Alcanta International College vs Britannia International School Guangzhou

	A Alcanta International College Guangzhou, China	B Britannia International School Guangzhou Guangzhou, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 158,000 - 182,000	Fees / year RMB 127,000 - 186,000
Age range	Age range 12 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Chinese National Curriculum	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 225
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2011	Opened 2017
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Alcanta International College is in Nansha District, Guangzhou — listed at No. 14 Guangsheng Road (Nansha), in the southern part of the city's Greater Bay Area. The Nansha area is served by Guangzhou Metro Line 4 and other regional links, so public-transport connections to central Guangzhou and neighbouring cities are available; confirm exact travel times from your location.	Location No.4 Chuangjia Road, Jinshazhou (Jinshazhou Island), Baiyun District, Guangzhou. The campus address and contact details are listed on the school website; Jinshazhou is a residential area of Baiyun District so most families reach the school by car, taxi or the school's transport service—check routes with admissions.
Stages	Stages The school offers a Pre‑Diploma pathway and Cambridge IGCSE courses for junior students, followed by the two‑year International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma for senior students (typical ages mid‑teens to 18). AIC describes a four‑year Pre‑Diploma plus the IB Diploma for graduation preparation.	Stages BIS follows a British/Cambridge pathway: Early Years (Pre‑Nursery to Reception, ages ~2–5), Cambridge Primary (Year 1–6, ages 5–11), Cambridge Lower Secondary (Year 7–9, ages 11–14), Cambridge Upper Secondary (Year 10–11, ages 14–16), and Cambridge AS/A‑Level (Year 12–13). The school website lists these sections and age ranges.
School type	School type AIC is a private, co‑educational international school; it is an IB World School and also lists Cambridge IGCSE and external accreditation (MSA‑CESS). The school operates boarding provision alongside day places.	School type Non‑profit, co‑educational international day school that teaches in English and follows the Cambridge/British curriculum. BIS is explicitly a day school with no boarding facilities—students must live with a parent or legal guardian while enrolled.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support AIC's publicly available pages and directory listings do not publish a detailed Special Educational Needs (SEN) or Additional Learning Needs policy online. Prospective parents should contact admissions directly to ask about specific learning‑support services, EAL support, diagnostic assessment or individual learning plans available for their child.	Additional learning support BIS operates Learning Services and assesses incoming students to determine if English or mathematics support is needed; English language support is offered (a fee may apply). The admissions information says these Learning Services teachers arrange additional help where required.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school is based in the People's Republic of China (Guangzhou) and is not presented as being affiliated to another country's school system.	Country affiliation The school describes itself as a member of the Canadian International Educational Organization (CIEO) while delivering a British/Cambridge curriculum; it does not operate as a state school of any single country.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is listed in the school's public profiles; AIC is presented as a secular international school in its directory entries.	Religious affiliation BIS is secular and does not have a religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure Public listings note the school year runs on a roughly August–June cycle, but AIC does not publish a detailed daily start/end timetable or break schedule on its public pages. If you need exact school‑day hours, class period lengths or boarding daily routines (for example supervised evening study), request the current daily timetable from admissions.	School day structure Typical start times are around 08:20 for Early Years and Primary and around 08:35 for Secondary; lessons finish in the mid‑afternoon (generally between about 15:30 and 16:00 depending on age group). The school also provides supervised before‑ and after‑school care and runs extra‑curricular sessions—confirm exact daily times for your child's year group with admissions.
