The British International School of Kuala Lumpur vs Garden International School Kuala Lumpur

	T The British International School of Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	Garden International School Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year MYR 56,395 - 122,110	Fees / year MYR 81,510 - 118,560
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 5 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils	Pupils 1,200	Pupils 2,000
Typical class size	Typical class size 22	Typical class size 22
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2009	Opened 1951
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location BSKL is situated at No. 1, Changkat Bukit Utama, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. This residential suburb lies to the west of Kuala Lumpur city centre. The school is accessible via public transport; the nearest MRT & LRT station is TTDI, approximately a 19-minute walk away. Several bus routes, including T811, 780, PJ06, and PJ05, serve the area, with the closest bus stops being Sjkc Puay Chai 2 and Centre Point Bandar Utama, both within an 8-minute walk.	Location The school is located in Mont Kiara, a modern township with numerous high-rise residential condominiums, office complexes, and international schools. Mont Kiara is known for its international community, with a significant population of expatriates from various countries. The area is well-connected to the rest of Kuala Lumpur via major expressways and is considered a very desirable residential area for families, with many amenities such as shopping malls, restaurants, and recreational facilities.
Stages	Stages BSKL offers education from Pre-Nursery (age 2) through to Sixth Form (age 18). The school is structured into three sections: Lower School, Junior School, and Secondary School.	Stages The main campus is structured into three main sections to cater for different age groups. These are the Primary School for ages 5-11, the Secondary School for ages 11-16, and the Sixth Form for students aged 16-18.
School type	School type BSKL is a co-educational day school. It does not offer boarding facilities.	School type GIS is a co-educational day school and does not offer any boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support BSKL offers tailored support for students with additional learning needs through its Learning Support Department. This includes individualized education plans and access to a dedicated sensory room designed to aid emotional regulation and focus.	Additional learning support The school has a dedicated Learning Support faculty that assists students with identified mild learning differences. Support is provided through in-class assistance, small group sessions, or individualised programmes, depending on the student's needs. The team works with teachers and parents to create and review individualised education plans (IEPs).
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school follows the British National Curriculum and is affiliated with the United Kingdom.	Country affiliation The school does not have a formal affiliation with any particular country.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation BSKL has no religious affiliation.	Religious affiliation GIS is a non-denominational school and has no religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure For Early Years (Pre-Nursery to Reception), the school day starts at 7:45 am with a soft start/drop-off period, and lessons begin at 8:30 am. The day ends at 2:10 pm, except on Fridays when it concludes at 1:30 pm. Primary students (Years 1–6) also start at 8:30 am and finish at 3:10 pm, with a 2:00 pm finish on Fridays. Secondary students (Years 7–13) have registration at 7:45 am, lessons commencing at 8:30 am, and the school day ending at 3:10 pm, or 2:00 pm on Fridays.	School day structure The school day for primary and secondary students starts at 7:40 am and finishes at 2:10 pm for Years 1 to 3, and 2:20 pm for Years 4 to 13. The day includes a morning break and a lunch break.
Bus service details	Bus service details BSKL offers a school bus service operated by Haanusha Travel & Tour Agency Sdn Bhd. The service provides daily pick-up and drop-off for students, with routes covering various areas in Kuala Lumpur. The annual roundtrip fee is RM6,900, while the termly roundtrip fee is RM2,300.	Bus service details The school offers an extensive bus service that connects the main campus with major residential areas across Kuala Lumpur. The service is provided by external operators, and the cost is determined by the distance from the student's home to the school.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application & Enrolment Fees Application Fee: RM 1,500 per application (non-refundable) Enrolment Fee: RM 18,000 per family (non-refundable, but partial return possible with 3 months' notice) Annual Tuition Fees Early Years Centre Pre-nursery: RM 56,395 per year Nursery: RM 56,395 per year Reception: RM 68,180 per year Primary School Year 1: RM 69,255 per year Year 2: RM 90,240 per year Years 3-6: RM 90,240 per year Secondary School Years 7-9: RM 102,190 per year Years 10-11: RM 120,025 per year Years 12-13: RM 122,110 per year Termly Payment Breakdown For families who prefer to pay per term (3 terms per year) Pre-nursery & Nursery: Reception: RM 24,702 per term Year 1: RM 32,343 per term Years 2-6: RM 32,343 per term Years 7-9: RM 35,856 per term Years 10-11: RM 42,113 per term Years 12-13: RM 42,845 per term Payment Options -Bank Transfer/TT -Online Credit/Debit Card (Processing Fees: Local cards: 1.55%, International cards: 3.3%) -International Payments (via Flywire) -JomPay -In-Person Payment	Fee details One-Time Fees * Application Fee: RM 1,500 * Registration Fee: RM 20,000 (non-refundable, one-time payments) Tuition Fees Year 1 * Fee Per Term: RM 27,170 * Fee Per Year: RM 81,510 Year 2 * Fee Per Term: RM 27,990 * Fee Per Year: RM 83,970 Years 3 & 4 * Fee Per Term: RM 31,050 * Fee Per Year: RM 93,150 Years 5 & 6 * Fee Per Term: RM 32,470 * Fee Per Year: RM 97,410 Years 7 & 8 * Fee Per Term: RM 36,370 * Fee Per Year: RM 109,110 Year 9 * Fee Per Term: RM 38,100 * Fee Per Year: RM 114,300 Years 10 & 11 * Fee Per Term: RM 38,960 * Fee Per Year: RM 116,880 Years 12 & 13 * Fee Per Term: RM 39,520 * Fee Per Year: RM 118,560 Other Costs and Payment Information * Billing Schedule: Fees are billed three times a year, at the start of each academic term. * Payment Options: The school accepts payments via bank transfer, cheque, and credit card. * English as an Additional Language (EAL): For students in the EAL program in Years 7 to 9, an additional fee equivalent to 10% of the tuition fee is applied.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement The school has a uniform policy. There is a Second-Hand Uniform Shop to promote sustainability by recycling preloved uniforms.
