Which city has the cheapest international schools?

The question does not resolve cleanly, because the spread within a single city is wider than the gap between cities. In each market we cover there are schools at several times the fee level of others, and the cheapest option in an expensive city can cost less than a mid-range option in a cheaper one. The practical comparison is between specific schools for a specific year group, not between cities.

Are international school fee increases capped?

It depends on the market. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh and Hong Kong regulate fee revisions through the education authority, so a school cannot raise published tuition freely. Singapore, Bangkok and London do not cap increases; schools publish their own annual revisions. In every case, moving up a year group also carries its own step in the published rate.

What is usually not included in tuition?

Application and assessment fees, a deposit on accepting a place, transport, uniform, devices, meals, trips and external examination entries. Some markets add their own items: capital levies or debentures are common in Hong Kong, and one-off development fees appear in Bangkok. Ask each school for its full published schedule rather than the tuition line alone.

How should we compare two schools in different cities?

Convert both to the same currency for the year group your child will enter, then add the items you will actually pay: transport for your address, meals, uniform and examination entries. Compare the totals, and note whether the market caps increases, since that affects the next five years rather than the first invoice.

Does an employer education allowance change the comparison?

Usually yes, because allowances commonly cover tuition only. That leaves registration, deposit, transport and examination entries with the family, and those differ markedly between markets. Confirm which components the allowance covers, whether it is paid to the school directly, and what happens if employment ends mid-year.

Compare

International school fees by city

Two comparisons in one place: what international school costs in each city, in round numbers, and how fees are published, regulated and billed in that market.

In short

The table below gives indicative annual tuition ranges by city for the stated academic year, so you can see the level of a market at a glance.
Fee increases are regulated in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh and Hong Kong, and set by the school in Singapore, Bangkok and London.
Registration, assessment, deposit, transport, uniform and examination entries are billed separately in every market we cover.
The comparable number is the published rate for the year group your child will enter, plus the separately billed items you will actually use.
Ranges are indicative across mainstream international schools, not quotes: each school publishes its own tuition per year group and revises it annually.

Prepared by InternationalSchools.orgPublished August 2026Last reviewed August 2026

Indicative annual tuition by city

Ranges across mainstream international schools for the 2025/26 academic year. The top of every market runs above the range shown.

Sort by

Geneva

Switzerland

Premium

Primary, per year: CHF 25,000 – 35,000
Secondary, per year: CHF 30,000 – 48,000
Roughly in USD: US$28,000 – 54,000

Geneva guide

Hong Kong

Hong Kong SAR

Premium

Primary, per year: HKD 130,000 – 220,000
Secondary, per year: HKD 150,000 – 280,000
Roughly in USD: US$17,000 – 36,000

Hong Kong guide

London

United Kingdom

Premium

Primary, per year: GBP 18,000 – 30,000
Secondary, per year: GBP 22,000 – 38,000
Roughly in USD: US$23,000 – 48,000

London guide

Munich

Germany

Premium

Primary, per year: EUR 16,000 – 24,000
Secondary, per year: EUR 20,000 – 30,000
Roughly in USD: US$17,000 – 33,000

Munich guide

New York

United States

Premium

Primary, per year: USD 38,000 – 58,000
Secondary, per year: USD 45,000 – 68,000
Roughly in USD: US$38,000 – 68,000

New York guide

Paris

France

Premium

Primary, per year: EUR 15,000 – 25,000
Secondary, per year: EUR 18,000 – 33,000
Roughly in USD: US$16,000 – 36,000

Paris guide

Shanghai

China

Premium

Primary, per year: CNY 180,000 – 280,000
Secondary, per year: CNY 220,000 – 340,000
Roughly in USD: US$25,000 – 47,000

Shanghai guide

Singapore

Premium

Primary, per year: SGD 28,000 – 45,000
Secondary, per year: SGD 35,000 – 55,000
Roughly in USD: US$21,000 – 41,000

