Fettes College and Merchiston Castle School are both in Edinburgh, about 6 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels and British programmes, and Fettes College also offers IB. Published annual fees are close, at £15,000 - 54,000 for Fettes College and £18,000 - 50,706 for Merchiston Castle School. Fettes College takes pupils from 5 to 18, and Merchiston Castle School from 7 to 18. Fettes College is the larger school, with around 751 pupils to Merchiston Castle School's 400. Typical class sizes are 14 at Fettes College and 15 at Merchiston Castle School.
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, IB (DP), British Curriculum
Curriculum
British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils
Pupils
751
Pupils
400
Typical class size
Typical class size
14
Typical class size
15
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1870
Opened
1833
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Fettes College sits on a 100-acre campus on Carrington Road in Edinburgh, one of the most prestigious school settings in Scotland. The campus features woodland, green spaces, and views towards the Pentland Hills. Edinburgh city centre is a short distance away. Edinburgh has excellent transport links including Edinburgh Airport (20 minutes away) and regular rail services to London and other UK cities.
Location
Merchiston Castle School sits on 100 acres of parkland on Colinton Road in south-west Edinburgh. The campus is well connected to Edinburgh city centre, about 3 miles away. Edinburgh Airport is approximately 20 minutes by car. The city has direct rail links to London and other major UK cities, making it accessible for domestic and international families.
Stages
Stages
The school is structured as Pre-Prep (ages 5-7, launching September 2025), Prep School (ages 7-13), and Senior School (ages 13-18). The Senior School includes a Middle School phase (ages 13-15) with its own diploma, followed by GCSE-level qualifications and either A Levels or the IB Diploma in the Sixth Form.
Stages
The school has four divisions: The Forest (ages 3-11, co-educational), Juniors (ages 11-13), Middle Years (ages 13-16 for GCSEs), and Sixth Form (ages 16-18 for A Levels). Only the Forest section is co-educational; the main school from age 7 is for boys only.
School type
School type
Fettes is an independent co-educational boarding and day school. Boarding is available from the Prep School (age 7). The school is a registered Scottish charity (No SC051259), meaning fees are reinvested into the school.
School type
Merchiston is an independent boys' boarding and day school, the only one of its kind in Scotland. The school is intentionally small, prioritising individual attention. It operates as a charity (SC016580).
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
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Additional learning support
Support for learning is available through a dedicated department. English as an Additional Language support is offered at GBP 12 per lesson for international students who need it.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
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Country affiliation
—
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
—
Religious affiliation
—
School day structure
School day structure
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School day structure
The school week includes Saturday electives, extending learning opportunities beyond the standard Monday-to-Friday timetable. The day includes lessons, sports, and co-curricular activities.
Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Termly Tuition Fees (2025-26, inclusive of VAT)
Pre-Prep (Ages 5-7) - GBP 5,000 per term
Prep School (Ages 7-13) - Day: GBP 8,500 per term - Boarding: GBP 12,500 per term
Senior School (Ages 13-18) - Day: GBP 15,150 per term - Boarding: GBP 18,000 per term
Additional Costs - International Student Administrative Fee: GBP 862 (for students requiring UKVI visas) - Sixth Form Premium: 10% surcharge on first-year fees (spread as 5% per year over two years) - Pre-Prep Wraparound Care: GBP 10-16 per session
Deposits New international entrants pay an additional deposit equal to the first term's fees alongside the standard deposit.
What's Included Fees cover tuition, boarding, meals, most sports, standard co-curricular activities, careers guidance, and medical centre access. Extras such as exam fees, optional trips, and individual enrichment are charged separately.
All fees are due in advance of each term.
Fee details
Termly Tuition Fees (2025-26)
Senior School (IV Form and above) - Day: GBP 8,000 per term - Day PLUS (8am-9pm): GBP 12,258 per term - Flexi-Boarding (2 consecutive nights): GBP 13,993 per term - Full Boarding: GBP 16,902 per term
Junior School (J5 to III Form) - Day PLUS: GBP 6,000 per term - Flexi-Boarding (III Form only): GBP 7,735 per term
Sixth Form Direct Entry - 5% surcharge on annual boarding or day fees
Other Costs - Occasional Boarding: GBP 90 per night - EAL tuition: GBP 12 per lesson
Sibling Discounts - 5% for the second child, 20% for the third, 40% for the fourth - 10% discount for serving military families
What's Included Fees cover tuition, meals and snacks, travel for school matches, and careers counselling. Boarders' fees include 24-hour supervision and laundry.
Payment Three terms per year, fees due on the first day of term. Monthly payment plans available through School Fee Plan (UK residents only).
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The Prep School follows a broad curriculum preparing students for the Senior School. In the Senior School, a distinctive Middle School Diploma runs from ages 13 to 15, providing a broad and balanced programme. Students then take GCSEs or equivalent qualifications. In the Sixth Form, students choose between A Levels and the IB Diploma Programme. The school has received Excellent ratings from Education Scotland for both Curriculum and Raising Attainment and Achievement.
Curriculum details
The school follows the English curriculum. Students take GCSEs in the Middle Years (ages 13-16) and A Levels in the Sixth Form (ages 16-18). Saturday electives provide additional learning opportunities beyond the main timetable, allowing students to explore subjects and interests in greater depth.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
The school describes itself as intentionally small, ensuring every pupil is known, supported, and challenged individually. Specific class sizes were not published.
Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
The school reports a 100% A Level pass rate. Specific grade breakdowns and GCSE results are published annually but were not detailed on the website at the time of review.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
The school provides career guidance as part of its provision. Fees cover careers guidance services to help students plan their post-school pathways.
Higher education progression
Graduates go on to top universities in the UK and internationally, including Ivy League schools in the United States. The school provides careers counselling as part of its provision, included in the fees.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
—
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
—
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
—
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
—
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
—
Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Prospective families can attend an Open Day or arrange an individual visit to tour the campus and meet staff. 2. 3. Scholarships and bursaries are available for qualifying students, with specific programmes for different entry points. 4. Special support is available for Forces Families. 5. International admissions events are held for families based overseas, and online interviews can be arranged. 6. Entry points include Prep School (age 7), Senior School (age 13), and Sixth Form (age 16).
Admissions
1. 2. Entry points include the Junior School (age 7/11), Middle Years (age 13), and Sixth Form (age 16). A 5% surcharge applies for Sixth Form direct entry. 3. The school assesses candidates based on academic ability and potential. 4. Scholarships and financial assistance programmes are available for qualifying families. 5. International admissions are welcomed, with EAL support available for non-native English speakers.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Scholarships and bursaries are available for students entering at various stages. The school provides support for Forces Families. Details of specific scholarship categories and values are available from the admissions team.
Scholarships
Scholarships and financial assistance are available. A 10% discount is offered for serving military families. Sibling discounts apply: 5% for the second child, 20% for the third, and 40% for the fourth child.