Bus service details	Bus service details Directory information indicates the school provides transport (school bus) options, but public pages do not specify the provider, routes, stops or fees. For route maps, pickup/dropoff times, and costs you should request the school's transport brochure or speak with the admissions office.	Bus service details The school offers a school bus service; parents complete a Bus Policy form as part of registration and should contact admissions for specific routes, pick‑up points and fees. Third‑party listings indicate BIS covers central areas of Guangzhou with air‑conditioned buses and supervised routes, but the school's admissions office is the source for current routes, availability and pricing.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fee - One-time application/registration fee: RMB 300. Tuition fees (by year group) - Grade 7: RMB 158,000 per year (day student). - Grade 8: RMB 158,000 per year (day student). - Grade 9: RMB 182,000 per year (day student). - Grade 10: RMB 182,000 per year (day student). - Grade 11: RMB 182,000 per year (day student). - Grade 12: RMB 182,000 per year (day student). Tuition per term (billing note and calculation) - Public information lists tuition as an annual amount. The school's published practice is to collect tuition/meal/accommodation in advance prior to each semester; using that practice, a simple per-semester figure can be calculated by dividing the annual tuition by two (example: Grade 7/8 ≈ RMB 79,000 per semester; Grade 9–12 ≈ RMB 91,000 per semester). This per‑semester amount is a derived value (annual ÷ 2) based on the school's semester-advance billing practice. Boarding, meals and ancillary fees - Seven‑day boarding (typical option): RMB 10,300 per year (example reported). - Five‑day (weekly) boarding option: RMB 8,800 per year (where offered). - Student meal plan (boarding/non‑boarding catering charge examples): RMB 13,860 per year (reported meal fee). - Textbooks/learning materials: example published estimate RMB 3,000 per year. - Activity/programme fee example: RMB 3,500 per year. Billing schedule and payment terms - Fees (tuition, meals, accommodation) are collected in advance prior to the start of the relevant semester/study period; annual invoicing is used for published tuition amounts and schools typically require payment by the commencement date or specified deadline. Parents are expected to settle billed amounts before the semester begins. Refund information - The school's publicly available materials and corporate filings indicate that partial refunds may be offered if a student withdraws during a semester; a formal School Fees Refund Policy is referenced in offer documentation. Specific refund percentages and conditions are established in the school's fee/refund policy. Fee payment options (published example) - Bank transfer / international wire: published offer documents show payment instructions for payments to a China Merchants Bank account (domestic RMB account and SWIFT details for USD wire transfers) and request that payment receipts be emailed to the admissions contact. This is the payment method explicitly shown in the school's offer materials. Other notes on costs - Some published school materials and third‑party listings show refundable deposits, printing/ICT fees, insurance and occasional one‑off charges (these vary by intake). Parents should treat the listed items above as the principal recurring charges (application, tuition, boarding/meals, textbooks, activities).	Fee details Tuition fees (annual and half-year) - EYFS (Kindergarten): Annual RMB 127,000; Half‑year RMB 63,500. - Year 1–6 (Primary): Annual RMB 139,000; Half‑year RMB 69,500. - Year 7–9 (Lower Secondary): Annual RMB 169,000; Half‑year RMB 84,500. - Year 10–11 (Upper Secondary – IGCSE): Annual RMB 170,500; Half‑year RMB 85,250. - Year 12–13 (Upper Secondary – A Level): Annual RMB 186,000; Half‑year RMB 93,000. Application and other mandatory fees - Application fee: RMB 2,000 (initial application only, non‑refundable). - Resources fee: RMB 4,000 (annual, non‑refundable). - Insurance: RMB 200 (non‑refundable). - Uniform: RMB 2,900 (new students expected to purchase one full set; this fee excludes the House T‑shirt). - Bedding: RMB 500 (only for Pre‑Nursery and Nursery where applicable). - Lunch and snack fee: RMB 7,200 (annual). Bus (transport) fees - Jinshazhou route: Annual RMB 7,000; Semester RMB 4,000. - Under 8 km from school (including 8 km): Annual RMB 9,000; Semester RMB 5,000. - 8–15 km from school (including 15 km): Annual RMB 13,000; Semester RMB 7,000. - Over 15 km from school: Annual RMB 15,000; Semester RMB 8,000. Billing schedule and payment terms (billing structure and discounts shown) - Billing structure reflected in published fees: families may pay on an annual (full‑year) basis or on a half‑year (semester) basis using the shown annual and half‑year figures. - Discount for full payment: an annual tuition discount of RMB 6,000 is applied to families who pay the full tuition in a single payment. - Early enrolment discount: an additional discount of RMB 3,000 is offered for students who enrol before January 31 and pay the tuition