British International School HCMC - Secondary Campus vs Saigon South International School (SSIS)
British International School HCMC - Secondary Campus and Saigon South International School (SSIS) are both in Ho Chi Minh City, about 10 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes. British International School HCMC - Secondary Campus also offers British and Cambridge IGCSE, and Saigon South International School (SSIS) also offers Advanced Placement (AP), American and Bespoke. Published annual fees are ₫834,700,000 - 956,300,000 at British International School HCMC - Secondary Campus and ₫479,212,000 - 882,200,000 at Saigon South International School (SSIS), which puts British International School HCMC - Secondary Campus roughly 32% higher. British International School HCMC - Secondary Campus takes pupils from 11 to 18, and Saigon South International School (SSIS) from 3 to 18. British International School HCMC - Secondary Campus is the larger school, with around 2,400 pupils to Saigon South International School (SSIS)'s 1,500. Typical class sizes are 20 at British International School HCMC - Secondary Campus and 14 at Saigon South International School (SSIS).
IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
2,400
Pupils
1,500
Typical class size
Typical class size
20
Typical class size
14
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2005
Opened
1997
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
The Secondary Campus is located at 246 Nguyen Van Huong Street, Thao Dien, Thu Duc City, next to the Junior Campus and connected to it by a private pedestrian bridge. The Thao Dien area is a well-established, international neighbourhood with easy access to District 1 via the Saigon Bridge. The campus is within walking distance of local cafés, supermarkets, and residential housing, making it convenient for families living nearby.
Location
SSIS is located at 78 Nguyen Duc Canh, Tân Hưng Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The campus is in the Phú Mỹ Hưng residential zone, a well-planned neighbourhood with lakes, green spaces and local amenities, and is approximately 20 minutes by car from the city centre.
Stages
Stages
The Secondary Campus provides education for students in the Secondary and Sixth Form stages, serving learners typically aged 11 to 18. Students follow the English National Curriculum in lower secondary, then progress to Cambridge IGCSE qualifications, and complete their studies with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. This progression prepares students for entry to universities worldwide.
Stages
The school serves Early Childhood (starting at age 3) through to Grade 12. It is organised into divisions encompassing Early Years/Kindergarten, Elementary (Grades 1–5), Middle School (Grades 6–8) and High School (Grades 9–12).
School type
School type
The Secondary Campus is a co-educational day school.
School type
SSIS is a co-educational day school.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The school provides Additional Educational Needs (AEN) and English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for students who need extra help. Support includes small-group interventions, targeted instruction, and collaboration with class teachers. The school is not a specialist SEN institution but accommodates a range of mild to moderate learning needs within its mainstream setting.
Additional learning support
The school offers Learning Support services for students with mild to moderate learning differences, working with parents and teachers to develop individual learning plans. It also offers English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for multilingual learners.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school follows the British curriculum and is part of Nord Anglia Education, a UK-based global schools group.
Country affiliation
There is no formal affiliation to a particular national government. SSIS operates as a not-for-profit international school based in Vietnam, following an American standards-based curriculum.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school does not have any religious affiliations.
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
School day structure
School day structure
The school day begins at 7:50 a.m. with registration and the last period ending at 2:40 p.m. Co-curricular clubs and sports sessions take place after lessons and run until 4:55pm.
School day structure
Specific published times are not detailed on the school's website.
Bus service details
Bus service details
BIS HCMC provides a school bus service serving multiple districts across the city. Each bus is supervised by trained staff who assist students during pick-up and drop-off. The service is centrally coordinated by the school’s transport office, with routes reviewed regularly to meet family needs.
Bus service details
SSIS provides a bus service for students. Each bus has an assigned monitor to ensure students board and alight safely. For after-school activities (ASAs), special bus departures are scheduled (for example at 4:10 pm and 4:40 pm) with an extra charge for ASA-only riders.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application Fee A non-refundable Application Fee of VND 4,700,000 is required upon submission of the application. This covers the administrative processing of new student applications.
