Britannica International School vs Yew Chung International School of Shanghai

	B Britannica International School Shanghai, China	Y Yew Chung International School of Shanghai Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 252,300 - 356,700	Fees / year RMB 243,900 - 362,700
Age range	Age range 1½ - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE	Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 2,400
Typical class size	Typical class size 10	Typical class size 25
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 2013	Opened 1993
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Britannica International School is in Gubei (Puxi), at 1988 Gubei Road near Wuzhong Road — a centrally located site about 10 minutes from Xujiahui CBD and roughly 15 minutes from the former French Concession. The school is inside the city (easy for downtown accommodation) and is served by multiple school-bus routes and short commute times.	Location YCIS Shanghai operates five day-school campuses across Puxi and Pudong (examples: Gubei/Puxi and Century Park/Pudong). Campuses sit in established residential and expat neighbourhoods with access to major roads and public transport; exact campus addresses and maps are on the school site. For admissions or visits parents usually select the campus that matches their child's year group.
Stages	Stages The school covers Early Years through Sixth Form: Early Years (18 months–5 years), Primary (Key Stage 1: ages 5–7; Key Stage 2: 7–11) and Secondary (Key Stage 3: 11–13; Key Stage 4 / IGCSE: 14–16; Sixth Form / A-Level: 16–18).	Stages The school provides Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary education for students aged about 2–18 (K2–Year 13). Campuses are organised so different sites serve particular age ranges (ECE, Primary, Secondary).
School type	School type Britannica is a British international day school delivering the English National Curriculum; students are educated together (co-educational). The school's materials and handbooks describe a day-school model (no boarding provision is listed on the school website).	School type YCIS Shanghai is a co‑educational international day school that follows a bilingual co‑teaching model (English and Mandarin) in its early years and primary classes. The school does not advertise boarding provision—its campuses operate as day campuses.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school runs a dedicated English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme and reports specialist EAL teachers and withdrawal sessions where needed. For additional learning needs the Primary handbook describes an inclusive approach: pupils are supported in mainstream classes by qualified teachers and teaching assistants and, where necessary, follow individualised programmes. Pastoral care and regular assessment are used to identify and plan support.	Additional learning support The school has a Learning Support function (EAL/SEN) that provides in‑class and withdrawal support, helps develop IEPs and administers assessments; specialist staff are listed in recruitment and student‑support materials. Admissions and placement for students with more significant needs are handled case‑by‑case and the school notes limits on the level of specialist provision available on campus.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school is British in curriculum and ownership: it delivers the English National Curriculum, prepares students for IGCSE and A Level, and states it is British‑owned and British‑managed.	Country affiliation YCIS Shanghai is part of the Yew Chung Yew Wah (YCYW) education network; the Shanghai campus opened in 1993 as the network's mainland China campus.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is listed on the school's public pages; the school presents itself as a secular British international school.	Religious affiliation The school does not present a formal religious affiliation on its public overview pages; its materials focus on bilingual, cultural and character education rather than a particular faith.
