BEPS International School vs ISF Waterloo International School
BEPS International School and ISF Waterloo International School are both in Brussels, about 9 km apart. Both schools offer IPC programmes. BEPS International School also offers IB and IEYC, and ISF Waterloo International School also offers Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge A Levels. Published annual fees are €20,300 - 36,590 at BEPS International School and €14,020 - 23,980 at ISF Waterloo International School, which puts BEPS International School roughly 50% higher. BEPS International School takes pupils from 2 to 18, and ISF Waterloo International School from 0 to 18.
IB (MYP), IB (DP), IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum)
Curriculum
IPC (International Primary Curriculum), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils
Pupils
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Pupils
220
Typical class size
Typical class size
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Typical class size
18
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1972
Opened
—
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Brussels, Belgium. BEPS International School is located at 21-23 Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, 1050 Brussels, near the Bois de la Cambre and the University (ULB).
Location
ISF Waterloo International School is located on the border of Sint-Genesius-Rode (Flanders) and Waterloo (Walloon Region) in Brussels' southern suburbs. The campus comprises five buildings, two large playgrounds with distinct play zones for different age groups, and two car parks. The buildings are named after significant people or places in the Battle of Waterloo.
Stages
Stages
Early Years, Primary school, Secondary school.
Stages
The school has Early Years (Oranje House) for 2.5–4-year-olds, Primary School (Papelotte Wing) for Year 1–3 (4–6 years old) with Year 5–6 classrooms on the first floor, and Secondary School in the Buonaparte Centre. Blucher House houses the Media & Learning Centre and the Library, with English Language support and access to an Occupational Therapist.
School type
School type
International day school
School type
The school is an international day school with Early Years, Primary School and Secondary School provision, and on-site ISF International Daycare.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
300+ students; 50+ nationalities represented.
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
EAL (English as an Additional Language) is available to help students learn English.
Additional learning support
The school provides English Language support (EAL). The Social Counsellor's office and an Occupational Therapist are available on site.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
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Country affiliation
Belgium
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
—
School day structure
School day structure
Early Years & Primary: arrival from 08:30, class by 09:00, end at 15:30 (12:30 on Wednesday); After-school clubs end at 16:45 (13:45 on Wednesday); Garderie ends at 18:00 (15:00 on Wednesday). Secondary: arrival 08:30–08:50, class by 08:50, end at 15:40 (12:30 on Wednesday for MYP; 13:00 for DP/CP).
School day structure
School hours are 9:00–15:30 for Primary (9:00–12:30 on Wednesdays) and 8:55–15:45 for Middle & High. Breaks are 10:30–11:00 and 11:30–12:15; lunch is 12:30–13:30 or 13:50–14:05. Before and after school care runs 7:45–8:45 and 15:45–17:30, with Wednesday Primary care 12:30–17:30.
Bus service details
Bus service details
Bus service is provided in collaboration with Kids Ride.
Bus service details
ISF Waterloo offers a bus service with three minibuses (one 19+1 seater and two 8+1 seaters). The tariff is distance-based: under 7 km €3,300; 7–15 km €3,500; 15–25 km €4,000, with a 10% reduction for one-way contracts; routes include Waterloo, Rhode-St-Genese, and Brussels area.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Annual tuition fees by year group (amounts per academic year) - Early Years (Early Years 1–3): EUR 20,300. - Lower Primary (Year 1–Year 2): EUR 27,660. - Upper Primary (Year 3–Year 6): EUR 30,380. - Secondary MYP1–MYP3: EUR 33,585. - Secondary MYP4–MYP5: EUR 34,295. - Secondary IB DP1 & DP2 and IB CP1 & CP2: EUR 36,590.
One-time application / enrolment fees (due upon application) - Registration fee: EUR 600 (applies to both Early Years/Primary and Secondary). - School Development Fund: EUR 600 (applies to both Early Years/Primary and Secondary). - Refundable deposit: EUR 800 for Early Years & Primary; EUR 1,000 for Secondary.
