Harrow International School Beijing vs Yew Chung International School of Beijing

	H Harrow International School Beijing Beijing, China	Y Yew Chung International School of Beijing Beijing, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 228,600 - 356,600	Fees / year RMB 221,000 - 334,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, IPC (International Primary Curriculum), Cambridge IGCSE, Australian Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 1,500	Pupils 800
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 7
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 2005	Opened 1995
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Harrow Beijing's main (Hegezhuang) campus is in Hegezhuang Village, Cuigezhuang, Chaoyang District, Beijing (No. 287 Hegezhuang Village). The school publishes a separate City Campus for very early years; admissions materials list campus addresses and practical travel information.	Location Main campus: Honglingjin Park, 5 Houbalizhuang, Chaoyang District, Beijing (postcode 100025). The campus is in the Chaoyang/Honglingjin Park area—central Chaoyang with straightforward road access and regular taxi/ride-hailing links; parents often reference proximity to embassy and expatriate neighbourhoods in Chaoyang. For exact directions and public-transport options check the school map or contact admissions.
Stages	Stages The school accepts students aged about 2–18 and is organised into Kindergarten/Lower School (Pre‑Prep), Prep (Years 2–6) and Upper School (Prep, Senior and Sixth Form / Years 7–13).	Stages The school enrols expatriate students aged 2–18 (K2 to Year 13) and is organised into Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary phases. Programmes include IGCSE and the International Baccalaureate Diploma at upper-secondary level.
School type	School type Harrow Beijing is an international, co‑educational school for Chinese and foreign pupils (ages 2–18). The school's public pages describe day programmes across the phases; boarding is not described on the Harrow Beijing site (note: some other AISL Harrow schools do offer boarding). For confirmation about boarding options contact admissions.	School type YCIS Beijing is a private, co‑educational international day school serving children of foreign personnel; it does not advertise boarding provision. The school is part of the Yew Chung/Yew Wah network of international schools.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Harrow Beijing has a Learning Support Department with a full‑time Learning Support Coordinator in both Lower and Upper School, dedicated intervention teachers, and access‑arrangement support for external exams; the team works with families, teachers and external specialists including an educational psychologist.	Additional learning support The school operates a Student Support Services team (learning support and counselling). Admissions guidance and third‑party listings indicate YCIS accepts students with mild learning difficulties on a case‑by‑case basis and provides in‑class and withdrawal support where appropriate; more complex needs may exceed the school's provision. Parents with children who have additional needs are advised to discuss requirements with Admissions early and share assessments/reports.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Harrow Beijing is part of the Harrow family and the AISL Harrow Schools network; it traces its heritage to Harrow School in London.	Country affiliation YCIS Beijing is part of the Yew Chung Yew Wah (YCYW) education network that originated in Hong Kong; it is not officially affiliated to a single national government.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school's public information does not identify a religious affiliation; pastoral provision is presented as non‑denominational and focused on wellbeing and safeguarding.	Religious affiliation The school does not list any religious affiliation on its official information pages; its programme and materials describe an international, bilingual education rather than a faith‑based approach.
School day structure	School day structure Morning care (Breakfast Club) is available; a parent newsletter notes breakfast‑club drop‑off from about 07:05 with students heading to class shortly before 08:00. Typical published school‑day times used in school listings are roughly 08:00 to mid/late afternoon (around 16:30), but exact start/finish times and after‑school activity schedules vary by year group and are given in the school handbook.	School day structure Typical published schedules for YCIS Beijing indicate a morning start around 08:00 and the academic day finishing around mid‑afternoon (roughly 15:00–15:30), with co‑curricular activities running later in the afternoon on most days. The school publishes a full school‑year calendar (term dates, holidays, PD days) on its website; check the current year calendar for exact term and event times.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school offers a school‑bus service; route maps, timings, fees and the transport provider are described in the Admissions Information Centre and the school handbook (the admissions team handles route allocation). For current routes, pick‑up points or to register for transport contact admissions by phone or email.	Bus service details YCIS Beijing provides a school‑bus option for families; bus arrangements are confirmed during the enrolment process and bus/meal options are referenced in admissions materials and third‑party school guides. Routes and vendor details are managed by the school (or an appointed provider) and parents normally register for stops and schedules through Admissions/School Services. Contact the admissions office for current route maps, stops and fees.