An Overview of Singapore International Schools

Singapore has over 60 international schools offering IB, British, American, and hybrid curricula, with annual tuition ranging from around SGD 14,000 at the more affordable schools to nearly SGD 58,000 in the senior years at the priciest ones.

Singapore is a multicultural country with a sizable expat population and with over 60 international schools to choose from, you will certainly be able to find one that offers the curriculum, extracurricular activities, and culture that you want for your child. 

While we are unable to cover every school, you will find an overview of the many types of international schools, curricula, and admission procedures.

Types of International Schools in Singapore 

Singapore is well-known for its high quality of education, in part because it is home to a number of world-class international schools offering a variety of educational systems. Strong schools are one of the biggest drivers of quality of life in Singapore for expat families with kids. 

Understanding the different types will help you determine which learning style is ideal for your child and which education system will benefit them the most in the future, whether applying to universities or relocating to another country.

* All tuition fees are quoted in SGD and based on annual rates for the 2025-2026 school year.

IB or International Curriculum Schools

Most general international schools will focus on providing an international curriculum, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) to make it easier for the children of expats to continue their education in new countries.

Examples include:

Overseas Family School

• Grades: Pre-K1 (Pre-Kindergarten) – High School
• Number of Students: About 3,000
• Tuition: Check the school’s website for current annual fees.

United World College South East Asia (UWCSEA)

• Grades: Kindergarten – High School
• Number of Students: About 2,500 – 3,000 
• Tuition: Check the school’s website for current annual fees.

XCL World Academy 

• Grades: Nursery – Grade 12 
• Number of Students: About 1,000
• Tuition: Check the school’s website for current annual fees.

National Schools

National schools are international schools that follow the curriculum and syllabus of their home country. This is a great option for students who expect to return to their native country within a few years, as well as for older students who want to apply to colleges in a particular country. For example, students who are interested in American universities will be required to take the SAT or ACT, whereas British-based curriculums require GCSE subject exams. 

Examples include:

Singapore American School

• Grades: Preschool – Grade 12 
• Curriculum: American
• Number of Students: About 4,000
• Tuition: Check the school’s website for current annual fees.

Australian International School

• Grades: Infant Care (2 months) – Year 12 
• Curriculum: Australian 
• Number of Students: About 2,800
• Tuition: Check the school’s website for current annual fees.

Global Indian International School (GIIS)

• Grades: Kindergarten – High School 
• Curriculum: Indian/CBSE 
• Number of Students: About 2,600
• Tuition: Check the school’s website for current annual fees.

Hybrid Schools 

Hybrid schools are international schools with dual curriculums. They  combine the curriculum from a particular country, like national schools, and follow one or more international curriculums. Students have the option to either pursue a hybrid curriculum or choose either of the options. 

This is a great option if you want to widen university options to anywhere in the world. This way, your child can follow a US or UK-based syllabus but still be able to receive an IB diploma or Cambridge IGCSE Certificate, giving them a higher chance of getting accepted to schools worldwide. 

Examples include:

Stamford American International School (SAIS) 

• Grades: Toddler (2 years) – Year 13 
• Curriculum: American, English IB, Advanced Placement (AP), and Business and Technical Education Council (BTEC) 
• Number of Students: About 3,000
• Tuition: Check the school’s website for current annual fees.

German European School Singapore (GESS)

• Grades: Pre-Kindergarten – High School
• Curriculum: German and English IB
• Number of Students: About 1,800
• Tuition: Check the school’s website for current annual fees.

GIG International School 

• Grades: Class 1 to 10 
• Curriculum: Cambridge and IB 
• Number of Students: About 1,500 
• Tuition: Check the school’s website for current annual fees.

Religious Schools 

If you prefer your child to stay in a faith-based school, Singapore has international schools that combine the culture of their religion with a UK or US curriculum. The top choices include the following:

Sir Manasseh Meyer International School (SMMIS)

• Grades: Pre-school to Secondary school
• Curriculum: British National Curriculum Literacy, Singapore Maths, International Primary Curriculum (IPC), International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC), Cambridge, Jewish Education 
• Number of Students: About 1,000
• Tuition: Check the school’s website for current annual fees.

