Marlborough College

Focus

Ambition, initiative, community, service

Day fees 2025/2026

$65,900

Boarding fees 2025/26

$82,400

Term dates

• Term 1: 2 September to 10 December 2025
• Term 2: 6 January to 27 March 2026
• Term 3: 20 April to 26 June 2026

Ages

13-18

Pupil count

1,010

Spear’s Review

Marlborough College was founded in 1843, opening its doors to 199 boys, predominantly sons of clergy. Now co-educational and greatly expanded, the school offers students a contemporary, challenging and enriching education.

Located across 286 acres in Wiltshire, the school’s period buildings include a Gothic Revival chapel, the Neoclassical Memorial Hall and the ‘Marlborough Mound’, a 4,000-year-old Neolithic mound. Traditionally a fully boarding school, in 2026 Marlborough introduced its first cohort of day pupils, hoping to meet ‘local demand from talented students’.

Marlborough is described as a diverse community, with wellbeing and mutual respect at its heart, and academic results are excellent. GCSE and A-Level subjects are complemented by a varied academic enrichment programme, including visiting speakers, competitions, events and trips.

Students develop a strong global outlook through a close partnership with Marlborough College Malaysia, as well as with Darüşşafaka School in Turkey and Bishop Cotton School in India.

Academics

In 2025:

• 67 per cent of GCSE results were grades 7-9
• 51 per cent of A-Level results were A* or A

Head teacher

Louise Moelwyn-Hughes was educated at Methodist College, Belfast, and read classics at Magdalene College, Cambridge University. Her first teaching post was at Marlborough College; she went on to become the senior deputy head of the Perse School, Cambridge, and then head of St Edmund’s School, Canterbury, before returning to Marlborough as master in 2018. 

University and college destinations

In 2025, 3 per cent of Marlborough College graduates gained places at Oxford and Cambridge out of a 220-student cohort. Students also attend US universities, with 1 per cent of 2025 graduates continuing their studies at Ivy League schools.

Admissions

According to the school, the selection process assesses academic ability and potential as well as personal qualities and talents.

Children who apply for a place at age 13 (Year 9) will be asked to sit the ISEB pre-tests and attend an assessment day. A reference from their current school is also required. For those applying for Sixth Form, candidates will be interviewed and asked to sit assessments. Offers are subject to final GCSE grades, with the requirements depending on subject.

Notable alumni

Notable ‘Old Marlburians’ include:

• John Betjeman (poet)
  
• William Morris (artist)
  
• Catherine, Princess of Wales 

Accessibility

Heathrow Airport: 1 hour 15 minutes

Location

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