Nobel Algarve British International School - Almancil Campus vs Vilamoura International School
Nobel Algarve British International School - Almancil Campus and Vilamoura International School are both in Algarve, about 9 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes. Nobel Algarve British International School - Almancil Campus also offers BTEC Qualification and Cambridge IGCSE, and Vilamoura International School also offers British. Published annual fees are €6,660 - 18,430 at Nobel Algarve British International School - Almancil Campus and €5,950 - 13,950 at Vilamoura International School, which puts Nobel Algarve British International School - Almancil Campus roughly 26% higher. Both take pupils from 3 to 18.
Two campuses in the Algarve region of Portugal: Nobel Algarve Almancil and Nobel Algarve Lagoa. Almancil is located between Faro and Albufeira, near Vale de Lobo and Quinta do Lago. Lagoa is located along the EN125 route between Lagos and Albufeira. Lagoa campus address is Barros Brancos, EN125, 8401-901 Lagoa, Portugal; Almancil campus address is Caminho das Pereiras, 8135-022 Almancil, Portugal.
Location
Vilamoura International School is located in Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal, at APT 856, 8125-911 Vilamoura. It sits in the coastal resort town of Vilamoura in the Algarve region. It runs a daily school bus service with routes including Loulé/Almancil, Olhão/Faro, Vilamoura, Albufeira, and Messines.
Stages
Stages
Nursery to Year 13
Stages
Preschool to Secondary School; two pathways from ages 3 to 18: Portuguese Studies following the Portuguese national curriculum, and English Studies following an adapted British international curriculum. The English pathway covers Primary, Cambridge International Lower Secondary and IGCSE, and culminates in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in Grades 11 and 12.
School type
School type
British international school
School type
Private international school; part of the Inspired Education network.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
50+ nationalities represented
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Adaptations available for SEN students
Additional learning support
English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided through a structured programme for students with little or no English exposure.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Portugal
Country affiliation
Portugal. Portuguese Studies pathway follows the Portuguese national curriculum.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Secular
Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
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School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
A daily school bus service is offered with routes including Loulé/Almancil, Olhão/Faro, Vilamoura, Albufeira, and Messines. Buses depart at 5:00 pm, with an assistant accompanying kindergarten and primary pupils. The service operates throughout the school year.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and initial charges - Registration (non-refundable, payable on acceptance of a place): EUR 500. - Enrolment fee (charged annually for all age groups; includes school insurance): EUR 340 per year.
Other per-item charges and services - Special Educational Needs (SEN) support: EUR 35 per session (30 minutes). - English as an Additional Language (EAL) / language tuition: EUR 35 per session (30 minutes). - Psychological and orientation services: EUR 40 per session (45 minutes). - School transfer (administrative) fee: EUR 50 per student. - External examination fees are charged separately by the examining bodies and attract VAT and administrative charges. - Bus transport, uniform and after-school activity fees are set in the school's institutional documents.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Full-term payment (x3 instalments): instalments due by the dates shown in the school fee schedule (example instalment deadlines stated as 1st instalment by 11 August; 2nd by 11 December; 3rd by 11 March in the published schedule). Debit direct arrangements are required for instalment plans. - Monthly payment (x10 instalments): successive instalments as scheduled (example schedule runs from 1 July through 1 April in the published schedule). Direct debit is mandatory for monthly payments; a once-off administrative charge of EUR 50 is applied annually if direct debit is chosen. - Early-payment discount for renewal annual payments: an Early Bird discount applies for full-year payments received by the deadline shown in the current fee schedule (example: a 4% discount for payments received by 31 March in the published schedule). Family discounts apply (second child 3%; third child and subsequent 20% applied to the youngest children). Discounts are not combinable with other rate discounts. - The school's terms require written notice of withdrawal at least 90 calendar days before the expected departure date. Registration fees are non-refundable as stated in the initial charges.
Boarding - The school operates boarding provision for students (day and boarding options exist). Boarding fee schedules are managed separately to the International tuition schedule and should be requested directly; boarding fees are not itemised in the International section tuition table.
Refund and withdrawal rules - The initial registration charge is non-refundable. Notice of withdrawal must be provided in writing at least 90 calendar days prior to the expected departure date; additional terms for refunds and liabilities are set out in the school's institutional regulations.
