The British School in Tokyo - Azabudai Hills Campus vs Tokyo International School

	T The British School in Tokyo - Azabudai Hills Campus Tokyo, Japan	T Tokyo International School Tokyo, Japan
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year ¥2,920,000 - 3,030,000	Fees / year ¥3,000,000 - 3,300,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 11 years	Age range 5 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), British Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 1,300	Pupils 470
Typical class size	Typical class size 22	Typical class size 19
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2023	Opened 1994
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The Azabudai Hills Campus is located at 1-3-3 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0041, Japan, in the Azabudai Hills development near the Tokyo Tower. The campus opened on 28 August 2023 and houses Nursery to Year 6. It is within a short walk of Kamiyacho Station and Roppongi-Itchome Station via pedestrian routes.	Location The school is located at 2-13-6 Minami Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0047, in central Tokyo's embassy district. It is near Shirokane Takanawa Station (Namboku Line/Mita Line, Exit 4) and Azabu Juban Station (Namboku/Oedo Lines, Exit 1). The surrounding area includes landmarks such as Tokyo Tower and Shiba Park, with good access by public transport and on-foot routes.
Stages	Stages Nursery to Year 6 at the Azabudai Hills Campus (Primary). Year 7 to Year 13 are taught at the Showa Campus (Showa Women's University, Taishido, Setagaya).	Stages Tokyo International School currently serves students from Kindergarten through Grade 11, with Grade 12 planned to open in 2026-27. The school is organized into Lower School (Kindergarten to Grade 5) and Middle/Upper School (Grade 6 to 11). The IB continuum (PYP, MYP, and DP) is now available, with Grade 12 scheduled to begin in SY 2026-2027.
School type	School type Co-educational international day school. (BST operates two central Tokyo campuses for different age ranges.)	School type The school is co-educational and operates as an international IB World School. There is no on-site boarding; older students may access housing options through partner providers.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix The school represents 65+ nationalities. About one-third of BST students are neither British nor Japanese, indicating a substantial international presence; exact ratios of Japanese to other nationalities are not published.	Pupil nationality mix The student body comprises students from over 70 nationalities. No single nationality accounts for more than 20% of the population, and the largest represented nationalities are the United States and Japan. The school hosts a predominantly international student community with a small local proportion.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support BST offers Learning Support services (academic, social and emotional), English as an Additional Language (EAL), counselling and medical support; ASDAN courses are also offered as an alternative pathway.	Additional learning support TIS provides learning support and English as an Additional Language (EAL) support, along with counseling services. A dedicated learning support teacher and an EAL teacher are part of the provision to assist students with diverse learning needs.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school follows the English National Curriculum and positions itself as a British international school.	Country affiliation The school has no formal country affiliation and operates as a non-profit IB World School.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Non-denominational.	Religious affiliation Religious affiliation is not listed; the school presents itself as an international IB World School without a specified religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure The school day generally follows a morning and afternoon timetable with breaks and lunch; typical start times for BST primary hours on the Shibuya campus are around 08:50, with 15:25 as the end of the day, and Azabudai Hills is expected to follow a similar pattern. Exact times vary by year group.	School day structure On campus from 8:00, classes begin at 8:10 and end at 15:20. Optional after-school activities run from 15:30 to 17:30, and a Beyond the Bell aftercare option extends supervision to 18:30 with additional bus options.