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fee - Registration (application) fee: RMB 3,500, payable once at the point of application. Tuition fees (annual and per term, by year group) - Pre-Nursery (Pre-N): Tuition RMB 228,600 per year — approximately RMB 76,200 per term (if split equally into three terms). - Nursery: Tuition RMB 228,600 per year — approximately RMB 76,200 per term. - Reception: Tuition RMB 259,600 per year — approximately RMB 86,533 per term. - Year 1: Tuition RMB 282,600 per year — approximately RMB 94,200 per term. - Year 2: Tuition RMB 295,800 per year — approximately RMB 98,600 per term. - Year 3 & Year 4: Tuition RMB 305,800 per year — approximately RMB 101,933 per term. - Year 5: Tuition RMB 306,800 per year — approximately RMB 102,267 per term. - Year 6: Tuition RMB 309,800 per year — approximately RMB 103,267 per term. - Year 7 & Year 8: Tuition RMB 321,600 per year — approximately RMB 107,200 per term. - Year 9, Year 10 & Year 11: Tuition RMB 336,000 per year — approximately RMB 112,000 per term. - Year 12 & Year 13: Tuition RMB 356,600 per year — approximately RMB 118,867 per term. Note: the per-term figures above are simple equal one‑third divisions of the published annual tuition and are provided for planning purposes; check the school's billing schedule for exact instalment amounts and due dates. Billing schedule and payment terms - The registration fee is payable at application. An Acceptance Form must be returned and a small advance payment of tuition is required to secure a place after an offer is made. Payments are to be made to the school's bank account (Hang Seng Bank Beijing — account: Harrow International School Beijing; Account Number: 531031680020). Boarding fees - Harrow Beijing operates as a day school (no boarding provision listed); there are no boarding fees for this campus. Other costs and fees - English Intensive class: some year groups offer an English Intensive class that incurs additional fees. - School uniform: all students must wear school uniform; uniforms are purchased by parents according to the school's uniform guide. - School bus: a school bus network is available; parents should contact Admissions for bus routes and fees. - Canteen (lunch): the school provides a canteen service; separate meal charges apply (sample lunch menu published by the school). Refund information - The registration fee is charged at application and is stated as payable once; the admissions materials do not specify a general refund of the registration fee. The school's formal fee and refund terms appear in the full fee or parent handbook documents. Fee payment options - Bank transfer to the school's Hang Seng Bank Beijing account is provided (bank details published). The school uses an online admissions portal (OpenApply) for applications and enrolment procedures. For other accepted payment methods and any applicable bank/transaction charges, follow the school's payment instructions.	Fee details Application and one‑off fees - Application fee: RMB 2,500 (non‑refundable). - Placement / security deposit: RMB 20,000 (one‑time; refundable subject to the school's Departure & Refund procedures). Tuition fees — per term and annual by year group (day students) - K2 (Kindergarten) – Half day: Semester 1 RMB 49,200; Semester 2 RMB 73,800; Annual RMB 123,000. - K2 (Kindergarten) – Full day: Semester 1 RMB 80,400; Semester 2 RMB 120,600; Annual RMB 201,000. - K3 & K4 (Full day): Semester 1 RMB 92,000; Semester 2 RMB 138,000; Annual RMB 230,000. - Primary (Years 1–6) typical breakdown: Semester 1 RMB 110,800; Semester 2 RMB 166,200; Annual RMB 277,000. (Year‑by‑year variation applies within Primary—see next item). - Lower Secondary (Years 7–9) typical breakdown: Semester 1 RMB 121,200; Semester 2 RMB 181,800; Annual RMB 303,000. - Upper Secondary (IGCSE / IB — Years 10–13): Semester 1 RMB 128,400; Semester 2 RMB 192,600; Annual RMB 321,000. Note that annual tuition increases by year band; published annual amounts for different year groups range from approximately RMB 221,000 up to RMB 334,000 depending on grade. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school issues invoices and accepts payments by semester or annual arrangements as shown on invoices; semester payment amounts are commonly used (see semester figures above). The placement deposit is held against the student account and may be used to settle outstanding fees. - The school requests that bank transfers include the invoice or student reference number to ensure correct allocation of funds. Boarding - YCIS Beijing operates as a day school; there are no boarding charges for this campus. Other costs and optional fees - Bus service fees charged per route/distance (examples: RMB 15,000–RMB 18,500 annually depending on route). - Uniforms, lunches, some co‑curricular activities, individual instrumental lessons or external exam fees are additional and billed separately. - Sibling discounts on tuition only: commonly published at 15% for second child and 25% for third (applies to younger siblings). Refunds and deposit handling - The placement deposit is refundable after deductions for outstanding charges; standard processing timelines cited include refund within 45 days after completion of required departure procedures. The school may use the deposit to settle unpaid account balances. Fee payment options - Bank remittance (RMB or USD accounts), in‑person cash (RMB only), credit/debit card payments in person (service charges may apply), and online payment portals (examples cited: YooPay and WeChat) are accepted. The school provides bank account details for wire transfers. Personal cheques are not accepted. If you require these figures presented in a different format for your database, use the amounts above directly; the figures are given in Chinese yuan (RMB).