Accepted payment methods and account details - Accepted payment methods: bank transfer, TICKET / EDENRED / UP Portugal, bank cheque, cash (subject to legal cash limits), direct debit (for monthly instalments), international transfers and credit card payments via the school's international payments provider. - School bank accounts (examples shown on the school payment page): - IBAN: PT50 0007 0000 0009 8802 3582 3 (SWIFT/BIC: BESCPTPL) — Novo Banco. - IBAN: PT50 0045 7060 4004 6436 578 72 (SWIFT/BIC: CCCMPTPL) — Crédito Agrícola. - International transfers and credit card payments can be made through the school's TransferMate facility for international education payments. Direct debit is mandatory for monthly plans; a once-off EUR 50 administrative charge applies when direct debit is used.
Summary of key actionable figures - Registration (on acceptance): EUR 500 (non-refundable). - Enrolment: EUR 340 per year. - Example annual tuition (Years 2–6): EUR 11,490; Years 12–13: EUR 16,410. Full-term and monthly equivalents are published alongside each annual rate.
(End of fee overview.)
Fee details
Application / Registration fees - Registration (enrolment) fee (non-refundable): €400 for new enrolments. - Re-enrolment (annual re-enrolment) fee (non-refundable): €250.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition invoicing and payment options: tuition may be invoiced and paid annually, termly (September, January and April) or monthly across the academic year. Nursery/Reception monthly tuition is invoiced in 11 instalments; all other education levels monthly instalments are invoiced in 10 instalments. Termly and monthly payment options are subject to a 3% administrative fee. Invoices are issued by the 5th business day of the month in which they are due (other charges separately by the 10th business day). Invoices overdue by more than 30 days incur interest of 5% on the amount due.
Security / deposit & discounts - Families with more than one child enrolled receive a siblings discount on the youngest child: 2nd child 10%, 3rd child 15%, 4th child and subsequent 20%. - Where applicable the school requires the activation of payment guarantees; specific security or deposit terms (for example pre-authorised card authorisations or deposits) and applicability to fiscal residents are stated in the fees documentation and associated conditions.
Boarding - The school operates as a day school; boarding facilities / boarding fees are not applicable.
Other costs and regularly billed extras - Mandatory / annual charges and digital services: - Mobile Device Management (MDM): €20 (applicable to Pre‑1 / 1st Year). - Global Study Platform / Inspired AI / Inspired Metaverse: €50 (Grades 4–5) and €100 (Grades 6–12). - Examination fees: - IGCSE exam fees (Grade 10): €160 per subject (invoiced annually in April where applicable). - IB exam fees (Grade 12): €900 (fee for the cohort/subjects as indicated). - Transport (termly billing; invoiced Nov, Jan, Apr): transport is offered by zone with termly and occasional per‑trip charges. Example zone charges (round‑trip / one‑way / occasional per trip) listed include: Vilamoura Zone: €455 / €273 / €7; Vila Sol Zone: €515 / €309 / €8; other zones range from ~€545 to €740 (round‑trip) with occasional per‑trip prices €9–€12 depending on zone. Transport requires an annual subscription and routes may be subject to minimum numbers. - School meals and food service: - Lunch and snack services are optional. Daily occasional user fees vary by year group (occasional daily rates printed range from €5 to €12 depending on year group); regular user subscriptions are invoiced by period / term. The school notes that daily prices include lunch and afternoon snacks for the relevant year groups. - Other charges (examples as invoiced when applicable): student replacement card €7; translation of documents €0.10/word; additional family yearbook one‑off €25; iPad acquisition (Apple iPad Air 11'' Wi‑Fi 128GB with accessories and one year insurance) and iPad rental options (rental termly fees and purchase one‑off fees listed). Charges for extracurricular activities, study support, wellbeing individual support and school trips are listed and invoiced as specified (termly, monthly or when incurred).
Refunds and cancellations - Registration / enrolment fees are non‑refundable. Certain enrolment periods (for example specified August enrolment windows) are non‑refundable when noted. Extracurricular activity enrolments require a full‑term commitment; if a student withdraws mid‑term the full term fee for that activity is charged unless the activity is cancelled or does not meet minimum enrolment requirements. Taxes / VAT are included in the fees where applicable.
Fee payment methods - Invoices can be paid by the ATM reference shown on each invoice, by direct debit, by education tickets, by bank transfer or by cash. Cash payments carry a monthly cash limit of €2,000 and an associated service fee of €50 per payment. Direct debit payments are debited by the 12th of each month; failed direct debit attempts will be requested via ATM reference or bank transfer. Specific payment instructions and ATM reference details appear on each invoice. Overdue invoices incur interest as noted above.
(End of fees overview.)
