Brave Generation Academy - Algarve vs Vilamoura International School
Brave Generation Academy - Algarve and Vilamoura International School are both in Algarve, about 46 km apart. Both schools offer British programmes. Brave Generation Academy - Algarve also offers American and Bespoke, and Vilamoura International School also offers IB. Published annual fees are €6,600 - 10,640 at Brave Generation Academy - Algarve and €5,950 - 13,950 at Vilamoura International School, which puts Vilamoura International School roughly 15% higher. Brave Generation Academy - Algarve takes pupils from 12 to 18, and Vilamoura International School from 3 to 18.
American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, British Curriculum
Curriculum
IB (DP), British Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
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Pupils
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Typical class size
Typical class size
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Typical class size
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Instruction language
Instruction language
English, Portuguese
Instruction language
Portuguese, English
Opened
Opened
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Opened
1984
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Algarve region, Portugal: hubs in Lagoa, Lagos (1 & 2), Loulé, Tavira, and Vila Sol.
Location
Vilamoura International School is located in Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal, at APT 856, 8125-911 Vilamoura. It sits in the coastal resort town of Vilamoura in the Algarve region. It runs a daily school bus service with routes including Loulé/Almancil, Olhão/Faro, Vilamoura, Albufeira, and Messines.
Stages
Stages
Secondary Education; Higher Education
Stages
Preschool to Secondary School; two pathways from ages 3 to 18: Portuguese Studies following the Portuguese national curriculum, and English Studies following an adapted British international curriculum. The English pathway covers Primary, Cambridge International Lower Secondary and IGCSE, and culminates in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in Grades 11 and 12.
School type
School type
Hybrid online and in-person international school offering British (IGCSEs and A-Levels), American, and Portuguese+ curricula
School type
Private international school; part of the Inspired Education network.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
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Additional learning support
English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided through a structured programme for students with little or no English exposure.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Portugal
Country affiliation
Portugal. Portuguese Studies pathway follows the Portuguese national curriculum.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
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School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
A daily school bus service is offered with routes including Loulé/Almancil, Olhão/Faro, Vilamoura, Albufeira, and Messines. Buses depart at 5:00 pm, with an assistant accompanying kindergarten and primary pupils. The service operates throughout the school year.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
One‑time / Admissions fees - Admissions fee (British International Curriculum, American Core Curriculum or Own Curriculum): EUR 1,450 payable prior to enrolment. - Admissions fee (Portuguese Curriculum / Portuguese+): EUR 950 payable prior to enrolment.
Tuition fees (by curriculum) — monthly and annual values - British International Curriculum: EUR 595 per month (12 monthly instalments). Annual total (12 months): EUR 7,140. - American Core Curriculum: EUR 845 per month (12 monthly instalments). Annual total (12 months): EUR 10,140. Note: Advanced Placement (AP) courses incur an additional cost of EUR 650 per AP course. - Portuguese Curriculum (Portuguese+): EUR 595 per month (12 monthly instalments). Annual total (12 months): EUR 7,140. - Own Curriculum (Hub Attendance Fee): EUR 550 per month (12 monthly instalments). Annual total (12 months): EUR 6,600. This option provides Hub access and Learning Coach support for learners using an external curriculum.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard billing schedule: fees are structured as 12 monthly payments (paid monthly across the year). Paying 12 months upfront is offered as an alternative. - Annual registration renewal fee: EUR 500, payable after the completion of the learner's first 12 months and then annually thereafter. - Discounts affecting payment amounts: - Second child: 5% off the total monthly fee. - Third child: 7.5% off the total monthly fee. - Upfront annual payment discount: 3% discount on the total yearly fee when paying 12 months upfront. - Additional academic charges: AP courses (where taken) carry an extra fee of EUR 650 per AP course (American curriculum).
Boarding / accommodation fees (if applicable) - For standard secondary (hybrid Hub + online) provision in Portugal there is no separate boarding fee listed for the Hub model; the model is delivered through local Hubs and online study. Hubs are local co‑learning spaces rather than residential boarding. - For higher‑education Unique Pathway (UP / UPx) programmes there are fee options that explicitly include accommodation and food; for example, UPx Portugal option showing a fee that includes accommodation. Where accommodation is included the published monthly fee differs from the non‑accommodation option; level entrance fees for UP/UPx apply separately. Details and exact accommodation‑inclusive fee options are published with the UP/UPx programme fee pages.
