About Lagan College
Lagan College is Northern Ireland's first integrated school, founded in 1981. It is a co-educational college in Castlereagh, Belfast, admitting around 200 pupils into Year 8 — about 70 places through a grammar-stream (using SEAG or AQE transfer-test scores) and the remainder on an all-ability basis. The school celebrates diversity and is open to all faiths and backgrounds.
Lagan College provides an outstanding academic education in Northern Ireland, with strong results and a wide range of extracurricular activities. GCSE 9–7: 70%.
Admissions and the Transfer Test at Lagan College
Lagan College is a co-educational, grant-maintained integrated school in Castlereagh, Belfast — Northern Ireland's first integrated school (founded 1981) — with an all-ability intake balanced across Catholic, Protestant and other backgrounds. It is not a grammar school, and admits 200 Year 8 pupils per year per its most recent published document (confirm the current figure in the official criteria).
Lagan College is partially selective. Around 70 of its 200 Year 8 places (about 35%) form a grammar-stream intake allocated on a pupil's transfer-test result — the school accepts either the SEAG (GL-set) Entrance Assessment or the AQE Common Entrance Assessment score. The remaining places form an all-ability intake for which no test is required, allocated on the school's other criteria (including sibling and feeder links and the integrated-balance criteria). Once admitted, all pupils are placed into ability bands using internal assessment, not the transfer test.
For the current cycle (September 2027 entry), registration at seagni.co.uk closes at 11:59pm on Friday 18 September 2026 (£20 fee; families with Free School Meals Entitlement are exempt). Paper 1 is Saturday 14 November 2026 and Paper 2 is Saturday 21 November 2026, with results released on Saturday 23 January 2027. The Education Authority NI Transfer Portal window is TBC — last cycle it opened 27 January and closed at 12 noon on 19 February — with Offers Day expected in late April 2027.
ℹ️ Which criteria apply to your child: pupils sitting the November 2026 test are applying for September 2027 entry. Schools publish criteria for each entry year the preceding December, so the criteria on this page reflect the most recent official document. The mechanism changes rarely; this page will be updated when the September 2027 document is published.
This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, dates and oversubscription rules for Lagan College. For the most up-to-date guidance, refer to the school's official admissions page (linked in the Quick Facts panel below) and the SEAG website at seagni.co.uk.
Year 8 Transfer Test Guide for Lagan College
Lagan College Admissions Criteria
Lagan College is Northern Ireland's first integrated school, founded in 1981. It is a co-educational college in Castlereagh, Belfast, admitting around 200 pupils into Year 8 — about 70 places through a grammar-stream (using SEAG or AQE transfer-test scores) and the remainder on an all-ability basis. The school celebrates diversity and is open to all faiths and backgrounds.
- ✓Register for the SEAG Transfer Test at seagni.co.uk — registration opened 18 May 2026 and closes at 11:59pm on Friday 18 September 2026. The fee is £20 (families with Free School Meals Entitlement are exempt).
- ✓Sit the SEAG Entrance Assessment in November of Primary 7 (P7) — two papers, one week apart (Saturdays 14 and 21 November 2026), each 60 minutes and each covering English and Mathematics.
- ✓Both papers must be sat to receive a full Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS). Pupils sitting only one paper receive an estimated score (shown as ‘e’ on results) and are considered under Special Provisions only, with supporting evidence.
- ✓Upload your Statement of Outcomes (available from the SEAG portal from Saturday 23 January 2027) with the online Transfer Application to Lagan College.
- ✓Special Circumstances / Special Provisions: a two-stage process reviewed by the Admissions Committee, with medical or professional documentation plus P5/P6 standardised-test evidence.
- ✓Eligibility — applicants who sat the SEAG Entrance Assessment (with or without a Special Circumstances claim) and applicants with a valid Special Provisions claim are considered on equal terms.
- ✓Integrated intake — Lagan College is a grant-maintained integrated, all-ability school with a two-stage intake: Stage I (Grammar Stream) fills up to 35% of the 200 places in rank order of SEAG Total Standardised Age Score; Stage II (All-Ability entry, 65%) makes no reference to SEAG, and the intake is balanced to reflect the community's religious composition.
- ✓Sub-criteria, in order: Stage I ties: 1A — siblings or half-siblings enrolled or formerly enrolled; 1B — eldest eligible child; further criteria per the published document.
- ✓Post-admission ability banding uses standardised tests, not SEAG.