Registration Fee A one-time, non-refundable Registration Fee of VND 73,300,000 confirms a student’s enrolment and secures their place at the school.
Security Deposit A refundable Security Deposit of VND 24,500,000 per student is required upon joining. The deposit is refunded in full when the student leaves, provided 90 days’ written notice is given.
Tuition Fees (2025–2026 Academic Year)
* Year 7: VND 834,700,000 per year (Term 1 452,700,000 | Term 2 338,790,000 | Term 3 190,510,000) * Year 8: VND 834,700,000 per year (Term 1 452,700,000 | Term 2 338,790,000 | Term 3 190,510,000) * Year 9: VND 834,700,000 per year (Term 1 452,700,000 | Term 2 338,790,000 | Term 3 190,510,000) * Year 10: VND 880,500,000 per year (Term 1 477,540,000 | Term 2 357,380,000 | Term 3 200,960,000) * Year 11: VND 880,500,000 per year (Term 1 477,540,000 | Term 2 357,380,000 | Term 3 200,960,000) * Year 12: VND 956,300,000 per year (Term 1 518,650,000 | Term 2 388,150,000 | Term 3 218,260,000) * Year 13: VND 956,300,000 per year (Term 1 518,650,000 | Term 2 388,150,000 | Term 3 218,260,000)
Billing Schedule and Payment Terms Tuition may be paid annually before the school year begins or per term in advance. Annual payments receive an approximate 15 percent discount. Payments are accepted in VND, or in USD for overseas transfers at the prevailing bank exchange rate. Late payments incur a 1.5 percent monthly surcharge.
Additional Costs Tuition does not include meals, transport, uniforms, school trips, co-curricular clubs, or instrumental music lessons.
Refund Policy Parents must provide 90 days’ written notice before withdrawal. Refunds are based on the term of withdrawal: 55 percent of annual tuition (Term 1), 30 percent (Term 2), and 0 percent (Term 3). Term fees and late enrolment fees are non-refundable.
Fee details
* Application Fee: VND 10,000,000 (one-time, non-refundable, per new student). * Registration Fee: VND 60,000,000 (one-time, non-refundable, per new student, also applies to returning students re-enrolling after one or more years).
Enrollment Deposit
* Deposit: VND 45,000,000. * Payable upon signing the Letter of Acceptance (new students). * Deducted from the tuition invoice (from full payment or Q4 installment). * Refundable if a Departure Notice is given at least 60 days before leaving.
* Quarterly Installments: All installments are non-refundable. * Late enrollment: Tuition charged pro-rata (100%, 85%, 60%, 35% depending on entry quarter). * Refunds: Departure > 60 days = partial refund based on quarter (60% in Q1 → 0% in Q4). * Sibling Discount: 20% for third and subsequent children in the same family.
Other Costs Families cover uniforms, lunches, personal supplies, AP & IB exam fees, extracurriculars (athletics, VEX Robotics, debate, performing arts), and bus transport. Students in Grades 4–12 must bring a MacBook.
Payment Options Payments can be made via Vietcombank (Nam Sai Gon Branch) or Standard Chartered Bank (Vietnam) in VND or USD. All bank charges are borne by the payer, and an exchange rate applies to foreign currency transfers.
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
—
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
—
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The Secondary Campus at BIS HCMC offers a structured academic pathway that builds upon the British education system. Students in the lower secondary years follow the English National Curriculum, studying core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Sciences, Humanities, and Modern Foreign Languages. In the upper secondary stage, students work towards the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), selecting a combination of subjects that reflect their interests and strengths. In the final two years, students undertake the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, an internationally recognised qualification for university entry. Specialist teachers lead lessons across all subjects, supported by extensive facilities for Science, Technology, Performing Arts, and Sport. The curriculum promotes academic depth, research skills, and independence in preparation for higher education and global opportunities.