Food options	Food options —	Food options The Main Campus cafeteria is run by Cezar's Kitchen and provides meals and snacks throughout the day. It offers ten food stations with International, Asian and Vegetarian options, plus Western dishes, pasta, Seoul food, Asian noodles, a salad bar, deli sandwiches, and a live station serving Rotisserie Chicken and Chicken Shawarma on alternating days.
House system	House system —	House system GIS has a house system with four houses: Crest, Queen, Chancellor and Sultan. Every student from Early Years to Sixth Form belongs to a house and competes in a range of house events, with house colours celebrated.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership GIS is part of Taylor's Schools, a network of six top-tier institutions in Singapore and Malaysia. Taylor's Education Group owns Taylor's Schools.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details BSKL follows the English National Curriculum from Early Years through to Sixth Form. In Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9), students study a broad range of subjects including English, mathematics, science, geography, history, drama, music, art, graphic design, digital technology, and physical education. Students also select two additional languages. In Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11), students prepare for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations at age 16. In Sixth Form (Years 12–13), students pursue A-Level qualifications, choosing from a variety of subjects to specialize in their areas of interest.	Curriculum details The curriculum at Garden International School is based on the National Curriculum for England and Wales, adapted for an international student body. In Primary School (Years 1-6), students follow a broad curriculum that builds foundational knowledge across a range of subjects. In Secondary School (Years 7-11), students continue with a wide range of subjects, which narrows in Years 10 and 11 as they prepare for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations. For their final two years in Sixth Form (Years 12-13), students specialize in subjects of their choice to study for A-Level qualifications, which are recognized for university entrance worldwide.
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 View document	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning The school has a dedicated pastoral care system to support students' well-being. Each student is part of a tutor group, and their form tutor is the primary point of contact for any concerns. The school also has an on-site counseling team that offers confidential support to students. Initiatives such as personal, social, health, and economic (PSHE) education are integrated into the curriculum to help students develop essential life skills.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) The school provides support for students with mild learning needs through its Learning Support faculty. This is not a specialist SEN institution, but it has a team of specialist teachers who work with students who require additional support. Support is offered through in-class assistance, small group work, or one-to-one sessions, and the school develops Individualised Education Plans (IEPs) for students with identified needs. The school assesses each child's needs on a case-by-case basis to determine if they can provide the appropriate level of support.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language The school has an English as an Additional Language (EAL) program for students who require support to access the curriculum. New students are assessed to determine their level of English proficiency. Based on this assessment, students may be offered a place in the EAL program, which can include intensive English classes and in-class support. There is an additional fee for the EAL program for students in Years 7 to 9.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing The school supports student mental wellbeing through its pastoral care structure and a dedicated on-site counseling team. Located within the school's Medical Centre, the counseling unit provides a confidential space for students to discuss their emotional and psychological health. Form tutors also play a role in monitoring student wellbeing and are the initial contact for any concerns. This is supplemented by a PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic) curriculum that addresses wellbeing topics.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding The school has a child protection policy in place to ensure student safety and welfare. The school is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all students, and all staff members receive safeguarding training. There are designated safeguarding leads who are responsible for handling any child protection concerns that may arise, following established procedures for reporting and support.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview The school operates on two campuses: the Main Campus at 16 Jalan Kiara 3, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, and the GIS Early Years Centre at 1 Jalan 41/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. GIS Campus Reimagined delivers a world-class sports complex and outdoor sports field, with a basement car park completed in Phase 1 and Phase 2 plans for an Alfresco Dining Space, a Multi-Purpose Play Area and a FIFA Youth Field Size. The Main Campus houses specialist learning spaces, a renovated Sixth Form Centre, extensive libraries, and dedicated spaces for art, drama and music, alongside Design & Technology labs. The school integrates technology across learning through an Apple Distinguished School status, Google Suite, and device programs including iPads and MacBooks.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities The Sports Facilities & Fitness Centre include a Sports Hall, an all-weather Football Field and Tennis Courts, a 25m eight-lane Swimming Pool, covered hard courts and a Gymnasium with Weight Training Room. Phase 1a of GIS Campus Reimagined completed a basement car park and outdoor sports field, and introduced the new sports centre featuring an Olympic-size swimming pool, two indoor basketball courts, two outdoor tennis courts and a gym/fitness suite. Phase 2 will add an Alfresco Dining Space, a Multi-Purpose Play Area and the expansion of the sports field to a full-size football pitch, plus additional community facilities.