doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
B

Brillantmont International School

Switzerland, Lausanne

Save
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · Chief Marketing Officer

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees CHF 34,000 - 111,000
Ages 13 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 100
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1882
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, American Curriculum
Taught languages French, German, Spanish, English
Typical class size 9
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Brillantmont International School is a long-established, family-run boarding and day school in Lausanne, Switzerland, educating students aged 12 to 18. The campus sits in leafy grounds, five minutes from the city centre, and comprises eight buildings with classrooms and boarding facilities. The school offers Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS and A Levels, and an American curriculum, with a 13th Grade option for a year tailored to university plans. Middle School (7th–8th) provides English language support and a broad subject base, while High School (9th–12th) offers personalised timetables and UK and US exam pathways, and 7th–10th grade courses prepare for the IB. All teaching is in English, with French as a host language taught through end of 10th grade. The school emphasizes intercultural understanding, small classes, and international university admissions. Extracurriculars span Art, Music and Dance; Model United Nations; Habitat for Humanity and other service activities, and sport and outdoor options.

Av. Charles-Secrétan 16, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland

The Essentials

Brillantmont International School has 100 pupils, typical class sizes of 9, instruction in English.

Location
Lausanne, Switzerland. The school is in the centre of Lausanne in an exclusive residential area, set in parkland with views of the lake and close to forests. Lausanne is in the French-speaking part of Switzerland and is about 40 minutes by train from Geneva International Airport. The campus is easily reached by metro and bus and is located at Avenue Charles-Secrétan 16, 1005 Lausanne.

Stages
Grades 8–12. The school welcomes students into Grades 8–12, with 8th–10th Grade programmes leading to British IGCSE and English-language instruction, and 11th–12th Grades offering British A Levels or a High School Diploma.

Type
Co-educational day and boarding school.

Additional learning support
EAL (English as an Additional Language) support is available.

Country affiliation
Switzerland.

School day structure
The Brillantmont school day for boarding students starts at 07:00 with wake-up, breakfast and room care, then classes from 08:15. The day includes a lunch break at 11:55–12:45, classes finish at 16:00, after-school activities 16:00–18:30 and scheduled study time; evenings include boarding activities and further study before lights-out.

Bus service
A school bus service is available for day students.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
All boarding accommodation is on campus in five on-site buildings, with a secure access system. Boys and girls live in separate houses organized by age, and a member of the boarding team lives on each floor. Most students share a twin room with someone from another nationality, and younger students may be in triple occupancy.

Food Options
Meals are served in the dining room with a warm meal and a balanced meat-based or vegetarian menu. The majority of day students eat lunch at Brillantmont.

House System
Every student belongs to one of five houses: Anker, Piccard, Rousseau, Chaplin, Einstein. The houses meet weekly for team-building and inter-house events, fostering belonging and leadership.

Governance and Ownership
Brillantmont is family-owned and run by the same family since 1882 and is not part of a larger group.
Fees

Annual tuition at Brillantmont International School ranges from CHF 34,000 to CHF 111,000 for 2026/27.

Application / registration fees and confirmation deposits

- Boarding students: Registration fee CHF 2,000 (non‑refundable). An Admission Deposit of CHF 12,000 is required to confirm enrolment; this deposit is held separately from school fees and is returned in full on the final statement of account subject to the school's terms and provided no unpaid fees or penalties remain. New boarding students are charged an initial Brillantmont kit (t‑shirt, polo, sweatshirt, tracksuit) of CHF 350 for the 2025–2026 academic year; this amount is deducted from the personal expenses deposit.

- Day students: Registration fee CHF 1,600 (non‑refundable). An Admission Deposit of CHF 2,000 is required to confirm enrolment for day students; the deposit is held separately and returned in full on the final statement of account subject to the school's terms. Day students receive one set of Brillantmont branded kit included in the fees.