in full. Boarding fees - The school operates as a day school and has no boarding facilities; therefore boarding fees are not applicable. Refund information - The following fees are explicitly listed as non‑refundable: Application fee (RMB 2,000), Resources fee (RMB 4,000), and Insurance (RMB 200). - Other items (tuition, lunch, bus, uniform, bedding) do not have a public, detailed refund schedule displayed alongside the fee table. Where a specific fee is labelled non‑refundable it has been noted above; no comprehensive tuition refund policy or detailed withdrawal/refund schedule is provided with the published fee sheet. Fee payment options - The publicly posted fee schedule lists amounts, billing options (annual/half‑year) and discounts but does not list specific payment channels (for example bank account details, accepted card types, or e‑wallet options) on the published fees page. Summary of what is not published on the fee sheet - The published fee materials include amounts, the annual/half‑year billing format, discounts, and which small fees are non‑refundable, but they do not publish a complete tuition refund policy or the school's accepted payment methods/banking details alongside the fee schedule.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Alcanta International College runs a four‑year pre‑IB/preparatory programme (Grades 7–10) followed by the two‑year IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12. The school is an authorised IB World School offering the full IB Diploma as its senior qualification. Diploma students at AIC complete the DP core—Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity, Service—alongside six subject‑group courses required for the diploma. The IB registry for AIC lists available DP subjects including English A (Language & Literature), English B, Mandarin (ab initio), Chinese A/B, Mathematics (Analysis & Approaches and Applications & Interpretation), Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Business Management, Psychology, Computer Science, Environmental Systems & Societies and Visual Arts (May examinations). The preparatory years are structured to ready students for DP subject choices and assessments and instruction is delivered in English.	Curriculum details Britannia International School Guangzhou follows the Cambridge international pathway from Early Years (EYFS) through Cambridge Primary, Lower Secondary, Upper Secondary (IGCSE) and Cambridge AS/A Level. Early Years covers Pre‑nursery to Reception (age 2–5) using the UK EYFS framework and its seven areas of learning. Cambridge Primary (Years 1–6, age 5–11) and Cambridge Lower Secondary (Years 7–9, age 11–14) deliver Cambridge syllabuses and assessments across a broad programme that includes English, mathematics, science, global perspectives/history/geography, Chinese, STEAM, art, music, PE and ICT. Cambridge Upper Secondary (Years 10–11, age 14–16) prepares students for Cambridge IGCSEs with core subjects (English, maths, science, PE) and a range of optional subjects such as English Literature, history, additional maths, Chinese, drama, music, art, physics, ICT and global perspectives. Post‑Year 11 (Years 12–13, age 16–19) students may study Cambridge AS and A Levels; the school lists example A‑level options (e.g., Chinese, history, further maths, geography, biology, physics, English language/literature, business, art, music, maths, chemistry, computer science) and describes standard AS/A‑level assessment routes and exam sessions.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry and information-gathering. Parents should confirm which academic year/term they are applying for (AIC lists a first application deadline of 30 April on directory pages) and whether the student is applying as day or boarding, since fees and deadlines can differ. 2. Complete and submit the application form and pay the application fee. AIC's published application charge is shown as roughly RMB 300 (around USD 43) on school directories; make sure you submit the signed form plus payment by the stated deadline and retain the payment receipt. Parents should check whether the application is submitted via the school website, the school's own application portal, or a third‑party system (some directories link AIC to OpenApply) and upload required documents in the requested format. 3. Prepare and send required supporting documents. Typically this will include the student's current academic transcripts/grade reports, passport copy (for international students), recent school reports, teacher recommendation(s) and any previous exam records; confirm the exact document list with admissions. If English is not the student's first language, expect to provide evidence of English proficiency or to arrange an English assessment—directories note that AIC teaches in English and provides ELL support. Parents should arrange official translations where required and allow time for notarisation if the documents are needed for visas or scholarship applications. 