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities The campus features thirteen science laboratories, Design & Technology laboratories, a STEM room in the Primary School, and a Perceptual Motor Programme (PMP) Room. The Sixth Form Centre provides a university-style study environment for senior students. Libraries across Early Years Centre, Primary and Secondary are well stocked with a broad range of physical and online resources. Digital learning spaces include a fully integrated Digital Environment; the school is an Apple Distinguished School, with Google Suite in use and a mix of iPads (Years 3–9) and MacBooks (Year 10 and above). Design & Technology labs are equipped with industry-standard tools and technologies, and the Performing Arts facilities include dedicated spaces for Art, Drama and Music with a fully equipped drama studio and music facilities.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities The school offers over 200 after-school co-curricular programmes. The THRIVE Internship Programme provides pathways beyond the formal curriculum for student development. CCAs and a broad range of activities are available to explore interests in sports, arts and leadership beyond lessons.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History Founded in 1951 by Sally Watkins, Garden School, as it was then known, was one of the first international schools in what was then the Federation of Malaya. The school was established to cater for the children of expatriates and began in the Lake Gardens of Kuala Lumpur. Due to a growing student body, the school moved several times before settling at its current Mont Kiara location in 1996. The school is now part of the Taylor's Education Group.
Community	Community —	Community The school has a diverse community with students from over 65 nationalities. It hosts a variety of events throughout the year to foster a sense of community. These include cultural celebrations, performances, and the annual "Garden Party," a major fundraising event that brings together students, parents, and staff to support charitable causes. The school also has an active alumni network that organises regular gatherings.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association The school has an active Parents, Teachers and Friends (PTF) committee run by parent volunteers. The PTF organises a wide range of activities and events to support the school community and welcome new families. These include cultural trips to explore Malaysia, weekly parent workshops on various topics, and community service initiatives. The PTF also runs a "buddy programme" to help new families settle into the school and a "Country Reps Network" to provide a point of contact for families of different nationalities.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual The school offers over 200 co-curricular activities across seven areas, providing opportunities beyond the taught curriculum. Model United Nations is popular, and the school hosts the Kuala Lumpur Modern United Nations (KLMUN) bi-annually. Specialist CCAs support university preparation, including Med Soc and an Oxbridge CCA. From Coding to Public Speaking and language-related clubs, CCAs complement classroom learning for students from Early Years to Year 13.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative Music, Drama and Arts are central to GIS life. The Instrumental Music Programme runs weekly with over 300 students, offering lessons on 12 instruments and a variety of groups and choirs; regular concerts and events accompany these activities. Annual school productions and exhibitions showcase student talent, and the Big Draw event brings the whole school together. The creative arts are showcased throughout the year through exhibitions and competitions.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language Language Clubs extend the World Languages programme (Malay, Mandarin, French, Spanish) with after-school sessions and cultural classes. The school encourages development of language learning to become global citizens, with language clubs helping students develop understanding, fluency and intercultural appreciation. Language learning opportunities run from Year 1 to Year 13.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies Sports and performing arts provide recreational outlets for students. Dragons sports include Football, Basketball, Swimming, Rugby, Netball, Athletics, T-ball, Tennis, Golf and Badminton, with a GIS Sports Academy offering additional coaching. Public Speaking, Hip Hop Dance, Coding and other CCAs foster social engagement and personal growth. The Student Leadership Programme also supports peer collaboration and extracurricular involvement.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service Community & Service Learning emphasises global awareness and service. The programme supports five core charities and promotes student-led initiatives, including Reach Out refugee teaching, Street Store and Refugee's Christmas Party. It aims to develop conscious, skilled, confident global citizens through a range of service-learning activities.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional The Student Leadership Programme involves around 200 student leaders across Primary and Secondary. Leaders work in nine strands spanning environment, wellbeing, sport, digital technology and community service. Students plan and lead charity events, performances and campaigns, including Street Store and Refugee's Christmas Party.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing Sports form the foundation for a healthy life, with both team and individual activities. GIS Dragons teams regularly compete in inter-school and regional events and are part of AIMS, FOBISIA and SEASAC groups. The Sports Academy provides external coaching to broaden participation and support physical and social development.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision The school teaches in English. World Languages offered include Malay, Mandarin, French and Spanish, taught across Primary and Secondary programs.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards Apple Distinguished School (2022-2025): This award, from Apple, recognizes the school's continuous commitment to using technology to create innovative learning experiences.
