Exam Results and Higher Education

At Westminster, pupils consistently achieve exceptional examination results and entrance to some of the top universities in the world.

Our pupils’ success is supported by a style of teaching designed to enrich and extend understanding, and to foster an enjoyment of academic enquiry that our pupils have in abundance. We give pupils plenty of opportunity to take initiative in their learning. Collaborative and independent research projects, presentations, seminar-style discussion and a rich variety of enthusiastically attended pupil-led societies encourage pupils to learn actively and from each other. As a result many are inspired to enter competitions and with great success, including international Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Linguistics Olympiads.

GCSE Results 2023
72%
% 9
90%
% 9 / 8
96%
% 9 – 7

60% of pupils studied at least one of the arts (Art, Product Design, Drama, Music); 60% took at least one further modern language (Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Chinese); and more than half the year studied either Latin, Classical Greek, or both. History (71%), Geography (35%), Religious Studies (47%) and Computer Science (42%) all remain popular, and this year two pupils took a GCSE in Astronomy.

Headlines

67 of 119 pupils achieved a full set of 9/8 (A*) grades. Of these, 28 received all 9 (high A*) grades. Every pupil sat exams in English Literature, English Language, Mathematics, French and at least two of the three sciences.

Subject Entries 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
GCSE Art 27 27 0 0 0 0 0 0
GCSE Art and Design 14 11 2 1 0 0 0 0
GCSE Astronomy 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
IGCSE Biology 111 81 18 6 5 1 0 0
IGCSE Chemistry 108 89 14 3 2 0 0 0
GCSE Chinese 8 3 4 1 0 0 0 0
GCSE Classical Greek 23 23 0 0 0 0 0 0
IGCSE Computer Science 51 33 14 1 3 0 0 0
GCSE Drama 14 5 5 1 3 0 0 0
GCSE Electronics 24 13 7 2 2 0 0 0
GCSE English 119 63 33 15 7 1 0 0
IGCSE English Literature 119 80 23 12 2 1 1 0
IGCSE French 119 92 17 7 3 0 0 0
GCSE Geography 42 37 4 1 0 0 0 0
IGCSE German 17 15 2 0 0 0 0 0
IGCSE History 84 46 19 10 6 3 0 0
IGCSE Italian 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
GCSE Latin 44 38 4 1 0 1 0 0
GCSE Mathematics 119 103 13 3 0 0 0 0
GCSE Music 16 14 1 0 1 0 0 0
IGCSE Physics 118 86 21 7 2 2 0 0
IGCSE Religious Studies 56 38 11 6 0 0 1 0
GCSE Russian 9 8 1 0 0 0 0 0
IGCSE Spanish 26 21 5 0 0 0 0 0
A Level Results 2023
57%
% A*
84%
% A* / A
95%
% A* – B

A total of 763 examinations were sat in 2023, almost four per pupil, and covered a wide range of disciplines in: Art, English, humanities, Mathematics, modern and ancient languages, and the sciences. Westminster pupils are encouraged to take a combination of subjects that they are genuinely passionate about.

Headlines

93 of 199 of pupils were awarded at least three A* grades (or equivalent Pre-U D1/D2 grades). Of this 93, 45 achieved four A* grades and three pupils each took five A* grades. The two tabs below provide a breakdown of A Level and Pre-U subject results for 2023.

