China, Hangzhou
Let the school know you're thinking of applying — they can share their prerequisites and help you through the process.
It's best to ask — circumstances can change at any time.
1. Initial inquiry and campus tour / information. Contact the school's Admissions Office (online inquiry form, email or phone) to check current grade availability and to request an application pack; parents should note that spaces are limited in entry years and that open seats change frequently. If you can, arrange a campus tour or an online information session so your child and your family can see facilities and meet an admissions officer — this often clarifies age/grade placement and required documents.
2. Create an application account and submit the online application form. BASIS China campuses generally require applicants to create an account in the school's application portal and complete an online form that collects basic family, residency and previous-school information; this starts the admissions record for the student. Before or during this step you will normally be asked to pay a non‑refundable application fee (common practice across BASIS China listings is around RMB 2,000–3,000 per child) — keep the payment receipt because it is required to complete the submission. Parents should confirm the exact fee and accepted payment methods with Admissions (amounts reported by third‑party school directories and portals vary).
3. Submit required documents. Typical documents requested include: the child's passport (or ID for local students), recent passport photo, birth certificate, most recent school reports/transcripts (usually two years where available), any standardized test scores, and immunization/health records. If English is not the child's first language, schools commonly request evidence of English proficiency or recent-school reports showing English instruction; parents should prepare original documents and notarized translations where required. Confirming which documents must be original versus copies ahead of submission avoids delays at offer/registration.
4. Age-appropriate assessments and interview. For early years and elementary applicants the school typically uses short literacy and numeracy assessments or sample tasks; older applicants often take subject assessments (English and mathematics) and, for secondary, may be asked to provide standardized-test scores or a school portfolio. Schools also conduct an interview with the student (and usually a short parent interview or information call) — interviews may be held on campus or online. Parents should prepare their child for a roughly 30–60 minute session and make sure past-schoolwork and certificates are ready to share if requested.
5. Admissions decision and conditional offer. After assessments and document review, Admissions will issue one of: an offer of placement, a conditional offer (e.g., subject to receipt of final transcripts or visa documents), or a refusal; timing varies with grade and demand. If an offer is made, it will specify the deadline for acceptance and any enrollment deposit required to hold the place — read those deadlines closely because places are only held once the deposit and required paperwork are received. Parents should check whether the offer letter lists any additional fees (capital/building fees, material fees, meal and transport charges) so they can budget the total first‑year cost.
6. Pay deposit and complete registration. To secure the place most campuses require an enrollment deposit or first‑term/first‑year tuition payment; the offer letter will state the amount, due date and refund/transfer policy. You will also be asked to complete registration forms (emergency contacts, medical consent, photo release, etc.), select services (school bus, meals) and provide original documents for verification. Keep copies of all bank receipts and registration confirmation emails — these are commonly needed for family records and, in some cases, local administrative formalities.
7. Visa, residence and local administrative steps (for non‑local students). If your child is a foreign passport holder or will be resident on a student visa, ask Admissions early about the specific letters or enrollment confirmations they provide to support any local visa or residence permit application; procedures for K‑12 international students differ from university JW forms and vary by city. Some schools supply an official enrollment confirmation or other documentation to help with local Public Security or school‑entry requirements — confirm which documents the school issues and whether they will provide assistance with the municipal process. Parents should begin visa and medical-check steps early because local processing times can add weeks. (Because official details on the school's public pages were not available at the time of my check, confirm these steps directly with the school's Admissions Office.)
8. Orientation and first day logistics. After registration you will receive orientation information (start date, daily schedule, uniform requirements, pick‑up/drop‑off, and supply lists). Make final arrangements for bus routes, meal accounts and any medical needs; secondary students sometimes need to select elective/AP options before the term starts. Attend the parent orientation so you understand academic expectations, assessment reporting schedules and how to communicate with teachers.
9. Follow-up: keep copies and confirm yearly re-enrolment rules. Many international schools require re‑enrolment each year and have payment/refund deadlines; keep all offer and contract documents and note the school's published payment/refund policy. If your family's address, guardianship or contact details change, notify Admissions promptly because these are required for student records and emergency procedures. If you need anything clarified (fees, policies or the current seat availability) contact the Admissions Office in writing and request an itemized fee schedule and the current enrollment status.
BASIS China runs a multi‑campus scholarship program called the Global Excellence Student Scholarship (often translated in Chinese as “全球卓越学生奖学金”) that has been offered across several BASIS campuses in China, including Hangzhou. Public announcements and school communications for BASIS campuses (Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing among others) describe a merit‑based selection process with an initial materials round (standardized test evidence, transcripts, recommendation letters, portfolio/video) followed by interviews and assessments; successful candidates at the high‑school level have in some years been awarded multi‑year tuition scholarships (examples of four‑year upper‑school scholarships are publicized for several campuses). Parents should note three practical points: (1) scholarship application windows and requirements are set by the program and change year to year, so you must download the current scholarship application pack or request it from Admissions; (2) scholarship awards usually cover tuition only — additional fees (meals, transport, uniforms, extracurricular fees and any boarding charges) are typically the family's responsibility unless otherwise specified; and (3) the scholarship selection process commonly requires high standardized‑test scores and a portfolio, and shortlisted candidates attend an interview/assessment round. If you are considering a scholarship application, ask Admissions for the latest scholarship prospectus, the deadline for submission, and any campus‑specific conditions — the program details reported in public sources show consistent availability but can differ by campus and year.