Queen Ethelburga’s - A Leading UK Boarding School for International Students
Join one of the top UK boarding schools for international students, located in the heart of the North Yorkshire countryside.
At Queen Ethelburga’s, we welcome students from over 40 different nationalities, and 40% of our students come from international backgrounds. With more than 1,000 students across our three schools, we offer an exceptional British education for children aged 3 months to 19 years.
A UK Boarding School Built for Global Success
Whether you are looking for a full British education or a stepping stone to a top UK university, Queen Ethelburga’s is the ideal choice for international families. We are consistently recognised as the top-performing independent school in the North of England for academic results.
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Our Most Popular University Destinations
International Foundation Year
New for 2024! Queen Ethelburga's is offering the NCUK International Foundation Year in Business or Science to give you a competitive edge when applying for university.
Who We Are
Queen Ethelburga’s is a leading UK boarding school for international students, made up of three schools:
- Chapter House (Ages 3 months to 10 years)
- King’s Magna (Ages 10 to 14)
- College (Ages 14 to 19)
Many international students begin their QE journey in King’s Magna from age 12 (Year 8+), allowing them to adjust to the English education system, improve their English skills, and gain a strong foundation of English, Mathematics and Science before their GCSE and A Level studies.
Discover the UK Education System
English Support for International Students
Queen Ethelburga’s supports you in learning English, achieving academic excellence in English qualifications and completing IELTS courses to help you apply for university.
English As An Additional Language (EAL)
Language is no barrier at Queen Ethelburga’s. If English is your second language, the international department will help you improve your grammar and vocabulary so you can participate in the school’s English-speaking environment and achieve your full potential in core subjects.
"Those pupils who have English as an additional language (EAL) receive specialist help to improve their English. As a result, they often make rapid progress and achieve fluency in English, which allows them to access the wider curriculum."
ISI INSPECTION REPORT, OCTOBER 2023
English Language Learning
English as an Additional Language is a subject offered to students through the English Language Programme. It is a comprehensive course taught in small groups, so each student is at the centre of learning. Tuition is tailored to each student, and we offer expert advice to help individuals improve in any areas of weakness.
| Discover the Junior English Language Programme for Years 6 to 9 |
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King's Magna, our middle school for Years 6 to 9, offers a junior version of the English Language Programme to help students access the regular school curriculum before essential exam years.
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| Discover the English Language Programme for Years 10 to 12 |
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A tailored one-year programme that integrates language learning with other subjects, such as Art, Mathematics, and Science. Students will also receive support for IELTS examinations. |
| Discover the Advanced English Language Programme for Years 10 to 12 |
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A two- to five-year modular programme aimed at improving English and helping students achieve two to three GCSE qualifications. Students will also receive support for IELTS examinations. |
Students in Years 6 to 9 will take the Cambridge First or Preliminary exams. These courses teach students how to write in specific genres and to speak everyday English to help converse with other students and staff.
Students in Years 10 to 13 are trained for the IELTS preparation courses. These courses use a task-based approach that focuses on studying academic texts to help students prepare for the rules of academic writing in higher education. In addition, IELTS's hands-on approach prepares students to meet university requirements for their chosen courses.
Read Our Latest International Prospectus
Alternative Entry Routes for International Students
For students wanting to join us for a shorter length of time, we offer two alternatives:
NCUK International Foundation Year
Ideal for students aged 17+ joining the UK for one year before university. Choose between the:
- Business Pathway
- Science Pathway
International Summer School
Join us for 2, 3 or 4 weeks in July to:
- Improve English skills
- Explore UK cities on fantastic trips
- Enjoy electives like Art, STEM, and Football with Mike Phelan Coaching (former Manchester United Assistant Manager)
Boarding Life at QE: Where It 'Feels Like Home'
Queen Ethelburga’s is a UK boarding school for international students with on-campus accommodation and world-class facilities. International students live in the same boarding houses as UK students.
Our campus is often likened to a small town; you will have access to:
- An on-site medical centre
- Coffee shops, fast food options, and a tuck shop,
- Gym, swimming pool, sports pitches, and an activity centre (named 'Muggles' after Harry Potter!)
Stay at a boarding school that embraces your diversity and culture! Queen Ethelburga’s boarding team run events throughout the year to celebrate cultural diversity, such as Nigerian Independence Day, where students cooked up a storm to celebrate Nigeria’s flavourful food, and Cultural Awareness Week, where every student dresses in their cultural style.
Stay At Queen Ethelburga’s Over The Holidays
During every half-term and Easter holidays, international students can choose to stay at Queen Ethelburga’s and take part in exciting activities and trips.
These activities take place using all the wonderful facilities on campus and suit a range of different interests.
Every student will have access to all of the facilities through the holidays. Students will also benefit from organised off-site events, such as shopping trips, meals at local restaurants, and day excursions to local attractions, including bowling and the cinema.
Explore Yorkshire and the UK
Queen Ethelburga’s is located only a short drive from York, Leeds and Harrogate; three cosmopolitan locations offering an experience of true British culture.
| York |
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Have you ever wanted to walk down the cobbled streets of Diagon Alley? Experience the magic of Harry Potter by visiting York and walking down 'The Shambles', the street that inspired the story's magical town. |
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The City of Culture 2023, Leeds provides you with an incredible shopping experience, so you’ll never come home empty-handed. (Parents – you’ll thank QE later!) |
| Harrogate |
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You will not experience a better afternoon tea than the one served at Betty’s Tearooms in Harrogate. The spa town offers a stylish British shopping and cuisine experience. |
Award-Winning Support for International Students
Queen Ethelburga’s has achieved the QEGUK Gold Award in International Student Provision, making us one of the very few UK boarding schools to be recognised at the highest standard for our care and support of international students.
| The QEGUK report highlighted: |
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"The last audit report described the school as being "well ahead of the curve" (QEG Validation Report February 2020), in terms of its international student provision. It can now safely be described as being "light years ahead of the curve" in terms of its heightened awareness and deeper understanding of the nuanced nature of international student wellbeing and welfare." |
International Admissions – Join QE From Anywhere in the World
Join Queen Ethelburga’s: the UK boarding school for international students that delivers academic success, language support, and cultural integration in a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment.
We welcome applications year-round. Our International Admissions Officers, Abi and Olivia, are available Monday to Friday to answer questions, offer tours of the school, and guide you through every step of your application. We also have International Representatives around the world who can visit you in your home country.
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“It is a privilege for my team and me to guide families in choosing Queen Ethelburga’s as their UK boarding school. We understand how big the decision is, and we work hard to ensure every student’s transition is smooth, safe, and successful. QE is not just about academic excellence; it’s about finding a second home for your child.” Jeremy Dean, Director of International Admissions |
| Contact Our International Team | Download International Prospectus | Book Your Visit |
