High Schools in Europe

Education in European boarding schools is at a very high level. Their unique system allows students to explore their interests, discover their strengths, and develop their talents in the best possible way. Whether it’s design, robotics, metallurgy, IT, economics, entrepreneurship, aviation, astronomy, diplomacy, or something entirely different, students are given the freedom to choose their academic direction.

Students live on campus in small, healthy, and peaceful communities, far from city noise and crowds. They are surrounded by nature and often take part in various extracurricular activities such as hiking, rowing, outdoor recreation, athletics, skiing, and more. Classes are small, usually 8–15 students per teacher, ensuring an almost individualized learning experience.

European boarding schools are known for having substantial budgets that they invest in the continuous improvement of academics, infrastructure, services, and scholarships for promising students. Many prestigious families from England, Spain, Germany, and Italy send their children to boarding schools. It’s not unusual to find children of presidents, diplomats, politicians, and business leaders, since these schools are a direct pathway to some of the world’s best universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, ETH, UZH, Sorbonne, UCAM, and many others.

Level Up Scholarships collaborates with schools in England, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, and Cyprus. All of these schools offer different types of scholarships for students applying through our program. In most cases, these scholarships are partial and cover up to 50% of tuition, housing, and meals.

We work directly with a large network of boarding schools across these countries. What matters most is that we personally know the majority of them, have visited their campuses, observed their academic systems, and spoken with their students. Our belief is that there is a school for every child — but our job is to find the school that fits each child perfectly. Although these are some of the best schools in the world, we emphasize that they are not reserved only for top academic performers, but for motivated students who want to gain new knowledge and experiences abroad.

Most private schools in Europe follow the English, American, or IB academic systems. The English Curriculum begins with the GCSE program in the early years of high school and later transitions into A-levels, where students specialize in three to four subjects that align with their strengths and future goals. The American Curriculum is more flexible, offering a wide range of courses and leading to the High School Diploma upon graduation. The IB (International Baccalaureate) program is academically demanding and globally recognized, designed to develop students holistically through six subject groups, along with additional components such as the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge.

With this in mind, the first and most important requirement for admission to a European boarding school is strong English proficiency. These schools accept students ages 14 to 19 who demonstrate maturity and genuine motivation to continue their education abroad. In addition to top-performing students, schools also welcome very good and good students who show commitment, responsibility, and the desire to grow academically and personally.

Each candidate must complete one of the English proficiency exams (TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo, with Cambridge certificates also accepted), submit three teacher recommendations (English, Mathematics, and an elective subject), provide official transcripts, and successfully pass an interview with a school representative. Applicants are encouraged to include certificates from academic competitions, proof of participation in extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and similar achievements. Students who are high-level athletes should also submit evidence of their athletic accomplishments, including highlight videos and official results.

For every student, we apply to multiple schools to ensure more options and to secure the best possible offer.

Athletics Scholarships

Athletics scholarships are not traditionally common in European boarding schools. However, through our partnerships with athletic clubs, students can receive scholarships that allow them to attend private schools under special conditions. In these cases, clubs cover tuition, housing, meals, and sometimes even provide a stipend.

Academic Scholarships

Academic scholarships in European boarding schools through our agency can reach up to 50%. Our job is to present the candidate and their abilities in the best possible way and to find the most suitable environment — while also making sure the financial structure works.

The final scholarship decision is made by the school’s committee. Schools often give priority to candidates applying through our agency due to long-term cooperation and mutual trust.

Level Up Scholarships is dedicated to providing every candidate with high-quality international education. Our goal is for every student who enters our program to successfully complete it and graduate abroad.

We see each student as an individual with a unique story and unique talents. We use those talents to promote the student to international schools and secure admission and scholarship offers.

With years of personal experience in international boarding schools and partnerships with more than a hundred high schools across the U.S. and Europe, our knowledge is truly invaluable. Every year, we travel to visit the schools we work with, as well as schools where our students are currently enrolled, ensuring that we understand how they operate and how satisfied our students are.

We recognize that choosing education abroad — especially for a minor — is a major decision for both parents and students. We often address concerns about safety, accommodation, food, supervision, and the child’s overall well-being. Your child’s safety is our priority.

One of the main reasons we work primarily with boarding schools is their long-standing tradition — many have been educating students from around the world for over 250 years. They operate as well-organized systems that keep students together, engaged, supported, and involved in countless activities.