Australian International School Hong Kong vs Victoria Shanghai Academy
Australian International School Hong Kong and Victoria Shanghai Academy are both in Hong Kong, about 10 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes, and Australian International School Hong Kong also offers Australian. Published annual fees are close, at HK$148,800 - 252,800 for Australian International School Hong Kong and HK$181,200 - 255,600 for Victoria Shanghai Academy. Australian International School Hong Kong takes pupils from 4 to 18, and Victoria Shanghai Academy from 5 to 18. Victoria Shanghai Academy is the larger school, with around 2,000 pupils to Australian International School Hong Kong's 1,200. Typical class sizes are 24 at Australian International School Hong Kong and 21 at Victoria Shanghai Academy.
Australian International School Hong Kong (AISHK) is situated in the residential district of Kowloon Tong. The campus is a short walk from Kowloon Tong MTR Station (Exit E) and is close to a major transport interchange with buses and taxis. The setting provides both accessibility and a quieter neighbourhood environment, making it convenient for families from across Hong Kong.
Location
Victoria Shanghai Academy (VSA) is located at 19 Shum Wan Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, adjacent to Aberdeen Harbour. The campus lies in the southern part of Hong Kong Island, roughly a 15‑minute walk from MTR Wong Chuk Hang Station (Exit B). Buses and minibuses stop nearby at a public transport terminus about five minutes’ walk from the school.
Stages
Stages
The school is divided into Early Years (Reception and Preparatory), Primary (Years 1–6), Secondary (Years 7–10), and Senior Secondary (Years 11–12). In the final two years, students choose either the NSW Higher School Certificate or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).
Stages
The school offers curriculum from Primary (PYP) through Middle Years (MYP) to Diploma Programme (DP).
School type
School type
AISHK is a co-educational, day school with around 1,200 students. The school does not offer boarding facilities.
School type
VSA is a day school with no boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Support is provided through the Learning Enrichment Centre (LEC), which assists students across Primary and Secondary who can access mainstream classes with minimal support. The school also offers in-class English language support for students who have sufficient English to follow the curriculum.
Additional learning support
VSA states that it is “sensitive to students’ individual needs” and provides support for those with language or learning needs, physical or medical conditions, or social, emotional, and behavioural issues.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school follows the Australian curriculum up to Year 10 and offers the NSW HSC alongside the IB Diploma in Senior Secondary. It also runs on the Australian academic year (January to December).
Country affiliation
The school does not have any country affiliation.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
AISHK is non-denominational and has no religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
The school does not have any religious affiliation.
School day structure
School day structure
The school day begins at 8:15am. For Primary, Reception ends at 2:45pm and Years 3–6 at 2:50pm. Secondary students finish at 3:30pm Monday–Thursday and 3:00pm on Friday, following extra-curricular activities.
School day structure
School hours are Monday to Friday, 8:25 am to 3:40 pm.
Bus service details
Bus service details
AISHK provides a comprehensive bus service covering a wide range of routes across Hong Kong. Many students use the service daily, though families also make use of the convenient Kowloon Tong MTR and nearby transport hubs. The school notes that its community comes from diverse districts, not just Kowloon side.
Bus service details
VSA provides a school bus service.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application Fees A one-time Application Fee of HKD 1,500 is required for all new applications and is non-refundable. If an assessment is required, an additional Assessment Fee of HKD 500 per student applies. Families wishing to remain on the waitlist for another year must pay an Application Renewal Fee of HKD 500.
Reservation & Capital Levy A Reservation Deposit of HKD 25,000 is payable upon acceptance of an offer. This is credited to tuition on commencement and is refundable only if cancellation is made within seven days of payment. An annual Capital Levy of HKD 21,840 per student is billed at the start of each academic year.
Tuition Fees (Per Year) Reception: HKD 148,800 Preparatory – Year 6: HKD 173,800 Years 7 – 10: HKD 200,500 Years 11 – 12 (HSC): HKD 210,400 Years 11 – 12 (IBDP): HKD 252,800
Fees may also be paid by term: three equal instalments (e.g., HKD 37,200 per term in Reception) or by 10 monthly Autopay instalments (February–November).
Additional Fees The school notes costs such as uniforms and optional activities are charged separately. No information on textbook or examination fees is publicly provided.
Transportation Fees AISHK operates a school bus service with multiple routes across Hong Kong. Fees are invoiced directly by the provider, and arrangements vary by route.
Sibling Discount A 10% discount is applied to the third child and any subsequent siblings, calculated from the youngest child upwards.
Refund Policy One full term’s written notice (three months) is required for withdrawals. Without sufficient notice, one term’s fees are charged. For mid-year withdrawals, the full year’s capital levy remains payable.
Payment Options Credit card: accepted only for the Application Fee. Bank transfer / Autopay: required for tuition, capital levy, and other school fees.
Fee details
Primary Years Programme (Years 1–5) The annual tuition fee for Year 1 is HK$181,200, payable in 10 installments.
Middle Years Programme (Years 6–10) Year 6 tuition fee is HK$200,700, payable in 10 installments. Year 7 tuition fee is HK$203,700, payable in 10 installments. Year 8 tuition fee is HK$203,700, payable in 10 installments. Year 9 tuition fee is HK$205,400, payable in 10 installments. Year 10 tuition fee is HK$205,400, payable in 10 installments.