Tuition and boarding fees by year group (annual and per‑term detail for the 2025–2026 academic year)

- Boarding annual fees (2025–2026, prices in Swiss francs, including VAT):
- 8th Grade / 9th Grade: CHF 94,500 per year. Per term: Autumn (Sept–Dec) CHF 40,500; Winter (Jan–Mar) CHF 27,000; Spring (Apr–Jun) CHF 27,000.
- 10th Grade: CHF 98,500 per year. Per term: Autumn CHF 42,300; Winter CHF 28,100; Spring CHF 28,100.
- 11th / 12th / 13th (PG Year): CHF 104,500 per year. Per term: Autumn CHF 44,700; Winter CHF 29,900; Spring CHF 29,900.
These boarding annual fees are stated inclusive of VAT and include specified items such as full board and lodging, most in‑school activities and several school trips as outlined in the school's fee schedule.

- Day student annual fees (2025–2026):
- 8th Grade / 9th Grade: CHF 34,000 per year. Per term: Autumn CHF 14,000; Winter CHF 10,000; Spring CHF 10,000.
- 10th Grade: CHF 36,000 per year. Per term: Autumn CHF 15,000; Winter CHF 10,500; Spring CHF 10,500.
- 11th / 12th / 13th (PG Year): CHF 38,000 per year. Per term: Autumn CHF 16,000; Winter CHF 11,000; Spring CHF 11,000.
Day‑student fees include lunch, one set of Brillantmont kit, some school activities and core learning materials as specified in the fee documentation.

Other compulsory deposits and routine/optional costs

- Personal expenses deposit (boarding students): CHF 6,000; this deposit appears on the first term invoice and is used to cover personal and optional costs (private lessons, external clubs, off‑programme trips, ski hire, non‑school excursions, some laundry charges for older students, graduation dinner, etc.). Any unused balance is refunded on the final statement when the student leaves.

- Pocket money recommendation: school guidance recommends a weekly allowance between CHF 30 and CHF 120 (in multiples of CHF 10); parents are asked to send the chosen weekly sum multiplied by the number of weeks in the school year (35 weeks) as the first payment with school fees so a pocket money account can be established.

- Academic/examination charges: Official external examination fees (IGCSE, A Level, IELTS) and any private tuition or exam entry fees are charged to the Personal Expenses Deposit or invoiced separately. School books for courses are provided and returned at year end; books not returned in satisfactory condition are charged.

- English additional support and SEN support (where required): Extra English (EAL) support is charged at CHF 7,500 per academic year (standard two periods per week package). Special Educational Needs / Learning Support standard package is charged at CHF 7,500 per academic year (two periods per week); further specialist external support may incur additional costs.

- Health and accident insurance: Private health and accident insurance in private division is quoted at CHF 2,700 per year; a pro‑rata reimbursement is made for months not attended on departure. Students who leave Switzerland in June receive a specific reimbursement (document cites CHF 410 for the summer months' portion).

Billing schedule, payment terms and penalties

- Per‑term billing: The school issues fees per term (Autumn, Winter, Spring) with the per‑term amounts shown above for each year group. For the 2025–2026 school year the published payment deadlines and arrangements in the school's fee documentation are: for certain entry dates the fees for the first two terms are required by an early deadline and the third term by a later deadline; separate, specific due dates are set for Autumn/Winter/Spring invoices as shown in the school's fee schedules and payment sections. Interest and consequences for late payment: the school reserves the right to cancel enrolment or to withhold access to school activities in the event of late payment, and to charge interest on unpaid sums (documented at 5% p.a. in the school's financial conditions).

- Exact due‑date examples published in the 2025–2026 documents (examples as stated in the school's fee documents):
- Day students: Autumn term payment due before 30 June 2025; Winter term due before 31 October 2025; Spring term due before 31 January 2026.
- Boarding students: the fee documents set specific due dates that depend on the student's start date (September, January or April starts); the school's terms of payment section lists the exact deadlines applicable to each start date and the timing when invoices must be settled. Late enrolment results in fees becoming due on receipt of an invoice.

