Scotch College vs Melbourne Grammar: Fees, Entry and Which Suits Your Child

Scotch College vs Melbourne Grammar comes down to three things: whether you want one boys’ school from Prep to Year 12 or a co-educational primary followed by a boys’ secondary school, how each school allocates places, and what you will pay over the years. Scotch College Melbourne is a boys’ day and boarding school on one campus in Hawthorn, where the order of application matters; Melbourne Grammar School teaches girls and boys from Prep to Year 6 at Grimwade House in Caulfield, then boys only from Year 7 in South Yarra, with entrance testing at its main secondary intakes. On fees, Scotch charges $45,927 a year for Years 7–8 and $47,853 for Years 9–12 in 2027; Melbourne Grammar charges $44,657 in Year 7 rising to $52,255 in Year 10 in 2026, including its compulsory consolidated charge (AUD, domestic students). Note the different years: Scotch has published its 2027 scale, while Melbourne Grammar’s fees page still showed the 2026 schedule when we checked on 10 November 2026.

If you searched for Melbourne Grammar vs Scotch, you can find each school’s fee on its own website. The harder question is which school fits your child and your family. This page does not rank the two schools. It sets out, from their official pages, what differs on structure, cost, entry, curriculum, campuses, boarding and scholarships, so you can test each difference against your own situation. It also includes NIJIN GLOBAL ACADEMY (NGA), a very different online option, so you can see what a third path would and would not give you. For the full detail on one school, see our Scotch College Melbourne fees page and our Melbourne Grammar School fees page.

The short answer: which school suits which family

• Scotch may suit you if you want your son on a single campus from Prep to Year 12. Junior and Senior Schools share the riverside campus in Hawthorn, and the school says having all boys on one campus lets older students act as role models for younger ones.
• Scotch may suit you if you can apply early. Scotch accepts applications from birth and says the date an application is received affects the order in which places are offered, alongside priority criteria such as boarding, family association and interview.
• Scotch may suit you if your son loves the outdoors. Scotch runs outdoor education campuses at Healesville, Cowes and Mallacoota, and is developing the Fairhaven programme for Year 9.
• Melbourne Grammar may suit you if you have a daughter and a son and want them at the same school in the primary years. Grimwade House is co-educational from Prep to Year 6.
• Melbourne Grammar may suit you if your son is likely to do well in an entrance test. Year 7 offers depend on an entrance test held in Year 4 (by invitation), and Year 9 offers on an assessment test in Year 8.
• Melbourne Grammar may suit you if you value a city location. Wadhurst and the Senior School sit on St Kilda Road beside the Royal Botanic Gardens, with central Melbourne a short tram ride away.
• Neither may suit you if you want a girls’ or co-educational secondary school, or the IB Diploma. Both teach boys only from Year 7 and both prepare students for the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE).

Scotch College vs Melbourne Grammar vs NGA at a glance (official data)

Melbourne Grammar figures come from its official pages, checked on 10 November 2026. Scotch College’s website returned an access error (HTTP 403) to our checks on 10 November 2026, so Scotch figures are taken from its official Scale of Fees 2027 and admissions pages as checked on 23 October 2026, when we wrote our Scotch page. All amounts are in Australian dollars for Australian citizens and permanent residents. Where a school does not publish an item, we say so instead of estimating.

Sources: Scotch College Fees & Policies and Scale of Fees 2027 (PDF), application process (checked 23 October 2026; returned HTTP 403 on 10 November 2026); Melbourne Grammar tuition and boarding fees, 2026 Enrolment Terms & Business Notices (PDF), entry points and boarding (checked 10 November 2026).

Boys-only vs co-ed: how the two schools are structured

This is the clearest structural difference. Scotch College is a boys’ school at every level. A boy can join in Prep and stay on the same Hawthorn campus until he finishes Year 12, moving from the Junior School to the Senior School without changing site.