School day structure	School day structure The published school hours list the day school as 08:20–15:00 with After School Activities 15:00–16:00; the FAQs note buses start arriving from about 08:00, a registration period around 08:20, and formal lessons beginning at 08:40, with a morning break and lunch.	School day structure Daily start/end times and break/lunch arrangements vary by campus and year group; the school publishes campus‑specific school calendars and timetables (see the School Calendar / Year Overview pages for each campus). Parents relocating should check the relevant campus calendar for precise daily hours.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school operates a comprehensive door‑to‑door bus service with many routes across the city; routes and pick‑up/drop‑off times are updated as families join. Buses meet local safety regulations, and each bus is supervised by a bilingual bus monitor who is also a school teaching assistant; the service is optional and charged separately. Specific route stop lists are published on the school site.	Bus service details YCIS offers an optional school bus service with multiple routes serving its campuses; routes, pick‑up/drop‑off points (commonly at compound gates) and fees vary by campus and year. Families can apply for bus service each year and should contact admissions or school services for the current routes, schedules and fees.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Tuition fees (Academic Year 2025–26) - Pre-Nursery: Autumn RMB 100,900 • Spring RMB 75,700 • Summer RMB 75,700 • Total (3 instalments) RMB 252,300 • Paid in full (by 1 Aug, 3% discount) RMB 244,700. - Nursery: Autumn RMB 105,700 • Spring RMB 79,300 • Summer RMB 79,300 • Total RMB 264,300 • Paid in full RMB 256,400. - Reception: Autumn RMB 112,700 • Spring RMB 84,600 • Summer RMB 84,600 • Total RMB 281,900 • Paid in full RMB 273,500. - Year 1–2: Autumn RMB 124,000 • Spring RMB 93,200 • Summer RMB 93,200 • Total RMB 310,400 • Paid in full RMB 301,100. - Year 3–4: Autumn RMB 124,000 • Spring RMB 93,200 • Summer RMB 93,200 • Total RMB 310,400 • Paid in full RMB 301,100. - Year 5–6: Autumn RMB 127,600 • Spring RMB 95,800 • Summer RMB 95,800 • Total RMB 319,200 • Paid in full RMB 309,700. - Year 7–9: Autumn RMB 135,700 • Spring RMB 101,800 • Summer RMB 101,800 • Total RMB 339,300 • Paid in full RMB 329,100. - Year 10–11: Autumn RMB 139,100 • Spring RMB 104,400 • Summer RMB 104,400 • Total RMB 347,900 • Paid in full RMB 337,500. - Year 12–13: Autumn RMB 142,700 • Spring RMB 107,000 • Summer RMB 107,000 • Total RMB 356,700 • Paid in full RMB 346,000. Application, registration and deposit - Registration fee (non‑refundable on acceptance): RMB 2,500. - Enrolment deposit payable on acceptance: RMB 20,000. The RMB 20,000 deposit is credited against the next term's tuition; a place is not guaranteed until the deposit is paid. Billing schedule and payment terms - Autumn term and annual fees are due by 1 August. Parents may pay termly in advance or pay the full annual fee by 1 August to receive a 3% discount. - Overdue fees may incur a 2% monthly surcharge, compounded monthly. - If fees are unpaid, the school may withhold attendance and may reallocate the place at latest two weeks before term starts. Boarding fees - No boarding fees are listed. There is no boarding provision indicated in the school fee schedule. Other costs and optional charges - School uniform and PE kit: required and sold at the uniform shop (costs borne by parents). - School lunch (mandatory): RMB 31 per meal and RMB 4 per snack; invoiced by the school caterer and paid directly to the caterer. - School bus (optional): RMB 160 per day — payable termly or annually. - EAL or additional learning support: charged separately as required (dependent on individual needs). - Tuition for Year 10 and above includes public examination entrance fees. Refunds and withdrawal - Before 18 May: full refund. - Before 1 July: tuition refund less the RMB 20,000 deposit. - After 1 July: six weeks' tuition fee from the Autumn term payment is payable (no full refund). - Leaving mid‑year: six weeks' notice is required or six weeks' fees payable in lieu of notice. - Mid‑year refund calculations are based on the standard fee (early‑payment discount not considered). Sibling discounts - Second child: 5% discount; Third child: 5% discount. Payment methods and bank details - Payment is accepted in RMB or USD at the prevailing exchange rate. Parents are responsible for all overseas transfer charges and should ensure the pupil's name is quoted on transfer details. - RMB and USD bank account details and beneficiary/SWIFT information are provided by the school's finance office (see the school fee schedule for the account and SWIFT fields).	