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
British National Curriculum is taught across Nobel Algarve Almancil (IGCSEs, BTEC and IB Diploma) and Nobel Algarve Lagoa (British curriculum with IGCSEs and A-Levels; Portuguese National Curriculum pathway also available). Nobel Algarve is a member of Globeducate's GBIS network.
Curriculum details
Two academic pathways for students aged 3 to 18: Portuguese Studies following the Portuguese national curriculum, and English Studies following an adapted British international curriculum. The English Studies pathway uses the British National Curriculum in Primary, Cambridge International Lower Secondary and IGCSE, culminating in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in Grades 11–12. The Portuguese Studies pathway includes national examinations in Grades 9 and 12. The school is a Cambridge International Examination and Alliance Française centre. Multilingualism is promoted through early language learning in Portuguese, English and French, with opportunities to study Spanish, German and Russian as extracurricular activities. English-exposure students receive English as an Additional Language (EAL) support to help integrate into the curriculum. The school is part of Inspired Education Group.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
In 2024/25, Nobel Algarve Lagoa posted results under the Portuguese National Curriculum above national and regional averages. The 9º ano overall average was 63.6% (+11 percentage points above the national average), with Mathematics 65.6% (+13.6%), Portuguese 61.3% (+7.3%), and PLNM 70.3% (national 58%). For ModA assessments (4º and 6º anos), Advanced+Proficient percentages included English 90% (4º ano), Portuguese 50% (4º ano), Mathematics 47% (4º ano), PLNM 50% (4º ano), Portuguese 58% (6º ano), Mathematics 45% (6º ano), and History/Geography of Portugal 52% (6º ano). At 12º ano, the overall average was 12.5 marks (+1.1 above the national average of 11.4) with improvements in Portuguese, Mathematics A, Physics and Chemistry, Philosophy and Spanish.
Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
From Year 7, students use the Unifrog platform to explore careers and university pathways; an annual on-site university fair brings international universities to campus; tailored talks and one-on-one guidance support choices for IGCSEs and A-levels and UCAS/international applications. Graduates go on to study a range of subjects at top universities worldwide, including fields such as Biological Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Law, Economics, and Business.
Higher education progression
IB Diploma Programme provides access to universities in Portugal and worldwide.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
Globeducate's four pillars—Enrich, Challenge, Shape and Achieve—shape a broad, balanced curriculum that helps students discover and develop their talents. Enrichment is supported by the Journey outdoor learning programme, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, VivaHUB After School activities, and opportunities for international exchange within Globeducate.
Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Request info: Fill in the form on this page to register your interest; a member of the Admissions Team will contact you. The school operates rolling admissions and accepts applications for both campuses throughout the year, depending on availability. Early contact is recommended to have the best chance of securing a place. 2. Book a Visit: Coming to see the schools in person is the best way to experience campus life. We will organise a meeting (in person or virtual) with the head of the relevant school campus and section. At the meeting, you will be asked to complete a registration form with your child's details, including previous school reports. 3. Apply for a place: After your meeting, you will be advised of your options and placement availability for your child in the appropriate year. If there are no available spaces, we will let you know and place you on a waiting list if you desire. 4. Enrolment: To finalise enrolment, you will be required to pay the initial fees and provide supporting documents for your application, including: copy of your child's identification document; medical information or vaccination records; copies of both parents' identity cards or passports; both parents' fiscal numbers; if foreign citizens, a copy of residence permits; and copies of both parents' proof of address. Payment options include Bank Transfer; TICKET, EDENRED or UP Portugal; Bank Cheque; Cash; Direct debit; International Transfers and Credit Card. TransferMate is available for international payments.
Admissions
1. Submit an Enquiry & Visit the School. Parents complete the enquiry form to start the application process and come for a meeting with the Educational Board at the school. This meeting provides an opportunity to learn more about the school's values, educational programme, curriculum options, and internal procedures. This initial contact helps align expectations. 2. Student Meeting & Assessment. A meeting will be scheduled for students and parents with the Heads of Department. At this stage, previous school reports should be submitted. The meeting assesses fit with the programme and discusses the student's needs and strengths. 3. Admission Decision. Admission decisions are communicated to parents by the Admissions Officer. If the application is successful, you will be provided with further enrollment instructions. The admissions process helps determine whether the student aligns with CIV's programmes and enables planning for next steps. After receiving the admissions offer, submit the following documents to complete enrolment: identification for the student and parents/guardians, up-to-date vaccination records and a medical certificate, the most recent school evaluation report (if applicable), and any residence visas or passports as required.
Scholarships
Scholarships
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Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
If there are no available spaces, families are informed and placed on a waiting list on request.
