About Queen Elizabeth's Hospital
Queen Elizabeth's Hospital is a boys independent day school in Bristol. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
Queen Elizabeth's Hospital is committed to providing an outstanding educational experience for every pupil, with excellent academic results, strong pastoral care and a thriving extracurricular programme. Scholarships and bursaries are available to support pupils with talent and financial need. Ranked #233 in The Sunday Times Parent Power. GCSE 9-7: 66.1%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Queen Elizabeth's Hospital
Queen Elizabeth's Hospital Admissions Criteria
Queen Elizabeth's Hospital is a boys independent day school in Bristol. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
- ✓Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact the Admissions Team at Queen Elizabeth's Hospital to register your interest and request a prospectus. Visit the school on an Open Day or arrange a private tour to experience the school environment first-hand.
- ✓Step 2 — Submit registration: Complete the online (or paper) registration form and pay the registration fee to formally apply for a Year 7 place at Queen Elizabeth's Hospital. Early registration is recommended — many independent schools have rolling admissions and limited Year 7 places.
- ✓Step 3 — Reference from current school: The school will request an academic and pastoral reference from your child's current school. This provides insight into your child's academic progress, character and suitability.
- ✓Step 4 — Entrance assessment: Your child will sit Queen Elizabeth's Hospital's own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The assessment is designed by the school's academic staff to identify both current ability and future academic potential.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the selection process — this is a friendly conversation to learn about his interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether him child has been offered a place at Queen Elizabeth's Hospital.
- ✓Step 7 — Accept the place: To accept an offer, parents complete an acceptance form and pay a deposit to secure the place. The deposit is typically credited against future school fees.
- ✓Academic Scholarships: Awarded to applicants demonstrating exceptional academic ability in the entrance assessment.
- ✓Music Scholarships: For pupils with proven musical ability — supported by an audition.
- ✓Art & Drama Scholarships: For pupils with strong creative and performance ability, supported by a portfolio or audition.
- ✓Sport Scholarships: For pupils with talent and achievement in sport at a competitive level.
- ✓Bursary Awards: Means-tested financial support for families who require help with school fees at Queen Elizabeth's Hospital. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Queen Elizabeth's Hospital Oversubscription Criteria
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- Children who achieve the highest scores in the 11+ entrance test.
- Children living within the school's priority catchment area.
- Children with siblings currently attending Queen Elizabeth's Hospital.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Queen Elizabeth's Hospital 2026
| 📌 Open Events | Throughout the year — check school website to register |
| 📌 Application Window | Rolling admissions — apply early to secure assessment slot |
| 📌 Entrance Assessment | Arranged after registration submitted |
| 📌 Decision Notification | Following assessment, by written letter from the Head |
| 📌 Acceptance & Deposit | Deposit required to secure offered place |
How to Apply to Queen Elizabeth's Hospital
Step 1 — Attend a QEH Open Event or arrange a private visit
Attend a QEH Open Event or arrange a private visit (Berkeley Place, Clifton, Bristol)
Step 2 — Complete the online registration form on the QEH website
Complete the online registration form on the QEH website
Step 3 — Pay the non-refundable £75 registration fee (incl. VAT)
Pay the non-refundable £75 registration fee (incl. VAT)
Step 4 — If applying for a bursary
If applying for a bursary, request an Application for Financial Assistance Form from the Admissions Office and submit before the January entrance exams
Step 5 — The school requests a confidential reference from your
The school requests a confidential reference from your son's current school
Step 6 — Your son sits the 11+ entrance exam in January of Year 6
Your son sits the 11+ entrance exam in January of Year 6 — assessments in English (multiple-choice reading comprehension, grammar, punctuation) and Mathematics (arithmetic, problem-solving)
Step 7 — Following assessment
Following assessment, candidates may be invited for a friendly informal interview
Step 8 — On acceptance, pay the £400 deposit (refunded after final term
On acceptance, pay the £400 deposit (refunded after final term, subject to 14-day cancellation period)
Independent Subjects Tested at Queen Elizabeth's Hospital
Scholarships & Bursaries at Queen Elizabeth's Hospital
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic Scholarships (exam performance), plus Music, Drama, Art and Sports Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries up to 100% of fees (supported by the John James Foundation, QEH Elizabethan Society and friends of the school).