Melbourne Grammar School has three campuses with different arrangements. Grimwade House in Caulfield teaches girls and boys together from Prep to Year 6, as day students only. Boys then move to Wadhurst on St Kilda Road for Years 7 and 8, and to the adjoining Senior School for Years 9 to 12. Girls attend only to the end of Year 6, so a family with a daughter will need a different secondary school for her. The school’s history notes that this pattern dates from a restructure in the 1970s.

In practice, Scotch offers continuity on one site, while Melbourne Grammar offers co-education in the primary years and a planned move at Year 7. Neither is better in itself; it depends on whether you value one campus all the way through or a mixed primary school followed by a boys’ secondary school.

Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar fees, year by year

The table below sets the two fee schedules side by side. Scotch figures come from its Scale of Fees 2027 (signed by the Scotch College Council in August 2026, checked 23 October 2026). Melbourne Grammar figures come from its 2026 fee schedule (checked 10 November 2026) and combine tuition with the compulsory consolidated charge, which bundles book lists, camps and outdoor education into one fee. Because the years differ, the gap is not like for like: Melbourne Grammar’s 2027 fees had not been published when we checked.

Year 10 is Melbourne Grammar’s most expensive year because the consolidated charge that year ($6,025) includes the “Beyond the Gates” programme. Scotch publishes one rate for Years 9–12, but says an additional Year 9 fee will be charged when its compulsory Fairhaven outdoor education programme begins; the amount is not published on the official site.

One-off fees

Total cost to Year 12 (our arithmetic, official figures only)

These totals assume no fee rises, no scholarship and no extras such as uniforms, devices, music lessons or tours. Holding fees are left out because both schools credit them to tuition. Remember the year difference: Scotch at 2027 prices, Melbourne Grammar at 2026 prices.

The headline: over Years 7–12 the two schools cost about the same, within a few thousand dollars, even before Melbourne Grammar publishes its 2027 fees. The bigger budgeting differences are the timing of payments (Melbourne Grammar’s $8,000 holding deposit is charged in March of the year before entry) and what each fee includes. For students on a student visa, the 2027 Scotch schedule lists $104,103 a year for Years 7–8 and $106,029 for Years 9–12, including boarding and the International Student Charge; Melbourne Grammar’s 2026 international schedule lists $63,757 for Year 7 plus $51,380 boarding, or $115,137. For context on what campus schooling costs compared with online options, see our guide to online vs in-person international school costs.

Entry: how each school offers places

Scotch College: apply early, then priority criteria

Scotch’s application process page (checked 23 October 2026) describes four standard intakes: Prep, Year 4, Year 7 and Year 9. Applications are accepted from birth, and the school says places are generally allocated in the order completed applications were received, with priority that can be given for boarding, association with the school (siblings, Old Boys’ families, staff), values alignment, holistic achievement, commitment to Christianity and interview. The page does not describe an academic entrance exam for standard day entry; the formal examination is part of the scholarship round. The school recommends applying as early as possible because there are usually more applicants than places.

Melbourne Grammar: waiting list plus testing at the main secondary intakes

Melbourne Grammar’s entry points page (checked 10 November 2026) names Prep and Year 7 as the main entry points, with small intakes at Year 3 and Year 9. Prep children attend an interview to assess readiness for school. Year 3 offers depend on entrance testing, school reports and a meeting. Year 7, the school’s main secondary intake, depends on an entrance test held in Year 4 (by invitation, based on set criteria), the latest school report and co-curricular details. About 30 new boys join in Year 9, after an assessment test in Year 8 and a meeting with the Head of Senior School or delegate. Other years depend on vacancies.

What this means for your family

At Scotch, the most important action is to apply early for the right intake year. At Melbourne Grammar, applying early still matters, but your son will also need to sit a test about three years before Year 7 entry, or one year before Year 9 entry. Neither school publishes acceptance rates.

