St Clare’s is a small, liberal and international boarding school in England – perfect for students who are ready to take responsibility for their own learning while soaking up the unique, intellectual energy of Oxford, one of the world’s great centres of education.
As a selective school, places at St Clare’s are not offered to everyone. That’s why we are especially proud that every student we have supported in applying here in recent years has been successfully admitted.
Located right in Oxford, St Clare’s breathes the rarefied air of its famous university neighbour. With up to 45 nationalities on campus, the school embraces diversity and even makes use of some university facilities. The lines between school and university blur in other ways too: students at St Clare’s don’t wear uniforms, and they’re encouraged to become independent, self-motivated learners. In return, they enjoy more freedom and flexibility than at many traditional boarding schools.
Every student becomes part of the school’s proud heritage and the rich cultural and academic life of the city, which has hosted St Clare’s for more than half a century. We especially admire the breadth of the academic curriculum and co-curricular programme – and the fact that class sizes are genuinely small.
Akademis makes history – A Triple Award-Winning Consultancy (2023, 2024 & 2025) 🏆
Akademis has been recognised three years in a row by StudyTravel for excellence in the education sector:
2025 & 2024: Winners of the StudyTravel Secondary School Award (Best Western European Agency)
2023: Winner of the StudyTravel Star Award
(Best Western European Agency)
The StudyTravel Awards are among the most prestigious honours in international education, recognising outstanding quality, client focus and trusted partnerships. Being the first consultancy ever to win for three consecutive years is something we are deeply proud of. For us, these awards highlight our commitment to offering the very best guidance, personal service and long-term support for families embarking on this exciting journey.
Quick Overview
Student Age: 14–19
Number of Students: 270
Boarding Students: 80%
International Students: 90%
Boarding Fees for Sixth Form per Term: £20,908
Key Sports Offerings (in addition to traditional team sports): Various disciplines are available at nearby sports centers, including horse riding, fencing, and surfing.
Nearest Airports: London (100 km), Birmingham (100 km)
Key Strengths at a Glance
Close connection to the University of Oxford
Very small classes
International atmosphere
Lots of freedom
St Clare’s College Oxford – Photo Highlights
St Clare’s College Oxford in Detail
Academic Excellence
St Clare’s has earned a global reputation for its exceptional academic standards. In 2021, its students achieved an average IB score of 39 out of 45, with a 100% pass rate. That’s far above the global average of 30 and a worldwide pass rate of 79%. In the art studio, science labs and modern maths classrooms, no class exceeds 15 pupils – and all are taught by experienced, passionate staff. The curriculum goes well beyond the classroom. IB students take part in trips abroad, including to Barcelona for science or language study, and to Northern Ireland for immersive political and historical learning. Many graduates go on to study at top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.
Creativity and Culture
Music plays a vibrant role in life at St Clare’s. From violin and trumpet to piano, students can learn virtually any instrument – and are encouraged to perform in regular concerts. Thanks to the school’s connection with the university, students also have the chance to hear world-class musicians perform. Beyond music, there’s a rich and varied arts scene to explore. Whether it’s fine art, photography, theatre or choir, creative expression is enthusiastically nurtured. The art studios are impressive, and the staff includes practising artists who inspire and support the students’ ambitions.
Sport
Sport at St Clare’s offers something a little different – and it really works. On sunny days, students might go punting on the Thames, karting at the local track, or even windsurfing. Treasure hunts and adventure sports are also on the list. More conventional sports like tennis, badminton and basketball are well-supported too, and football is especially popular. And if a student has a passion for a sport not yet offered? The school will do its best to make it happen.
Life Outside the Classroom
Free time at St Clare’s is anything but idle. From windsurfing and theatre trips to exploring the historic educational city on the doorstep, there’s always something to do. Students have a great deal of freedom, and many choose to attend free university lectures just down the road. Day trips are regularly organised to places like Stratford-upon-Avon (the home of Shakespeare), Bath and London. The range of student clubs is equally impressive, with options from cookery to meditation.
Photos From Our Visit
What We Saw
St Clare’s stands apart from the more traditional boarding schools in the UK. There’s no pomp or pretension here – just a refreshingly grounded, forward-thinking, and truly international community. On our visit, we were struck by how mature and content the students seemed. Watching them prepare for lessons together and support one another was genuinely moving. The sense of community here is something very special.
St Clare’s College Oxford Fees
Fees are £20,908 per term, or £62,724 per academic year. A registration fee of £100 is payable at the time of application.
This is St. Clare’s
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Conclusion – Is St Clare’s Right for Your Child?
St Clare’s is a truly international and liberal boarding school – and it might be exactly what your child is looking for. But it’s far from the only school in the UK that could be a brilliant fit. If you’re searching for something special, we would love to advise you.
We’ve spent years getting to know these schools inside out – their values, their strengths, and their quirks. With our insight and experience, we’re confident we can help you find the right fit for your child.
Let Us Help You
Explore more schools like St Clare’s on our Boarding Schools in England page and benefit from:
- First-hand knowledge and honest insights
- Excellent relationships with admissions teams
- Years of experience in matching students with the right school
- Guidance on visa queries and application support
What Makes Akademis Stand Out?
- We remain your trusted contact throughout your child’s stay, well beyond the placement process.
- We provide support with guardianship, visa applications and recognition of qualifications within the German school system.
- We offer fully tailored advice. Our school recommendations are unique to each child and can run to 40 pages in length.
- Families receive our 30+ page boarding school guide, packed with practical tips and insights.
- We prepare your child thoroughly for entrance exams and interviews to maximise their chances of success.
- We arrange school visits, ensuring you have the opportunity to experience each school first-hand.
Every boarding school has its own character and ethos. Having personally visited more than 100 schools, we understand these nuances. We also work with schools that do not pay commission, ensuring that our advice remains independent and always in the best interest of your child.
Our roots lie in the UK. For years, we have placed 200–300 families annually into British boarding schools. While our portfolio now includes schools beyond Britain, the UK remains at the heart of what we do.
Our tailored approach results in exceptional acceptance rates. For example, in 2022/23, all seven students we placed at the highly selective Malvern College received offers – a 100% success rate.
We arrange for prospective families to speak with our current students to hear first-hand accounts of life at a UK boarding school.
