Support and guidance from the very beginning

Downe House provides individual care for every international pupil, starting with advice to guide you through the international student application process. Overseas girls who come to Downe House receive special support with English as an additional language (if appropriate) as well as flights, travel and all aspects of school life, both pastoral and academic.

Our elected Global Ambassadors are current pupils whose home is often overseas, and whose job it is to support new international students, as do pupil mentors and buddies, who are on hand to help your daughter adjust, settle in and answer any questions she might have.

Applying from overseas

As part of the international student application process, non British Passport Holders will need to apply for a visa to study in the UK through the Student Route from the British Consulate in their country. Downe House holds a licence which is issued by the Home Office, allowing us to sponsor students while they are studying in the UK. A Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) will be issued for your daughter to collect once she starts school. Further information regarding the process and associated fees can be found in our Child Student Visa Policy and on the UK Visas and Immigration website. Please note that pupils who spend a term in our school in France in LIV will not be sponsored under our UK licence and will be required to re-apply for a visa to continue their studies in the UK afterwards.

Age group comparisons

At Downe House we have our own system for referring to year groups which you can compare to other age group names below.