St. Joseph’s Institution International (SJI)

• Grades: Prep 1 – High School
• Curriculum: Singaporean, British, IB, and IGCSE
• Number of Students: About 2,000
• Tuition: Check the school’s website for current annual fees.

International Community School (ICS)

• Grades: Pre-kindergarten to Grade 12
• Curriculum: American with a Christian focus
• Number of Students: About 500
• Tuition: Check the school’s website for current annual fees.

Curriculum

If you or your child do not mind following a specific curriculum from the US, UK, or other countries and would rather focus on the academic programs offered when selecting an international school, Singapore offers some of the best curriculums in Asia.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

The International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum provides an internationally accepted and academically rigorous education for students aged 3 to 19 years. Most schools will have the IBDP or Diploma Program for high school students. Some schools will have an IB curriculum from the start through the IB Primary Years Program (PYP) for those ages 3-11 years old and the IB Middle Years Program (MYP) for kids ages 11-16 years old. 

According to the official IB website, there are 40 international schools in Singapore offering an IB curriculum. Here are the only 6 schools that offer the IB programs from elementary school to high school (IBPYP, IBMYP, IBDP):

1. Canadian International School, Lakeside Campus 
2. Chatsworth International School 
3. German European School Singapore 
4. HWA International School (formerly Hillside World Academy)
5. ISS Singapore Stamford American International School 
6. XCL World Academy 

Tuition for an IB curriculum is more expensive than schools with a regular curriculum. Aside from HWA International School (formerly known as Hillside World Academy), all of the institutions listed above publish their annual tuition on their websites, with high school tuition being on the higher end. HWA is one of the only bilingual English-Mandarin IB schools in Singapore, originally set up at the invitation of Singapore’s Economic Development Board. Confirm its current fees directly with the school, since they aren’t always listed alongside the others.

Cambridge IGCSE

The Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is a two-year program that students complete during Grades 9 and 10 to prepare for the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), which, if performed well, can lead to acceptance into top UK universities. 

Depending on the school, after finishing the IGCSE program in 10th grade, students will continue on to either the Cambridge A-Level curriculum or the IBDP.

The IGCSE is less rigorous and much more flexible than the IBDP. There are approximately 70 subjects to pick from, all of which are available in a variety of combinations. Students can customize their education and professional goals by selecting the subjects they want to study. 

However, different schools will provide various subject availability and combinations, so you can choose a school that provides a wide range of alternatives or one that best matches your child.

There are approximately 32 international schools in Singapore that offer the IGCSE program. Some of the top choices include:

Tanglin Trust School  is one of the oldest non-profit British international schools in Southeast Asia. It is also one of the few schools to offer both the IGCSE and IBDP programs. It is typically a top choice for many parents, resulting in a year-long waiting list.

EtonHouse International School is a large international education group with over 100 schools worldwide and 17 schools in Singapore, with some conveniently located downtown. Aside from their IGCSE program, they are known for providing excellent bilingual learning (English and Mandarin) programs. 

Dulwich College is one of the most expensive schools in Singapore but also highly sought after as 97% of their students receive offers to their first choice universities. Besides IGCSE, this British international school also offers the IBDP, IB Career-Related Program, and STEAM initiatives. 

Preschool and Early Childhood

Given the variety of teaching styles available today for young students, some parents may want more hands-on and independent learning over  traditional methods. Singapore also offers a number of preschool programs for parents who are particular about their children’s early education. Many working parents combine preschool with a nanny in Singapore to cover the hours before and after school. 

EYFS

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) accepts children from a few months old to the age of five. The UK government establishes the standards, which place a heavy emphasis on developing a child’s creative, language, and critical thinking skills at an early age. 

Schools that use this curriculum generally teach subjects such as communication, emotional development, math, and others through games and play. Dover Court International School, Invictus International Preschool, and the aforementioned Tanglin Trust School are among the best schools that provide EYFS.

