Overseas Family School vs United World College of South East Asia - East Campus

	Overseas Family School Singapore	U United World College of South East Asia - East Campus Singapore
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year SGD 28,400 - 44,800	Fees / year SGD 37,494 - 48,237
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 4 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP), IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), Cambridge IGCSE	Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 3,000	Pupils 2,807
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 24
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1991	Opened 2008
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The Overseas Family School (OFS) is located in Pasir Ris Heights, a well-connected area in the eastern part of Singapore. The school is easily accessible by car and public transportation, with bus stops and MRT stations nearby. It is in close proximity to residential areas, making it a convenient choice for families living in the eastern region of Singapore.	Location UWCSEA East Campus is situated in Tampines, a developing northeastern hub near Changi Airport, Singapore. The campus is well-connected by public transportation, with the nearest MRT station being Tampines, providing convenient access for families.
Stages	Stages OFS offers education from Kindergarten (Pre-K1) through to Grade 12. The school has four levels; Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and High School	Stages The school caters to students from Kindergarten 1 (K1) through Grade 12, structured into distinct educational stages: -Infant School: K1 to Grade 1 -Junior School: Grades 2 to 5 -Middle School: Grades 6 to 8 -High School: Grades 9 to 12
School type	School type OFS is a co-educational international school. It offers day school services and does not provide boarding facilities.	School type UWCSEA is a co-educational day school offering boarding facilities for students in Grades 9 to 12.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix OFS is home to around 3,000 students from more than 65 nationalities, creating a genuinely international school community with families from Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support OFS is committed to providing inclusive education tailored to each student's needs. The Educational Intervention Services (EIS) team offers support for students requiring additional assistance, including Learning Support, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and social-emotional counseling. These services are integrated into the school day, with Learning Support Assistants collaborating closely with classroom teachers to deliver personalized interventions.	Additional learning support UWCSEA East Campus offers tailored Learning Support services to assist students with mild learning difficulties. The dedicated Learning Support team collaborates with classroom teachers and parents to identify and implement appropriate strategies, ensuring students can fully engage with the curriculum. For more information, please visit their Learning Support page.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation OFS follows an international curriculum and is not affiliated with any specific country.	Country affiliation As part of the United World Colleges (UWC) movement, UWCSEA East is affiliated with a global network of schools and is not affiliated with a country.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation OFS is a non-denominational school and does not have any religious affiliation.	Religious affiliation UWCSEA does not have a religious affiliation. The school welcomes students from all faiths and backgrounds, promoting a culture of understanding and respect within its diverse community.
School day structure	School day structure The school day at OFS begins at 9:00 AM and concludes at 3:30 PM. The schedule includes designated breaks and a lunch period.	School day structure The school day typically begins at 8:00 AM and concludes at 3:00 PM, with specific timings varying by educational stage. Students have scheduled breaks, including a lunch period.