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations Council of International Schools (CIS): This accreditation confirms that the school meets high standards of professional performance in international education and is committed to continuous improvement. Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC): This is a US-based accreditation body that assures the quality of education and encourages school improvement. Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE): This accreditation allows the school to offer Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level qualifications. Pearson Edexcel: The school is also a centre for Pearson Edexcel qualifications, offering another route for IGCSE and A-Levels. GL Centre of Excellence: This award recognises the school's effective use of GL Education's assessments to support student learning.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Schedule a tour. You can arrange an in-person visit to the campus in Kuala Lumpur or opt for a virtual tour if you're unable to visit in person. This provides an opportunity to experience the school's environment and ask any preliminary questions. 2. Complete the online application. Submit the application form along with the required documents, which include your child's passport or Malaysian IC card, recent school reports (in English), and any relevant medical or additional learning needs documentation. An application fee is also required at this stage. 3. Assessment and interview. Depending on your child's age, they will be invited to participate in an age-appropriate assessment. For Early Years, this involves an in-class taster session or an informal online interview. Primary applicants may take a writing test and have an interview with the Head of Primary. Secondary applicants will sit a computerised assessment and may be interviewed by the Head of Secondary. 4. Offer and acceptance. If your child is offered a place, you will receive a formal offer letter. To accept, you'll need to sign and return the enrolment agreement and pay the enrolment fee. Offers are typically made within 7–10 working days after the assessment.	Admissions Attend an Open Day or book a tour. The school holds regular open days for prospective families. This is a good opportunity to see the campus, meet teachers, and get a feel for the school environment. You can also arrange a personalised tour with the admissions team. Submit an application. You will need to complete the online application form and submit it along with all the required documents. These typically include previous school reports, a copy of your child's passport, and passport-sized photos. An application fee is payable at this stage. Admissions Assessment. Once the application is submitted, the school will arrange an age-appropriate assessment for your child. For primary and secondary students, this usually involves an online diagnostic assessment to understand their learning style and academic potential. For Sixth Form entry, students will also need to meet specific IGCSE (or equivalent) grade requirements. Offer of a place. If the assessment is successful and a place is available, the school will send you a formal letter of offer. To accept the place, you will need to pay the registration fee and a deposit within the timeframe specified in the offer letter.
Scholarships	Scholarships BSKL offers Sixth Form scholarships to both current and incoming Year 12 students. These scholarships are designed to support high-achieving students entering the Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13). Applicants are typically required to submit a cover letter expressing interest, school reports, and references. The selection process may include assessments and interviews.	Scholarships GIS offers scholarships for students entering the Sixth Form (Year 12) to study for their A-Levels. These scholarships are open to both current students and external applicants and are awarded based on academic merit, as well as talent in areas such as music or sports. The scholarships typically cover a percentage of the tuition fees and may also include the waiver of the application and registration fees. The application process is separate from the standard admissions process and has specific deadlines. It usually requires a personal statement, references, and evidence of achievements.
Waitlist	Waitlist BSKL operates a rolling admissions policy, allowing students to join at any time during the academic year, subject to availability. If a year group is full, applicants are placed on a waiting list. The admissions team will contact families when a place becomes available.	Waitlist The school does experience high demand for places in most year groups, and a "wait pool" system is in place when a year group is full. When an application is received for a full year group, the student's name is added to the pool. The school does not operate a simple first-come, first-served system. When a place becomes available, they consider various factors to select a student from the wait pool, including the student's academic profile, English language proficiency, and the overall balance of gender and nationality within the year group.
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