4. Entrance assessment and interview. Public information about AIC indicates scholarships and admissions decisions are linked to an entrance examination and review of academic records, so expect a written/online assessment (academic and/or English) and an interview with admissions or a senior teacher. Parents should verify the format (onsite, online, timed test) and, if travelling from overseas, ask whether remote assessment options are available and whether any preparatory materials are provided. Keep copies of past schoolwork or samples the school requests for the assessment. 5. Scholarship consideration (if applying). AIC directories state that applicants who perform strongly in the entrance exam and have strong academic records may be considered for scholarships; for international students AIC has historically offered full-tuition awards to selected applicants. If you want to be considered, follow the school's specific scholarship application instructions and submit any additional documents or essays by the scholarship deadline; note that directories indicate scholarships typically cover tuition only, not living costs. Parents should ask whether the scholarship decision is made at offer stage or separately and whether scholarship recipients must meet ongoing academic or behavioural conditions. 6. Offer, acceptance and deposit. Successful applicants will receive a formal offer (conditional or unconditional). The offer will set out any conditions (e.g., final transcripts, visa paperwork, English standard) and the deadline for accepting the place and paying any tuition deposit or enrolment fee; check the offer letter carefully for exact amounts and payment instructions. Parents should confirm refund and withdrawal policies for deposits, and whether the deposit counts toward the first year's fees. 7. Final paperwork: contracts, visas and boarding arrangements. After acceptance, complete the school contract and provide final documentation the school requires for registration; international families should start the visa process promptly because visa timelines vary. If the student will board, confirm the boarding contract, boarding fees and the school's published meal/room charge schedule (boarding and meal fees are listed separately in directory fee summaries). Parents should check arrival dates, orientation schedules, health insurance/medical forms and any immunisation requirements. 8. Fee payment schedule and orientation. AIC directories list annual tuition ranges (day tuition figures published between approximately RMB 158,000 and RMB 182,000 depending on grade) and additional boarding/meal charges for boarders; confirm the exact fee schedule and whether the school accepts instalments, bank transfer instructions and the currency required. Parents should also check for one‑time enrolment charges (directories reference a first‑year one‑time fee such as an application or administration charge) and request an itemised fee breakdown (tuition, boarding, meals, activity fees, textbooks). Finally, attend the school's orientation and keep a copy of the signed enrolment agreement and the school's contact details for ongoing questions.	Admissions 1. Request information and initial enquiry. Begin by completing the online inquiry/visit-request form so the admissions team can send the school handbook and basic information; the website says they will contact families (for visit requests) within 24 hours. Parents should use the inquiry form to state the child's current year group, nationality/visa status and whether they need transport or lunch services — this helps admissions give accurate next steps. 2. Schedule a meeting with the admissions office. After the initial enquiry, arrange a meeting (virtual or on-campus) with BIS Admissions to discuss year placement, curriculum pathway (EYFS / Cambridge Primary / IGCSE / AS & A Level) and any learning-support needs. Bring questions about class size limits, bus routes and school-day times so the team can confirm availability for your child's age and address. 3. Complete the application and gather required documents. Read the school's admissions policy, then fill in the BIS Student Application Form and any service forms (for example the Bus Policy if you need transport). BIS publishes a specific list of documents: official previous school records in English, passport pages and visa/residence stamps (or HK/Macau/Taiwan documents where relevant), birth certificate, immunization record, medical report from an international clinic (the site suggests Guangdong Int'l Travel Health Care Center as an example), passport-sized photos (for student and parents) and any standardized-test or recommendation letters requested for older children. Parents should prepare certified English translations and notarised copies where required by Chinese administration rules; incomplete documentation will delay processing. 4. Assessment testing and interview scheduling. BIS requires age-appropriate assessment: children aged 3–7 (Early Years up to Year 2) usually attend a half‑ or full‑day classroom session for teacher assessment, while applicants aged 7 and above (Year 3+) sit written English and Mathematics tests at their level; all new students are interviewed by the Principal or COO. These assessments are used to determine learning support needs and correct class placement (they are not solely used to exclude applicants). Expect the school to advise if English-language support is recommended and to explain associated fees for that support. 