Fee details Application fees & registration deposit - Application fee: RMB 3,000 (one‑time, non‑refundable). - Registration / placement deposit: RMB 25,000 (one‑time; reported as refundable). Tuition fees (by year group) — annual and per semester Note: tuition is published on an annual basis; the school academic year is split into two semesters, so per‑semester amounts below are the annual fee divided by two (arithmetic shown). - Nursery 2 (age 2): Annual RMB 243,900 — Per semester RMB 121,950. - Kindergarten 1 (age 3): Annual RMB 264,800 — Per semester RMB 132,400. - Kindergarten 2 (age 4): Annual RMB 264,800 — Per semester RMB 132,400. - Kindergarten 3 / Reception (age 5): Annual RMB 313,900 — Per semester RMB 156,950. - Year 1 — Year 3: Annual RMB 313,900 — Per semester RMB 156,950. - Year 4 — Year 5: Annual RMB 320,200 — Per semester RMB 160,100. - Year 6 — Year 8: Annual RMB 350,200 — Per semester RMB 175,100. - Year 9 — Year 10: Annual RMB 356,400 — Per semester RMB 178,200. - Year 11 — Year 13 (upper secondary): Annual RMB 362,700 — Per semester RMB 181,350. Billing schedule & payment terms - Tuition figures are quoted annually; the school year runs as two semesters (see calendar). Specific invoicing dates, installment options and late‑payment terms are set in the school's Fees & Policies and on individual invoices. Boarding - YCIS Shanghai operates as a day school; boarding is not applicable. Other costs - Typical additional charges include: school uniform (available via the school's online order link), school bus/transportation, extracurricular activities/CCAs, field trips, examination fees (external IGCSE/IB charges where applicable), meals, textbooks and incidental or activity charges. The school's admissions materials and online shop reference these categories. Refund information (known items) - Application fee: non‑refundable. Registration/placement deposit: reported as refundable. Further refund rules for tuition and other charges are defined in the school's Fees & Policies document. Fee payment options - Reported accepted payment methods: online payment; cash in RMB; credit/bank card payment (in person — bank service charge may apply); and electronic/bank transfer. Bank transfer details and invoice instructions appear in admission/fees documentation. Discounts - A sibling discount (reported for large families) — example: a 5% tuition discount for families with three or more enrolled children — is reported in published fee summaries.
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 Britannica International School, Shanghai follows the English National Curriculum from Early Years through Sixth Form; its Early Years programme (18 months–5 years) uses the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). In Primary (Key Stage 1–2, Years 1–6) the school delivers the English National Curriculum with specialist teaching beginning in Reception (including languages, swimming and music). Secondary is organised as Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9) and Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11), with Key Stage 4 leading to externally examined IGCSE qualifications. The Sixth Form (ages 16–18) is a two‑year programme preparing students for AS/A2 and A‑Level examinations, typically taken in 3–4 subjects for university entry. Alongside the core curriculum the school provides an extensive World Languages programme (Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, French, Italian, Spanish, Hebrew) and English-as-an-additional-language (EAL) support.	Curriculum details Yew Chung International School of Shanghai educates expatriate children from K2 to Year 13 (ages 2–18) across its Puxi and Pudong campuses. Early Childhood (K2–K4) uses a bilingual co‑teaching model (one native English and one native Chinese teacher) and follows a play‑based approach guided by the UK “Development Matters” Early Years framework. Primary and lower secondary (Years 1–9) follow the school's YCIS international curriculum with integrated Chinese Studies and continued bilingual instruction. Upper secondary is a two‑stage external‑exam pathway: Years 10–11 sit Cambridge IGCSE subjects (the school is an authorised Cambridge Assessment centre) and Years 12–13 study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). YCIS Shanghai is accredited by NEASC and CIS, reports recent IGCSE and IB outcomes on its site, and offers modern languages (including Mandarin and Spanish) alongside the core curriculum, university guidance and co‑curricular programmes.