- ✓Please note — figures shown are from the most recent published document; confirm the current-year document on the school's website before relying on them.
- ✓Duty to verify — the school can require evidence for information on the application; false or missing information can cost the place. Full Admissions Criteria: www.lagancollege.com.
Lagan College Oversubscription Criteria
Lagan College is a grant-maintained integrated, all-ability school with a two-stage intake: Stage I (Grammar Stream) fills up to 35% of the 200 places in rank order of SEAG Total Standardised Age Score; Stage II (All-Ability entry, 65%) makes no reference to SEAG, and the intake is balanced to reflect the community's religious composition. Transcribed from the official published criteria.
- Stage I ties: 1A — siblings or half-siblings enrolled or formerly enrolled; 1B — eldest eligible child; further criteria per the published document
Key Dates & Deadlines — November 2026 Test (September 2027 Entry)
| 📌 SEAG Registration opens | Monday 18 May 2026 at seagni.co.uk |
| 📌 SEAG Registration closes | 11:59pm, Friday 18 September 2026 (£20 fee; FSME exempt) |
| 📌 Pupil Cards available | Friday 9 October 2026 |
| 📌 Assessment Paper 1 | Saturday 14 November 2026 |
| 📌 Assessment Paper 2 | Saturday 21 November 2026 |
| 📌 SEAG Results released | Saturday 23 January 2027 — download from your SEAG portal account |
| 📌 Re-mark request window | 25 January – 3 February 2027 |
| 📌 EA Portal opens / closes | TBC — EA to confirm (last cycle: 27 Jan / 12 noon 19 Feb) |
| 📌 Offers issued (Offers Day) | TBC — expected late April 2027 (last cycle: 24 April) |
How to Apply to Lagan College via SEAG & EA NI
Step 1 — Register your child for SEAG
Register online at seagni.co.uk before 11:59pm on Friday 18 September 2026. The fee is £20 (FSME families exempt — upload EA evidence). A completed Pupil Application is required; an account alone does not register your child.
Step 2 — Sit the SEAG Entrance Assessment
Your child sits two SEAG papers — Saturdays 14 and 21 November 2026 — each 60 minutes, each covering English and Mathematics. Both must be sat for a full TSAS; a single-paper ‘e’ score goes through Special Provisions only.
Step 3 — Download your SEAG Statement of Outcomes
SEAG releases the Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) on Saturday 23 January 2027. Download it from your SEAG portal account.
Step 4 — Open the EA NI Transfer Portal
The Education Authority NI confirms the 2027 window in due course (last cycle: opened 27 January, closed 12 noon 19 February) — you apply through this portal, NOT directly to the school.
Step 5 — List Lagan College as a preference
Enter your child's SEAG TSAS and Unique Pupil Number on the Transfer Application and upload the Statement of Outcomes plus any evidence relevant to the school's sub-criteria (sibling details, primary school).
Step 6 — Submit by the EA Portal deadline
Submit before the EA's published deadline (TBC; last cycle 12 noon, 19 February). Late applications are considered at the EA's discretion in exceptional circumstances only.
Step 7 — Receive your offer on Offers Day
Offers are issued via the EA Portal, expected late April 2027. If unsuccessful you can appeal or join the waiting list through the EA.
SEAG Subjects Tested at Lagan College
The SEAG Entrance Assessment for Lagan College tests two subjects across two papers, sat about a week apart in November of Primary 7 (P7). Each paper lasts roughly 60 minutes and uses a mix of multiple-choice and free-response questions with no negative marking.
- English — reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar. Wide reading is the single biggest advantage here, building the vocabulary and inference skills the paper rewards.
- Mathematics — the full Key Stage 2 curriculum: number, fractions, decimals, percentages, measures, shape, data handling and multi-step problem solving, with an emphasis on speed and accuracy.
Both papers are combined into a single Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS), which Lagan College uses to rank applicants for its Year 8 places. There is no separate verbal or non-verbal reasoning paper in the SEAG test.
SEAG Practice Papers for Lagan College
Lagan College uses the SEAG format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
- 12 × English & Mathematics tests
- 672 video explanations
- 30.5 hours of video content
- 4 English & Maths practice tests
- 224 video explanations
- 12 hrs video content
- 4 English & Maths practice tests
- 224 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
- 4 English & Maths practice tests
- 224 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Lagan College SEAG Transfer Test
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at Lagan College (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Lagan College is not a grammar school but an integrated, all-ability college. It offers a grammar-style academic pathway for higher-ability pupils alongside a comprehensive all-ability curriculum, and performs strongly across the board.