Singapore guide

Zurich

Switzerland

Premium

Primary, per year: CHF 25,000 – 35,000
Secondary, per year: CHF 30,000 – 45,000
Roughly in USD: US$28,000 – 50,000

Zurich guide

Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates

High

Primary, per year: AED 25,000 – 70,000
Secondary, per year: AED 35,000 – 100,000
Roughly in USD: US$7,000 – 27,000

Abu Dhabi guide

Amsterdam

Netherlands

High

Primary, per year: EUR 5,000 – 25,000
Secondary, per year: EUR 6,000 – 30,000
Roughly in USD: US$5,500 – 33,000

Amsterdam guide

Bangkok

Thailand

High

Primary, per year: THB 400,000 – 800,000
Secondary, per year: THB 550,000 – 1,100,000
Roughly in USD: US$11,000 – 31,000

Bangkok guide

Brussels

Belgium

High

Primary, per year: EUR 17,000 – 27,000
Secondary, per year: EUR 21,000 – 34,000
Roughly in USD: US$19,000 – 37,000

Brussels guide

Doha

Qatar

High

Primary, per year: QAR 30,000 – 70,000
Secondary, per year: QAR 40,000 – 95,000
Roughly in USD: US$8,000 – 26,000

Doha guide

Dubai

United Arab Emirates

High

Primary, per year: AED 25,000 – 75,000
Secondary, per year: AED 40,000 – 110,000
Roughly in USD: US$7,000 – 30,000

Dubai guide

Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam

High

Primary, per year: VND 250 – 550 million
Secondary, per year: VND 400 – 800 million
Roughly in USD: US$10,000 – 32,000

Ho Chi Minh City guide

Istanbul

Türkiye

High

Primary, per year: TRY 500,000 – 900,000
Secondary, per year: TRY 650,000 – 1,200,000
Roughly in USD: US$14,000 – 34,000

Istanbul guide

Jakarta

Indonesia

High

Primary, per year: IDR 150 – 400 million
Secondary, per year: IDR 250 – 600 million
Roughly in USD: US$9,000 – 37,000

Jakarta guide

Manila

Philippines

High

Primary, per year: PHP 700,000 – 1,200,000
Secondary, per year: PHP 900,000 – 1,500,000
Roughly in USD: US$12,000 – 26,000

Manila guide

Melbourne

Australia

High

Primary, per year: AUD 21,000 – 35,000
Secondary, per year: AUD 27,000 – 45,000
Roughly in USD: US$14,000 – 29,000

Melbourne guide

Miami

United States

High

Primary, per year: USD 22,000 – 38,000
Secondary, per year: USD 28,000 – 45,000
Roughly in USD: US$22,000 – 45,000

Miami guide

Milan

Italy

High

Primary, per year: EUR 12,000 – 20,000
Secondary, per year: EUR 15,000 – 28,000
Roughly in USD: US$13,000 – 30,000

Milan guide

Nairobi

Kenya

High

Primary, per year: KES 1,200,000 – 2,500,000
Secondary, per year: KES 1,800,000 – 3,500,000
Roughly in USD: US$9,000 – 27,000

Nairobi guide

Panama City

Panama

High

Primary, per year: USD 10,000 – 18,000
Secondary, per year: USD 12,000 – 22,000
Roughly in USD: US$10,000 – 22,000

Panama City guide

Rio de Janeiro

Brazil

High

Primary, per year: BRL 55,000 – 140,000
Secondary, per year: BRL 70,000 – 175,000
Roughly in USD: US$10,000 – 32,000

Rio de Janeiro guide

Riyadh

Saudi Arabia

High

Primary, per year: SAR 30,000 – 75,000
Secondary, per year: SAR 40,000 – 110,000
Roughly in USD: US$8,000 – 29,000

Riyadh guide

Rome

Italy

High

Primary, per year: EUR 11,000 – 19,000
Secondary, per year: EUR 14,000 – 26,000
Roughly in USD: US$12,000 – 28,000