Montessori Approach

The Montessori and Reggio Emilia are similar methods of education that have been growing in popularity over the last few years for children ages 2-6 years old. These approaches focus heavily on hands-on and project-based group learning to develop leadership skills, independence, and self-care from a young age. 

Brighton Montessori has 6 locations in Singapore, with programs starting from pre-nursery (1.5 years old) to K-2 (6 years old) with current monthly fees listed on the school’s website. 

Blue House Nursery & International Preschool is a Reggio Emilia school that provides lessons and playgroups for children aged 6 months to 6 years. They also feature a co-working space for parents who want to catch up on work or network with other families while waiting for their children. Tuition depends on the number and length of classes per week; check the school’s website for current term fees. 

Fees

Without a doubt, the cost of attending an international school doesn’t come cheap in one of the most expensive cities in the world. The annual tuition fee will be the biggest cost to consider, along with registration fees and other extracurricular expenses.  

Tuition

Top-tier international schools such as Tanglin Trust, Singapore American School, and ISS International School run as high as SGD 55,000 to nearly SGD 58,000 a year in the senior years, with tuition typically rising 3-8% as your child moves up each age group. See the fee comparison table below for a school-by-school breakdown. 

Industry estimates put the median international school tuition in Singapore at around SGD 35,000 for 2026, though many solid schools sit well under that. Some more affordable choices include GIG International School, Middleton International School, and Ascencia International School.

Most schools will offer a 10-20% sibling discount on tuition if you have more than one child attending. Scholarships or paying in installments are also available at most schools upon request. If your employer covers part of the fees, check how that allowance is treated under Singapore income tax for foreigners, since a school-fee benefit is often taxable. 

Expat parents increasingly report that employer education allowances are being capped or cut, so more families are choosing strong mid-tier schools like Middleton, GIIS, or Ascencia over the top-tier names. With annual fee rises of 3-8% common, it is worth budgeting for increases each year your child moves up a grade.

Singapore International School Fee Comparison (2026/27)

Here’s how annual tuition compares across some of Singapore’s best-known international schools. Figures are list prices from each school’s own fee schedule where we could confirm them directly; where a school’s fee page was a locked PDF or unreachable, we’ve marked the figure “approx.” and pulled it from a third-party aggregator instead. Expect extra costs on top for application fees, enrolment or capital levies, buses, and uniforms.

School	Annual Tuition Range (SGD)	Curriculum	Notes
Tanglin Trust School	SGD36,300–58,080	British (IGCSE, A Level) and IB	SGD1,000 application fee, SGD4,500 enrolment fee, and SGD4,500 capital levy for new students.
German European School Singapore (GESS)	SGD28,855–43,990 (IB stream)	German curriculum and IB	SGD400 application fee, SGD3,550 enrolment fee, and an annual SGD6,130 development levy (halved from year two). Not-for-profit school.
Singapore American School (SAS)	approx. SGD40,000–55,000+	American, AP	Approx. SGD2,500 application fee and a SGD7,770–9,030 annual facility fee.
United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA), Dover	approx. SGD37,494–48,237	IB	Approx. The school’s fee schedule sits behind a flipbook document our tools couldn’t parse; figure is a third-party estimate. Plus an application fee of SGD627–1,254 and a SGD4,992 enrolment fee.
ISS International School	approx. SGD27,748–57,356	IB (PYP, MYP, DP)	Approx., third-party estimate. Most recently published aggregator data is 2025/26, one year behind the others in this table. Plus a SGD3,667 enrolment fee and SGD510 placement test fee.
Stamford American International School (SAIS)	approx. SGD20,420–56,110	American, IB, and AP	Approx., third-party estimate; lower figures are the Early Learning Village campus. Plus a SGD950 application fee.
Dulwich College (Singapore)	approx. SGD31,650–49,310	British National Curriculum and IB	Approx. The school’s own fee page returned a 404 at time of writing; figure is a third-party estimate. Confirm directly with admissions.
Canadian International School (CIS)	approx. SGD20,780–53,500	IB (English programme)	Approx., third-party estimate of the 2026/27 English-programme rates. Bilingual Chinese-English and French-English streams cost more at some grade bands. Plus a SGD1,000 application fee.
Dover Court International School (Nord Anglia)	approx. SGD29,178–45,609	British, EYFS to A Level and IGCSE	Approx., third-party estimate. Plus a SGD850 application fee, SGD3,230 enrolment fee, and a SGD3,135/year building fund fee.
Australian International School (AIS)	approx. SGD28,000–45,000+	Australian curriculum and IB	Approx. The school’s own fee PDF couldn’t be parsed; figure is a third-party estimate. Application fee approx. SGD800–1,500, enrolment fee approx. SGD3,000–6,000.
Nexus International School	approx. SGD26,600–50,800	IB	Approx. The school’s own fee PDF couldn’t be parsed; figure is a third-party estimate. Plus a SGD1,090 application fee and SGD5,123 enrolment fee.
XCL World Academy	approx. SGD25,780–49,390	IB	Approx., third-party estimate. Plus a SGD975 application fee and SGD5,668 enrolment fee.
Overseas Family School (OFS)	approx. SGD28,400–44,800	IB	Approx.; the school publishes fees per semester, doubled here for an annual figure. Most recently published aggregator data is 2025/26. Plus a SGD2,000 registration fee.
Global Indian International School (GIIS)	approx. SGD13,600–36,000	Indian/CBSE and IB	Approx., third-party estimate. One of the more affordable full-curriculum options; 25% sibling discount for a second child.

