International Secondary Schools in United Kingdom
Edited by Nik Higgins · Co-founder & CEO
About international schools in United Kingdom
Secondary international schools across the United Kingdom are a mixed group that includes British-style independent schools, International Baccalaureate (IB) schools and a smaller number that follow American or bilingual national curricula, giving relocating families a range of pathways depending on whether they want continuity with a national system or a globally portable diploma. Many schools teach the English-language National Curriculum (leading to IGCSE/GCSE and A-Levels) or the IB Middle Years and Diploma Programmes, and some offer American Advanced Placement courses or bilingual French, German or other national streams. Fee levels vary widely: the Independent Schools Census shows average independent day-school fees at roughly the mid-teens of thousands per year while boarding places are commonly much higher, and schools have been required to add VAT to fees from 1 January 2025. Admissions timing and procedures differ by school type and entry age, so families should expect separate registration and testing rounds for common entry points (11+, 13+ and 16+) and check local and school deadlines well before moving.
Compare 104 Secondary Schools international schools in United Kingdom. Filter by curriculum, fees (average GBP 30,024), location, and more to find the right international school now.
At a glance 104 schools · avg fee GBP 30,024
- Schools listed
- 104
- Curricula
- 23
- Average annual fee
- GBP 30,024
- Fee range
- GBP 2,200 – 74,900
- Most common curriculum
- British Curriculum (61 schools)
- Average school size
- 671 pupils
- Largest by enrolment
- Fairview International School
- Oldest
- Loretto School (1827)
- With boarding
- 45
49 international schools in London
See all 49 →7 international schools in Oxford
See all 7 →6 international schools in Cambridge
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3 international schools in Bristol
See all 3 →2 international schools in Canterbury
See all 2 →2 international schools in Sevenoaks
See all 2 →2 international schools in Torquay
See all 2 →2 international schools in Chelmsford
See all 2 →2 international schools in Cardiff
See all 2 →2 international schools in Edinburgh
See all 2 →2 international schools in Brighton and Hove
See all 2 →1 international school in Birmingham
See all 1 →1 international school in Brighton
See all 1 →1 international school in Dorset
See all 1 →1 international school in Chester
See all 1 →1 international school in Norwich
See all 1 →1 international school in Glasgow
See all 1 →1 international school in Worcester
See all 1 →1 international school in Preston
See all 1 →1 international school in Gloucester
See all 1 →1 international school in Folkestone
See all 1 →1 international school in Rochester
See all 1 →1 international school in Bromsgrove
See all 1 →1 international school in Bridge of Allan
See all 1 →1 international school in Hertford
See all 1 →1 international school in Bishop's Stortford
See all 1 →1 international school in Aberdeen
See all 1 →1 international school in Musselburgh
See all 1 →1 international school in York
See all 1 →1 international school in Bath
See all 1 →1 international school in Scarborough
See all 1 →1 international school in Taunton
See all 1 →1 international school in Llantwit Major
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FAQs for United Kingdom
What ages and stages do “secondary” international schools in the UK cover?
Most secondary provision runs from Year 7 (age 11) through Year 13 (age 18), with many schools organised into lower secondary (11 - 14), upper secondary (14 - 16) for GCSE/IGCSE, and sixth form (16 - 18) for A-Levels, IB Diploma or equivalent. Entry points that matter for admissions are typically 11+, 13+ and 16+, but exact year-group boundaries and the age a school calls “secondary” can vary between institutions, so check each school’s published age range and prospectus.
How do the different curricula (British, IB, American) affect a child’s options for university later on?
The British pathway (IGCSE/GCSE followed by A-Levels) remains widely accepted by UK and many international universities and is common in independent and international schools. The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma is also broadly recognised worldwide and can be a better fit for families who value a breadth of subjects and international portability, while American-style schools generally prepare students for US colleges through High School Diploma and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Admissions preferences at particular universities vary, so families should check the entry requirements of likely destinations when choosing a curriculum.
How much should we budget for fees, and did anything change recently that affects costs?
Fee levels vary considerably by school, region and whether a pupil is day or boarding; recent ISC data places average independent day-school fees in the low-to-mid tens of thousands per year (termly averages are commonly published by ISC), while boarding fees are often substantially higher and can reach into tens of thousands more per year depending on location. A policy change took effect from 1 January 2025 requiring VAT at the standard rate to be applied to private school fees, and that tax change has added a visible increase to published costs for families. Always confirm the school’s current published fees, what the fee covers, and whether figures quoted include VAT.
When should we start the admissions process if we are relocating to the UK?
Start as early as you can - many independent and international schools require registration up to a year or more before the intended start, and key registration deadlines are commonly in Year 5 for 13+ applicants and in Year 6 for 11+ applicants. For state secondary places, local authority application rounds follow published timetables and missing the deadline can reduce chances of a preferred place, so check both the local authority timeline and the target school’s admissions page as soon as you begin planning.
Do international schools in the UK support pupils who don’t speak English as a first language, and which other languages are commonly taught?
Many international and independent schools provide English as an Additional Language (EAL/EALD) support or specialist English language programmes to help newly arrived pupils access the curriculum, and schools in diverse areas often have significant cohorts of pupils with English as an additional language. Modern foreign languages commonly taught include French, Spanish and German, and some international schools also run full bilingual or national-curriculum streams in languages such as French, German or Japanese depending on local demand.