Applications opened today for Eton College’s fully-funded sixth form scholarship programme: The Orwell Award 2025.
Every year, up to 12 talented boys whose life opportunities may have placed them at a disadvantage receive an Orwell Award. These fully-funded, means-tested sixth form places at Eton offer a transformative educational experience.
Eton is therefore looking for Year 11 boys with high academic aspirations in UK state schools who will embrace the breadth of Eton’s academic curriculum and co-curriculum. As Orwell Award holders, they will be offered exceptional opportunities and experiences both in and out of the classroom. With the help of Eton’s staff, such candidates will be applying to the most competitive universities.
Current Orwell Award holders have appeared in their local press recently, with the Romford Recorder interviewing William Eze about his first year at Eton and The Star reporting on Sheffield teenager Kiijon Brown, who last year became the first young person from Sheffield to review the Orwell Award.
The Orwell Award differs from many other scholarships; in addition to evaluating a candidate’s academic potential, the entry criteria also consider how an applicant’s personal circumstance can hold back academic achievement.
Applicants are therefore assessed against specific criteria, such as if you have refugee status or are a Looked After Child, if you are in the first generation of your family to go to university, if you are in receipt of the Pupil Premium, or if you currently attend a school Ofsted has identified as ‘requiring improvement’ or in ‘special measures’.
The Orwell Award is named after George Orwell, who studied at Eton and was himself the recipient of financial aid as an Etonian. Recipients of the Orwell Award pay no fees throughout their Eton education and receive allowances to enable them to play a full and rewarding role in school life.
There are two further strands of the Orwell Award, the Sixth Form Music Award and the MCM Drama Award, which are available to outstanding musicians and exceptional drama students.
More information about Eton’s outward facing work can be found here.
