British International School Hanoi vs United Nations International School of Hanoi
British International School Hanoi and United Nations International School of Hanoi are both in Hanoi, about 12 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes, and British International School Hanoi also offers British, Cambridge IGCSE and EYFS. Published annual fees are ₫218,000,000 - 810,000,000 at British International School Hanoi and ₫373,000,000 - 776,000,000 at United Nations International School of Hanoi, which puts United Nations International School of Hanoi roughly 12% higher. British International School Hanoi takes pupils from 2 to 18, and United Nations International School of Hanoi from 3 to 12. The two are similar in size, at around 1,100 and 1,100 pupils. Typical class sizes are 24 at British International School Hanoi and 1100 at United Nations International School of Hanoi.
IB (DP), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Curriculum
IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils
Pupils
1,100
Pupils
1,100
Typical class size
Typical class size
24
Typical class size
1100
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2012
Opened
1988
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
BIS Hanoi is situated in a residential area on the eastern side of the city. The campus is easily accessible by car and school bus, with routes serving multiple districts. Its setting offers a calm environment while remaining convenient for families living in different parts of Hanoi.
Location
UNIS Hanoi campus sits within the Ciputra International Township, a residential area in Hanoi’s northern district. It is easily accessible from the city centre and within a short drive of Nội Bài International Airport. The surrounding area is peaceful and well-connected by major roads linking central Hanoi with the airport corridor.
Stages
Stages
The school educates students from Early Years (ages 2–5) through Primary (5–11), Secondary (11–16, IGCSE), and Sixth Form (16–18, IB Diploma).
Stages
The school educates students from Early Years 3 (age 3) through Grade 12 (age 18). It is divided into Elementary (EY3 – Grade 5), Middle School (Grades 6–8), and High School (Grades 9–12). Each section follows one of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes — PYP, MYP, and DP.
School type
School type
A co-educational international day school serving ages 2–18; no boarding facilities are offered.
School type
UNIS Hanoi is a not-for-profit, co-educational, day school with no boarding facilities. The school welcomes both international and Vietnamese students who meet admissions criteria. It operates under a governance structure that includes representatives from the United Nations, the Vietnamese Government, and the parent community.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
—
Pupil nationality mix
—
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
BIS Hanoi provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) programmes and individual pastoral guidance. Specific SEN facilities are not detailed publicly.
Additional learning support
UNIS Hanoi provides structured support through its Student Support Services, which include Learning Support, English as an Additional Language (EAL), Counselling, Speech and Language Therapy, and an Educational Psychologist. These services operate under the school’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework to meet individual student needs within available capacity.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Delivers a British-style curriculum and international qualifications but has no formal national affiliation.
Country affiliation
The school was founded through collaboration between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Vietnamese Government in 1988. It continues to maintain this United Nations affiliation.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school is non-religious.
Religious affiliation
UNIS Hanoi has no religious affiliation and describes itself as a non-denominational institution.
School day structure
School day structure
The website lists normal and late-bus times around 3:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. for after-school clubs; full-day timings are not specified publicly.
School day structure
The school does not publicly list one standard daily timetable, as schedules differ by division. Elementary handbooks indicate morning sessions, lunch and recess breaks, and afternoon classes ending mid-afternoon. Secondary schedules follow a similar structure with advisory and subject periods spread across the day.
Bus service details
Bus service details
A private bus network serves most Hanoi districts, with published routes, fees, and late-bus options for CCA activities.
Bus service details
A dedicated School Bus Service is available for eligible students, operated under UNIS Hanoi’s transportation policies. The service includes defined pick-up and drop-off routes within Hanoi, safety guidelines, and student conduct rules. Families register through the school’s transport office and can review details in the Elementary Handbook and official policies.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application Fees A one-time Application Fee of VND 3,500,000 is required for all new applicants. Upon acceptance, families pay a Registration Fee of VND 30,000,000, which is non-refundable and confirms the student’s place at the school. No refundable deposit is listed.
Year 1 – Year 6: VND 522,000,000 – VND 600,000,000
Secondary School (Years 7–13)
Year 7 – Year 9: VND 705,000,000 Year 10 – Year 11 (IGCSE): VND 765,000,000 Year 12 – Year 13 (IB Diploma): VND 810,000,000
Fees are billed by term or annually according to the school’s payment schedule.
Additional Fees Uniforms, transport services, and examination fees (Cambridge IGCSE and IB Diploma) are charged separately. Optional extracurricular and after-school activities may carry additional costs.
Transportation Fees BIS Hanoi operates a private bus service covering multiple city districts. Routes and pricing vary by distance, and buses are supervised by trained attendants.
Refund Policy Application and registration fees are non-refundable. Tuition refund conditions follow the school’s enrolment and withdrawal policies as outlined in official documents.
Payment Options Payments can be made by bank transfer in Vietnamese Dong (VND) according to the published billing schedule.
Fee details
Application Fees A non-refundable application fee is payable upon submission of the online application form. A tuition deposit is required to secure enrollment; this deposit is credited toward the first tuition payment but is non-refundable and non-transferable if the student does not attend.
Fees are invoiced annually or by installment according to the school’s published billing schedule. A seat deposit is required each year to confirm continued enrollment for returning students.
Additional Fees Other fees include a one-time enrolment fee, bus service fees, technology charges, and optional uniform purchases. Learning materials, school trips, and certain extracurricular activities may also incur additional costs.
Transportation Fees UNIS Hanoi operates an internal School Bus Service for eligible students living within Hanoi. Routes, safety standards, and supervision procedures are specified in the school’s transport policies. Fees are billed directly by the school and vary by route and distance.
