Scholarships
Each year Uppingham Cairo awards scholarships to children of exceptional talent joining the School.
Scholarship awards may be made either for evidence of a high level of attainment and promise or exceptional specialist aptitude. Candidates are assessed through test, examination or observation and interview.
Uppingham Cairo is proud of its moral commitment to widening participation in the School, and applies Scholarship Awards in line with the policies of Uppingham School in the UK. To do so, we use as much of our funding as we can to enable as many young people as possible to benefit from an Uppingham Cairo education. For that reason, scholarship awards would not ordinarily exceed 25% of the fees.
At Uppingham Cairo a candidate may only hold one scholarship award at any one time so that they can specialise in their area of talent. This does not preclude them from participating in other areas of school life, however, the rich additional provision of each of our scholarship programmes requires pupils to manage their time judiciously within their field of expertise.
All candidates must have passed the standard academic entrance assessment and have been offered a place at the School prior to entering the scholarship process. Candidates are not permitted to sit scholarships in more than two disciplines.
Junior School Scholarships
Uppingham Cairo awards Junior Academic Scholarships to candidates in the Top Year (Year 6).
Junior Sports' Scholarships are awarded to pupils who demonstrate particular talent in one of the following sports: Tennis, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Basketball, Squash, Swimming and Football in the Eights (Year 4), the Nines (Year 5) and Top Year (Year 6).
In addition, Junior Sports' Scholarships are awarded to candidates in the Fours (FS2), Fives (Year 1), Sixes (Year 2) and the Sevens (Year 3) who show excellence in Rhythmic Gymnastics.
Senior School Scholarships
Senior School Scholarships are available in the following fields: Academic, Music, Art, Sport, Textiles (Fashion Design), Design & Technology and Drama.
The prestigious Thring Award (our All Rounder Scholarship) is available for Third Form (Year 9) pupils only.
In due course, scholarships will also be available for pupils or joining the School at Sixth Form level (Year 12).
Scholarships dates
| Scholarship Dates for 2025 entry | ||
|---|---|---|
| Scholarship | Application Deadline | Examination Dates |
| Academic | 13 January 2025 | 27 January 2025 |
| Art, Textiles, Design & Technology | 13 January 2025 | 9 and 10 February 2025 (candidates attend on one day only) |
| Drama, Music | 13 January 2025 | 5 and 6 February 2025 (candidates attend on one day only) |
| Sport / Thring Award | 13 January 2025 | 11 and 12 February 2025 (candidates attend on one day only) |
Scholarships Application Process
Academic Scholarships
Academic awards are made at 10+,11+, 12+ and 13+ to candidates who distinguish themselves in the Scholarship examination.
In due course, academic awards will be made to 16+ candidates who should be expecting to achieve '9' grades in most of their GCSEs and certainly in the subjects they are considering at A level. They will be aiming for A level grades commensurate with the level required for applications to a top university.
Full details are available in the scholarship brochures and candidates are encouraged to familiarise themselves fully with the format. Candidates who wish to be assessed for an Academic Award must have passed the standard academic entrance assessment and have been offered a place at the School, and should then complete the short application form which can found below.
Scholarships beginning in September 2025 (Academic Year 2025-2026)
apply hereArt / Fashion Design (Textiles) / Design & Technology Scholarships
Art / Fashion Design (Textiles) / Design and Technology Scholarships are available for 11+, 12+ and 13+ candidates. Awards are made annually to candidates who distinguish themselves in our scholarship examination.
In due course, Art / Fashion Design (Textiles) / Design and Technology awards will be made to 16+ candidates who should be expecting to achieve A* grades at GCSE level and be motivated and confident in a range of media. Portfolio work will be expected to contain evidence of creative endeavours outside the confines of GCSE coursework.
Full details are available in the scholarship brochure and candidates are encouraged to familiarise themselves fully with the format. Candidates who wish to be assessed for an Art / Fashion Design (Textiles) / Design and Technology Award must have passed the standard academic entrance assessment and have been offered a place at the School, and should then complete the short application form which can found below.
Scholarships beginning in September 2025 (Academic Year 2025-2026)
apply hereDrama Scholarships
Drama Scholarships are available for 11+, 12+ and 13+ candidates. In due course, drama awards will be made to 16+ candidates. Drama Scholarships will be awarded to those candidates who have a passion for the theatre combined with outstanding acting ability or raw potential.
In return, we offer teaching and guidance from dedicated staff that have a wealth of experience. Applicants are expected to make a full and active contribution to the dramatic life of the school, by taking a leading role in theatrical productions and having a genuine interest in the Theatre and Theatre work. There is the expectation that Sixth Form scholars will study Drama as an academic subject at A-level.
Full details are available in the scholarship brochure and candidates are encouraged to familiarise themselves fully with the format. Candidates who wish to be assessed for a Drama Award must have passed the standard academic entrance assessment and have been offered a place at the School, and should then complete the short application form which can found below.
Scholarships beginning in September 2025 (Academic Year 2025-2026)
apply hereMusic Scholarships
Music Scholarships are available for 11+, 12+ and 13+ candidates. Each year, we make a significant investment in scholarships for Music Scholars and we expect that many of our pupils go on to study music at leading universities or conservatoires. Successful applicants are offered free Alexander Technique lessons, assigned an in-house music department tutor and given free instrumental tuition on up to three instruments (the third awarded at the discretion of the Director of Music).
Full details are available in the scholarship brochure and candidates are encouraged to familiarise themselves fully with the format. Candidates who wish to be assessed for a Music Award must have passed the standard academic entrance assessment and have been offered a place at the School, and should then complete the short application form which can found below.
Scholarships beginning in September 2025 (Academic Year 2025-2026)
apply hereSports Scholarships
Sports Scholarships are offered to candidates who demonstrate exceptional talent and potential in sport, and who can contribute to the life of our community and academies through high sporting achievement.
Potential sport scholars are expected to perform at a very high standard in their chosen sport(s) and to achieve a strong pass in Uppingham Cairo's academic entrance Tests. In due course, at Sixth Form, candidates will be expected to have obtained a minimum three '7s' and three '6s' at GCSE.
Full details are available in the scholarship brochures and candidates are encouraged to familiarise themselves fully with the format. Candidates who wish to be assessed for a Sports Award must have passed the standard academic entrance assessment and have been offered a place at the School, and should then complete the short application form which can found below.
Junior scholarships beginning in September 2025 (Academic Year 2025-2026)
apply hereSenior scholarships beginning in September 2025 (Academic Year 2025-2026)
apply hereThring Scholarships (Third Form / Year 9 pupils only)
Thring Scholarships will be offered to candidates who possess qualities, skills and characteristics that make them stand out from their peers. Underpinned by their passion and ambition for school life, they will bring something special to Uppingham Cairo. They will be immediately recognisable as a young person who is both willing and able to take the lead, and in doing so can engage with, and set an outstanding example to those around them. This breadth of qualities may already be reflected in a position of responsibility that the candidate holds at their current school.
Full details are available in the scholarship brochure and candidates are encouraged to familiarise themselves fully with the format. Candidates who wish to be assessed for a Thring Scholarship must have passed the standard academic entrance assessment and have been offered a place at the School, and should then complete the short application form which can found below.
Scholarships beginning in September 2025 (Academic Year 2025-2026)
apply here