Scholarships & Bursaries

At Lincoln Minster School, our scholarships and bursaries recognise both exceptional talent and individual potential. These programmes enable pupils to thrive and develop in those areas for which they have aptitude and passion, while also supporting families who may require financial assistance. 

Our scholarship programme enables talented pupils to develop in subjects where they show outstanding ability and enthusiasm. Scholars play an active role in the community of Lincoln Minster School, representing and championing their area of scholarship. 

Available Scholarships

Scholarships are offered at entry to Years 7, 9 and 12 for both existing pupils and external applicants.

We are proud to offer scholarships across the following disciplines: 

Year 7 & 9 Scholarships

2026–2027 Entry 

Key Dates 

• Applications Open: Wednesday 8 October 2025 
• Application Deadline: Friday 21 November 2025 
• Entrance Day (including all Scholarship Assessment): Tuesday 20 January 2026 
• Specialist Scholarship Assessments (Sport, Drama, Music, Art): Wednesday 21 January 2026

Entrance Day Format

Tuesday 20 January 2026

Our Entrance Day offers pupils a welcoming introduction to life at Lincoln Minster School while also providing an opportunity for academic assessment. The day combines enjoyable team building activities with CAT4 testing and an academic paper. These help us to place pupils appropriately (currently only in Maths) and to establish a benchmark for tracking their progress throughout their time at LMS.

Candidates for an Academic Scholarship are expected to be among the highest overall achievers in the academic assessments completed during the day.

Specialist Scholarship Day (Art, Drama, Music, Sport)

Wednesday 21 January 2026

The schedule is being confirmed and will be updated here when available.

All further Year 7 applicants after the Entrance Day will sit the CAT4 test as part of their Taster Day.

Sixth Form Scholarships

2026–2027 Entry

Sixth Form scholarships are open to Year 11 pupils and are awarded on the basis of: 

• Academic grades 
• School report 
• Portfolio (where relevant) 
• Interview performance 

Sixth Form Scholarships Key Dates

• Applications Open: Wednesday 8 October 2025 
• Application Deadline: Friday 7 November 2025 
• Scholarship Interviews: Tuesday 18 November 2025
• Scholarship Offers Published: From Monday 1 December 2025 

Awards and Expectations 

• Scholarships include an average financial award of 5%, with higher awards available for exceptional performance. Scholars also take part in our dedicated scholarship programmes, designed to nurture and develop their talents.
• You are not automatically considered for a scholarship; you must submit an application to be eligible. 
• Continuation of scholarship status depends on sustained engagement and progress. 
• Pupils may hold only one scholarship, unless combining Academic with a maximum of one other area. 

Scholarships | How to Apply 

To apply for a Year 7, 9 or 12 scholarship for entry in September 2026, complete an online application during the application window. 

If you have already applied before the scholarship window opens, contact our Admissions Manager.

Assessments for Year 7 scholarships will take place in January 2026, and outcomes will be confirmed before February half term. 

The Scholarships Information Handbook can be downloaded here.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the scholarship process, do get in touch with our Admissions Manager at 
01522 551300 | admissions@lincolnminsterschool.co.uk.

Apply Now

Bursaries

Help with Fees

Our Help with Fees (bursary) programme offers means-tested fee assistance to support pupils whose families could not otherwise afford the full tuition fee. It is available from Year 7 to Year 13 for current and prospective pupils.

Funds for this programme are very limited, and awards will be made largely on the basis of financial need. School performance will also be taken into account, especially in any entrance and scholarship exams for new pupils. 

Awards are reassessed on an annual basis (typically in April), and any change to your financial circumstances will be taken into account. You may apply for assistance at any time throughout the year,

All assessments are made fairly and objectively by an external company called Bursary Administration Ltd. They advise the school on all means-tested awards. Please note that the maximum award is 50% of the tuition fee, including any financial award made as part of a scholarship.

Awards may be time limited, especially in the case of short-term hardship appeals. Any timeframe will be clearly communicated and all longer-term awards will be subject to external annual reviews.

Bursaries | How to apply

Apply for a place at Lincoln Minster School and pay the application fee. Note on the application form that you will be submitting an application for help with fees.

Contact our Admissions Manager to inform them of your Bursary application (admissions@lincolnminsterschool.co.uk). They will ensure that you have the latest form to complete, as well as advising you of any supporting documents required. Every year we receive more applications than we are able to support, and you are strongly advised to apply as early as possible.

Please note that we also take into account performance in the entrance assessment, and the outcome of any scholarship applications, in allocating funds.

We will write to you as soon as possible to confirm the outcome of your application. Please note that we have to wait for the report from Bursary Administration Ltd before we can do so.

If you have any questions regarding fees, please contact us.

01522 551300 | admissions@lincolnminsterschool.co.uk

Key Details 

• Bursaries offer up to 50% of tuition fees. 
• Combined Scholarship and Bursary awards are capped at 50%. 
• Assessments are carried out independently by Bursary Administration Ltd (BAL) to ensure fairness and confidentiality. 
• Awards are reassessed annually, typically in April, to reflect any changes in family circumstances. 

Some awards may be time-limited, particularly in cases of short-term hardship, and this will be clearly communicated. 

Frequently asked questions