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. Enquiry and school tour — Start by contacting the Admissions team to request an enquiry, book a tour or join an open day so you and your child can see the campus and meet staff. During this visit the admissions staff will discuss your child's needs, explain the curriculum, transport and routines, and introduce you to the Principal or Head of Phase; use the visit to check whether the school's organisation and timetables fit your family logistics. If you are overseas the school can arrange a virtual tour and a meeting with the relevant head of phase. 2. Complete the online application and upload documents — When you decide to apply you must submit the online application form and upload the specified documents: child's birth certificate, child and parent passports, child and parent residence permits/work permits, recent school report, immunisation record, medical insurance card and a passport photo. The admissions portal stays open for your admissions journey so you can upload documents and track progress, but you cannot edit submitted forms after signing. Note: if a year group is already full and you meet entry requirements, the school will place the child on the waiting list only once the registration fee has been paid. 3. Assessment and second visit — After the application and paperwork are received the school arranges a formal assessment and usually a meeting with the Principal (or relevant Head) to evaluate academic readiness, communication and social interaction. Assessment format depends on age: EYFS children have informal observations (and sometimes a trial day), Years 1–9 typically sit a non-verbal reasoning (NVR) test (with additional drawing assessments in early primary), Years 10–11 have NVR plus English and Maths assessments, and Years 12–13 require evidence of prior externally accredited results (IGCSE equivalence). The Admissions Policy says assessment outcomes and any observed support needs will be discussed with parents; if further evidence is needed the school may invite a trial day or ask for more school reports. 4. Offer, registration and deposit — If the child meets the school's entry criteria and passes the assessment, the Principal issues an offer. To accept a place you will be asked to pay a non-refundable registration fee and an enrolment deposit; the standard registration fee and the deposit amounts and terms are published in the school fees schedule (the 2025–26 fees document shows a RMB 2,500 registration fee and a RMB 20,000 enrolment deposit that is credited against the next term's tuition). The admissions documents and the school's admissions policy explain timing: registration and deposit secure the place, the deposit is refundable subject to the school's refund and notice conditions, and full fee payment deadlines are specified in the fees schedule.	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry and eligibility check — Contact the YCIS Shanghai Admissions team to start. Parents should confirm that the family meets local eligibility rules for international schools in Shanghai (typically foreign passports and supporting residency/visa documents) before applying; the school's Admissions pages explain these requirements and offer an Age Placement Guide and Application Checklist to help determine the correct year level. If you plan to transfer from another YCIS campus, note that internal transfers are facilitated with reduced paperwork. 2. Book a visit / information meeting — Arrange a campus visit, open day or a virtual meeting with Admissions to see the campus, ask about bus routes, meal service, EAL provision and learning-support capacity, and to confirm which campus (Puxi, Pudong or Lingang) you prefer. Parents should bring photo ID and the child's most recent school reports to the meeting, and ask for the Application Checklist so they can prepare documents correctly. Visits are useful to confirm practical matters (bus stops, start times) that affect daily logistics. 3. Complete the online application — Submit the official online application through YCIS's admissions portal and select the preferred campus. The portal collects basic family and student details and prompts for the required uploads (passport copies, proof of residency/visa where required, recent school report, immunisation record and any support plans). Completing the online form early in the admissions cycle is recommended; make sure the uploaded documents are clear and translated into English if necessary. 4. Application fee, deposit and invoice expectations — After submission you should expect to be informed about any application fee and, if an offer is made, the acceptance deposit/enrolment fee and payment deadlines. Published fee summaries used by multiple school-fee services show a one‑time application fee (reported around RMB 3,000) and a refundable enrolment deposit (reported around RMB 25,000), but families should confirm the current amounts and payment methods with Admissions and on the official invoice before paying. Keep receipts and read the school's withdrawal/refund policy in the Fees documentation. 5. Assessment and interview — For placement the school will consider academic history, English proficiency, special skills/talents, social‑emotional readiness and date of birth; applicants may be asked to complete age‑appropriate placement tests and attend an interview (in person or online). Younger children may have play‑based assessments; older applicants are usually given subject/English assessments and a short interview. If English is limited, the school will assess whether the child can access the regular curriculum with the school's EAL support (students who require specialist or intensive SEN support beyond the school's published provision may not be admitted). 6. Offer, contract and acceptance — If a place is offered you will receive an offer letter or invoice that sets out the deadline to accept, deposit/payment instructions, and the contract terms. Read the contract carefully for start date, payment schedule, minimum enrolment period and any conditions attached to the offer (for example, proof of residency or work permit if not already provided). Parents normally accept by returning a signed contract and paying the required deposit by the stated deadline to secure the place. 7. Preparation before start date — Once the place is confirmed, arrange school uniform sizing, school bus registration (if needed), meal plan choices, and provide any medical or learning‑support documentation requested. If your child needs EAL support, coordinate with the school about initial assessments and any recommended resources so they can start with appropriate support. Ask Admissions for arrival/orientation dates and the school calendar so you can plan travel and housing around term start dates. 8. Onboarding and placement adjustments — On the child's first weeks the school will typically complete induction and may make minor placement adjustments once they have observed the student in class; keep lines of communication open with the class teacher and the Admissions/Year‑Level leader. If your child is moving mid‑year, expect a formal placement assessment and an agreed in‑year start plan, including catch‑up or bridging suggestions. Parents should maintain copies of medical forms, prior reports and any individual education plans, as these speed the placement process. 9. Follow‑up and appeals — If an application is declined or a child is placed in a different year level than expected, ask Admissions for written feedback and guidance on re‑application or alternative options (including the waiting pool if applicable). If you plan to reapply or update application materials, send the improved documents and new reports to the Admissions office so they can re‑assess when a vacancy arises. YCIS also supports transfers within the YCYW network, which can simplify moves between sister campuses.