Bus service details	Bus service details OFS offers a shuttle bus service connecting the school to Pasir Ris MRT Station. Buses depart from Pasir Ris MRT Station at intervals starting from 7:50 AM, with the last departure at 9:00 AM. In the afternoon, buses leave the school at 3:15 PM, with the final departure at 6:10 PM. Island-wide door-to-door bus service is also available.	Bus service details UWCSEA collaborates with Yellow Bus Transport to offer a school bus service, ensuring safe and convenient travel for students. The service covers various locations across Singapore, with fees for a two-way service ranging from approximately $530.26 to $1,711.97 per term, depending on the distance travelled.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application Fees Registration Fee: A one-time non-refundable fee of S$2,000 per student, payable upon acceptance of the admission offer. Tuition Fees Tuition fees are structured by educational level and are charged per semester. Each academic year comprises two semesters: Kindergarten: - Pre-K1 (Half Day): S$8,600 per semester - Pre-K1 (Full Day) & Pre-K2: S$14,200 per semester - K1-K2: S$16,200 per semester Elementary School (Grades 1-5): S$17,550 per semester Middle School (Grades 6-8): S$18,750 per semester High School: - Grades 9-10 (Junior High School): S$21,250 per semester - Grades 11-12 (Senior High School): S$22,400 per semester Billing Schedule and Payment Terms - Tuition Fees: Payable one month before the commencement of each semester. - Late Payment: While there is no penalty fee for late payment, students may not commence classes without payment of the stipulated tuition fees before the course commencement date. Boarding Fees OFS does not offer boarding facilities; it is a day school only. Additional Costs Miscellaneous Fees: These may include costs related to course materials, examinations, excursions, field trips, co-curricular activities, school uniforms, sports attire, and exercise books. Refund Information Tuition and Miscellaneous Fees: Generally non-refundable upon early withdrawal, subject to the terms outlined in the Student Contract. Fee Payment Options Payments can be made via cross cheque, direct interbank transfer, NETS, or credit cards (American Express, VISA, MasterCard, UnionPay). Note: All fees include a 9% GST, effective from January 1, 2024.	Fee details Application Fees: Day Student Application (Kindergarten 1–Grade 11): - Single campus application: S$627 - Dual campus application: S$1,254 Boarding Application (Grade 8–11): - Dual campus application: S$841 The application fee is non-refundable and is payable per application cycle. Enrolment Fee: A one-off enrolment fee of S$4,992 is required to confirm acceptance of the place and is non-refundable. Acceptance Fees: Upon acceptance, the enrolment fee, plus the term and boarding fees (if applicable), must be paid by the deadline stated in the offer documentation. These fees are non-refundable. Tuition Fees (2025/2026): - K1–Grade 1: S$37,494 - Grades 2–5: S$39,102 - Grades 6–8: S$45,501 - Grades 8–10: S$45,711 - Grades 11–12: S$48,237 Development Levy: - First Year: S$9,537 - Subsequent Years: S$4,986 Boarding Fees (2024/2025): - Grades 8–12: S$43,131 - Amenities Fund: S$330 Other Costs: - Bus Service: Between S$530.26 to S$1,711.97 per term, depending on distance. - Canteen Costs: Approximately S$4–S$8 per day. - Instrumental Teaching Programme: Additional charges for music tuition and instrument hire. - Optional Language Programmes: Additional charges for certain language courses. - Weekend & Holiday Programmes: Fees apply for these optional programmes. Billing and Payment Terms: Fees are billed in three equal terms, with payments due at the start of each term. Payments can be made via bank transfer or credit card.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements The school does not offer boarding facilities.	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement A school uniform is worn every day by all students.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Lunch is available from the school cafeteria; students may bring a packed lunch or purchase a hot lunch. Dietary options are accommodated within the lunch program.	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school operates under a Master Policy to maintain a happy, safe and effective school for overseas families living in Singapore.	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details OFS offers education from Kindergarten (Pre-K1) through to Grade 12. The school follows an International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) for early years and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) for grades 1-5. OFS follows International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) for Grades 6-8 and offers the Cambridge IGCSEs for Grades 9-10. This is followed by the IB Diploma Programme (IB DP) for Grades 11-12.	Curriculum details UWCSEA East Campus offers a bespoke curriculum from Kindergarten 1 through Grade 8 that integrates academics with activities, outdoor education, personal and social education, and service. In Grades 9 and 10, students engage in the UWCSEA Programme, a two-year academic course designed to prepare them for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12. At the end of Grade 12, students who meet the graduation criteria are granted a UWCSEA High School Diploma. The majority of students also undertake the IB Diploma and receive their IB Diploma results.
