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Bishop Cotton School Shimla

India, Shimla

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees ₹780,000 - 1,280,000
Ages Not listed
Type Boys School (boarding)
Opened 1859
Bus Service No
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum Indian Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages Hindi, French
Typical class size 20
Strengths Academic Enrichment, Outdoor Education, Performing Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Middle School, Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, founded in 1859, is the oldest boys' boarding school in Asia. Located on Bishop Cotton School Road, Shimla, it offers a curriculum that includes Indian Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, and Cambridge A Levels. The school is affiliated with Cambridge Assessment International Education and CISCE. Its educational framework is delivered through five pillars: Chemsford Sinker Academic Programme, Bayliss Co-Curricular Programme, Grindlays Games Programme, Parigyal Outward Bound Programme, and Sapan Walia Outreach Programme, integrating academics, co-curriculars, sports, outdoor learning, and community engagement. The Main School Building (est. 1863), Irwin Hall (1930), War Memorial (1921), Holy Trinity Chapel (1871), and the School Infirmary are facilities. Holy Trinity Chapel Library houses over 50,000 volumes. Notable activities include Debates & Public Speaking (National Champions 2023), Model United Nations, Quizzing & Trivia, Dramatics & Theatre, Dance & Movement, Western Music, and Creative Writing. Alumni exceed 4,000 in 120+ countries via the Old Cottonians Network.

Bishop Cotton School, Bishop Cotton School Road, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171002, India

Vibes and Culture
The school has not added this information
The Essentials

Bishop Cotton School Shimla has typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English.

Location
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171002, India. The school is located on Bishop Cotton School Road in Shimla.

Stages
Prep School (Classes 4–8); Senior School (Classes 9–12).

Type
Boys' boarding school.

Pupil Nationality Mix
45+ countries represented.

Country affiliation
India
Diving Deeper
The school has not added this information
Fees

Annual tuition at Bishop Cotton School Shimla ranges from INR 780,000 to INR 1,280,000 for 2026/27.

Application / Admission fee
- Admission fee (Indian students): INR 65,000.
- Admission fee (NRI students): INR 100,000.

Security / Caution deposit
- Caution money (refundable): INR 300,000.
- INR 25,000 of the caution money will be deducted towards the OCA Lifelong Membership fee; the balance (INR 275,000) is refundable on leaving the school.

Imprest / Personal advance
- Imprest account (advance against personal billing): INR 100,000 to be deposited on joining.

Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts and new-admission term breakdowns)
- Class 4–6: Tuition (annual) INR 780,000.
- New-admission payment on joining (first-term package = Admission + Caution + Imprest + 1st installment): INR 945,000.
- Second installment (term 2) due: INR 300,000 (payable by 31/07/2026).
- Total payable for a new admission at joining (first + second installments + deposits): INR 1,245,000.

- Class 7–10: Tuition (annual) INR 860,000.
- New-admission first-term package (Admission + Caution + Imprest + 1st installment): INR 1,025,000.
- Second installment (term 2) due: INR 300,000 (payable by 31/07/2026).
- Total payable for a new admission at joining: INR 1,325,000.

- Class 11–12: Tuition (annual) INR 920,000.
- New-admission first-term package (Admission + Caution + Imprest + 1st installment): INR 1,085,000.
- Second installment (term 2) due: INR 300,000 (payable by 31/07/2026).
- Total payable for a new admission at joining: INR 1,385,000.

- NRI students (Classes 4–12): Tuition (annual) INR 1,280,000.
- NRI admission fee INR 100,000; caution INR 300,000; imprest INR 100,000.
- First-term tuition component for new NRI admissions: INR 980,000; second term: INR 300,000 (due by 31/07/2026).
- Total payable for a new NRI admission at joining: INR 1,780,000.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Standard instruction: school fees are payable in two installments.
- For new admissions the initial payment (first-term package) includes the admission fee, caution money, imprest account deposit and the first tuition installment; the second installment is due by 31 July (date shown: 31/07/2026).
- The school fee is subject to revision as per school rules.

Boarding fees
- Boarding-related components are included in the published annual school-fee figures above (the fee schedule presents tuition and boarding together as the annual school fee for the specified class bands).

Other costs / deposits / routine charges
- Pocket-money deposit: INR 10,000 to be deposited in the student's UCO Bank personal account through the House Master/Matron on the day of joining (applicable for the relevant classes as listed).
- OCA Lifelong Membership fee: INR 25,000 (deducted from the caution deposit at the time of admission).
- Imprest account: INR 100,000 (advance against personal billing).

Refund information
- Caution money (after the INR 25,000 OCA deduction) is refundable when the student leaves the school; the refundable balance shown is INR 275,000.
- The fee schedule states that the school fee is subject to revision according to school rules.

Fee concessions / rebates
- Active Defence / Government employee rebate on school fee: 25% for the first child and 15% for the second child (school-fee rebate).

Payment methods and banking details
- Payment method: Bank transfer is the prescribed payment route; an online SBI-Collect option is provided for electronic payments.
- Bank accounts published for fee payments: HDFC Bank (Bishop Cotton School current account) and State Bank of India (Bishop Cotton School current account) with IFSC codes and account numbers; SWIFT codes are provided for international/NRI payments.

Notes on instalment formats for specific cases
- For new admissions the first payment is a combined first-term package (Admission fee + Caution + Imprest + first tuition installment); the second instalment is the remaining tuition instalment and is due by the date specified in the schedule.

(End of fees overview.)
Academics

Bishop Cotton School Shimla teaches Indian Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels.

Curriculum
The school is affiliated with Cambridge Assessment International Education and the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). The curriculum is delivered through five pillars: The Chemsford Sinker Academic Programme; The Bayliss Co-Curricular Programme; The Grindlays Games Programme; The Parigyal Outward Bound Programme; and The Sapan Walia Outreach Programme. The Chemsford Sinker Academic Programme provides a rigorous curriculum that challenges minds and cultivates intellectual curiosity across all disciplines. The Five Pillars are designed to develop well-rounded individuals prepared for leadership, service, and excellence in all endeavors. The approach integrates academics, co-curricular activities, sports, outdoor learning, and community engagement.

Student Teacher Ratio
8:1

Higher Education Progression
98% university placement.
Wellbeing
The school has not added this information
Parent Experience
The school has not added this information
Facilities
The school has not added this information
Extra-Curricular Activities
The school has not added this information
Languages
The school has not added this information
Reputation
The school has not added this information
Admissions

Admissions
1. Begin your application by filling out the comprehensive admission form and registering for the entrance examination through the Apply Now option. The process identifies students who will thrive in the school's distinctive educational environment. Guidance for the admissions journey is available from the Admissions team via the contact details provided. 2. Pay the non-refundable admission test fee of ₹15,000 at registration. This fee accompanies the entrance examination and is payable at the time of registration. The test is conducted at designated test centres, including Delhi and Shimla. 3. Take the Entrance Examination. The examination is a comprehensive written assessment designed to measure academic aptitude, critical thinking, and foundational knowledge across core subjects. It is subject-based with age-appropriate difficulty levels and is held at designated test centres. Following the examination, a Personal Interview with the student and parents is conducted to assess character, aspirations, and alignment with school values. Admission Test Centres include Delhi (Connaught Place, at our partner institution) and Shimla (Bishop Cotton School, Shimla). 4. Access preparation materials and fee information. Download the syllabus by class to guide preparation; Class 4 to Class 9 syllabi are available. Review the fee structure to plan for tuition, boarding, and additional charges for the academic year. Fees and payment details are provided to help families plan the admissions timeline. For guidance, contact the Admissions team.
School Events
The school has not added events
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