Subject Entries A* A B C D E
Art and Design 23 23 0 0 0 0 0
Art History 10 6 3 0 0 0 1
Biology 32 17 8 5 2 0 0
Classical Greek 7 6 1 0 0 0 0
Drama 6 2 4 0 0 0 0
Economics 66 29 25 12 0 0 0
Electronics 4 3 0 1 0 0 0
English Literature 51 39 8 2 2 0 0
Further Mathematics 93 45 28 11 8 0 1
Geography 9 8 1 0 0 0 0
History 55 14 20 16 3 1 1
Japanese 4 4 0 0 0 0 0
Latin 16 15 0 1 0 0 0
Mathematics 158 100 45 8 2 3 0
Music 7 6 1 0 0 0 0
Religious Studies 50 13 18 17 2 0 0
Russian 2 2 0 0 0 0 0
Subject Entries D1 D2 D3 M1 M2 M3 P1 P2 P3
Pre-U Chemistry 65 23 21 9 2 3 5 2 0 0
Pre-U English Literature 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Pre-U French 17 6 7 2 0 0 1 1 0 0
Pre-U German 7 3 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0
Pre-U Mandarin 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Pre-U Physics 78 27 23 13 9 0 2 1 2 1
Pre-U Spanish 16 2 5 4 2 1 0 1 1 0
University Destinations 2023

Westminster pupils apply successfully to top universities, both nationally and internationally. In 2023, 65 pupils took up places at Oxford and Cambridge; 23 pupils went on to study in the US and five in Europe. A number of pupils each year elect to apply post A Level and are statistically equally successful in gaining places at their chosen universities.

The School provides an excellent programme of mentoring and University Preparation Classes to which current pupils and those who have recently left are welcome. In working closely with Housemasters, our Higher Education UCAS and Oxbridge team, and Heads of Department, pupils are supported individually through UK and overseas university application processes.

Top Universities 2023
Oxford (36)
Cambridge (29)
Imperial (15)
Edinburgh (11)
Warwick (10)
Other UK (50)
EU (5)
US (23)
Top International Universities 2023
Chicago (4)
Yale (3)
Brown (2)
Dartmouth (2)
UVA (2)
NYU (2)
Other US (8)
EU (5)

“With over 4000 universities in a wide range of academic, research, sport, and campus experiences to choose from, our pupils are increasingly choosing to apply to institutions that give students the freedom to explore various majors and even develop their own course of study one-to-two years into their university life. Undergraduate research, state-of-the-art facilities, academic flexibility, alumni networks and nice weather are some of the reasons why our students are attracted to the US.

Every year we offer the chance to Sixth Formers to visit these US universities during October half term. In 2023, we visited nine universities, stayed in four different cities and soaked up the American culture: a Broadway show, shopping, national museums in Washington DC, and various culinary delights. One of the most insightful and inspirational parts of the trip was to visit Westminster alumni currently studying at these universities. Honest and relatable, they were able to answer questions and show us parts of campus life absent from any website and admissions tour.

Upper School pupils wanting to apply to the US benefit from SAT/ACT test preparation courses, admissions officer presentations, essay workshops, Common App registration workshops, one-to-one advice on the application and connections to Old Westminsters who have recently gone through the same application process.”

– Mrs Lydia Timpson, Head of US and International Universities

University Courses 2023

Pupils go on to study an impressive breath of courses at acclaimed UK universities and beyond. Popular choices for 2023 include Engineering, English, History, Law, Mathematics, Medicine, Philosophy Politics and Economics, and an eclectic mix of Modern Language courses.

Numbers Subject Area
16 Engineering (various)
15 Mathematics
11 English (and related courses)
11 History
10 Medicine
8 Philosophy (and related courses)
7 Computer Science (and related courses)
7 Economics (and related courses)
6 Classics
6 Physics
5 Law (and related courses)
5 Modern Languages (various)
5 Natural Sciences
5 Philosophy, Politics and Economics
4 Architecture
4 Chemistry
4 Theology (and related courses)
3 Politics (and related courses)
2 Biochemistry
3 Biomedical Sciences
2 Fine Art
2 Linguistics
2 Management
1 Biology
1 English Literature and History
1 Finance
1 Geography
1 Geology
1 History and History of Art
1 Marketing
1 Materials Science
1 Mathematics with Economics
1 Medical Sciences
1 Social Anthropology
1 Veterinary Medicine

Find out when your child is able to join the School using the personalised age checker and timeline.

read more →

Westminster School gratefully welcomes donations to support fundraising efforts across the School community.

read more →