Pelita International School vs The International School of Penang (Uplands)
Pelita International School and The International School of Penang (Uplands) are both in Penang, about 4 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge IGCSE programmes. Pelita International School also offers Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels and EYFS, and The International School of Penang (Uplands) also offers IB. Published annual fees are MYR 9,360 - 33,810 at Pelita International School and MYR 24,800 - 70,800 at The International School of Penang (Uplands), which puts The International School of Penang (Uplands) roughly 121% higher. Both take pupils from 4 to 19. The International School of Penang (Uplands) is the larger school, with around 700 pupils to Pelita International School's 300. Typical class sizes are 22 at Pelita International School and 20 at The International School of Penang (Uplands).
Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Curriculum
IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Cambridge IGCSE
Pupils
Pupils
300
Pupils
700
Typical class size
Typical class size
22
Typical class size
20
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2013
Opened
1955
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Pelita International School is located in Tanjung Bungah, a coastal suburb of Penang, Malaysia. The school is situated between George Town and Batu Ferringhi, with nearby access to residential areas popular with expatriate families. The area is known for its proximity to beaches, international eateries, and housing options.
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 is structured into four main levels: Early Years (ages 4–6), Primary School (ages 7–12), Secondary School (ages 13–16), and Sixth Form (ages 17–18). Students follow the Cambridge curriculum, leading to IGCSEs and A-Levels.
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
Pelita International is a private, 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
While the school promotes inclusive education, there is limited publicly available detail on structured support for students with additional learning needs.
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 has no formal affiliation with any country.
Country affiliation
The school has no formal affiliation with any specific country.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school does not have a religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
Uplands is a secular school with no religious affiliation.
School day structure
School day structure
Classes typically start around 8:00 AM and end between 2:30 PM and 3:30 PM, depending on the student’s year group. The day includes scheduled breaks for snacks and lunch. Co-curricular activities are often held after regular classes.
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
Pelita International School offers a school transport service through external bus providers. The service is available to students living in surrounding areas, and parents can arrange routes and fees directly with the operators. Availability may vary based on location, and safety protocols are managed jointly between the school and service providers.
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.
Tuition Fees (Per Annum) * Nursery: MYR 9,360 * Reception: MYR 13,110 * Year 1–2: MYR 15,480 * Year 3–4: MYR 19,440 * Year 5–6: MYR 21,240 * Year 7: MYR 25,185 * Year 8: MYR 27,600 * Year 9: MYR 30,015 * Year 10: MYR 31,050 * Year 11: MYR 33,810 *Note: All fees are annual and subject to change without prior notice. *
Billing Schedule & Payment Terms * Tuition fees are billed annually. * Classes commence upon full payment of fees. * A refundable deposit equivalent to one term’s tuition fee is required upon enrollment.
Additional Costs * Uniforms, textbooks, and co-curricular activities may incur additional charges.
Refund Policy * A full term’s written notice is required for withdrawal. * The withdrawal form must be submitted by the last school day of the preceding term. * Failure to provide timely notice results in forfeiture of the deposit. * Refunds are processed within the last week of the student’s final term.
Payment Methods * Payments can be made via bank transfer.
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
Pelita International School follows the Cambridge International Curriculum from Early Years through to A-Levels. In the Early Years and Primary School (Reception to Year 6), students follow the Cambridge Primary Program, which includes English, Mathematics, Science, and subjects such as Music, Art, ICT, Physical Education, and Emotional Intelligence. In Secondary School (Years 7 to 9), the curriculum transitions into the Cambridge Lower Secondary Program, continuing core subjects while introducing project-based learning and assessments. For Years 10 and 11, students prepare for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), selecting subjects such as English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Business Studies, ICT, and Additional Mathematics. Sixth Form students (Years 12 and 13) undertake the Cambridge A-Level program with a choice of academic subjects for university preparation. Throughout, students also study Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin as language subjects, and participate in co-curricular and enrichment programs.
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. Book a school tour or visit. Parents are encouraged to visit the school in person to see the campus and meet staff. School tours can usually be arranged during the school week by contacting the administrative office. This step is optional but helpful for families unfamiliar with the school or area.
2. Submit the application form and supporting documents. Parents need to complete the official application form and submit documents including the child’s birth certificate, passport, academic records, and a recent passport-sized photo. A non-refundable application fee of MYR 300 is required at this stage.
3. Attend an interview and placement test. Students may be invited for an academic assessment or interview depending on their age and year group. This helps the school assess English proficiency and academic readiness. In some cases, this may be conducted online.
4. Receive an offer letter and confirm placement. Successful applicants will receive an official offer letter outlining the year group, fee structure, and terms of admission. To confirm a place, parents must pay the registration fee and deposit. The school will then provide start dates, orientation information, and class placement details.
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
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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
Pelita International School does not publicly indicate the use of a waitlist or pool system.
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.