Other costs and incidental fees - Registration renewal (annual): EUR 500 (see above). - Unique Pathway / UP programme: level entrance fees are charged when entering a new academic level (example: EUR 1,350 for certain UP levels; some level fees are specified as non‑refundable). These are separate from the monthly tuition instalments. - Materials, software and Hub access: access to the learning platform and Hub facilities are described as included within the tuition fee. Any additional exam fees, exam centre charges, external qualification fees or specific course materials beyond the base offering (for example AP exam fees, external university fees for UP level 6) are billed separately where applicable.
Refund information (where stated) - Unique Pathway / UP / UPx programme level entrance fees: specified level entrance fees are described as non‑refundable when that condition is stated on the relevant programme page. - BGA Online admission (regional Online programme pages) shows the one‑time admission fee described as non‑refundable on the Online fee pages for those regions; non‑refundability is explicitly stated on those Online programme fee pages where noted.
Fee payment options and how payments are arranged - Billing formats offered: monthly instalments (12 monthly payments) or an upfront annual payment (12 months paid in advance). Upfront annual payment attracts a 3% discount. - Practical arrangements for accepting specific payment methods (for example: card, direct bank transfer, direct debit/standing order or invoice) are managed during admissions and invoicing; families receive fee and payment details as part of the enrolment/quote and invoicing process. Contact details for admissions and billing are provided by the school for payment setup.
Quick summary (key numeric items) - Admissions fee (British/American/Own): EUR 1,450. - Admissions fee (Portuguese+): EUR 950. - Tuition (British or Portuguese+): EUR 595 per month → EUR 7,140 per year. - Tuition (American Core): EUR 845 per month → EUR 10,140 per year; AP courses +EUR 650 per course. - Own Curriculum (Hub Attendance): EUR 550 per month → EUR 6,600 per year. - Registration renewal (annual after 12 months): EUR 500.
(Amounts and structural details above reflect the published fee schedule for BGA Portugal and the related programme pages for UP/UPx and Online offerings.)
Fee details
Application / Registration fees - Registration (enrolment) fee (non-refundable): €400 for new enrolments. - Re-enrolment (annual re-enrolment) fee (non-refundable): €250.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition invoicing and payment options: tuition may be invoiced and paid annually, termly (September, January and April) or monthly across the academic year. Nursery/Reception monthly tuition is invoiced in 11 instalments; all other education levels monthly instalments are invoiced in 10 instalments. Termly and monthly payment options are subject to a 3% administrative fee. Invoices are issued by the 5th business day of the month in which they are due (other charges separately by the 10th business day). Invoices overdue by more than 30 days incur interest of 5% on the amount due.
Security / deposit & discounts - Families with more than one child enrolled receive a siblings discount on the youngest child: 2nd child 10%, 3rd child 15%, 4th child and subsequent 20%. - Where applicable the school requires the activation of payment guarantees; specific security or deposit terms (for example pre-authorised card authorisations or deposits) and applicability to fiscal residents are stated in the fees documentation and associated conditions.
Boarding - The school operates as a day school; boarding facilities / boarding fees are not applicable.
Other costs and regularly billed extras - Mandatory / annual charges and digital services: - Mobile Device Management (MDM): €20 (applicable to Pre‑1 / 1st Year). - Global Study Platform / Inspired AI / Inspired Metaverse: €50 (Grades 4–5) and €100 (Grades 6–12). - Examination fees: - IGCSE exam fees (Grade 10): €160 per subject (invoiced annually in April where applicable). - IB exam fees (Grade 12): €900 (fee for the cohort/subjects as indicated). - Transport (termly billing; invoiced Nov, Jan, Apr): transport is offered by zone with termly and occasional per‑trip charges. Example zone charges (round‑trip / one‑way / occasional per trip) listed include: Vilamoura Zone: €455 / €273 / €7; Vila Sol Zone: €515 / €309 / €8; other zones range from ~€545 to €740 (round‑trip) with occasional per‑trip prices €9–€12 depending on zone. Transport requires an annual subscription and routes may be subject to minimum numbers. - School meals and food service: - Lunch and snack services are optional. Daily occasional user fees vary by year group (occasional daily rates printed range from €5 to €12 depending on year group); regular user subscriptions are invoiced by period / term. The school notes that daily prices include lunch and afternoon snacks for the relevant year groups. - Other charges (examples as invoiced when applicable): student replacement card €7; translation of documents €0.10/word; additional family yearbook one‑off €25; iPad acquisition (Apple iPad Air 11'' Wi‑Fi 128GB with accessories and one year insurance) and iPad rental options (rental termly fees and purchase one‑off fees listed). Charges for extracurricular activities, study support, wellbeing individual support and school trips are listed and invoiced as specified (termly, monthly or when incurred).