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 Harrow Beijing runs a values‑led programme from Early Years to Sixth Form: Early Years (ages 3–5) follow the AISL Harrow Early Years Curriculum (AHEYC) / Little Lions kindergarten framework. In Primary (Years 1–6) the school teaches the English National Curriculum integrated with the International Primary Curriculum, with daily Mandarin, Expressive Arts and a specialist emphasis on PE and outdoor education. The Prep phase (Years 7–8) provides a broad foundation across subjects to prepare students for Upper School. In the Senior Phase (Years 9–11) students consolidate learning and are prepared to sit GCSE/IGCSE examinations in Year 11. The Sixth Form (Years 12–13) follows a two‑year A‑Level programme (with options for a three‑year pathway) and Harrow Beijing lists A‑Level subjects including Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design Technology, Economics, Mandarin, Further Mathematics, English Literature, Geography, History, Mathematics, Media Studies, Music, Physics, Psychology and Theatre Studies, plus EPQ and other enrichment awards.	Curriculum details Yew Chung International School of Beijing provides a bilingual English–Chinese programme from Early Childhood (around ages 2–4) through Upper Secondary (Year 13). Early Childhood follows the Early Years Foundation Stage and classrooms use a co‑teaching model with Chinese and international teachers; Primary (Years 1–6) follows the National Curriculum for England adapted with a bilingual focus. Lower Secondary (Years 7–9) continues the school's international/Yew Chung curriculum framework, while Years 10–11 prepare students for Cambridge IGCSE examinations. Years 12–13 offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Chinese language and culture are compulsory across secondary with staged ability groupings (CFL/CAL); the school also provides EAL/IEP support, co‑curricular programmes and character education alongside the academic qualifications.
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. Initial enquiry and visit. During a visit or Open Day you will be shown the facilities, meet admissions/academic staff and have an opportunity to ask about year-group availability and programme detail. Parents who cannot visit can use the school's online resources (virtual tour, prospectus, videos) before applying. 2. Submit the online application and pay the registration fee. Applications are made through the school's online portal (harrowbeijing.openapply.cn) and the school charges a one‑time registration fee of 3,500 RMB payable at the point of application; the application should include required documents such as passport pages, recent school reports (two years), a teacher reference and photos. The Admissions Quick Guide lists exactly which documents are required and confirms the registration fee and online submission URL. Early application is recommended because demand is high and waiting-list priority is based on submission date. 3. School review, consultation and age placement. After you submit the application the Admissions team will review the documents and confirm the appropriate year group using the school's age-placement guide (placements follow dates of birth). Depending on the child's age and the year group applied for, the school may arrange a consultation, assessment or interview with academic staff; details and timing are set by the Admissions Office after they receive a completed application. Note that Harrow Beijing describes itself as academically selective; where academic requirements are not met or spaces are limited, this will affect the decision or placement offered. 4. Specific entry rules for older year groups. The school does not permit direct entry to Year 11 or Year 13 and does not permit entry to Year 10 or Year 12 after the October half‑term for that academic year—parents should plan timing accordingly if applying for those year groups. For applicants seeking direct entry into Year 12 (A Level), the school specifies academic prerequisites (a minimum of five GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above and Grade B or above in any intended A‑Level subject). If you are applying for a senior place, confirm the exact subject and examination equivalency requirements with Admissions. 5. Offer, acceptance and deposit timeline. If a place is offered the school will send a formal Offer and an Acceptance Form; parents are asked to sign and return the Acceptance Form and to make the advance payment of tuition fees by the deadline. The school typically guarantees a place for two weeks after an offer is made to allow return of the Acceptance Form and payment; if the acceptance and payment are not completed by the deadline the place may be offered to another applicant. For payment the Admissions Quick Guide gives bank details and requests clear name/year‑group references on transfers. 6. Fees, sibling discounts and other cost notes. Harrow Beijing publishes year‑by‑year tuition for the academic year (example: Pre‑Nursery and Nursery 228,600 RMB; Reception 259,600 RMB; Year 1 282,600 RMB; Year 9–11 336,000 RMB; Year 12–13 356,600 RMB for 2025–2026); the school also notes that certain year groups offer an English Intensive class that incurs additional fees. Sibling discounts are applied to the youngest child in order of birth (2nd child 5%, 3rd child 10%, 4th and subsequent 15%). Check the Tuition Fees document and the Admissions Quick Guide for the currently published year, and ask Admissions about any additional charges (bus, meals, uniforms, optional programmes). 7. Final preparation and start. Once the Acceptance Form is returned and the advance payment is processed, the school will confirm the enrolment and provide practical information (timetables, uniform, bus routes, canteen). Ensure that visas/permits (for international applicants) and any medical or other documentation requested are ready well before the start date. If no space is immediately available but your child meets entry requirements, the school will place them on a waiting list (see below).	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry & online application. Parents should be prepared to provide basic details about the child (date of birth, current year level, nationality) and to ask about current space availability for the child's year group. 