Every school on this list adds costs on top of tuition: a non-refundable application fee, an enrolment or capital levy due once you accept a place, and sometimes a resource or building fund fee. Ask for the full, current fee schedule in writing before you commit. Published figures shift year to year and don’t include sibling discounts or employer-negotiated corporate rates.

Application

The majority of international schools in Singapore will charge an application fee, which ranges from around SGD 400 to SGD 2,500 per child depending on the school, and is either non-refundable or partially refundable. This cost is due only after an application and necessary documents have been sent, and a spot has been confirmed by the school. 

Many schools host yearly open houses or participate in education fairs, where you may be eligible for registration fee waivers or significant discounts. We suggest that you frequently check the school’s website for information on these available dates.

After accepting your offer letter, there is a non-refundable enrollment or registration fee for all new applicants. This typically runs from around SGD 2,000 at schools like Overseas Family School to over SGD 5,500 at schools like Nexus International School and ISS International School. 

Others

The cost of transportation, school lunches, uniforms, technology fees, and test fees for IB or IGCSE schools can add several thousand SGD every year. 

Some schools may also require a one-time or annual facility fee for the maintenance of the school’s campus. These prices can be quite steep. For instance, the Australian International School charges a one-time, non-refundable facility fee per child; confirm the current amount with the school. 

Tips for Choosing a School

Choosing the best school for your children from among Singapore’s 60+ international schools is a difficult task. Besides tuition and fees, here are some other things to think about when comparing overseas schools. 

If you’re new to Singapore or considering coming here in the near future, here are also some resources to help you get settled.

Learn More:

• Moving to Singapore: A Guide for Expats
• Cost of Living in Singapore as an Expat

Education Quality

A school is only as good as its teachers and its curriculum, so start there. International schools in Singapore hire teachers from all over, and the depth of experience varies a lot from one school to the next.

Ask who will actually teach your child’s year group, where they trained, and how long they have been at the school. High staff turnover is common at some schools and worth asking about directly.

If your child is strong in a particular subject, or needs extra help in one, look for a school with real depth in that area rather than a general reputation for being good.

Extracurricular Activities

Clubs and sports are where a lot of the soft skills develop: communication, teamwork, and confidence. Most Singapore international schools run a wide range of them, though the mix differs from school to school.

You will find swimming, football, and basketball almost everywhere, alongside more unusual options like robotics, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, horse riding, scuba diving, debate, and musical theatre at the larger campuses.

If your child already plays a sport or an instrument, finding a school that offers it makes settling into a new country much easier. Check whether activities are included in tuition or billed on top, since that varies too.