5. Offer, fee payment and confirmation of place. If BIS offers a place, you will be sent the offer and fee schedule. The published 2025–2026 fee sheet shows the application fee and other charges (see the fees section below); parents should note which fees are non‑refundable (for example the application fee) and the school's stated discounts for full/early payment. Confirm the payment deadlines and the method the school uses to hold a place (some schools require completed acceptance forms and payment of fees to secure a spot). If you need a payment plan or have questions about deadlines/discounts, raise these with admissions at the offer stage. 6. Final enrolment steps and arrival. After payment and acceptance, complete any remaining enrolment paperwork (bus registration if required, medical/insurance forms), purchase or order the initial uniform set and bedding where required, and confirm the child's first‑day logistics (start date, class teacher, supply lists, lunch arrangements). BIS provides parent communication and uses PowerSchool for ongoing records; ask admissions for login details and for any orientation or family‑welcome events. Keep copies of all submitted documents and translations as the school and local authorities may ask for originals at a later date.
Scholarships	Scholarships Directories indicate that Alcanta International College offers scholarships and that applicants showing exceptional ability and potential may be awarded tuition scholarships; for international students, full‑tuition awards have been offered in past cycles. Scholarship awards are reported to be based on the applicant's performance in the school's entrance examination and on previous academic records; directories also note that scholarships typically cover tuition only and not living or boarding costs. Historical notes on some directory pages reference specific award numbers in particular years (for example, a past cycle listing 15 full scholarships in 2020–21), but these are examples rather than guarantees for future years—confirm current availability, selection criteria, application deadlines and whether there are scholarship renewal conditions with admissions. For authoritative, up‑to‑date details about scholarship types, amounts and application steps, contact the admissions office directly and ask for the current scholarship policy and deadlines.	Scholarships The BIS website and its published 2025–2026 tuition sheet do not advertise a scholarship or formal bursary programme. The school's published fees page shows tuition levels, an application fee and a small set of published discounts: an annual tuition discount of RMB 6,000 for families who pay the full tuition amount and an early‑enrolment discount of RMB 3,000 for families who enrol and pay in full before January 31st. Other routine charges shown on the fee sheet include a resources fee, insurance, uniform, bedding (for very young children), lunch/snack fees and bus charges — but no merit or need‑based scholarship schemes are listed. If you are looking for financial assistance, sibling/family discounts, or exceptional-case support, contact the admissions office to ask if any unpublished arrangements exist (admissions@bisgz.com).
Waitlist	Waitlist Public directory listings and the school's available admissions summaries do not explicitly describe a formal waitlist or pool process for Alcanta International College; the school's admissions pages linked in directories focus on application, examination and offer stages rather than an online waitlist. Because many schools operate informal or formal waiting lists (and policies vary year to year), if you want to know whether a waiting list will be used for the grade you are applying to, ask admissions directly (AIC's admissions contact details appear on OpenApply's school entry). If you are placed on any waitlist, confirm whether you must re‑affirm interest periodically to keep the application active, whether siblings or other priorities are applied, and how the school notifies families when a place becomes available.	Waitlist BIS states that admissions are open during the school year and that places are allocated with respect to class size limits (Nursery/Reception and Year 1 usually smaller sections). The school website's admissions information notes open intake and class-size constraints but does not provide a formal ‘waitlist' policy on the BIS site itself. Independent listings (International Schools Database) report that a waiting list has been used at times — specifically they note a waiting list for Pre‑Nursery because of high demand and they recommend early registration (they also say families are encouraged to register before July 31st for a new academic year). Because waiting‑list practice can change quickly, I recommend contacting admissions directly (admissions@bisgz.com) to confirm whether a waitlist is operating for the year group you need and what steps (deposit, application form) secure a place on the list.
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