Dulwich Scholars Programme 2026
At this point in the admissions journey each year, we find ourselves in conversation with many families. The questions raised are often simple, yet deeply important: Beyond the current pathway, might there be another option that better suits my child's development?
From a school's perspective, such discussions are not centred solely on outcomes. Rather, they return to a more fundamental consideration: What kind of learning environment enables a student to build the capabilities needed for long-term growth?
From Outcomes to Approaches in Learning
At Dulwich International High School Programme Suzhou, we rarely view different curricula as a matter of relative difficulty. What matters more is the approach to learning that each pathway encourages.
International programmes such as IGCSE and A Level are not defined solely by assessments. Their emphasis lies in whether students can:
- develop a genuine understanding of concepts and ideas
- articulate and justify their thinking with clarity
- engage in sustained and in-depth evaluation and academic exploration
Within such an environment, students gradually build rigorous academic thinking and subject mastery. Learning is no longer confined to delivering results at specific points in time but has become a continuous process of intellectual development.
Room for Reflection and Informed Adjustment
From our experience, a student's pathway is rarely fixed from the outset.
At different points in their learning journey, through assessment and dialogue, students can develop a clearer understanding of:
- their individual learning profile
- their suitability for different academic pathways
- their longer-term direction
This is something we consistently emphasise in our conversations with families: Choice should not be determined solely by immediate outcomes, but by a considered understanding of how a student learns and develops over time.
The Dulwich Scholars Programme: Deepening Academic Potential
With this philosophy in mind, the Dulwich Scholars Programme was established. It is not designed simply to identify the highest-performing students, but to support any student who demonstrates academic potential and a desire to pursue deeper intellectual engagement.
Students in the programme receive tailored and appropriately challenging support, including:
- advanced academic content and extended research opportunities
- guidance from field specialists
- wider reading and enrichment opportunities
- discussion- and enquiry-based learning approaches
The focus is not on acceleration, but on depth: enabling students to develop intellectual curiosity, analytical thinking, and a clear sense of academic direction.
At the same time, the programme places equal importance on the qualities students develop through the process: the ability to exercise judgement, to take responsibility within collaborative settings, and to navigate uncertainty with confidence.
Each Dulwich Scholar follows a distinct path. Support is shaped around the individual, ensuring that students are able to progress at a pace and depth suited to their own development.
Looking at the journeys of our Class of 2026, it is evident that this support extends beyond academic outcomes. It also contributes to how students come to understand themselves and make informed decisions about their futures.
In Dulwich, every student is supported to develop their own pathways.
Scholarships: Recognition and Support
Within the Scholars Programme, students may be awarded scholarships ranging from 25% to 100% of tuition fees.
At Dulwich, scholarships are not only a form of recognition. They are also a means of support. They enable students to pursue pathways that best align with their strengths and aspirations, while allowing families to focus more fully on educational fit rather than constraints.
Application Pathways
Students may be considered for the Scholars Programme through one of the following routes:
- Participation in the school's Entrance Examinations
- Submission of Zhongkao results (with English and Mathematics each achieving 90% or above of the local full score)
- Submission of IGCSE results (a minimum of five A grades)
If you are considering different learning pathways, we warmly invite you to connect with us by adding our Admissions WeCom below and arranging a one-to-one consultation.
Alternatively, you may register for our upcoming entrance examination on 5 May, where our pastoral, University and Careers Counselling team, along with boarding parents, will share further insights.
Grow in Dulwich, Thrive in Life