School Environment

Beyond the curriculum, pay attention to how a school feels day to day. Class sizes are one of the biggest practical differences from a local school: international classes usually cap around 24 students and often run smaller, so your child gets more direct time with teachers.

Tour the campus during school hours if you can. Watch how staff talk to students, look at the outdoor and quiet spaces, and let your child picture themselves there.

A school that suits your child’s temperament matters as much as its ranking or its fees.

Facilities

Some international schools in Singapore provide cutting-edge facilities, while others are relatively modest. You should prioritize schools with great facilities if you want your children to have a wide range of opportunities for extracurricular activities. For example, UWCSEA has a variety of sports facilities, including an Olympic-size pool, a gymnasium, and tennis courts.

Other schools, such as the Nexus International School, offer more unique extracurricular activities, like notable Introduction to Filmmaking workshop where students will learn scriptwriting, directing, and cinematography.

Location

Even though Singapore is small, it might take up to an hour to go to and from school during the morning rush hour. Many expat families report regretting signing a lease before confirming a school place, since commutes can stretch to an hour during morning rush hour and rental contracts lock you in for two years. Moreover, depending on how far you have to send your child to school, you could spend roughly SGD 2,400 to SGD 5,400 a year on the school bus, depending on distance and operator.

Check out our other guides on locating housing and the best neighborhoods for families to learn more about where to reside in Singapore. A local real estate agent in Singapore who knows the school catchment areas can save you from signing a lease before your child’s place is confirmed.

Learn More:

• Buying a Condo in Singapore: A Step by Step Guide 
• The Complete Guide to Renting an Apartment in Singapore 

Admission Process

Due to the large expat community in Singapore, some of the better or more popular foreign schools will have waiting lists. Some schools will also have a hierarchy system. For instance, students with US citizenship or a Green Card will be given admission priority at the Singapore American School.

Other international schools will also have quotas on the percentage of students from each country in order to maintain the school’s diversity. Your own Employment Pass status usually determines which Dependant’s Pass your child gets, which most schools ask to see at application. Therefore, if there are already too many students from your country enrolled at that school, you may be placed on a waiting list. 

You can find each school’s rules on space availability and application priorities on their website under the Admissions tab.  Expat parents consistently report that waitlist movement is real — families relocate out of Singapore regularly, so staying on lists at multiple schools simultaneously is a worthwhile strategy.

Admissions Timeline and Waitlists

Singapore’s international schools run rolling admissions with two main intake points: August, for the northern-hemisphere academic year, and January, at schools that also run a January start. Rolling doesn’t mean relaxed. At the best-known schools, popular year groups for the August intake can close six to twelve months ahead, especially at Reception, Year 3, and Year 7.

UWCSEA and Tanglin Trust in particular tend to run genuine waitlists in the most popular year groups, not just a formality. Families relocate out of Singapore constantly, so staying active on a waitlist at two or three schools at once is standard practice among expat parents here, not a sign you’re struggling to get a place.

Have these ready before you start applying:

• Your child’s passport, birth certificate, and your own Employment Pass, Dependant’s Pass, or other valid visa
• Two to three years of school reports or transcripts
• Immunization and health records
• A teacher recommendation letter, usually from the current homeroom or subject teacher
• Results from an English or academic placement assessment for older grades, plus an interview at most schools

If your employer is relocating you, ask HR early whether the company already holds seats or a corporate agreement with a specific school. Some multinationals block-book places each year, which can move your child up the waitlist considerably faster than applying cold.

One thing that surprises new arrivals: Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents can’t simply choose an international school over a national one. Singapore Citizens born after 1 January 1996 fall under the Compulsory Education Act and must attend a national primary school unless the Ministry of Education (MOE) grants an exemption. For a Foreign System School, the government’s term for most international schools, the school itself applies for that waiver on the family’s behalf once it has an available place, and MOE decides case by case. This mostly matters for returning Singapore permanent residence holders and dual-national families; if neither parent nor child holds Singapore citizenship, it doesn’t apply to you.

