Fairview International School - Penang vs The International School of Penang (Uplands)
Fairview International School - Penang and The International School of Penang (Uplands) are both in Penang, about 14 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes, and The International School of Penang (Uplands) also offers Cambridge IGCSE. Published annual fees are MYR 25,000 - 52,000 at Fairview International School - Penang and MYR 24,800 - 70,800 at The International School of Penang (Uplands), which puts The International School of Penang (Uplands) roughly 24% higher. Fairview International School - Penang takes pupils from 3 to 16, and The International School of Penang (Uplands) from 4 to 19. The International School of Penang (Uplands) is the larger school, with around 700 pupils to Fairview International School - Penang's 250. Typical class sizes are 15 at Fairview International School - Penang and 20 at The International School of Penang (Uplands).
The school is located in Bukit Jambul, a quiet residential area in Bayan Lepas, Penang. It’s approximately 15 minutes from Penang International Airport and near major roads like Jalan Tun Dr Awang. The area is well-connected by public transport and is close to shopping centres and residential communities.
Location
The school is located in Batu Ferringhi, a beachside suburb on the northern coast of Penang Island, Malaysia. It’s approximately 30 minutes by car from George Town. The area is quieter and more residential, popular with expat families.
Stages
Stages
The school caters to students aged 3 to 16 and follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework. It is structured into the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP), aligned with early years, primary, and lower secondary levels.
There is no IB Diploma Program offered at this campus.
Stages
Uplands is divided into Primary School (ages 4–11) and Secondary School (ages 11–18). The school follows the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), IGCSEs, and the IB Diploma Programme (DP). Students transition through these stages with age-appropriate academic and pastoral structures.
School type
School type
This is a co-educational day school.
School type
The school is co-educational and welcomes both day and boarding students. Boarding is available for students in Year 7 and above, with weekly and term options. The school operates on a not-for-profit basis.
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
The school provides Learning Support Services to students with mild to moderate additional needs. Support may include in-class assistance, small group sessions, or one-to-one intervention, depending on individual assessments. The school collaborates with parents and specialists to develop tailored support plans.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school does not have a national affiliation.
Country affiliation
The school has no formal affiliation with any specific country.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school is not affiliated with any religion and operates as a secular institution.
Religious affiliation
Uplands is a secular school with no religious affiliation.
School day structure
School day structure
The school day typically starts at 7:20 AM and ends at 1:30 PM from Monday to Friday. Additional classes or co-curricular activities are scheduled from 1:50 PM to 3:10 PM.
School day structure
The school day typically runs from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday to Friday. Students have scheduled morning and lunch breaks, with time allocated for academic lessons, specialist subjects, and extracurricular activities. The timetable may vary slightly between Primary and Secondary levels.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school does not provide its own bus service. However, it recommends private transportation services, which are considered convenient and time-saving in Penang.
Bus service details
The school provides a bus service operated by external providers that covers a range of residential areas around Penang Island. Buses are fitted with seatbelts and are supervised by trained personnel. Routes and pickup times are coordinated to accommodate student needs, and the school works closely with providers to ensure safety and punctuality.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
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Fee details
Application & Enrolment Fees (One-Time)
* Application Fee: MYR 800 (non-refundable) * Entrance Fee: MYR 7,000 (non-refundable) * Enrolment Deposit: MYR 5,000 (refundable upon withdrawal, subject to conditions) * ISP School Association Membership Fee: MYR 1,000 (applicable to one parent only)
Annual Tuition Fees (by Year Group)
* Reception : MYR 24,800 (MYR 12,400 per semester) * Year 1 : MYR 30,200 (MYR 15,100 per semester) * Year 2 : MYR 37,200 (MYR 18,600 per semester) * Years 3–4 : MYR 44,200 (MYR 22,100 per semester) * Years 5–6 : MYR 53,000 (MYR 26,500 per semester) * Years 7–11 : MYR 68,000 (MYR 34,000 per semester) * Years 12–13 : MYR 70,800 (MYR 35,400 per semester)
*Tuition fees are billed in two equal installments per academic year.*
Additional Charges
* School Development Fund: MYR 2,500 per student, per annum * Personal Accident Insurance: MYR 40 per student, per annum (compulsory) * Public Examination Fees: Applicable for IGCSE and IB examinations in Years 11 and 13; fees vary based on examination boards * Textbooks: Costs for English Literature examination texts (Years 10 & 11) and unreturned IB course textbooks (Years 12 & 13) are billed separately * Uplands Parent Teacher Association Membership: MYR 100 per family, per annum * Library Fines: Charges apply for overdue, lost, or damaged books and resources * Additional Administrative Fees: Applicable for non-routine administrative tasks (e.g., school trips, issuance of certificates)
*All fees must be paid in full before a student can attend the school.*
Discounts
* Sibling Discount: * 10% reduction on tuition fees for the second child * 20% reduction on tuition fees for the third and subsequent children
* Early Payment Discount: * 5% discount on tuition fees by the scheduled early dates.