Payment methods

- Preferred online payment platform: Flywire (international secure payment platform) is recommended for international transfers; parents are provided with a personalised payment reference for invoice reconciliation.
- Bank transfer: payment by bank transfer is accepted; details of the school account are provided on invoices. All payments must be made in Swiss Francs (CHF) and the full invoiced amount must be received.
- Cash payments and credit card payments are not accepted.
- Refunds are paid back into the account from which funds were received.

Refunds, withdrawal and cancellation rules

- Admission Deposit: The Admission Deposit is returned in full on the final statement of account once all fees and charges have been settled, except where the student's place is cancelled or the student is expelled or withdrawn after published deadlines — in those cases the Admission Deposit may be retained until outstanding fees are paid or may not be reimbursed as specified in the enrolment cancellation rules.

- Personal expenses deposit: Any remaining balance of the Personal Expenses Deposit is refunded on the final statement after departure and settlement of outstanding items.

- Cancellation and withdrawal deadlines: Published deadlines apply for cancelling the enrolment of a new student (deadlines depend on the intended start term) and for withdrawing a current student for the following academic year; cancelling after the stated deadlines will generally make the full fees for the following term payable and may affect the refund of the Admission Deposit.

- Expulsion: In the event of expulsion the term is payable in full and the full fees for the following term are also due; the Admission Deposit will not be reimbursed until fees have been paid.

- Insurance refunds: Health insurance is refundable on a pro‑rata basis for months not attended; the fee documentation provides an example reimbursement amount for summer months.

Other notes on recurring/optional charges

- Certain trips and optional programmes (October break trips, ski week, international or optional residential trips, MUN, Service Learning, special tournaments) and travel costs (plane tickets) are invoiced separately when they exceed specific thresholds.
- Graduation dinner, some external exam or university application costs and private lessons or external specialist support are charged to the Personal Expenses Deposit or invoiced separately according to the school's published schedules. Laundry is included for younger boarding students in specified grades; laundry for older students appears under items charged to the personal expenses deposit.

(End of fees summary for the current school‑year fee documents published for Brillantmont International School.)
Academics

Brillantmont International School teaches Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, American Curriculum for students aged 13 to 18.

Curriculum
Middle School runs 7th-8th Grade for international students aged 12-14 and covers a broad range of subjects, with English language support as needed. High School runs 9th-12th Grade with personalised timetables to develop each student's strengths and interests. Brillantmont offers British IGCSE/AS/A Level examinations (Cambridge) along with American PSAT, SAT tests and IELTS; 7th-10th Grade courses also provide preparation for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB). Post High School 13th Grade Programme is available for a final European year tailored to the student's university plans. All teaching is in English, with English support available, and all students follow classes in French, the host language; French is encouraged and taught up to at least the end of 10th Grade. The school emphasizes intercultural understanding, small classes, and preparation for international university admissions.

Student Teacher Ratio
Staff ratio is 5:1.

Higher Education Progression
100% of graduates continue to higher education worldwide. A Guidance Counsellor starts working with students from 10th Grade to explore options and prepare university applications. University fairs and Open Days are held, and universities from around the world regularly visit Brillantmont to present to prospective students.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Intercultural understanding is central to Brillantmont's way of life. Students come from around 30 cultures and live together, learning from each other about different cultures and experiences. The climate emphasizes mutual respect and openness to others. In addition to classroom learning, Brillantmont offers opportunities such as Community Service, Model United Nations, TEDx, excursions and class trips to broaden horizons and foster global citizenship.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
All teaching is in English, with English support available if needed. All students follow classes in French, the host language.

Mental Wellbeing
Health and well-being are valued as important to achieving personal happiness and success.

Safeguarding
All Brillantmont staff have undertaken safeguarding certification courses and there is a clearly defined safeguarding policy. The school complies with Swiss Federal and Cantonal laws pertaining to child protection. Brillantmont adheres to safeguarding policies and the Council of International Schools' code of conduct.
Parent Experience

History
Brillantmont has been the home of the founding family for nearly 150 years and was founded in 1882. It is the oldest Swiss boarding school owned and run by the same family across five generations. It celebrated its 140th anniversary in 2022 and is looking ahead to its 150th anniversary. In 2012 the Françoise Frei-Huguenin Sports and Culture building was inaugurated, marking ongoing development of the campus.