Application fees (typically SGD400 to SGD2,500, non-refundable) don’t guarantee a spot, and paying one at three or four schools in parallel is normal practice among Singapore expat parents rather than a backup plan.

International Schools vs Government (National) Schools

Singapore’s own government schools, run by the Ministry of Education (MOE), rank among the best in the world, so an international school is not automatically the better call. It comes down to how long you plan to stay, your budget, and how your child learns. Here is how the two compare on the points parents ask about most.

	International schools	Government (MOE) schools
Approach	Individualized, with room for creativity and soft skills	Intensive and exam-focused, strong on maths and science, more pressure
Curriculum	Home-country or international (IB, IGCSE, AP); each school sets its own	A single national MOE syllabus, the same across every school
Annual fees	Roughly SGD14,000 to SGD58,000	Usually under SGD12,000, and lower still for citizens and PRs
Class size	Capped around 24, often 17–20, usually with a teaching assistant	Typically 32–34 per class
Languages	English plus the school’s mother tongue (French, German, Mandarin, and others)	English plus a local second language (Mandarin, Malay, or Tamil)
School calendar	Often follows the represented country, including its holidays	Fixed MOE calendar, with breaks in March, June, September, and December

MOE schools are far cheaper, but Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are generally expected to attend them, as covered in the admissions section above. For most expat families on an Employment Pass or Dependant’s Pass, an international school running a familiar curriculum is the practical choice, especially if you expect to move again.

Now, on to You

Singapore is lucky to have so many international school options, but it can be difficult to choose the best one for your children. 

When applying to schools, be proactive and try to attend as many open houses or campus tours as possible to learn about the school’s culture and facilities, as well as to take advantage of any registration discounts that may be offered. 

Finally, don’t worry too much because all of the international schools are pretty excellent and dedicated to giving the greatest education possible for your child, so you can’t go wrong with any school you end up choosing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does international school cost in Singapore?

Annual tuition runs from around SGD14,000 at more affordable schools like Global Indian International School to nearly SGD58,000 in the senior years at the priciest schools like Tanglin Trust and ISS International School, before application fees, enrolment levies, buses, and uniforms. See the fee comparison table above for a school-by-school breakdown.

Can Singapore citizens or permanent residents attend international schools?

Not automatically. Singapore Citizens born after 1 January 1996 fall under the Compulsory Education Act and must attend a national primary school unless the international school applies for an MOE waiver on the family’s behalf and MOE approves it case by case. A small number of Privately Funded Schools that follow MOE’s bilingualism and National Education policies don’t require this exemption.

What curricula do Singapore’s international schools follow?

IB is the most common, followed by British schools running IGCSE and A Levels, American schools offering AP, and a smaller group of national and religious schools tied to a specific home country’s system. A few schools, like Stamford American, blend two or more of these into a hybrid programme.

How far ahead should I apply, and how do waitlists work?

Start six to twelve months before your target start date. UWCSEA and Tanglin Trust in particular run genuine waitlists for popular year groups, and applying to two or three schools in parallel is standard practice among Singapore expat parents rather than a backup plan.

Does my employer typically cover international school fees in Singapore?

Many relocation packages include a school-fee allowance, though parents increasingly report these being capped or cut. Get the exact amount and which fees it covers, tuition only or tuition plus buses and uniforms, in writing before you sign your contract.

What costs come on top of tuition?

Budget for a non-refundable application fee (SGD400 to SGD2,500), an enrolment or capital levy once you accept a place (SGD2,000 to over SGD5,500), plus buses, uniforms, and technology fees that can add several thousand SGD a year.

Are sibling discounts or scholarships available?

Most schools offer a 10-20% sibling discount once you enrol more than one child, and some offer more for a third child. A handful run merit or need-based scholarships, but these are usually reserved for current students rather than new applicants, so ask directly rather than assuming one exists.

What’s the difference between an international school and a national school in Singapore?

International schools like UWCSEA or Tanglin Trust follow a curriculum from another country or an international framework like the IB, and mainly serve students on foreign passports. National (MOE) schools follow Singapore’s own syllabus and are the default for most Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.