UCS Hampstead 11+ entry guide

Considering UCS Hampstead for your child? We’ve collated everything you need to know about 11+ entry. Learn how to apply, what’s on the entrance exam, and how to help your child prepare for success.

Key information for UCS Hampstead

• Address: University College School, Senior Branch, Frognal, Hampstead, London, NW3 6XH
• Age range and gender: boys aged 4–18
• Type of school: independent day
• Number of students: 1,300
• Admissions contact: [email protected]
• 11+ open days: autumn term
• 11+ selection criteria: entrance exams, interview and school reference
• Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries
• 11+ scholarships: music

About UCS Hampstead

University College School (UCS) Hampstead is an independent day school for boys aged 4–18 in Hampstead, North London. It was founded in 1830 by University College London to provide a liberal education. The school’s ethos emphasises intellectual curiosity, independent thought, and respect for individuality.

The school consists of a junior branch (ages 4–11), a senior school (ages 11–16) and a sixth form. UCS Hampstead is known for rigorous standards and high exam results. It has a strong record of students gaining places at top universities including Oxbridge and the Russell Group. Students study a broad curriculum that balances traditional subjects with modern courses, fostering well-rounded development.

The school has a strong musical tradition with an extensive ensemble programme. Other extracurricular activities include sports, drama, debating and community service. The pastoral care system is robust and ensures students’ wellbeing is a priority. UCS combines academic excellence with a supportive environment that encourages students to thrive intellectually and personally.

Dates for your diary

• Registration closes: November in Year 6
• Entrance exam: January in Year 6
• Interviews: January in Year 6
• Offers of places: February in Year 6

UCS Hampstead 11+ entrance exam

Children applying for 11+ entry to UCS Hampstead take entrance exams in January in Year 6. There are two papers – in each, the content assessed is aligned to the national curriculum for English and maths.

1. English

The UCS Hampstead 11+ English exam has a time limit of one hour and 15 minutes. It’s split into two sections:

• Reading comprehension (30 minutes)
• Creative writing (30 minutes)

2. Maths

The maths paper also takes one hour and 15 minutes to complete. This is divided into three sections:

• Multiple-choice questions
• Core maths
• Maths problems

Based on your child’s performance in the entrance exam and the reference from their current school, they might be invited back to UCS Hampstead for an interview at the end of January.

UCS Hampstead interviews consist of a mini lesson and a one-to-one interview with a member of teaching staff. The interview is an opportunity for your child to talk about their goals, interests, hobbies, and areas of interest at school. Parents are also invited, and you’ll have the opportunity to meet pupils and senior leaders.

For more top tips and an exclusive interview preparation resource, take a look at our guide to senior school interviews.

Atom’s top tips for applying to UCS Hampstead

UCS Hampstead is a selective school, and competition for places can be high. Here are our top tips to help your child prepare for the selection process.

Bitesize learning

It’s important to build a good knowledge base before school entrance exams. Your child should have a good understanding of the content they’ve been taught at school before testing their knowledge with practice tests.

Using a ‘little and often’ approach when learning is key – our brains encode new information more effectively when dealing with smaller ‘chunks’ of information. For children aged 10–11, child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20–30 minutes.

With Atom Home, you don’t need to worry about creating a study schedule. When you enter your target schools, you’ll get a bespoke learning plan tailored to your schools’ entrance exams. Know exactly what your child needs to do each week to confidently pass.

Read widely

Entrance exams test children’s ability to analyse and interpret written information. Regular reading is a great way to help your child build these skills.

Encourage them to read books from different genres and by a diverse range of authors. Increasing the variety of your child’s reading will help them understand different styles, tones and purposes. Meanwhile, reading a little every day will help widen their vocabulary, sharpen their analytical thinking, and enhance their imagination.

Looking for reading inspiration? Check out our Key Stage 2 reading list.

Hone curiosity

Selective schools are often looking for children who are interested in learning. You can help by supporting your child’s broader learning, their intellectual curiosity, and their passion for developing an understanding of the world.

Talk to your child about the world we live in and inspire an interest in current affairs with age-appropriate journalism. It’s also a good idea to make sure they’re benefitting from a rich variety of experiences, such as visiting libraries, museums and galleries.

Refine exam technique

When your child feels confident with their knowledge of the exam topics, they’ll be ready to put their knowledge to the test.

Mock tests can help your child develop problem-solving skills and refine exam technique. They’re also a great way to consolidate learning, while highlighting any knowledge gaps they might want to tackle before exam day.

When you set UCS Hampstead as a target school on Atom Home, your child will get tailored mock tests for UCS Hampstead as part of their learning plan. Know what to expect on exam day.

Celebrate progress

Setting regular, achievable goals and celebrating your child’s progress – no matter how big or small – will help keep their motivation high.

Make sure to encourage a growth mindset. This means celebrating effort, as well as achievement! When your child makes mistakes or struggles to understand a particular topic, help them understand that they’ll improve through practice. Regular praise will help your child improve their resilience when tackling new and challenging topics.