Pro‑rated fees for mid‑year starters - The school publishes pro‑rated amounts for students who start after set dates; the published pro‑rated amounts are shown by cohort for starts after 1 January, 1 March and 1 May: - Early Years: EUR 13,195 (start after 1 Jan); EUR 9,135 (after 1 Mar); EUR 4,465 (after 1 May). - Lower Primary: EUR 17,980 (after 1 Jan); EUR 12,445 (after 1 Mar); EUR 6,085 (after 1 May). - Upper Primary: EUR 19,745 (after 1 Jan); EUR 13,670 (after 1 Mar); EUR 6,685 (after 1 May). - Secondary MYP1–MYP3: EUR 21,830 (after 1 Jan); EUR 15,115 (after 1 Mar); EUR 7,390 (after 1 May). - Secondary MYP4–MYP5: EUR 22,290 (after 1 Jan); EUR 15,435 (after 1 Mar); EUR 7,545 (after 1 May). - Secondary IB DP1/DP2 & CP1/CP2: EUR 23,785 (after 1 Jan); EUR 16,465 (after 1 Mar); EUR 8,050 (after 1 May).
Billing schedule and payment terms - Invoices are payable in EUR to the school's bank account. Bank transfer details published by the school are: CBC Bank, IBAN: BE16 7320 5508 8674, SWIFT: CREGBEBB. Bank charges are the payer's responsibility. Cash payments are not accepted. - One‑time application/enrolment fees are due upon application. The refundable deposit is collected at enrolment.
Refunds and early‑withdrawal rules - The refundable deposit is collected at enrolment (EUR 800 / EUR 1,000 as noted above). - Reduction on the full year tuition for students leaving school: if a student leaves between 1 September and 31 January a 25% reduction on the full year tuition is applied; after 31 January there is no reduction (0%).
Boarding fees - The published fee schedule lists day‑school charges and optional day services (hot lunch, bus, after‑school clubs, garderie). No boarding fees or boarding provision are published.
Other costs and optional extras - Optional services not included in the annual tuition: external hot lunch/caterer, school bus service. - Early Years & Primary optional extras: after‑school clubs and garderie (not included in tuition). - Secondary additional costs not included in the tuition may include: optional MYP assessment fees (where applicable), subject‑specific personal educational materials (e.g., graphing calculators, project art supplies, personal novels), compulsory IB DP2 and CP2 assessment fees, and the IB CP1 compulsory Global Summer Programme in Switzerland (approx. CHF 2,500, excluding flights and visas). - Upon arrival each child receives a PE kit; additional uniform or clothing costs (beyond the supplied kit) are not itemized in the published schedule.
Fee payment methods - The published payment method is bank transfer in EUR to the school's IBAN; bank charges are the payer's responsibility. Cash payments are not accepted. No published reference to credit card payments or other electronic payment methods appears in the published fee information.
Administrative notes (concise) - One‑time application/enrolment charges are payable at application; the annual tuition figures above are the standard published annual tuition amounts by cohort. Refund adjustments for mid‑year leaving are applied as reductions on the full year tuition as shown above. The refundable deposit is collected at enrolment.
Summary of coverage and missing items - Published material provides full annual tuition amounts by year group, one‑time application and deposit amounts, pro‑rated figures for mid‑year starts, the bank account for payment (IBAN/SWIFT), a statement that cash is not accepted and a published early‑withdrawal reduction schedule. The published material does not list explicit standard per‑term invoice amounts or a published multi‑instalment billing schedule; those details are addressed in the school's payment condition documents and pro‑rata table but a standard per‑term instalment breakdown is not published in the fee schedule.
Fee details
Application / Registration Fees
- Registration (one-off): EUR 750. The registration fee is payable on submission of the application and is non-refundable except when a waiting list is in operation and the school subsequently refuses a place for the requested start date. - School Development Fund (one-off per family): EUR 1,000. This one-off fee is invoiced with the first instalment of the school fees and is payable before the student starts.
Tuition fees by year group (Personal tariff, academic year 2025/26 published amounts; annual and per-term equivalents shown)
Notes on per-term equivalents: the amounts shown as “per term” are the published annual tuition divided into three equal instalments for convenience (the school calendar and communications reference three terms per year). The per-term figures below are calculated by dividing the annual fee by three.
- Kindergarten 1 (age 3) - Annual: EUR 14,020. - Per term (annual ÷ 3 — calculated): EUR 4,673.33.
- Kindergarten 2 (age 4) and Kindergarten 3 / Grade 1 (ages 4–6) - Annual: EUR 19,430. - Per term (calculated): EUR 6,476.67.
- Grade 2 – Grade 5 (approx. Years 2–6) - Annual: EUR 20,820. - Per term (calculated): EUR 6,940.00.