Bus service details	Bus service details BST operates a shuttle bus service between three stops: Azabudai Hills campus, SKG Shibuya, and the BST Showa campus.	Bus service details The school offers a bus service; there are seven school buses and after-school buses in operation. Beyond the standard after-care, there are scheduled bus departures at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 pm for eligible students.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and enrolment fees - Application fee: ¥40,000. - Enrolment fee: ¥500,000 (one-time, non-refundable). - Educational resources fee: ¥680,000 (one-time, non-refundable). Tuition fees (annual and per-term by year group) - Primary School (including Nursery & Reception): Annual tuition ¥2,820,000. Term amounts: Term 1 ¥980,000; Term 2 ¥940,000; Term 3 ¥900,000. - Secondary School (Year 7 to Year 9): Annual tuition ¥2,840,000. Term amounts: Term 1 ¥990,000; Term 2 ¥950,000; Term 3 ¥900,000. - Secondary School (Year 10 to Year 13): Annual tuition ¥2,930,000. Term amounts: Term 1 ¥1,030,000; Term 2 ¥980,000; Term 3 ¥920,000. - Capital development tuition fee (payable for the whole school): Annual ¥100,000. Term amounts: Term 1 ¥40,000; Term 2 ¥30,000; Term 3 ¥30,000. Billing schedule and payment terms - Invoices are normally issued 8–14 weeks before the end of the previous term. Existing student tuition invoices must be paid in full within 4 weeks of the invoice date. New-student one-time fees must be paid in full within 2 weeks of the invoice date. The school does not accept payment of fees in cash. All school fees must be paid by bank transfer from an account in the name of the registered parent/guardian or from an account previously notified in writing. - Bank transfer details are provided separately by campus: Azabudai Hills Campus (Primary) and Showa Campus (Secondary) have distinct MUFG Bank accounts; parents are required to indicate the student's surname on transfers. Mid-term enrolment and notice period - Mid-term enrolments are billed by academic term; attendance for any portion of a term requires payment for the full term or half-term depending on enrolment date. Parents wishing to withdraw a student must give at least one complete term's written notice or pay one complete term's fees in lieu of notice. Refunds and late payment - Fees are not refunded except where the required notice has been given and a term has been wholly unattended; no other fee refunds are provided. Late or unpaid fees may result in prohibition of student attendance and withholding of records; the school will seek to reallocate places where fees remain unpaid. Items included and not included in tuition - Included in tuition: the costs of books used by all students and curriculum residential and day trips and events which, in principle, all students are expected to attend. - Not included in tuition: lunches, non-curriculum residential and day trips, specialist SEN support, some examination fees, some sports events and tournaments, instrumental (private) music lessons, and some optional activities. These incur additional charges as applicable. Sibling discounts, bursaries and special arrangements - The school does not offer sibling discounts. Families who may have difficulty paying fees can apply for special postponement of fees or consider bursary options; decisions on postponement or bursaries are handled case by case. The school operates a Corporate Contribution Programme for organisations sponsoring employee dependants. Uniforms and other routine costs - School uniform is sold through the designated supplier(s). Orders and payments for uniform can be made online; supplier payment methods include bank transfer, PayPal and credit card. Separate PE uniform suppliers apply for Secondary School items; costs for uniform items vary by item and size. - Additional routine costs that may arise include lunches, optional activities, instrumental lessons, non-curriculum trips and some exam fees; these are payable in addition to tuition and one-time enrolment charges. Boarding / residential arrangements - The school operates curriculum residentials and uses partner residential satellite facilities for school trips and outdoor programmes; these are for short-term curriculum activities rather than daily boarding provision. There is no regular full-time boarding programme for students. Fee payment options (methods accepted) - Accepted method for payment of school fees: bank transfer only (from the parent/guardian's account or a notified account). Cash is not accepted for school fee payments. Separate suppliers (uniform vendor) accept bank transfer, PayPal and credit card for uniform purchases.	