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 View document
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning OFS places a strong emphasis on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), recognizing its importance in student development. The curriculum is designed to support personal, social, and emotional growth through inquiry and play-based approaches. For students facing social-emotional challenges, the school offers support from Nurture Specialists, aiming to enhance overall well-being and learning engagement.	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) While OFS is not a specialized SEN institution, it actively supports students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) within its inclusive mainstream environment. The EIS team is equipped to assist students with diverse learning needs, including learning difficulties, language delays, and social-emotional challenges. Support is individualized, with services such as Learning Support, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and social-emotional counseling available to ensure all students can access and benefit from the curriculum.	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language OFS offers a comprehensive Study Preparation Program (SPP) tailored for students whose first language is not English. This program aims to facilitate rapid English language acquisition, enabling students to integrate into mainstream classes without losing academic progress. The SPP is structured across Elementary, Middle, and High School levels, providing specialized support to meet students' evolving language needs. Dedicated ESL teachers deliver targeted instruction, fostering a nurturing environment for language development.	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school offers Learning Support, Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and social-emotional counseling. These services are integrated into the school day, delivered by qualified specialists on a push-in or withdrawal basis, aiming to enhance students' overall well-being and academic success.	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding OFS upholds a robust Safeguarding Policy to protect students from physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse and neglect. The policy outlines clear definitions and examples of each category of abuse, ensuring a comprehensive understanding within the school community. The school collaborates with parents and guardians to maintain a safe learning environment, adhering to Singapore's legal standards and international best practices in child protection.	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The OFS campus area is 110,000 square meters. The campus features three adventure playgrounds and air-conditioning with fresh air injection in classrooms. The auditorium seats up to 3,000 with multimedia facilities, and there is a Drama Center with a Black Box and three studios. There are four modern libraries and eleven music studios with soundproof practice rooms. The campus includes two swimming pools (a 50-meter indoor pool and a junior pool), five basketball and sports courts, sixteen science laboratories, and five computer labs with Apple Mac computers.	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Five basketball and sports courts are weather-protected. Sport fields include a senior field and a junior field with artificial turf and organic infill. Two swimming pools include a 50-meter indoor pool with 10 lanes and a junior pool. School bus services are available with seat belts and two afternoon departure options at 3:45 pm or 5:15 pm.	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Four modern libraries serve Kindergarten through High School. Eleven music studios include soundproof practice rooms. Sixteen science laboratories support science instruction across Elementary, Middle and High Schools. Five computer labs are equipped with Apple Mac computers. The Auditorium seats up to 3,000 and the Drama Center includes a Black Box and three studios.	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities The Chess Program is available to OFS students. The Sports Program offers competitive team sports and broader athletic involvement. The Model United Nations program engages students with international affairs. An Enrichment Program is available to broaden learning beyond core academics. Mother Tongue Program is offered for students from Pre K2 to Grade 8 for four hours per week.	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History The Overseas Family School was established in 1991 and moved into its current Pasir Ris campus in 2015. This move marked a significant milestone, enhancing the school's capacity and facilities to better serve its community.	History —
Community	Community OFS prides itself on a vibrant, multicultural community, with students from over 70 nationalities. The school actively fosters a sense of global citizenship and cultural appreciation. Engaging events like the annual Global Picnic and various cultural celebrations provide platforms for students and families to share traditions, cuisines, and customs, enriching the OFS experience.	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The OFS Parent Association (PA) is a dynamic, volunteer-driven organization that plays a pivotal role in enhancing the school community. Comprising parents from diverse backgrounds, the PA organizes a variety of events, including Coffee Mornings, cultural celebrations, and the much-anticipated Global Picnic.	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The OFS curriculum combines IEYC (Pre-K1 to K2), IPC (Grades 1–5) and IB (Grades 6–12), with IGCSE as an option and a WASC-accredited High School Diploma. The Model United Nations is embedded in the core curriculum, supporting research, debate and global perspectives across Elementary to High School. A Study Preparation Program provides English-language development to enable entry into mainstream classes, and coding is taught for all students.	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative The school provides weekly specialist lessons in Art, Music, PE, Coding, Chess and ICT/Library. This structure supports creative expression and cross-disciplinary learning across Primary and Secondary levels.	