2. Submit application form + required documents and pay application fee. After completing the online form you will be asked to upload supporting documents (commonly: passport, recent school reports, and proof of residency/visa and health/immunisation records) and to pay the non‑refundable application fee; published external listings report an application fee of around RMB 2,500. Parents should confirm the exact document checklist and fees with Admissions before submitting because requirements can vary by age and nationality and because official amounts and accepted document formats may change. 3. Assessment / interview and placement check. For most applicants YCIS Beijing carries out age‑appropriate assessments and/or interviews (these can include classroom observations in Early Childhood, literacy/numeracy checks in Primary, and subject/English assessments or interview for Secondary) and reviews previous school records to recommend the correct placement. For IGCSE and IB entry the school notes that acceptance can be limited at particular times in the academic calendar because placement depends on prior subject coverage; parents should ask Admissions which subjects and levels can be taken mid‑year. Expect communications from the admissions team about scheduling the assessment and any language or learning‑support arrangements the school may offer. 4. Offer letter, placement deposit and invoice. If the school offers a place you will receive an offer letter and invoice; third‑party fee summaries for YCIS Beijing show a refundable placement/security deposit (commonly quoted as RMB 20,000) in addition to the first term/year tuition. Parents should check the payment deadline on the offer (deposit deadlines commonly secure the place) and confirm whether the deposit is refundable and under what conditions. Also ask about the school's published sibling discounts, early payment discounts, bus fees and other recurring charges so you can budget the full cost of attendance. 5. Registration, visa documentation and start planning logistics. After deposit payment the school will confirm registration and provide joining instructions (start date, orientation, uniform and supply lists, bus enrolment, medical/insurance requirements). International families should coordinate visa/residency documentation and any medical checks or local registration the school requires; contact Admissions early if your child will need English language support or has additional learning needs so the school can advise on available services. Finally, confirm the academic calendar and welcome/orientation sessions so your child's first week is planned in advance.
Scholarships	Scholarships Harrow Beijing runs scholarship programmes and also participates in larger AISL Harrow scholarship initiatives. The school's admissions pages and the Harrow Scholarship information note that Harrow Beijing has offered scholarships such as the AISL Scholarship, a 20th Anniversary Scholarship, and the 450 Scholarship in recent cycles; the AISL Harrow scholarship rounds have included fully funded (tuition‑free) two‑year A‑Level awards targeted at outstanding Sixth‑Form applicants. Scholarship programmes change from year to year (eligibility criteria, application windows, assessment dates and whether full or partial funding is offered), and the school's announcements give the specific application deadline and assessment/interview timetable for each competition (for example, an AISL Harrow scholarship round listed application and assessment dates for the 2025–27 cycle). For current scholarship offerings, eligibility rules and how to apply, contact the Admissions Office or refer to the Harrow Scholarship pages and the AISL Harrow scholarship portal linked from the school website.	Scholarships YCIS Beijing participates in the YCYW Scholarship Programme and publishes scholarship rounds and winners on its site and news pages. The programme is merit‑based, open to both current and prospective students entering Years 7–13 (as announced for the 2024–2025 cycle), and includes multiple award streams—examples listed by the school are the Madam Tsang Chor‑hang Memorial Scholarship, IGCSE/IB/A Level awards, and subject & talent awards (academics, arts, music, sport and community service). The school's scholarship announcements and the scholarship application notice state that one online application can be used to apply for multiple awards, that candidates are assessed on academic record, leadership, contribution to the school community and demonstrated talent, and that there are published application deadlines (for the 2024–2025 round the deadline was published as 16 February 2024). Parents should check the current scholarship announcement or contact the Scholarships/Admissions team for the latest eligibility rules, deadlines, the scope of fee remission (partial vs. full), and whether awards are renewable year to year.
Waitlist	Waitlist Harrow Beijing operates a waiting‑list system. If an applicant meets the school's academic and social entry requirements but no places are available at the time of application, the student will be placed on a waiting list until a space becomes available. The Admissions Quick Guide states that priority on the waiting lists is determined by the date the completed application was submitted, which is why the school recommends early application. If you are placed on the list, contact Admissions to confirm your child's position and to update any changed circumstances or documents; Admissions can advise typical wait times for the specific year group.	Waitlist YCIS Beijing's public admissions pages emphasise rolling admissions and advise families to contact the Admissions Office about specific enrolment availability, but the school website does not publish a formal waitlist policy or a detailed waitlist procedure. Because space can be limited—especially for particular secondary programmes or popular year groups—the usual practice is to contact Admissions to ask whether a place is available or whether your child can be placed on a holding list; Admissions can explain current availability, expected timelines and any priority categories (for example, internal YCIS transfers). If you need a definitive statement about waitlist placement, position, or how offers are released, request that information in writing from the Admissions Office so you have the school's current procedure and timelines.
	View full profile →	View full profile →