Fee details One-time application / enrolment fees (new students; non‑refundable) - JPY 30,000 — Application Fee. - JPY 300,000 — Registration Fee. - JPY 900,000 — Development Fee. - One‑time fees total for new students: JPY 1,230,000. Tuition and building fees (annual payment by year group) - Kindergarten – Grade 2: Building Fee JPY 150,000; Tuition JPY 2,850,000; Annual total JPY 3,000,000. - Grade 3 – Grade 5: Building Fee JPY 150,000; Tuition JPY 2,900,000; Annual total JPY 3,050,000. - Grade 6 – Grade 9: Building Fee JPY 150,000; Tuition JPY 3,050,000; Annual total JPY 3,200,000. - Grade 10 – Grade 11: Building Fee JPY 150,000; Tuition JPY 3,150,000; Annual total JPY 3,300,000. Tuition (term payment option) — amounts and per‑term billing by year group - General schedule for term payments: Term 1 payment due by Apr 30; Term 2 payment due by Oct 31; Term 3 payment due by Jan 31 (specific dates and annual term calendar shown below). - Kindergarten – Grade 2 (Building Fee JPY 150,000): - Term 1 payment (due by Apr 30): JPY 1,130,000. - Term 2 payment (due by Oct 31): JPY 860,000. - Term 3 payment (due by Jan 31): JPY 860,000. - Grade 3 – Grade 5 (Building Fee JPY 150,000): - Term 1 (due by Apr 30): JPY 1,160,000. - Term 2 (due by Oct 31): JPY 870,000. - Term 3 (due by Jan 31): JPY 870,000. - Grade 6 – Grade 9 (Building Fee JPY 150,000): - Term 1 (due by Apr 30): JPY 1,210,000. - Term 2 (due by Oct 31): JPY 920,000. - Term 3 (due by Jan 31): JPY 920,000. - Grade 10 – Grade 11 (Building Fee JPY 150,000): - Term 1 (due by Apr 30): JPY 1,250,000. - Term 2 (due by Oct 31): JPY 950,000. - Term 3 (due by Jan 31): JPY 950,000. Billing schedule and payment terms (dates and deadlines) - Academic term calendar for the 2025–26 year: Term 1: Aug 26 – Dec 19, 2025; Term 2: Jan 12 – Mar 26, 2026; Term 3: Apr 6 – Jun 19, 2026. - For returning students, annual school fees must be paid in full by Apr 30, 2025. - For newly enrolling students, school fees are due in full according to the dates stated in the acceptance letter. - Term installment payment and formal withdrawal notice deadlines are tied to the term payment dates and must be completed by Apr 30, 2025 (Term 1 payment), Oct 31, 2025 (Term 2 payment) and Jan 31, 2026 (Term 3 payment). Optional / additional fees and regular extras - Bus service (optional): One‑way route JPY 200,000; Round‑trip JPY 340,000. - Extended childcare (Beyond the Bell) — K to G5 unlimited plan (tax included): Term 1 JPY 172,000; Term 2 JPY 118,250; Term 3 JPY 118,250. On‑demand billing is JPY 1,800 per hour (rounded to nearest 15 minutes). The Beyond the Bell program is operated by an affiliated company (TIS‑AS). - Some school activities, uniforms, school lunches, IT devices for Grade 6 and above, certain social events, private instrumental lessons, and some residential trip costs (for example transportation) are not included in the listed school fees and are charged separately. Families of students in Grade 6–11 are required to provide a laptop that meets TIS IT specifications. Boarding / student housing - Tokyo International School does not operate an on‑campus boarding program. A student housing option (facilitated through an independent housing provider) is offered for eligible international students aged 16+; fees for that housing are set by the independent provider and are not listed in the school fee schedule. Refunds and non‑refundability - The one‑time new student fees (Application Fee, Registration Fee and Development Fee) are explicitly non‑refundable. - The School Fees page specifies deadlines for payment and withdrawal notice but does not provide a detailed tuition refund schedule on the public fee page. Where refund or withdrawal consequences are material (for example term‑by‑term tuition liability after a withdrawal), such terms are administered by the Business Office and are not fully itemized on the published fee summary. Fee payment options and contact for payment administration - The public School Fees summary does not list specific payment methods (for example, which cards or bank accounts will be accepted). Fee administration, payment instructions and corporate payment arrangements (Corporate Contribution Program / CCP) are handled by the Business Office; the Business Office contact is do@tokyois.com. Notes on what is not included in this overview - Exact costs for uniforms, lunches, specific extracurricular activities, required IT equipment models and the independent student housing fees are not listed in the public fee summary. The School Fees document and related guides referenced on the school information pages provide line items for many items but do not publish every ancillary price in the public summary. Summary of sources used: fee schedule, term dates, one‑time non‑refundable fees, term payment amounts, optional service fees and notes about excluded items are drawn from the school's 2025–26 School Fees information and the Student Housing description.