Learning Support Students requiring additional academic or language support are assisted through the school’s Student Support Services, which include Learning Support, English as an Additional Language (EAL), Counselling, and Speech and Language Therapy. Families whose children require support beyond what the school can provide may be asked to arrange external specialists.
Refund Policy Refunds for tuition are governed by the school’s official Refund Procedures, which outline the percentage refundable based on the timing of withdrawal within the semester. The tuition deposit is non-refundable once paid.
Payment Options Payments can be made by bank transfer in USD or VND to UNIS Hanoi’s Techcombank accounts, or via cash deposit at Techcombank branches. Late payments may be subject to additional charges as stated in the school’s financial policies.
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
Students aged 2–5 follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. From ages 5–11 (Primary), they study a blend of the English National Curriculum and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). In Lower Secondary (ages around 11–16) they progress through a British-style Key Stage curriculum and then sit the Cambridge IGCSE in Years 10–11. Finally, in Years 12–13 (ages 16–18), students transition into the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) and choose from standard- and higher-level subjects, along with core components such as Theory of Knowledge and CAS. The school emphasises preparing students for global university pathways, supported by collaborations with institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and The Juilliard School.
Curriculum details
UNIS Hanoi offers the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum across all grade levels: the Primary Years Programme (PYP) from Early Years 3 to Grade 5, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) from Grades 6 to 10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11 and 12. Each programme provides an inquiry-based framework designed to develop conceptual understanding and skills across subject areas. In the Elementary years, students study core subjects such as Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Arts, and Physical Education, with additional instruction in Vietnamese, French, or Mandarin. The MYP builds on this with interdisciplinary units, Design, and Service as Action components. In the Diploma Programme, students complete six subjects chosen from the IB groups along with Theory of Knowledge (TOK), an Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) requirements. English is the language of instruction throughout the school.
1. Initial Enquiry and Visit Families begin the admissions process by contacting the school’s Admissions Office or submitting an online enquiry form. Parents are invited to arrange a school tour or attend an open day to learn more about the curriculum, facilities, and available year-group placements.
2. Application Submission After the initial enquiry, parents complete the online application form and submit the required documents, which typically include previous school reports, a copy of the child’s passport, and a recent photograph. An application fee is required to process the submission.
3. Assessment and Review Once the application is received, the admissions team reviews all documentation. Depending on the child’s age and year level, the school may request an academic assessment or an English language evaluation to determine readiness for the programme.
4. Offer of Placement If a place is available and the entry requirements are met, the school issues an official offer. Parents confirm acceptance by paying the non-refundable registration fee to secure the child’s place.
5. Enrolment and Orientation Following confirmation, families receive orientation materials and joining instructions. The school provides details about uniforms, transport options, and start dates to ensure a smooth transition into the BIS Hanoi community.
Admissions
1. Online Application Submission Families begin the admissions process by completing the online application form on the UNIS Hanoi website. Supporting documents such as school reports, passport copies, and health forms must be uploaded, and a non-refundable application fee must be paid at this stage. Applications are accepted year-round but depend on space availability.
2. Assessment and Interview Applicants are assessed to determine their readiness for the IB curriculum. For Early Years and Elementary applicants, this may include a play-based session or parent interview. For Grades 1–12, students complete an academic assessment and English language evaluation (if applicable). The school may also request additional information from previous schools to better understand the student’s learning profile.
3. Review by the Admissions Committee All applications are reviewed by a committee that includes principals, counsellors, and learning support specialists. Decisions are based on available space, the student’s academic background, English proficiency, and the school’s capacity to meet learning needs. The review ensures balanced classroom composition across language levels and learning support requirements.
4. Placement and Offer of Admission If a space is available, families receive a formal offer of admission via email. To confirm the place, parents must submit the tuition deposit and complete the required medical and consent forms. If space is not available, the student is placed in the wait pool.
5. Orientation and Enrollment Before the first day of school, new families attend a New Family Orientation to meet teachers, receive class schedules, and learn about school systems such as transport, uniforms, and technology use. Enrolled students are assigned a homeroom or advisory teacher who helps with the transition into school life.
Scholarships
Scholarships
—
Scholarships
UNIS Hanoi offers a Scholarship Programme for academically capable students from Vietnamese public schools who would otherwise be unable to attend an international school. The scholarship covers 100% of tuition and associated fees through graduation, provided the recipient maintains academic and behavioural expectations. Applicants are selected through a rigorous process that includes academic testing, English assessments, interviews, and a review of family finances. Scholarship students are part of the broader UNIS community and participate fully in academic and co-curricular programmes.
Waitlist
Waitlist
BIS Hanoi operates a waitlist for year groups that are at capacity. When no places are available, qualified applicants are placed on the waitlist and contacted as soon as an opening arises. Priority is typically given to siblings of current students and to families relocating from other Nord Anglia schools.
Waitlist
UNIS Hanoi operates a wait pool rather than a chronological waiting list. When space is not available in a specific grade, qualified applicants are placed in this pool. Admission priority is determined by the school’s Priority Lane system, which ranks applications as follows:
Lane 1: United Nations, embassy, and diplomatic staff; faculty dependents; scholarship students Lane 2: Siblings of current students or graduates Lane 3: Alumni children Lane 4: Expatriate families Lane 5: Vietnamese nationals
If a place becomes available, offers are made based on the student’s priority lane and suitability for the available space, not by the date of application. Applicants in the wait pool remain eligible for one academic year and must reapply for the following year if no space opens.