- IGCSE (upper middle years / Years 10) - Annual: EUR 23,600. - Per term (calculated): EUR 7,866.67.
- A‑Levels / Year 11–12 (senior secondary / Years 11–12) - Annual: EUR 23,980. - Per term (calculated): EUR 7,993.33.
Corporate tariff (where employer or corporate sponsor pays)
- The school publishes a separate corporate tariff (higher than the personal tariff). Example corporate annual rates published for 2025/26 include: Pre‑School and lower years shown at higher corporate rates (examples: Pre‑School corporate approx. EUR 18,980; various primary/secondary corporate rates range from approx. EUR 26,825 up to EUR 32,750 for A‑levels). These corporate rates are applied when an employer/corporate sponsor signs the corporate commitment.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Fees are invoiced in advance in line with the school's annual financial schedule and contractual General Conditions. The school requires payment in accordance with the invoice and the General Conditions. The school may adjust published fees with 30 days' written notice. - Contract termination / withdrawal and reductions: a parent or corporate sponsor may terminate the school‑fees contract during the school year by giving 30 days' written notice. Reduction to the annual fees on withdrawal is specified as follows: withdrawal between 1 September and 31 January results in a 25% reduction to the full‑year fees; withdrawal after 31 January provides no reduction. - Overdue payments: administrative reminder charges and interest apply to overdue invoice balances. The General Conditions specify an administrative charge per reminder (example: EUR 125 per reminder) and an interest charge on overdue balances (example: 1% per month). - Per‑term presentation: per‑term figures above are shown as equal thirds of the annual tuition for practical use; the school calendar and communications reference three school terms. Parents should note that actual invoice instalments, invoice dates and due dates are set on the school invoice/financial schedule.
Boarding
- Boarding is not applicable; ISF Waterloo operates as a day school.
Other regular costs and optional extras
- Bus service (annual, optional): daily round‑trip bus tariffs are charged per passenger and depend on distance. Current published annual bus tariff bands are: under 7 km EUR 3,300; 7–15 km EUR 3,500; 15–25 km EUR 4,000. One‑way contracts receive a 10% reduction on the tariff. - Before‑ and after‑school care (garderie): a fee structure is applied for morning and afternoon care; the detailed fee structure is handled by the school office (garderie sessions are available at set morning/afternoon times). Lunch ordering from the caterer is available for an extra charge (meals are halal/non‑pork with vegetarian options). - School wear / uniform: ISF Waterloo does not require a formal school uniform. The school provides an ISF Waterloo T‑shirt for sports; additional logoed items (polo shirts, sweatshirts, fleeces) are available for purchase at extra cost. - Extra curricular activities, trips and exam fees: many day trips and certain in‑school items are included in the annual fee for specific year groups, while some external trips, examination fees (IGCSE/A‑levels where applicable) or specific optional activities may carry additional charges invoiced separately.
Sibling discount
- A 10% sibling reduction on the tuition component is applied to the second child and any subsequent child under the Personal tariff.
Refund information
- Registration fee: non‑refundable except where a place is refused while the application is on a waiting list. - School Development Fund: invoiced with the first instalment and payable before starting; the General Conditions indicate it is a once‑only fee due on first enrolment. - Withdrawal refunds / reductions: termination requires 30 days' written notice; reduction to annual fees on withdrawal is 25% if withdrawal occurs between 1 September and 31 January, and 0% after 31 January.
Fee payment options (how families are asked to pay)
- The ISF group operates invoicing and bank‑payment procedures; ISF campus communications and ISF‑linked daycare pages describe payments made by bank transfer and invoicing arrangements. Families are routinely invoiced and bank transfer is used for payments to ISF entities (daycare enrolment pages show bank‑transfer payment for registration and monthly invoicing arrangements). Parents will receive formal invoices and the school's financial documentation states payment terms, due dates and any applicable bank/account details on those invoices.
Summary (key points for parents)
- One‑off fees on first enrolment: Registration EUR 750 (non‑refundable except in waiting‑list refusal) and School Development Fund EUR 1,000 (due with first instalment). - Annual tuition varies by year group (listed above); per‑term equivalents are shown as equal thirds of the annual fee for convenience. - Optional extras with separate charges: bus service, hot lunches, some trips, optional extra‑curricular items and logoed school wear. - Withdrawal and refund rules, and late‑payment charges, are specified in the school's General Conditions (30 days' notice to terminate; specified reductions on withdrawal; reminder/admin and interest charges on overdue accounts).