Curriculum: same VCE, different subject breadth

Both schools lead to the Victorian Certificate of Education in Years 11 and 12, which produces the ATAR used for Australian university entry. Scotch says a typical Year 12 student studies five subjects chosen from more than 30, including Mandarin Chinese, French, Latin and Italian, and that almost all final-year students are offered tertiary places. Melbourne Grammar offers more than 40 VCE subject areas. We did not find the IB Diploma on either school’s pages checked.

On published results, Melbourne Grammar’s news page reported a median ATAR of 92.55 for its 2025 VCE cohort. Scotch mentions boys on the VCE Honour Roll each year, but detailed percentage results were not on the pages we checked, so we do not compare the two schools on results. To see how a very different, online curriculum is organised, our NGA curriculum and timetable page sets out subjects, English levels and the weekly structure.

Campuses and daily life

Scotch’s campus sits beside the Yarra River in Hawthorn, in Melbourne’s inner east, with all year levels on one site plus outdoor education campuses at Healesville, Cowes and Mallacoota. Melbourne Grammar’s secondary campuses are on St Kilda Road, South Yarra, close to the Royal Botanic Gardens and a short tram ride from the city centre; its primary campus, Grimwade House, is in Caulfield. Families with children at both Grimwade House and the Senior School should plan for two school runs.

Both schools follow the Victorian four-term year. For 2027, Scotch students return on Friday 29 January, and Melbourne Grammar’s Term I begins on Friday 29 January (Year 7 starts on Thursday 28 January). Neither school publishes door-to-door travel times, so it is worth trying the journey at school hours before deciding.

Boarding at Scotch and Melbourne Grammar

Both schools board boys. At Scotch, boarding is centred on “The Hill”, boarders may enter in Years 7–11, and every boy on a student visa boards for his whole time at the school; the most popular international entry levels are Year 7 and Year 9. Boarding costs $38,031 a year on top of tuition in 2027.

Melbourne Grammar’s boarding page describes accommodation for around 120 boys from Years 7 to 12 in three houses, one for Years 7–8 and two for older boys, a few minutes’ walk from Wadhurst and the Senior School. Younger boys share rooms; by Year 11 each boy has his own room. The main boarding entry points are Year 7 and Year 9, and boarding costs $36,830 a year on top of tuition in 2026. Neither school boards girls.

Scholarships, bursaries and entry timing

Scotch College offers scholarships in Academics, Music, Drama, Visual Arts, Sport, and Leadership and Community Service, plus Boarding and First Nations scholarships, with means-tested and non-means-tested categories. Recipients receive a reduction in tuition and/or boarding fees for their time at the school. For Year 7, 9 and 10 entry in 2028, applications ran from 1 September to 5 October 2026 and the examination was on Saturday 17 October 2026, so that round is closed except for First Nations scholarships, which are accepted at any time. Academic scholarship applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents. Values and numbers awarded are not published on the official site.

Melbourne Grammar lists Academic, Music, Boarding, General Excellence, EH Flack and First Nations scholarships on its scholarships page. Academic and Music scholarships are for Year 7 and Year 9 entry through an exam about 18 months before entry; for 2028 entry it was held on Saturday 29 August 2026 and is now closed. Boarding scholarships are considered throughout the year. Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents with a permanent home in Australia, families may be means-tested, and the school also mentions Indigenous bursary places through the Admissions Office. Remission levels and numbers are not published on the official site.

If both schools keep the same pattern, the next academic scholarship round for most families will be for 2029 entry, in the second half of 2027; neither school had published those dates when we checked.

Which school suits which family

• A family with a son only, who wants one campus from Prep to Year 12: Scotch’s single-site structure fits this best.
• A family with a daughter and a son of primary age: Melbourne Grammar’s Grimwade House lets both attend the same school until Year 6, though your daughter will need another school from Year 7.
• A family who registered at birth or soon after: both schools reward early applications, and Scotch places particular weight on the order of application.
• A family who decided later, with a son who tests well: Melbourne Grammar’s tested intakes at Year 7 and Year 9 may give a route, subject to the waiting list and invitation criteria.
• A regional, interstate or overseas family needing boarding: both schools board boys from Year 7; compare the house set-up, entry year and total cost for your son’s age.
• A family for whom neither fits: our guide to international schools in Melbourne covers other campus options, and our Haileybury Melbourne fees page looks at another large Melbourne independent school.