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 The Azabudai Hills Campus houses The British School in Tokyo's Primary School from Nursery (3 years) to Year 6 and opened on 28 August 2023. The Primary curriculum is broad and balanced with foundations in the English National Curriculum, adapted for an international setting; it includes English, Maths, Science, Computing, History, Geography, Art, Design Technology, Religious Education, Music, and Physical Education, with Japanese taught from Nursery and French from Year 4. Secondary education is provided on the Showa Campus, covering Key Stage 3 (Year 7–9) and Key Stage 4 (Year 10–11) with IGCSE examinations at the end of Year 11, and a core of English Language and Literature, Maths, Science, a Modern Foreign Language (French, Japanese, Mandarin or Spanish), Core PE and Learning for Life and Work, plus electives such as Art, Business, Computer Science, Drama, Economics, Geography, History, Music and Spanish. From August 2025, Years 12–13 can pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) with the IB Core and subject groups including Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics and The Arts, with a full enrichment programme. From August 2024 BST also offers a BTEC Level 3 in Enterprise and Sport to complement existing A-Level options. BST emphasises broader curriculum opportunities beyond exams through music, sport, art and drama, and supports independent, inquiry-based learning across the full 3–18 age range.	Curriculum details Tokyo International School offers the International Baccalaureate continuum, including the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Kindergarten to Grade 5, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6–10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) for ages 16–18; Grade 12 is planned to open in SY 2026–2027, and the school currently serves students up to Grade 11. The Primary Years Programme features two classes per grade from Kindergarten to Grade 5, with Mathematics, English literacy, Science, Social Studies and Personal & Social Education as core areas, plus specialist instruction in Art, Library, Music, Physical Education and Japanese, and integrated technology and allied supports (EAL, speech therapy, counseling). The Middle Years Programme for Grades 6–10 covers Mathematics, English, Science, Individuals & Societies, Art, Music, Drama, Physical & Health Education, Japanese and Design, and includes a Service as Action component and an Advisory program, with strong technology integration and a full range of student supports. The Diploma Programme is offered to students aged 16–18 as part of the IB continuum, with Grade 11 in operation and Grade 12 scheduled to open in 2026–2027. Across the IB framework, learning is described as student-centered and inquiry-based, with university counseling and a broad co-curricular program to support holistic development.
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. Admissions Process The British School in Tokyo operates two central Tokyo campuses: Azabudai Hills Campus for Nursery to Year 6 and Showa Campus for Year 7 to Year 13. Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are open, with a defined timeline that begins in November and runs through summer. The school bases eligibility on age-appropriate UK year groups and a standard admissions policy; parents should confirm the child's year group and ensure eligibility before starting. 2. Complete Enquiry Form To begin, submit the Enquiry Form and create an account. An admissions representative will contact you within 1–2 business days after the form is received. Do not submit a new enquiry if you already have an account. 3. Application Forms Access to the Application Form is provided after the Enquiry Form has been received and reviewed. There is a non-refundable application fee of 40,000 JPY that must be paid on the Application Form. 4. Confirmation of Application After you have submitted all items on the application checklist and a reference is received from the child's current school or teacher, the applicant will be placed in the application pool. The school will schedule any required interview or assessment only if space is foreseen for the applicant. 5. Interview/Assessment If required, the interview or assessment appointment begins in late February and continues into late June. Scheduling depends on the reviewed documents, references, and available space in the relevant year group. 6. English Language Proficiency All subjects are taught in English, so English language proficiency is an entry requirement. If English is not the applicant's first language, the school will assess spoken and written English skills. At least one parent must be able to communicate effectively in English. 7. Admissions Decisions Admissions decisions begin in early March and continue into the summer; for year groups that are full, clarity about openings may not emerge until May or later. 8. Enrollment and Fees If space is offered and accepted, families proceed to enrolment by paying the Enrolment Fee (500,000 JPY) and the Educational Resources Fee (680,000 JPY), which are non-refundable and due within two weeks of the invoice date. The Capital Development Fee is payable for the whole school year (100,000 JPY full year; 40,000 JPY Term 1; 30,000 JPY Term 2; 30,000 JPY Term 3). Tuition is charged as shown in the annual fee schedule (primary: 2,820,000 JPY per year; secondary Year 7–9: 2,840,000 JPY; Year 10–13: 2,930,000 JPY), with term breakdowns of 980,000/990,000/1,030,000 JPY for Term 1, Term 2, and Term 3 respectively. Payments are by bank transfer and not cash, with invoices typically issued 8–14 weeks before the end of the previous term. Existing students' fees are due in full within four weeks after the invoice date. Sibling discounts are not offered, though bursaries may be considered. The Corporate Contribution Programme (CCP) provides a mechanism for organisations to sponsor education expenses for employees' children. 