Community
Brillantmont is a home-from-home community for international students, with a safe, inclusive environment and a climate of mutual respect. Students live alongside peers from many nationalities, forming intercultural friendships. There is a family atmosphere with ownership and leadership by the founding family, supporting students through a personalised approach. The academic programme is internationally recognised, and thousands of students have joined School Year and Summer Course offerings over the decades.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Brillantmont campus is in large, leafy gardens, five minutes from the city centre. The campus comprises eight buildings, most dating from the early 1900s. The classrooms and boarding areas are well-equipped and up-to-date. At the centre of the campus lies a multipurpose hall with a full-sized gymnasium, a music studio and a 100m2 stage. The location offers access to mountains, forests and cultural or sporting activities nearby.

Sports Facilities
A full-sized gymnasium is on campus, and sports are offered outdoors and indoors in a wide range of activities, including tennis, basketball, Zumba, gymnastics, trampoline, volleyball and badminton. Lausanne provides additional facilities such as swimming at the pool next door, beach volleyball by the lake, ice skating, cycling, cross-country skiing and pedalo on summer days. The school runs its own teams and participates in inter-school competitions locally and nationally. The school supports students who wish to focus on sport outside school, such as rugby or rowing.

Academic Facilities
The school has eight buildings dating from the early 1900s with well-equipped, up-to-date classrooms and boarding areas. The campus is described as a home-from-home environment, closely connected to a rich local context. The school offers British IGCSE and A Levels, and also a High School Diploma programme. It is run by the founding family, now in its fifth generation, providing continuity in the academic life.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Art and design are taught, with an airy art studio for drawing, painting, design, sculpture and more. The music studio has electronic keyboards and recording equipment; students can take individual lessons and practise in the music room. Dance opportunities exist through external Lausanne providers, with performances in Lausanne. The BM rock band performs at school events, and students may audition for the Lausanne Conservatory of Arts or join local youth orchestras. The school also hosts events such as an annual inter-school Battle of the Bands.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Brillantmont's academic programme is internationally recognised and addresses the individual needs of each student. All teaching is in English with English support available, and all students also follow classes in French, the host language. In 8th–9th grade, the programme covers core subjects and includes STEAM courses in Robotics and Coding, while 10th–12th grade offers examinations such as IGCSE and A Level, or a High School Diploma with IELTS/TOEFL if needed. The small class sizes and dedicated teachers help students stay focused and take ownership of their learning.

Arts & Creative
Brillantmont offers opportunities to develop creativity through Art and Design, Music, and Dance. 8th Graders take Music and Art, while older students can study Creative Arts in every grade. The art studio supports drawing, painting, sculpture, design, photography and craft-work, and students build portfolios for leading art and design schools. The music program includes a studio with recording equipment, instrument lessons, and opportunities to perform in the BM rock band and to audition for the Lausanne Conservatory.

Cultural & Language
Intercultural understanding is central to Brillantmont's approach. The school hosts students from around 30 cultures, fostering mutual respect and open exchange. This diversity enriches classroom discussion and broadens horizons through opportunities such as Community Service, Model United Nations, TEDx, excursions and class trips. Brillantmont is committed to helping students become global citizens.

Social & Hobbies
Brillantmont organises numerous extra-curricular activities after school, at weekends and during holidays; all students are encouraged to participate and discover new interests. Activities span physical, creative and community-service options, including sports such as trampoline, football, volleyball, swimming, tennis and more, and creative options like arts and crafts, drawing, photography, drama, vocal groups, rock band and Yearbook. Weekend trips and cultural outings to theatres, cinemas, concerts and other events are common, with skiing highlighted in winter terms.