A third option: NIJIN GLOBAL ACADEMY

NIJIN GLOBAL ACADEMY is a very different kind of school, and it is only a sensible comparison for some families. It is an online international school for ages 6–18, focused on Asia and Oceania, and is planned to open in September 2027 with a first cohort of 100 students. It is operated by NIJIN Inc. in Japan, whose alternative school NIJIN Academy has more than 1,000 students. Children learn subjects in English in small live dialogue groups of about eight, with a bilingual (English–Japanese) mentor and CEFR-based English levels, plus social co-creation projects and international exchange. There is no academic entrance exam and no English requirement, and NGA can run alongside a local school or as the main school, travelling with the family if they move.

Its limits are real. NGA is not yet accredited, has no graduates and no track record, and does not offer the VCE. Its tuition is not yet published; it is described as far more affordable than a typical international school, with no enrolment, facility or uniform fees, materials included and sibling discounts. The timetable is built for Asia–Oceania daytime, which suits Melbourne, but families in the Americas or Europe should check live classes against local time. Free trial classes run monthly from September 2026. For how a day works, see how an online international school works, and for other providers, our online school options in Australia and online international schools compared.

See how NGA admissions work →

FAQ

Which is better, Scotch College or Melbourne Grammar?

Neither is better for every child. Scotch may suit a family who wants one boys’ campus from Prep to Year 12 and has applied early. Melbourne Grammar may suit a family who wants co-education in the primary years, a city location, or a tested route into Year 7 or Year 9.

How do Scotch and Melbourne Grammar fees compare?

Year 7 costs $45,927 at Scotch (2027) and $44,657 at Melbourne Grammar (2026, including the consolidated charge). Day tuition from Year 7 to Year 12, with entry fees, totals $285,516 at Scotch and $288,462 at Melbourne Grammar at those prices, before extras. Melbourne Grammar had not published 2027 fees when we checked on 10 November 2026.

Is Melbourne Grammar co-ed?

Only in the primary years. Grimwade House is co-educational from Prep to Year 6; Wadhurst and the Senior School teach boys in Years 7–12. Scotch is a boys’ school from Prep to Year 12.

Is there an entrance exam at Scotch or Melbourne Grammar?

Melbourne Grammar uses an entrance test in Year 4 for Year 7 entry and an assessment test in Year 8 for Year 9 entry, both by invitation. Scotch’s application page does not describe an academic entrance exam for standard day entry; places are offered largely by order of application with priority criteria, and scholarships involve an exam.

Do Scotch and Melbourne Grammar offer boarding and the IB?

Both board boys from Year 7: $38,031 a year at Scotch (2027) and $36,830 at Melbourne Grammar (2026), on top of tuition. Neither lists the IB Diploma on the pages we checked; both teach the VCE.

What if neither school fits?

Look at other Melbourne schools in our international schools in Melbourne guide. NIJIN GLOBAL ACADEMY is a very different, online option for ages 6–18 with no academic entrance exam and no English requirement; it opens in September 2027 (planned) and is not yet accredited.

Choosing calmly, with the whole picture

Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar are both long-established Melbourne schools that many families value, and over Years 7–12 they cost about the same. What separates them is structure and process: one boys’ campus from Prep with places largely by application order at Scotch, and a co-educational primary school followed by a boys’ secondary school with tested intakes at Melbourne Grammar. Start with what cannot change — your children, where you live and whether your son needs to board — then check each school’s intake timing and add up the years you expect to stay. The right school is the one where your child will be known, stretched and happy.

Tuition and admissions details were checked on the official websites on 10 November 2026 (Melbourne Grammar) and 23 October 2026 (Scotch College, whose website returned an access error on 10 November 2026). Schools revise fees every year — always confirm on the official site before applying.

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