Diploma Programme (Years 11–12) Year 11 tuition fee is HK$255,600, payable in 10 installments. Year 12 tuition fee is HK$255,600, payable in 9 installments.
Other Fees Refundable Capital Levy: A one-off payment required from all parents of newly admitted students (Years 1–11), unless holding a debenture.
Miscellaneous Fees: May include costs for field trips, online learning licenses, and learning materials.
CAS Trips: Fees apply for compulsory local or overseas Creativity, Activity, Service trips.
Technology Requirement: Students from Years 7 to 12 must purchase their own Apple MacBook through an authorised reseller or the school’s partnered vendor.
Refund Policy For the Capital Levy (the one-off payment by non-debenture holders), the Capital Levy Agreement states that if a parent withdraws the student before school starts or the student does not attend, no refund of the Capital Levy will be made.
Partial refunds are possible under certain conditions: after the student completes the first term, HK$30,000 of the Capital Levy is refunded; the remaining HK$30,000 is refunded either at graduation from secondary school or upon early withdrawal with at least 45 school days’ notice.
Payment Method The school does not have their payment method publicly available.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Australian International School Hong Kong (AISHK) follows the Australian curriculum from Reception through Year 10. Teaching is organised into subject areas based on the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) Key Learning Areas, covering English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Technology, Creative Arts, and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education. From Year 7 onwards, students also access a range of electives that prepare them for senior study. In Years 11 and 12, students may choose between two pathways: the New South Wales Higher School Certificate (HSC) or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Mandarin is taught daily in Primary, with Chinese and French offered as language pathways in Secondary, leading to HSC or IB qualifications. The school year follows the Australian academic calendar, beginning in late January and ending in mid-December.
Curriculum details
Victoria Shanghai Academy delivers a through‑train IB curriculum offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP).
In primary years (Years 1–5), the curriculum is inquiry‑based around six transdisciplinary themes (e.g. Who We Are, How the World Works, etc.). Teachers design units of inquiry that cross subject boundaries, integrating literacy, mathematics, science, social studies and expressive arts.
In secondary school, the MYP is organised around global contexts and concept‑based learning, with eight subject groups and “Approaches to Learning” that develop skills across disciplines. Students engage in inquiry, reflection, and connection of traditional subjects to real‑world contexts.
For IB Diploma (Years 11–12), VSA students take the full IB programme recognised by universities globally. The school also emphasises bilingualism: primary is bilingual in English and Putonghua; secondary instruction is primarily English complemented by a strong Chinese programme.
1. Application submission Families begin by completing the online application form on the AISHK website. Supporting documents include a copy of the child’s birth certificate, passport, visa documentation, school reports for the previous two years, and any specialist reports if relevant. Applications are accepted up to two years before entry. An Application Fee must be paid at this stage.
2. Application review The Admissions Office reviews submitted documents and may request additional information. Decisions at this stage are based on available places, school reports, and, if applicable, results of assessments. For Reception and Preparatory classes, the school also considers gender balance when allocating places. Priority is given to siblings, followed by Australian and New Zealand passport holders.
3. Assessment and interview Depending on year level and background, applicants may be required to sit an assessment or interview. Reception and Preparatory candidates participate in a play-based group assessment, while applicants from Years 1–11 complete written assessments aligned with the Australian curriculum. Students from non-English-speaking backgrounds may need to provide AEAS test results to demonstrate their English readiness.
4. Offer of place Successful applicants receive a formal Letter of Offer by email. To secure the place, families must pay the Reservation Deposit within the specified timeframe. The Reservation Deposit is credited to tuition upon commencement, subject to the school’s refund policy.
5. Confirmation and enrolment The Head of Primary or Head of Secondary formally approves the admission. At this stage, families are provided with joining information, orientation details, and school policies. Students then prepare to start in line with the Australian academic year (January–December).
Admissions
1. Online Application Submission Parents can apply through the VSA online application portal, uploading photo ID, birth certificate or passport, and previous two years’ academic reports of their children.
2. Payment of Application Fee A non‑refundable and non‑transferable application fee of HKD 2,000 is required upon submission to initiate the review process.
3. Document Verification and Review Applications with missing documents will be held pending complete submission. If documents are not submitted within one month, the application is considered withdrawn.
4. Assessment / Interview Candidates undergo assessments (e.g. for English, mathematics) and possibly interviews depending on the grade level applied for.
5. Admission Results Notification The school shares results within about one month after the assessment, or after interview. Accepted, waitlist, or declining outcomes are communicated.
6. Enrollment Procedures Once accepted, families complete enrollment formalities (sign contracts, pay fees) within the deadlines specified in the offer letter.
Scholarships
Scholarships
AISHK offers Academic Scholarships for senior students. These are competitive and based on demonstrated academic excellence, with details provided directly by the Admissions Office. Families interested in scholarships are encouraged to contact the school for eligibility requirements and application timelines. The website confirms availability but does not publish specific award amounts or duration.
Scholarships
VSA has a scholarship programme for both internal and external students. These scholarships cover categories including academic excellence, leadership, performance, and improvement.
Waitlist
Waitlist
AISHK operates a date-based waitlist when year groups are full. Priority on the list is given to siblings of current students, followed by Australian and New Zealand passport holders, and then students of other nationalities. For Reception and Preparatory, the school also considers gender balance to ensure even class composition. Applications may be renewed annually with an Application Renewal Fee (HKD 500).
