The International School of Penang (Uplands)

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.

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.

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.

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.

The school has no formal affiliation with any specific country.

Uplands is a secular school with no religious affiliation.

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.

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.

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.