United Nations International School of Hanoi

What the school is

Governance and the school community

The school is governed by a Board of Directors and states that it is not a United Nations agency. UN values inform its curriculum, including Sustainable Development Goals and Service Learning from Early Years through High School. External reporting places children of diplomatic families at about a quarter of enrolment; that is a community snapshot rather than evidence of admission eligibility or priority.

External reports describe a policy limiting any single nationality to 20% of enrolment.

The school is organised into Elementary, from Discovery to Grade 5; Middle School, Grades 6–8; and High School, Grades 9–12. An external review reports class sizes of 16–22 and approximately 560, 260 and 310 pupils in those divisions. Treat these as dated figures and ask for current class sizes. WASC and CIS accreditation is separate from participation in APAC and MRISA activities.

Academics in practice

IB programmes and dated results

UNIS offers the IB continuum alongside its own high-school diploma. Its profile describes non-selective entry to the IB Diploma and says more than 85% of students pursue it. The school reports a 2025 average of 34 points, a 97% pass rate, one score of 45 and 39% bilingual diplomas. For 2024 it reports 64 candidates, an average of 32, an 89% pass rate and 17% scoring at least 40. A secondary roundup gives a 2026 average of 35.3; the corresponding school summary was not available in published sources. Compare cohorts and examination years separately.

The high-school profile limits each student to 12 university applications and says the school does not rank pupils, calculate a GPA or maintain an honour roll. These are reporting and counselling policies, not a measure of academic pressure. Graduation requires 22.5 credits, including a personal project and an extended essay or senior project. The Class of 2025 reportedly received offers from more than 147 universities in 16 countries, including Oxford, NYU, Toronto and Seoul National; offers are distinct from final destinations.

The scholarship programme is described as covering tuition through graduation for eligible Vietnamese students entering Grades 7–10 from low-income public-school backgrounds. Reported support also includes transport, supplies, activities and university applications. The terms specify Vietnamese nationality, residence within an hour of school and strong public-school grades. Published examples of former scholars include students receiving full funding at Williams, Vanderbilt, NYU Abu Dhabi and Fulbright University Vietnam.

Admissions and cost

US-dollar fees, credited deposit and withdrawal terms

UNIS sets fees in US dollars and records a VND equivalent on each debit note. The official 2026–27 schedule lists annual-payment tuition of USD 17,460 for Early Years 3 and 4, USD 26,900 for Kindergarten, USD 33,330 for Grades 1–5, USD 35,210 for Grades 6–8, USD 37,530 for Grades 9–10 and USD 39,870 for Grades 11–12. Paying by semester costs about 4% more, for example USD 20,730 a semester in Grades 11–12. Use the debit note for the applicable currency amount and payment basis.

The 2026–27 terms list a USD 600 application fee, valid for three consecutive years, and a USD 1,750 one-time enrolment fee. A tuition deposit, USD 1,500 on the fee page but USD 1,750 in the PDF terms, is credited against tuition; do not add it again to annual tuition when calculating attendance cost. It is described as non-refundable if the place is not taken up. The schedule offers annual and semester payment options and listed a further 1% early-payment discount with a 1 March 2026 deadline, which has passed. Reported bus fees are USD 1,100 annually, with 10% and 15% tuition discounts for third and fourth children; confirm eligibility and current terms.

The 2026–27 refund terms allowed 90% of annual tuition back when notice was given by 1 June 2026 and the student’s last day was before semester one. That deadline has passed. They list a 50% refund for notice by 16 November 2026 and none afterward, with application, enrolment and deposit payments non-refundable. Late-payment charges are listed at 2% per month. Read the full policy before paying, including how a credited deposit is handled in a tuition refund.

UNIS does not publish waiting-list information. General accounts of diplomatic or corporate relocation cycles do not show whether an individual place is available.

The family experience

The Ciputra campus and family participation

The campus is in Ciputra at Phu Thuong, Tay Ho, north of West Lake. Secondary reporting describes a 23-acre site with a 25-metre pool and a 350-seat theatre. Living in the same broad neighbourhood does not guarantee a short school run.

Families seeking the IB continuum can assess UNIS through its programme, support and admissions requirements. Concordia Hanoi offers an American curriculum with AP courses, while BIS Hanoi offers IGCSE followed by the IB Diploma. These alternatives cover different routes; neither should be presented as an A-level programme. Compare the relevant subjects, complete fees and campus journey.