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
BEPS offers Early Years, Primary and Secondary education. The Secondary School follows the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) with eight subject areas: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical and Health Education, and Design. English is the language of instruction and BEPS provides English Language Acquisition (EAL) to support students with limited English, including a six-week EAL 'Survival English' period and an EAL 'Fun Club'. The French Language Acquisition Programme develops the ability to communicate across languages and cultures within the MYP. BEPS emphasizes an inquiry‑based learning approach consistent with IB practices. Class sizes are small, with a maximum of 18 students per class.
Curriculum details
The Primary School uses the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) with six IPC units each year. English is the language of instruction, with French taught as a second language. The UK national literacy and numeracy curriculum is used alongside IPC. Cambridge Secondary Checkpoint is part of the Cambridge framework used in the school. The Secondary School follows Cambridge International systems for IGCSE and A-Level, with subject offerings including English, Mathematics, Global Perspectives, Business, French, Geography, History, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
Small classes with up to 18 students per class; BEPS provides EAL and Learning Support to tailor instruction to individual needs.
Student teacher ratio
Max 18 students per class.
Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
BEPS provides University & Career Counselling to guide students through the university process, including university applications, course selection, letters of recommendations and mock interviews, and to assist with internships and work experiences.
Higher education progression
Cambridge International A-Level certificates are widely accepted by universities worldwide. In the USA and Canada, good grades in Cambridge AS and A-Levels can result in university credit. Cambridge qualifications are recognized by universities in over 50 countries.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
Academic Scholarships are available: 4-year scholarships to complete Secondary and Pre-University Education worth up to 75% of annual fees, excluding Cambridge exam fees.
Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
The school invites prospective families to arrange a private tour of BEPS and learn more about enrolment.
Admissions
ISF Waterloo is a non-selective mainstream school. Families expressing an interest are invited to visit the school and have an interview with the Head of School, Mrs Belinda Yates. If the Waiting List Policy is in operation for that particular class, the school will advise you immediately and explain the implications. Before enrolment the school requires a transcript from the current school and copies of the most recent school report. After enrolment and before the first day the school requires a completed medical form. To enrol, parents must download and submit an application form and pay the Registration Fee. The one-off School Development Fund fee is invoiced at the same time as the first year's School Fees and is payable before commencing. Read the General Conditions document which states the contractual basis of admission and continuing enrolment at ISF Waterloo. For information on the Admissions Policy, refer to the Admissions Policy document.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The Financial Aid Programme supports enrolment of students who otherwise would not be able to attend BEPS due to financial reasons. It is limited to Secondary School and grants cover a percentage of the annual tuition fee; the aid budget is reviewed annually and is not guaranteed for all eligible applicants. For details, contact s.ortmans@beps.com.
Scholarships
The ISF Academic Scholarship Program is open to external students for two programmes: 14 to 15 year olds entering Year 1 of IGCSE 1 (Belgian Secondary Class 3 / UK Year 10) with 4-year scholarships up to 75% of annual fees (excluding Cambridge exam fees); 16 to 17 year olds entering Year 1 of Cambridge International A Levels with 2-year scholarships up to 75% of annual fees (excluding Cambridge exam fees). Scholarships are awarded based on the scholarship application (including personal statement), the past two years of school reports, the ISF scholarship exams, and an interview with the ISF panel. English is the language of instruction and assessment, so applicants must meet English language requirements to be eligible for a scholarship place. Process for applying includes: 1) complete and submit an ISF General Application Form for admission as well as a scholarship application form and provide the past two years of school reports; 2) successful submissions receive an invitation to a testing day; 3) within one week of the examination, the top-scoring 30% of IGCSE and A Level students are invited for an interview; 4) successful candidates receive a written offer including the scholarship value (50-75% reduced fee); 5) on acceptance, sign the letter and pay the registration fee; 6) student visas are the responsibility of the parents where applicable. Scholarships include: tuition fees (as stated in the letter of offer) and a waiver of the School Development Fund; Scholarships do not cover: Registration Fee (750 euro) and residential school trips; Scholarships could be withdrawn for non-payment, more than 10% non-attendance, poor behaviour as stated in ISF's behaviour policy, or significant drop in academic performance (evaluated annually).
Waitlist
Waitlist
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Waitlist
Waiting List Policy may be in operation for a class; the school will advise immediately and explain the implications.