FAQs for Visit Applications

With over 33,000 schools interested in a school visit and only c.1000 slots available, the demand far outweighs the capacity.

We receive multiple applications for the same visit slots on the same days so unfortunately there is no guarantee that your request will be successful. We will process applications on a first come first served basis.

Please do not book any travel unless you have received a booking confirmation email with a booking confirmation number.  

Our most popular visiting times are between 11:30 and 15:00. If you can visit outside of the peak hours, your application is more likely to be successful. Similarly, the first few weeks of a term tend to book up less quickly so if your group can visit then, your application is more likely to be successful. 

The application form will open on 18 September at 10am. A link will be available on this page.

To manage demand on the day, when you click the link, you may be added to an automated queuing system before you can access to the form. 

You’ll be able to request a visit via an online application form.

There is an automated queuing system intended to help manage demand for the application form and reduce risk of the system becoming overloaded. Please be aware you may be in the queue for some time before you can access the application form. 

While in the queue, you may see your estimated wait time move up or down, this is calculated based on how long other schools are taking to complete their application. You will not lose your place in the queue and the wait time is estimated only.   

Please do not open multiple windows while in the queue or in the application form. Doing so would increase waiting times in the queue and may cause your application to time out.  

Please do not close your browser window while in the queue. If you get an error message or it seems that the queue is ‘stuck’, simply refresh your browser but do not exit

Schools will have 5 minutes per section, 15 minutes in total, to complete and submit their form, to keep the queue moving. If you are timed out of the form, you will need to join the queue again. To make the process as easy as possible, make sure you have the following information to hand:  

• Contact details of your school/group and main point of contact  
• Preferred date for your visit. You will be able to request one of the available slots.   
• Expected numbers of students and adults. Please note our tours and workshops have a capacity of 36 visitors, including adults. The minimum ratio of adults to pupils depends on students’ age:   

• Age 5-7: 1 adult to 7 pupils  
• Age 7-18: 1 adult to 15 pupils 

If your application is successful and we can accommodate your preferred timeslot(s), you will receive an email booking confirmation. Please remember to check your junk or spam folder.

If your application is unsuccessful and we are unable to accommodate one of your preferred timeslots, you will be notified via email. We may have some cancellations. If slots become available, we will list them on our website.  

Your group will benefit from a curricula-linked workshop in our award-winning Education Centre.

The workshop is tailored to the age range of your group and will be automatically allocated when you submit your application.

Details of the workshops are available on our education visits page.  

Our most popular visiting times are between 11:30 and 15:00.

If you can visit outside of the peak hours, your application is more likely to be successful. If you are based in London and are able to visit Parliament in the early morning or late afternoon please indicate this below as this will give you the best chance of securing a slot.

Similarly, the start and end of terms tend to book up less quickly so if your group can visit then, your application is more likely to be successful.  

Once you have submitted your application form, you are unable to make amendments to dates, times or student numbers. Applications are processed based on the information provided to us on your form, on a first come first served basis.

However, upon your request via e-mail to engage@parliament.uk, we can delete your application if you have submitted a form with incorrect information. You will then need to submit a new form which will be processed on a first come first served basis.

If you are successful and you receive a booking confirmation email this will contain the details of your booking, and the information cannot be amended.