Refunds and cancellations - Registration / enrolment fees are non‑refundable. Certain enrolment periods (for example specified August enrolment windows) are non‑refundable when noted. Extracurricular activity enrolments require a full‑term commitment; if a student withdraws mid‑term the full term fee for that activity is charged unless the activity is cancelled or does not meet minimum enrolment requirements. Taxes / VAT are included in the fees where applicable.
Fee payment methods - Invoices can be paid by the ATM reference shown on each invoice, by direct debit, by education tickets, by bank transfer or by cash. Cash payments carry a monthly cash limit of €2,000 and an associated service fee of €50 per payment. Direct debit payments are debited by the 12th of each month; failed direct debit attempts will be requested via ATM reference or bank transfer. Specific payment instructions and ATM reference details appear on each invoice. Overdue invoices incur interest as noted above.
(End of fees overview.)
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
BGA Portugal offers secondary education with British (IGCSEs and A-Levels), American, or Portuguese+ curricula. The learning model is hybrid, combining online study with in-person Hubs guided by Learning Coaches. The curricula are accredited and internationally recognized. The Portuguese+ curriculum uses Portuguese materials and assessments, includes Exames Nacionais preparation, and meets direct-entry requirements for Portuguese universities while enabling access to institutions worldwide, delivered in English-speaking Hubs. Higher Education is provided through Unique Pathway Degree Programmes in fields such as Business Management, Computing Science, Hospitality, and Sports, offering a university diploma and practical skills.
Curriculum details
Two academic pathways for students aged 3 to 18: Portuguese Studies following the Portuguese national curriculum, and English Studies following an adapted British international curriculum. The English Studies pathway uses the British National Curriculum in Primary, Cambridge International Lower Secondary and IGCSE, culminating in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in Grades 11–12. The Portuguese Studies pathway includes national examinations in Grades 9 and 12. The school is a Cambridge International Examination and Alliance Française centre. Multilingualism is promoted through early language learning in Portuguese, English and French, with opportunities to study Spanish, German and Russian as extracurricular activities. English-exposure students receive English as an Additional Language (EAL) support to help integrate into the curriculum. The school is part of Inspired Education Group.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Unique Pathway Degree Programmes offer fast, flexible degree options in Business Management, Computing Science, Hospitality, Sports, and more. Learners gain a university diploma and practical skills from anywhere, supporting progression to universities worldwide.
Higher education progression
IB Diploma Programme provides access to universities in Portugal and worldwide.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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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
Watch Our Overview Video to understand BGA's learning model and pathways. Book a Call or Meeting with our Admissions Team to learn more and schedule a trial day if desired. Schedule a Trial Day to visit a BGA Hub and meet Learning Coaches. Fill Out the Application Form (approximately 10 minutes); after submission you'll receive an email with a summary of the Admissions Process and Next Steps, a link to a detailed Admissions Guide (curriculum breakdown, fees, FAQs), and a link to book the onboarding meeting. Attend an Onboarding Meeting with our Educational team and Learning Coaches to review the Learner's academic history, determine the academic level they will be placed at, discuss their learning pathway in more detail, and address any questions. Complete Full Enrolment: contracts and invoices are issued, and after signing and payment, official enrolment confirmation is issued. Get Ready for Day One: instructions are provided so the Learner can start their journey with confidence.
Admissions
1. Submit an Enquiry & Visit the School. Parents complete the enquiry form to start the application process and come for a meeting with the Educational Board at the school. This meeting provides an opportunity to learn more about the school's values, educational programme, curriculum options, and internal procedures. This initial contact helps align expectations. 2. Student Meeting & Assessment. A meeting will be scheduled for students and parents with the Heads of Department. At this stage, previous school reports should be submitted. The meeting assesses fit with the programme and discusses the student's needs and strengths. 3. Admission Decision. Admission decisions are communicated to parents by the Admissions Officer. If the application is successful, you will be provided with further enrollment instructions. The admissions process helps determine whether the student aligns with CIV's programmes and enables planning for next steps. After receiving the admissions offer, submit the following documents to complete enrolment: identification for the student and parents/guardians, up-to-date vaccination records and a medical certificate, the most recent school evaluation report (if applicable), and any residence visas or passports as required.
