until the end of Year 8 and then join Dulwich in Year 9.
Dulwich does not use the ISEB Common Pre-Test for Deferred Entry. Instead, candidates sit Dulwich's own bespoke entrance assessment.
Deferred Entry entrance examination
The Deferred Entry assessment has two parts and takes approximately three hours including breaks.
The first part consists of online tests in:
- Mathematics
- English
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
- Puzzles and Problem Solving
- Creative Comprehension
Candidates then complete a 20-minute creative writing task, consisting of five minutes' planning and 15 minutes' writing.
The Mathematics, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections are adaptive. The English, Puzzles and Problem Solving and Creative Comprehension sections are non-adaptive.
Boys applying for Deferred Entry should also be aware that they cannot apply simultaneously for Year 7 entry. Families must choose either the Year 7 or Year 9 Deferred Entry route when registering.
Year 8 Entry
The second route into Year 9 is for boys who apply while they are in Year 8.
For September 2027 entry, there are 30 places available.
Candidates sit:
- Written English
- Written Mathematics
- Online Reasoning tests
Around 40 candidates will then be invited to interview
The offer of a place is based on the entrance examination, interview and a report from the candidate's current school.
Specimen papers can be found here.
Are Dulwich College’s own tests difficult?
As with all entrance tests, the tests are designed to challenge and stretch applicants. The Year 7 and Deferred Entry assessments are predominantly online, with candidates also completing a creative writing task. Practise test can be found here. A sample of the creative writing task can be found here
Entering Dulwich College in Year 12 (Sixth Form Entry):
Around 40 boys join Dulwich College in Year 12, with the majority of places available for boarders. Pupils joining the Sixth Form can study A levels and follow a demanding academic curriculum that requires both intellectual ability and a strong work ethic.
For September 2027 entry, the registration deadline is Friday 16 October 2026 at midday. The UK entrance examinations take place on Wednesday 11 November 2026, with interviews for shortlisted candidates between 23 and 27 November. Offers will be sent on or before Friday 4 December 2026, with an acceptance deadline of Friday 11 December 2026.
16+ entrance examinations
Candidates sit written examinations in the three subjects they intend to study at A level.
There are some exceptions:
- Art and Design & Technology: candidates submit a portfolio.
- Computer Science: candidates are expected to perform strongly in Mathematics and demonstrate programming experience and ability at interview.
- Physical Education: candidates take part in a group interview.
Applicants whose first language is not English are also expected to pass Dulwich's EAL examination.
Candidates who perform strongly in the entrance examinations are shortlisted for interview. Interviews can take place either in person or online. Dulwich also requests a report from the candidate's current school.
Around 40 new boys join Dulwich College in Year 12. These include both day boys and boarders, joining those who move up from Year 11, making a year group of around 250 students.
Overseas Applicants to Dulwich College
The school welcomes applications from boys who are at school overseas for day or boarding places. Boys can apply for day places for Year 7 and Year 9. Boarding places are available for Year 9 and a small number of boarding places are available for Year 10. Entrance and examination procedures differ slightly for each year group.
Most boarders join in Year 9 and a small number of places are available for joining in Year 10. Entrance examinations for boarders at school outside the UK are generally held in October/November each year. Testing can be arranged after this if places are available. Examinations will be held in Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing and Seoul. Registered applicants will be notified of the dates and venues. It may also be possible to sit examinations at a British Council office or a location authorised by Dulwich College.
Boys applying for day places will follow the same entrance procedures and timetable as those boys in the UK. Dulwich interviews boys who are overseas by Zoom and testing takes place at a Dulwich College International school, the local British Council offices or a Dulwich College approved testing centre.
Overseas Sixth Form Applicants
Entrance examinations for overseas boarding candidates are held from mid-October onwards. Overseas testing will take place at a Dulwich College International school, the local British Council offices or a Dulwich College approved testing centre. Overseas boarding candidates who are at school in the UK will be invited to Dulwich College to sit the examinations in early November. Candidates will be tested in the subjects that they wish to study at A level and those whose first language is not English will also sit an EAL paper. Selected candidates will be invited for interview via Zoom, following the results of the examinations.
What is Dulwich College looking for?
Dulwich is an academically selective school, and strong academic potential is central to its admissions process. However, the College also considers the wider qualities that will allow a pupil to thrive and contribute to school life.
The admissions policy states that the College considers academic potential and attainment alongside current and past academic results. References from a candidate's current school can also cover academic ability, attitude and behaviour, involvement in the school community, talents, interests and any relevant circumstances.
This means that preparation for Dulwich should go beyond practising examination questions. Candidates should develop secure academic foundations while also reading widely, pursuing their interests and becoming comfortable discussing subjects that genuinely interest them.
Dulwich offers an extensive range of opportunities beyond the classroom, including sport, music, drama, art and other co-curricular activities. The breadth of these opportunities is an important part of school life.
Why is Dulwich College so popular?
While Dulwich has a very good reputation academically, students also excel in sport and the arts making it a fantastic all-round school. Boys proceed from Dulwich to the most competitive of universities, in the UK and in the world, and thereafter into all the major professions.
The school’s arts, music and co-curricular are truly outstanding and it has a long-standing reputation for producing some of the finest actors, musicians, sportsmen and writers in the country.
Dulwich is just 12-minutes from central London by train but still boasts a 75-acre site with excellent facilities that support both the boys’ formal studies and their activities outside the classroom.
Tutors for Dulwich College School Entrance
Keystone Tutors has extensive experience helping families prepare for entry to leading UK independent schools, including Dulwich College.
Our tutors can support pupils preparing for the 11+ entrance examination, Dulwich's bespoke 13+ assessment and 16+ entrance examinations.
Preparation can be tailored to a child's individual strengths and areas for development, with support available in areas including English, Mathematics, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, problem solving, creative comprehension, creative writing and interview preparation.
For more information about how Keystone can help with preparation for Dulwich College, please contact our team or complete our request a tutor form.