Outcome announced: Academic Scholarships based on entrance exam performance; specialist scholarships for outstanding ability
Additional notes: Founded in 1586, QEH is one of the oldest schools in England. Boys' day school ages 7-18, with co-educational Sixth Form. A term's notice is required for withdrawal or one term's fee will be charged in lieu.
Independent Practice Papers for Queen Elizabeth's Hospital
Queen Elizabeth's Hospital uses School's own bespoke 11+ format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Queen Elizabeth's Hospital 11+ Exam
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 Queen Elizabeth's Hospital (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital is an academically selective school with outstanding results that place it among the highest-performing schools nationally.
- GCSE: a strong record across a broad curriculum.
- A-Level: excellent results in the co-educational Sixth Form.
- Progression: high rates of progression to leading universities.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Queen Elizabeth's Hospital
Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a Bristol day school, places are open to families from across the city and surrounding area, with selective entry by examination rather than where a family lives.
The school sits in Clifton, close to the city centre; boys join the Junior School (from age 7) and Senior School (at 11+ and 13+), and the Sixth Form has been co-educational, admitting girls as well as boys, since 2017.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1586 under the patronage of Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital (QEH) is the oldest independent boys’ day school in Bristol (ages 7–18, with a co-educational Sixth Form since 2017), with the motto ‘Dum tempus habemus operemur bonum’ (whilst we have time, let us do good). A Christian foundation now based in Clifton, it is known for combining academic seriousness with kindness and strong pastoral care — its recent ISI inspection awarded a rare ‘Significant Strength’ for pupils’ physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Co-curricular life is wide-ranging, from drama productions and music to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the Ten Tors challenge and outdoor pursuits. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Queen Elizabeth's Hospital
How do I get into Queen Elizabeth's Hospital?
To gain entry to Queen Elizabeth's Hospital Year 7, parents register their child with the Admissions Team, submit a registration fee and arrange for the child to sit the 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. A reference from the current school is required. Following the assessment and any interview, parents are notified in writing of the outcome.
What entrance exam does Queen Elizabeth's Hospital use?
Queen Elizabeth's Hospital sets its own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The papers are designed by the school's academic staff and may differ from national exam boards. Practice papers in the relevant 11+ format (such as the ones ExamTutor provides) are excellent preparation for the school's own assessment.
What is the 11+ exam at Queen Elizabeth's Hospital?
Queen Elizabeth's Hospital uses its own 11+ entrance assessment for Year 7 entry. The assessment covers English and Mathematics, designed to identify both current ability and future academic potential. An interview with the Head or Deputy Head may also form part of the selection process.
Are there scholarships at Queen Elizabeth's Hospital?
Yes. Queen Elizabeth's Hospital offers Academic, Music, Art, Drama and Sport scholarships. Means-tested Bursary Awards are also available to support families requiring financial assistance with school fees. Contact the Admissions Office for current scholarship and bursary information.
When should I apply to Queen Elizabeth's Hospital?
Most independent schools including Queen Elizabeth's Hospital accept applications throughout the year, but Year 7 places are often offered 12-18 months in advance. Register early — ideally by Year 5 (age 9-10) — to secure assessment slots and avoid disappointment.
Are there free Independent 11+ practice papers for Queen Elizabeth's Hospital?
Yes. ExamTutor offers a free Independent 11+ Practice Test Paper and free Tutor Video Explanations. The practice paper matches the format of independent school 11+ entrance exams covering English and Mathematics — the subjects typically tested at Queen Elizabeth's Hospital. No registration required.
When is the Queen Elizabeth's Hospital 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Queen Elizabeth's Hospital is Before the January entrance exams. The registration fee is £75 incl. VAT, non-refundable. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are Queen Elizabeth's Hospital 11+ results announced?
At Queen Elizabeth's Hospital, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.
What is the acceptance deposit at Queen Elizabeth's Hospital?
The acceptance deposit at Queen Elizabeth's Hospital is £400 (refunded after the final term at QEH). This is payable on acceptance of a place.