Scholarships	Scholarships The school has run scholarship opportunities in the past (examples published on the school website include a 2019 Secondary Scholarship Day offering up to 100% scholarships for some secondary entry years and a 2019 announcement of a 50% tuition scholarship for certain Year 10 and Year 12 entrants). Those items are event/news postings from 2019 and describe specific, time‑limited scholarship campaigns rather than a standing, published scholarship programme. The current Admissions and Fees pages do not present an ongoing, school‑wide scholarship scheme, and there is no separate, regularly updated scholarships page on the site; therefore, if you are interested in any scholarship or fee‑assistance options you should contact the Admissions office directly (admissions@britannicashanghai.com or +86 21 6402 7889) to request the latest information and to ask whether any assessments or scholarship days are being offered at the moment.	Scholarships YCYW (the Yew Chung Yew Wah network) operates a network scholarship programme that is implemented at YCIS campuses, including YCIS Shanghai. The programme awards merit‑based scholarships for academic excellence, leadership, service and subject/talent strengths; award categories include the Madam Tsang Chor‑hang Memorial Scholarship, Yew Chung Yew Wah Subject & Talent Awards, and Yew Chung Yew Wah IGCSE/IB/A‑Level Academic Awards. Eligible applicants are typically current or prospective students in the upper years (network guidance and campus notices commonly reference Years 7–13), and external applicants are usually required to submit admission materials and take designated tests (CEM/CPT or equivalent) before scholarship application. Scholarship support varies by award and campus; the network's published material indicates tuition‑fee waivers ranging from partial (about 15%–25% for some awards) up to full (100%) and durations commonly from two to three years depending on the scholarship type, with an annual review and a selection process that includes a written application and panel interview. YCIS Shanghai publishes its own scholarship announcements and timeline (application season, short‑listing, panel interviews and final decisions—application windows are usually in the November–January period with interviews and decisions in the months that follow), so families should contact the YCIS Shanghai Admissions or scholarship email for current deadlines, application forms, and the exact percentage and duration available at that campus.
Waitlist	Waitlist Britannica operates a waiting list if a year group is full: applicants who meet the entry requirements are placed on the waiting list provided the registration fee has been paid. Priority on the waiting list is explicitly set out in the Admissions Policy: siblings of current students, returning students, sister‑school children, staff children and native first‑language English speakers receive priority, followed by other applicants based on completion of the admission process. The Admissions Policy and fees documents also state that an enrolment deposit (paid on acceptance) guarantees a place once paid and that families may register up to a year in advance subject to completing the full admissions process. For exact position on the list and timing you should confirm with the Admissions team, as places are reallocated if fees are unpaid before term start.	Waitlist YCIS schools keep a waiting pool when a year level is full rather than a single‑ranked public queue; applicants who meet the admission criteria but cannot be placed immediately may be held in that pool until space becomes available. Priority considerations used when moving candidates from the pool to offer places include sibling status, campus balance and curriculum/age fit; parents are advised to confirm whether they must re‑confirm interest to remain in the pool and how long a pool placement is valid at the specific campus. The practice of maintaining a waiting pool and giving sibling priority is used across the YCYW/YCIS network (for example, another YCIS campus page explicitly states a waiting pool is maintained when a year level is full), so expect similar local practice at YCIS Shanghai and check with Admissions for campus‑specific details and timelines.
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