Community & Service
Community service is part of life at Brillantmont; participation includes Habitat for Humanity builds and fundraising, with past projects in Romania, Portugal, Botswana, Cambodia and Nepal. Other service opportunities exist in Lausanne, such as visits to the elderly or fundraising for charities.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership is developed through many opportunities. Students can participate in Model United Nations conferences in Singapore and The Hague, with some attaining MUN Student Officer roles. Other leadership avenues include Habitat for Humanity projects, the House Leader system, Student Librarian roles, and leading sports teams or coaching peers.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Student well-being is central to Brillantmont, with a Well-Being Coordinator providing personalised support and PSHE classes addressing well-being, social, digital and health issues, complemented by external workshops. A School Nurse is available during the day, and safeguarding policies ensure a safe environment; staff are trained in safeguarding. Brillantmont also supports a multicultural environment with faith-inclusive arrangements and supervised activities that contribute to physical and mental health.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction, with English support available. All students follow classes in French, the host language. In the 10th Grade/IGCSE, languages offered include French, Spanish and German, with examinations in European language subjects. EAL (English as an Additional Language) support is available for students who need it.

Immersion Programs
Summer Course 2026 offers mornings of language study in French or English in small classes with students from over 30 nationalities. Winter Course 2027 provides regular classes with intensive French lessons, optional extra classes, excursions, and a ski/winter sports programme, with boarding-life immersion. Term abroad / 13th Grade / Winter Course includes a winter course for 13-15 year-olds and term-abroad options (September–December, January–June, April–June) plus a Post High School 13th Grade programme. Short Stay Courses offer flexible terms (September–December, January–June, and April–June for Japanese students) to study alongside the full-year cohort and to improve language skills.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Pre-registration creates an Admissions Portal profile by submitting the Pre-Registration Form. After submission, a password is issued to log into the Admissions Portal with your email. In the portal you provide information about your family and upload documents such as school reports, your passport, and medical information. Have these documents ready to speed up the process.

2. An Admissions test in Maths and English is sent for all grades; additional tests may be required for Grade 11 or Grade 13. The tests help assess academic fit for the programme. You will receive instructions on how to complete the tests as part of the application process.

3. A date for a Zoom interview or an on-campus interview is scheduled. The interview provides an opportunity to discuss your child's interests and the academic programme. Staff may request further information or clarification during the interview. The interview can be conducted remotely if travel is difficult.

4. You will be asked to pay the registration fee, which is non-refundable. A student ID number is provided to effect the payment via the online secure platform. Payment completes a key step in processing the application and initiates formal review. The registration fee covers the administrative handling of the file.

5. The completed admissions file is reviewed by the Head of Admissions and the decision is communicated in writing as one of: Acceptance, Waiting list, or Refused. The review considers academic records, test results, and the interview.

6. If accepted, Brillantmont sends an Offer of Admission and an Acceptance Form. The family signs and returns the Acceptance Form, typically within 10 days. The process signals the commitment to enroll and begins the next enrollment steps.

7. The family signs the Acceptance Form and returns it within 10 days and pays the Admission Deposit within 10 days to secure the place. The Admission Deposit secures the student's place and is refunded at the end of the student's stay. The admission is not final until the Admission Deposit is received.

8. What's next? On receipt of the Admissions Deposit, the admission is confirmed and the student becomes part of the Brillantmont community. A meeting with the Head of Academics may be arranged to discuss the academic programme. A buddy will be connected to the student a few weeks prior to arrival. Visa arrangements apply: non-EU students staying longer than 3 months may require a visa, which can take up to 12 weeks; the family is responsible for obtaining the entry visa. Brillantmont will apply for a student residency permit (B Permit) once the student arrives in Switzerland.

Waitlist
Waitlist: After the admissions review, a decision may place the candidate on the Waiting list. The written outcome will specify whether the candidate is accepted, placed on the Waiting list, or refused. If on the Waiting list, the school will contact you if a place becomes available, or a final decision will be issued.
School Events
The school has not added events
Compare Brillantmont International School with
vs Institut Monte Rosa vs St. George's International School Switzerland vs Ecole Chantemerle vs International School Lausanne vs La Côte International School Aubonne
Search for more schools
Search schools in Switzerland View all schools in Lausanne View all schools in Switzerland British curriculum schools in Switzerland Open days & tours in Lausanne What is the British curriculum? View all schools Search all schools