Curriculum details
Teaching and learning at SSIS follow an American-standards based framework across Early Childhood through Grade 12, emphasising inquiry, student engagement and critical thinking. In the Elementary School, a written curriculum provides integrated “Super Units” that connect subjects such as English, Maths, Science, Social Studies, Arts and Vietnamese, while specialist teachers support subjects like Visual Art, Drama, Music and Physical Education. In Middle School, students move into discipline-based classes, expanding their study of modern world languages, mathematics, science and humanities. In High School (Grades 9-12), students can pursue the high school diploma pathway with a choice of Advanced Placement (AP) courses or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) alongside the SSIS Diploma. The program of studies shows that students earn credits by subject area and can select pathways that match their future study plans.
1. Enquiry and consultation Families begin the process by completing the online enquiry form on the BIS HCMC website. The Admissions Team responds promptly to provide information about entry requirements, availability, and curriculum pathways. Parents are encouraged to arrange a campus tour—in person or virtually—to gain an overview of life at the Secondary Campus.
2. Campus visit and discussion During the visit, families meet members of the academic and pastoral teams, tour classrooms, and learn about programmes such as the IGCSE and IB Diploma. The Admissions Team offers guidance on subject choices and placement options for students joining from other educational systems.
3. Application submission Parents submit the online application form and supporting documents, including copies of the student’s passport, birth certificate, previous school reports, and any additional learning or language assessments. The Application Fee of VND 4,700,000 is payable at this stage.
4. Entrance assessment and interview Students undertake an age-appropriate entrance assessment and, for older year groups, an interview with a senior member of staff. These steps help determine academic readiness and English language proficiency.
5. Offer and confirmation Successful applicants receive a formal Offer Letter from the Admissions Office. A student’s place is secured upon payment of the Registration Fee and Security Deposit and completion of the enrolment paperwork.
6. Induction and transition Before joining, new students and families are invited to attend orientation sessions to meet teachers, explore the campus, and learn about school routines. The pastoral team ensures smooth academic and social integration.
Admissions
1. Inquiry and Application Submission Families begin by completing the online application form and uploading all required documents. An application fee of VND 10,000,000 is payable at this stage. Applicants in Early Childhood to Kindergarten complete a developmental observation, while Grades 1–12 complete written assessments in English and mathematics.
2. Assessment and Interview Following the initial review, students may be invited for additional testing or an interview to determine English proficiency and overall readiness. The Admissions Office evaluates prior school records, assessment results, and whether the school can meet the student’s learning needs.
3. Decision and Offer After review, applicants may receive an offer of admission, be placed on the waiting list, or be declined. Accepted families receive a formal Letter of Acceptance, which must be signed and returned along with a completed health form.
4. Payment and Enrollment To secure a place, families must pay the required enrollment deposit and tuition (or first installment) by the due dates listed in the fee schedule. All payments must be completed before the student’s first day of class.
5. Orientation and Start New students and parents are invited to attend orientation sessions before the start of the academic year in August. Middle and High School students also meet with a counselor to confirm course selections and discuss academic planning.
6. Rolling Admissions Applications are accepted year-round, although placement is based on space availability. Families seeking entry in August are encouraged to begin the process by January of the same calendar year.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The school does not publicly disclose or advertise any scholarship programmes for the Secondary Campus. Admissions are based on application review and assessment, with all places subject to full tuition fees as published in the annual fee schedule.
Scholarships
SSIS offers the annual Lawrence S. Ting Scholarship for one Vietnamese student entering Grade 10 who has only attended local Vietnamese schools. The scholarship is renewable for up to three years, is awarded on the basis of academic excellence, English proficiency, interest in global/international affairs and service to others. The application timeline begins in December and features a written test, group discussion and interview rounds, with winners announced in May.
Waitlist
Waitlist
The school operates a waitlist system when year groups reach full capacity. Applications are held on file and reviewed as spaces become available, with priority given to siblings of current students and children of returning families.
Waitlist
SSIS operates a wait-pool (waiting list) system. Qualified applicants whose grade level is full are placed on the waiting list until space becomes available. Admission thereafter depends on space and on the candidate meeting requirements.