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Mother Tongue support is available in 14 languages at no extra fee, with four hours per week in the timetable. Retention and development of Mother Tongue is essential for students learning in English.	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies After School Program supports participation in sports, ECAs and enrichment activities. Chess Program is offered to develop strategic thinking. Model United Nations is embedded in the curriculum, providing opportunities for debate and collaboration.	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Model United Nations develops leadership, public speaking, negotiation and teamwork.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Sports Program provides physical activity and fitness opportunities for students across age groups. The After School Program supports well-being through sports, ECAs and enrichment activities.	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English is the language of instruction. A Mother Tongue Program supports retention and development of students' home languages. The curriculum comprises IEYC for Pre-K1 to K2, IPC for Grades 1–5, and IB for Grades 6–12. The Study Preparation Program enables students to join mainstream classes.	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The school teaches in English. A Mother Tongue Program retains and develops students' home languages; the program is provided at no additional fee.	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards Highly Commended: Best Schools Award (Singapore) 2024: Recognizes OFS's exceptional performance and reputation among schools in Singapore. FIDE Gold School Award: Recognizes OFS's excellence in promoting chess education and fostering a strong chess culture within the school community. BCA Construction Excellence Award (2017): Acknowledges outstanding construction quality and project management in the development of the OFS campus. RoSPA Occupational Safety Awards Gold (2014-2016): Honors OFS's commitment to maintaining high standards of health and safety within the school environment.	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC): Accredits the OFS High School Diploma, ensuring it meets rigorous academic standards recognized globally. International Baccalaureate (IB): Recognizes OFS as an authorized IB World School, validating its commitment to high-quality international education. Cambridge International Examinations (CIE): Certifies OFS's adherence to global standards in delivering IGCSE programs. SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG): Registers OFS as a Private Education Institution, indicating compliance with Singapore's educational regulations.	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Complete the online registration form. Fill out the necessary details about your child and your family. Ensure all information is accurate and complete. Submit required documents. Prepare and upload necessary documents such as your child's birth certificate, passport, recent academic records, and any other documents specified by the admissions team. Pay the registration fee. Upon acceptance, a one-time non-refundable registration fee of S$2,000 is required to secure your child's place. Review and sign the Student Contract. Carefully read the terms and conditions outlined in the Student Contract. Sign and submit the contract as part of the enrollment process. Attend orientation (if applicable). Participate in any orientation sessions or meetings scheduled by the school to help you and your child become familiar with the school environment and community. Prepare for the school year. Purchase uniforms, school supplies, and any other materials required. Ensure your child is ready for the start of the academic year.	Admissions Attend an Open Day or Webinar: Participate in an Open Day or webinar to gain a deeper understanding of UWCSEA's ethos, learning environment, and community. These events offer insights into the school's culture and provide opportunities to ask questions. Application Review: The admissions team will evaluate your application, considering factors such as academic records, residency status, and alignment with the school's values. They may contact you for additional information or clarification during this stage. Assessments and Interviews: Depending on the grade level, applicants may be invited to participate in assessments or interviews. For instance, Middle School applicants might undergo English language proficiency assessments, while High School applicants may attend a Virtual Immersion Programme, which includes interviews and assessments. Offer Notification: Successful applicants will receive an offer of admission. It's important to note that offers are extended based on available spaces and the holistic review of each applicant's profile. Acceptance and Enrollment: Upon receiving an offer, families must confirm acceptance by the specified deadline, complete any remaining enrollment procedures, and prepare for the student's transition into the UWCSEA community.
Scholarships	Scholarships Overseas Family School does not offer direct scholarships or financial aid programs.	Scholarships UWCSEA offers both full and partial scholarships to students entering the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12. These scholarships are awarded through national committees in over 130 countries, including Singapore. Interested applicants should contact the UWC national committee in their home country for information on available scholarships and the application process.
Waitlist	Waitlist Overseas Family School operates on an open-entry admission policy and does not maintain a waitlist or pool system. Admissions are open year-round, and there are no entrance examinations. Proficiency in English is not a requirement for admission. Tuition fees are pro-rated based on the student's start date.	Waitlist UWCSEA East Campus does not operate a traditional waitlist or pool system. Instead, the school follows an annual application cycle, with applications typically opening on 1 September of the preceding year. Offers are extended in rounds, with the first round occurring in December or January, and subsequent rounds in March. Applicants not offered a place in earlier rounds are welcome to reapply in the following academic year.
	View full profile →	View full profile →