Payment Methods
* Accepted Payment Methods: * Cheque (payable to 'THE I.S.P.') * Bank Transfer
*Detailed payment instructions are provided upon acceptance.*
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
Fairview International School Penang offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, specifically the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for students aged 3 to 11 and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students aged 11 to 16. The PYP focuses on six transdisciplinary themes that encourage inquiry across subjects such as Mathematics, Language, Science, Arts, Social Studies, and Physical Education. The MYP continues with interdisciplinary learning and includes subjects like Language and Literature, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical and Health Education, and Design. Mandarin and Bahasa Malaysia are taught as additional languages. Assessment in both PYP and MYP includes classroom-based evaluations aligned with IB criteria. The Penang campus does not offer the IB Diploma Programme (DP), so students transfer to another Fairview campus or institution for post-16 qualifications.
Curriculum details
The International School of Penang (Uplands) offers a continuum of internationally recognized curricula from early years through pre-university. In the Primary School (Reception to Year 6), students follow the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), which focuses on inquiry-based learning across core subjects including English, mathematics, science, social studies, and languages. In Years 7 to 9, the school implements the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), which includes disciplines such as language and literature, individuals and societies, design, sciences, mathematics, and the arts. Years 10 and 11 prepare students for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations across a range of subjects including English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, and languages. In Years 12 and 13, students undertake the IB Diploma Programme (DP), which includes six academic subjects, a 4,000-word Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service). Language acquisition is integrated across all stages, with French, German, Mandarin, and Malay offered.
1. Attend an information session or campus tour (if available). Parents are encouraged to book a school tour to view the facilities and discuss the curriculum in person. These sessions may also include opportunities to speak with academic staff or coordinators.
2. Submit the application form and required documents. Families will need to complete the online application form and upload relevant documents, including the child’s birth certificate, previous school reports, a copy of the passport or MyKid/MyKad, and a recent photograph. A non-refundable application fee is payable at this stage.
3. Assessment and interview. Applicants may be asked to complete a placement assessment, depending on the year group and prior academic background. This could include English and Mathematics evaluations and an interview with the academic team.
4. Offer and acceptance. If the student meets the school’s admission requirements and there is space available, a formal offer will be issued. Parents will then be asked to confirm acceptance by signing the offer letter and paying the registration and term fees.
Admissions
1. Schedule a campus visit or open day (if available). Families are encouraged to visit the school to better understand the environment and facilities. This can include a guided tour and the opportunity to speak with staff. Visits are optional but can help in making an informed decision.
2. Submit an application form. Applications are submitted online and must include supporting documents such as academic records, passport/ID, and any relevant reports (e.g., EAL or SEN assessments). An application fee of MYR 800 is payable at this stage. Applications can be submitted year-round, but spaces may be limited in certain year groups.
3. Student assessment and review. Depending on the age group and background, students may be invited to sit an entrance assessment and/or interview with a member of the academic team. English language proficiency and learning support needs are also reviewed to determine the level of support required.
4. Receive an offer. If the application is successful, the school will issue an offer letter. To secure the place, parents must pay the entrance fee (MYR 7,000) and enrolment deposit (MYR 5,000) within the given deadline.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Fairview International School Penang offers limited merit-based scholarships, typically awarded for academic performance or special talents. These scholarships are subject to availability and may require applicants to undergo additional assessments or submit supporting documents. Interested families should inquire directly with the admissions office for current offerings and eligibility criteria.
Scholarships
Uplands offers a limited number of academic scholarships for students entering the IB Diploma Programme (Years 12–13). These are merit-based and awarded through an application process that typically includes previous academic records, teacher recommendations, and an interview. Scholarships may cover a portion of tuition fees and do not apply to boarding or additional fees. Specific scholarship availability and application deadlines are communicated directly by the school on an annual basis.
Waitlist
Waitlist
Fairview International School Penang does not operate a formal waitlist or pooled admissions system. Admission is generally offered on a rolling basis, subject to availability of places in the requested year group.
Waitlist
Uplands may operate a waitlist for year groups that are already at capacity. Applicants placed on the waitlist are notified in writing and may be offered a place if one becomes available. Priority is not guaranteed and may depend on factors such as sibling attendance, date of application, and the applicant’s educational profile. The school does not operate a pooled admissions round; decisions are made on a rolling basis.