- Curriculum: around 40 GCSE subjects and 33 A-Levels, spanning both academic (GCSE/A-Level) and vocational (BTEC) pathways.
- Higher-ability route: top pupils typically take 9–10 GCSEs and a full range of A-Level options.
- Progression: an excellent record of progression to Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University, Russell Group and specialist art and technical institutions.
Exam results vary year to year, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school website.
Catchment Area for Lagan College
Lagan College is a grant-maintained integrated, co-educational, all-ability college — not a selective grammar school — of around 1,480 pupils, based at 44 Manse Road in the Castlereagh Hills, South-East Belfast (BT8 6SA), on a National Trust site. Founded in 1981, it was the first integrated school in Northern Ireland, and is now one of the most oversubscribed schools in the region.
Lagan admits around 200 pupils into Year 8. It uses the SEAG Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) to allocate up to 35% of places through a grammar-stream entry route, with remaining places filled on an all-ability basis; as an integrated school it also balances its intake between Protestant, Roman Catholic and other backgrounds. Always confirm the current criteria in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Lagan College's integrated ethos — expressed in its motto "Ut Sint Unum" (That they may be one) and its founding aim to educate Catholics, Protestants and others of goodwill, of all abilities, together — rests on four core values: respect, reconciliation, equality and service. The school is notably student-centred, placing wellbeing and mental health at the heart of its work.
Set on a stunning National Trust hillside site overlooking Belfast, the college offers a wide co-curricular programme of sport, music, drama and many other clubs and activities for pupils of all backgrounds and abilities.
Lagan College — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Lagan College for Year 8?
Applications to Lagan College are made through the Education Authority NI Transfer Portal — NOT directly to the school. For September 2027 entry the EA window is TBC (last cycle it opened 27 January and closed at 12 noon on 19 February). You will need your child's SEAG Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) and SEAG Unique Pupil Number, and to upload the Statement of Outcomes. List Lagan College among your preferences.
Does Lagan College use the SEAG Transfer Test?
Partly — Lagan College operates an integrated all-ability intake with a grammar stream. Lagan College is a grant-maintained integrated, all-ability school with a two-stage intake: Stage I (Grammar Stream) fills up to 35% of the 200 places in rank order of SEAG Total Standardised Age Score; Stage II (All-Ability entry, 65%) makes no reference to SEAG, and the intake is balanced to reflect the community's religious composition.
What SEAG score do I need for Lagan College?
Lagan College does not publish a minimum TSAS — places are allocated in rank order, so the effective cut-off moves each year with the applicant pool.
How many Year 8 places does Lagan College have?
Lagan College's most recent published admissions number is 200 Year 8 places — confirm the current-year figure in the school's official criteria document before relying on it.
When are SEAG results released?
SEAG results (the Statement of Outcomes) for the November 2026 assessment are released on Saturday 23 January 2027. Parents/guardians can download the Statement of Outcomes from their SEAG portal account at seagni.co.uk and must upload it with their Transfer Application.
When is Offers Day for Lagan College?
Offers Day for September 2027 entry is TBC — expected late April 2027 (last cycle it was Friday 24 April). Offers are issued through the Education Authority NI Transfer Portal. If unsuccessful you can join the waiting list or lodge an appeal through the EA NI.
What type of school is Lagan College?
Lagan College is a co-educational grant-maintained integrated school with a integrated (catholic, protestant, other) ethos, located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It admits 200 pupils into Year 8 each September.
How can my child prepare for the SEAG Test for Lagan College?
ExamTutor offers a complete SEAG preparation programme including tutor-led practice papers, full video explanations for every question (covering all SEAG topic areas), and downloadable resources mapped to the GL Assessment SEAG specification. We recommend starting preparation 6-12 months before the November SEAG test to allow time for diagnostic, focused practice and confidence building.
Where can I find Lagan College's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Criteria document for Lagan College is published on the school's official website at https://www.lagancollege.com and via the Education Authority NI. Criteria for each entry year are published the preceding December — the September 2027 entry document is due around December 2026. Always check for the most up-to-date criteria, Open Day dates and required documents.
Sources: the school's most recent published Admissions Criteria document and seagni.co.uk. Verified 13 August 2026; current-year figures pending final confirmation.