International schools in Singapore: a shortlist by family need

The short version

The short version

Singapore’s EDB counts over 60 international schools serving students aged 2 to 18. Start by choosing the curriculum, budget and commute that work for your family. The sections below compare school options by cost, programme, support and admissions. Read each school’s dated results alongside its entry requirements, and request a quote for your child’s grade before deciding which schools to visit.

How to compare the available evidence

Tanglin Trust reports an Outstanding outcome in every category in its 2025 British Schools Overseas inspection. Read the findings as well as the headline. Where a school is missing from the results below, we did not find a dated, published figure; ask the school for one with its cohort size.

Citizenship can also affect eligibility. Singapore Citizen families should check the applicable MOE exemption requirements before relying on an international-school place. Our Singapore admissions guide explains the process and school-specific considerations.

Comparing published examination results

• Tanglin Trust offers A levels and the IB Diploma. Reported 2026 IB results include a provisional average of 39.1, a 100% pass rate, five scores of 45 and 27% scoring 42 or above. In 2025, 63% of A-level grades were A*/A and 87% A*–B; 61% of GCSE/IGCSE grades were 9–8. Grade percentages are not percentages of pupils.
• UWCSEA East reported a 2025 IB average of 36.1 and a 98% pass rate. These figures cover East, not both campuses. UWCSEA replaced IGCSE with its own Grade 9–10 programme from August 2025.
• Dover Court has a reported 2025 IB average of 36 and top score of 44. Ask for candidate numbers and the results for the qualification your child would pursue.
• Canadian International School has a reported 2025 average of 35, with its top 30% averaging 39 and 35 bilingual Diplomas. The top-group average describes a subset of the cohort.
• AIS reports a 2025 IB average of 34.9. Its average ATAR of 85 and 40% at 90 or above combine its reported HSC and IB-equivalent outcomes; they should not be labelled HSC-only.
• Dulwich is academically selective. Recent IB results were not available in published sources, so request its current results with cohort sizes before comparing it with these examples.
• SAS offers AP and school-designed Advanced Topic courses. Its reported class-of-2023 middle-50% SAT ranges were 640–740 in reading and writing and 640–780 in mathematics. SAT ranges and IB averages measure different things.

Shortlist 2

Compare the full cost

Start with the fee for your child’s grade and programme. A school’s lowest advertised price may be for part-time nursery, while development levies and support charges can substantially change the annual bill. These examples use 2026–27 schedules, including GST. They are not complete first-year quotations.

GESS reduces its development levy by half from the second year and for the third child onwards. Its fee FAQ also describes a loyalty discount without stating the current amount; the older S$3,065 figure may not apply in 2026–27.

GIIS is another option to investigate. Use its fee selector for the exact campus, curriculum and grade; we have not included a verified 2026–27 amount here. For every school, request a first-year total and a returning-student total that include the support your child will need. Compare exam results separately, with the cohort size and entry requirements beside the scores. A lower fee or an IB authorisation alone says little about whether a school will suit your child.

Learning support and English-language provision

Dover Court describes three pathways from mainstream teaching to adapted and specialist provision. Reviewed sources describe smaller classes, an on-site multidisciplinary team and ASDAN life-skills options. Pathways 2 and 3 have separate fees, and therapy costs extra. Ask which placement and staffing would apply to your child.

UWCSEA usually confirms learning-support capacity after evaluating continuing students’ needs, so first-round offers are not normally made to applicants requiring support. Establish the likely decision date before making plans.

English-language learning and specialist learning support are different services. Nexus has several English-support levels. Stamford American also offers preparatory and Foundational Academic English courses. Its 2024–25 EAL charges of S$8,480–13,880 annually are historical, and preparatory-course fees should not automatically be added to mainstream fees. Use our support guide to prepare questions about provision and cost.

Curriculum and qualification routes

IB programmes. CIS and GESS’s European section offer PYP, MYP and DP. UWCSEA uses its own curriculum before the IB Diploma; it is not a full IB continuum. OWIS Nanyang and Nexus combine PYP, IGCSE and DP, with intervening curriculum details and campus coverage to check individually.

British schooling. Tanglin offers A levels or the IB Diploma after GCSE/IGCSE. Dulwich has a three-year IGCSE programme and IB Diploma or Career-related options. Dover Court offers IGCSE and several post-16 routes, including IB, BTEC and ASDAN. The Perse and Brighton College are additional British options; confirm which senior year groups and qualifications are operating for your entry year.

American, Australian and German options. SAS awards its high-school diploma with AP and Advanced Topic courses. Stamford combines its diploma with options including IB, AP and BTEC; each qualification has separate requirements. AIS combines PYP, Australian curriculum, IGCSE and HSC or IB, on a January–December calendar. GESS’s German section offers German qualifications, including the German International Abitur. See our curriculum guide for transfer and subject-choice considerations.

Entry points and school calendars

Tanglin has reported main intakes of 160 Nursery and 32 Reception places, with later entry depending on vacancies. Its 2022 inspection recorded 30–40 external sixth-form entrants annually; confirm current numbers. UWCSEA uses an annual pool opening in September for the following August. SAS accepts applications up to two years ahead and uses priority lanes.

UWCSEA offers on-campus boarding, with current guidance describing Grade 9 entry and above. For any school adding year groups, confirm the actual opening date, staffing and available subjects. AIS runs January–December; a July arrival is mid-year. Compare your child’s completed learning with the receiving school’s calendar before deciding placement.

Finding a place for a near-term move

SAS publishes grade-level space availability. CIS accepts applications throughout the year, but has grade-specific entry restrictions. A rolling process, a new campus or spare overall capacity can still leave no place in a particular grade.

Contact admissions with the child’s age, reports, support needs and intended start date. Ask for confirmation by grade, programme and campus. SAS’s Guaranteed Placement Program gives qualified sponsored applicants priority for the next available place. Tanglin’s published Guaranteed Placement Right costs S$179,850 including GST for a seven-year term, in addition to school fees and subject to normal admissions criteria. Both require confirmation of availability and terms. Our admissions guide explains pools, lanes and annual reviews.

What to check before deciding

• Ranking methodology. Check who compiled a list, what it measures and which year it covers. An editorial ranking is not an inspection outcome.
• Brand relationships. Ask what a partner school or network contributes to teaching, staff development and oversight.
• Campus plans. CIS consolidated at Lakeside after Tanjong Katong closed in June 2023 following lease expiry. UWCSEA plans to move Dover to Tengah in August 2032. Ask how any lease or relocation plans affect your child’s likely time at the school.
• Results context. Compare the same qualification and year, with candidate numbers, pass rates and entry requirements. School-wide inclusion does not mean every pupil takes the same examination.
• Full costs. Separate tuition, annual levies, joining charges and credited payments. Request first-year and returning-student totals including your child’s support and transport. Our fees comparison guide explains these categories.