International Schools in China
Compare 347 international schools in China. Filter by curriculum, fees (average RMB 167,881), location, and more to find the right international school now.
Edited by Aziza Francienne · B2C Marketing Manager
- Schools listed
- 347
- Curricula
- 41
- Average annual fee
- RMB 167,881
- Fee range
- RMB 330 – 491,240
More school facts
- Most common curriculum
- IB (DP) (127 schools)
- Average school size
- 1,241 pupils
- Largest by enrolment
- Chongqing Bashu Secondary School
- Oldest
- Shanghai American School (1912)
- With boarding
- 131
About international schools in China
International schools in China span English-medium schools serving expatriate families and a wide range of bilingual or Sino-foreign schools that blend elements of the Chinese national curriculum with international programmes. Common offerings include the International Baccalaureate (PYP/MYP/DP), British IGCSE/A-Level pathways and American-style programmes (AP or a US high-school diploma), with some schools also using Canadian, Australian or bespoke international curricula. Instruction is usually delivered in English while Mandarin is taught as a compulsory subject and many schools offer true bilingual tracks or additional immersion; under current practice most “international” schools in mainland China primarily enrol foreign passport holders, though local bilingual options exist. Fees and extras vary widely by city and school - in Beijing and Shanghai annual tuition for established international schools commonly ranges from about RMB 100,000 to RMB 400,000, while smaller bilingual or international-class programmes can be substantially less - and families should allow extra for application/placement charges, capital fees, transport and activities. Applications are typically organised around an August/September academic year with places opening many months in advance; mid-year intakes happen but popular year groups frequently have waiting lists, so early planning and prepared documentation are important.
View by curriculum (9)
68 international schools in Shanghai
See all 68 →44 international schools in Beijing
See all 44 →39 international schools in Guangzhou
See all 39 →23 international schools in Hangzhou
See all 23 →23 international schools in Chengdu
See all 23 →18 international schools in Shenzhen
See all 18 →12 international schools in Wuhan
See all 12 →12 international schools in Chongqing
See all 12 →
10 international schools in Suzhou
See all 10 →9 international schools in Nanjing
See all 9 →6 international schools in Tianjin
See all 6 →6 international schools in Xi'an
See all 6 →5 international schools in Ningbo
See all 5 →5 international schools in Qingdao
See all 5 →5 international schools in Shenyang
See all 5 →4 international schools in Zhengzhou
See all 4 →4 international schools in Hefei
See all 4 →4 international schools in Wuxi
See all 4 →4 international schools in Zhuhai
See all 4 →3 international schools in Changsha
See all 3 →3 international schools in Xiamen
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See all 3 →3 international schools in Haikou
See all 3 →2 international schools in Dalian
See all 2 →2 international schools in Changshu
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See all 1 →1 international school in Dongguan
See all 1 →1 international school in Foshan
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See all 1 →Choosing an international school in China
Curricula
There are 347 international schools in China covering 41 curricula. The most widely offered are IB (DP) (127), Cambridge IGCSE (108), IB (PYP) (99), Cambridge A Levels (96), Chinese National Curriculum (83). If your child may move countries again, an internationally-portable curriculum (IB, or Cambridge/British) keeps options open; if you're likely to settle, a curriculum matching your home or target university system can be the better fit.
Fees & what they cover
Annual tuition across China runs from about RMB 330 to RMB 491,240, averaging roughly RMB 167,881. Budget for one-off costs on top — application and enrolment fees, a refundable deposit, uniform, transport and exams.
Admissions & timing
Sought-after schools in China run waiting lists, so apply early — ideally a term or two ahead. Most admissions involve an application, prior school reports and an assessment or interview, with entry points often tied to the school year. Each school's profile shows term dates, open days and how to enquire.
Boarding
131 of the 347 schools offer boarding — useful if you're relocating or want weekly or full boarding.
How doris stays impartial
doris lists every international school in China we can find — not only those that pay. We take no placement fees and sell no rankings or "top school" spots, so the schools above aren't ordered by who paid most. Details come from the schools' own information and public sources, and you can compare any of them side by side.