10. Campus and Tour Details BST's Azabudai Hills Campus serves Nursery to Year 6, while the Showa Campus serves Year 7 to Year 13; visits and tours can be arranged to experience a day in BST. English language proficiency, visa expectations (BST does not sponsor student visas; dependents must hold a visa), and space availability all influence the admissions timeline. 11. Documentation For all applicants, references from the current or previous school are required and should accompany the application. 12. Next Steps After an offer, families will receive enrollment instructions and payment details for the enrolment, capital, and resources fees. 13. Final Notes The school publishes annual tuition and enrolment figures in Japanese Yen, and fees are reviewed each year. Invoices, payment methods, and terms are subject to change with notification.	Admissions 1. Submit Online Application. Begin by submitting an online application through the school's admissions portal. The application is accompanied by a non-refundable processing fee, which is valid for one academic year. The school places students into grades based on age, with an August 31 birthday cut-off guiding grade placement. Tokyo International School offers IB programs (PYP, MYP, DP) and considers multiple factors in admissions during the review stage. 2. Submit Supporting Documents. After starting the online application, follow the documents checklist provided in the system and upload the required materials. The checklist guides what needs to be submitted; requirements may vary by age/grade and specific circumstances. Completing all items in the system is essential before the admissions team proceeds. 3. Admissions Team Review. Fully completed applications are reviewed by the Leadership Team and relevant teachers. The review considers factors such as cultural and language diversity, learning diversity, and the resources available to support the student. The process also weighs space availability and class size when determining suitability. 4. Admissions Decision. The school states that English language proficiency is a factor for admissions, but not a requirement, and that admissions are pursued only when there is sufficient support to ensure success. A seat must be identified before assessments are conducted, which may be deemed necessary at the discretion of the admissions team. There is a non-refundable processing fee for each application, and the fee remains valid for one academic year.
Scholarships	Scholarships 3. Scholarships BST offers bursaries for eligible families who are unable to afford the full fees. The bursary program is limited in scope, up to 7% of the total student roll, and bursaries are not guaranteed from year to year. Eligibility requires meeting normal admissions requirements plus demonstrable financial need, detailed financial information, and a commitment to the British education offered by BST. Bursaries can cover up to 100% of enrolment fees and up to 50% of tuition, but are not available for Nursery and Reception. Bursaries are awarded for one academic year but may be renewed, subject to reassessment of family means and satisfactory student progress; the number of bursaries and criteria may change over time. Applications are reviewed by a bursary committee, and the decision is final. The 2025–26 application window has closed; the schedule for 2026–27 will be published in February 2026. For those sponsored by an employer, the Corporate Contribution Programme (CCP) funds corporate scholarships via donations by organisations.	Scholarships Scholarships. The school describes the Corporate Contribution Program (CCP) as a mechanism for corporate funding of scholarships for the dependent children of employees. The CCP is part of Tokyo International School's fundraising framework and is designed to be tax-efficient for participating companies, with scholarships funded by corporate contributions. Details about eligibility, funding, and administration are provided through the CCP, including contact instructions for inquiries (do@tokyois.com).
Waitlist	Waitlist 2. Waitlist/Pool The British School in Tokyo uses an application pool rather than a traditional waitlist. After you submit the Enquiry Form, complete documents, and obtain a reference from your child's current school, the applicant is placed in the application pool. Interviews or assessments occur only when space is anticipated for the applicant. Admissions decisions begin in early March and continue into the summer; in year groups that are full, openings may not be clear until May or later. This pool-based process means that placement depends on space availability and the timing of reviews and interviews. BST has two campuses: Azabudai Hills Campus (Nursery–Year 6) and Showa Campus (Year 7–13), and spaces are allocated according to year group and campus availability.	Waitlist Waitlist/Pool. A formal waitlist or pool system is not described in the admissions materials. Admissions decisions hinge on space availability and current class sizes, with a maximum of 22 students per class in both lower (Kindergarten–G5) and upper (G6–G11) grades. Assessments are only performed when a seat has been identified, and space constraints drive the timing of any admissions decision.
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