Rome guide

São Paulo

Brazil

High

Primary, per year: BRL 60,000 – 160,000
Secondary, per year: BRL 80,000 – 200,000
Roughly in USD: US$11,000 – 37,000

São Paulo guide

Seoul

South Korea

High

Primary, per year: KRW 25,000,000 – 38,000,000
Secondary, per year: KRW 30,000,000 – 45,000,000
Roughly in USD: US$18,000 – 33,000

Seoul guide

Sydney

Australia

High

Primary, per year: AUD 24,000 – 38,000
Secondary, per year: AUD 30,000 – 48,000
Roughly in USD: US$16,000 – 31,000

Sydney guide

Tokyo

Japan

High

Primary, per year: JPY 2.0 – 2.8 million
Secondary, per year: JPY 2.4 – 3.4 million
Roughly in USD: US$13,000 – 23,000

Tokyo guide

Toronto

Canada

High

Primary, per year: CAD 28,000 – 40,000
Secondary, per year: CAD 32,000 – 45,000
Roughly in USD: US$21,000 – 33,000

Toronto guide

Al Ain

United Arab Emirates

Mid

Primary, per year: AED 14,000 – 45,000
Secondary, per year: AED 18,000 – 55,000
Roughly in USD: US$4,000 – 15,000

Al Ain guide

Bangalore

India

Mid

Primary, per year: INR 500,000 – 1,000,000
Secondary, per year: INR 650,000 – 1,300,000
Roughly in USD: US$6,000 – 16,000

Bangalore guide

Barcelona

Spain

Mid

Primary, per year: EUR 8,000 – 15,000
Secondary, per year: EUR 10,000 – 20,000
Roughly in USD: US$9,000 – 22,000

Barcelona guide

Berlin

Germany

Mid

Primary, per year: EUR 8,000 – 18,000
Secondary, per year: EUR 12,000 – 24,000
Roughly in USD: US$9,000 – 26,000

Berlin guide

Bogotá

Colombia

Mid

Primary, per year: COP 30,000,000 – 70,000,000
Secondary, per year: COP 40,000,000 – 90,000,000
Roughly in USD: US$7,000 – 22,000

Bogotá guide

Brasília

Brazil

Mid

Primary, per year: BRL 45,000 – 110,000
Secondary, per year: BRL 60,000 – 140,000
Roughly in USD: US$8,000 – 26,000

Brasília guide

Buenos Aires

Argentina

Mid

Primary, per year: USD equivalent 6,000 – 12,000
Secondary, per year: USD equivalent 8,000 – 15,000
Roughly in USD: US$6,000 – 15,000

Buenos Aires guide

Cairo

Egypt

Mid

Primary, per year: EGP 250,000 – 550,000
Secondary, per year: EGP 350,000 – 800,000
Roughly in USD: US$5,000 – 17,000

Cairo guide

Cape Town

South Africa

Mid

Primary, per year: ZAR 110,000 – 180,000
Secondary, per year: ZAR 140,000 – 230,000
Roughly in USD: US$6,000 – 13,000

Cape Town guide

Delhi NCR

India

Mid

Primary, per year: INR 500,000 – 1,000,000
Secondary, per year: INR 700,000 – 1,400,000
Roughly in USD: US$6,000 – 17,000

Delhi NCR guide

Johannesburg

South Africa

Mid

Primary, per year: ZAR 120,000 – 200,000
Secondary, per year: ZAR 150,000 – 250,000
Roughly in USD: US$6,500 – 14,000

Johannesburg guide

Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia

Mid

Primary, per year: MYR 25,000 – 70,000
Secondary, per year: MYR 35,000 – 100,000
Roughly in USD: US$5,500 – 22,000

Kuala Lumpur guide

Lima

Peru

Mid

Primary, per year: USD 8,000 – 16,000
Secondary, per year: USD 10,000 – 20,000
Roughly in USD: US$8,000 – 20,000

Lima guide

Lisbon

Portugal

Mid

Primary, per year: EUR 8,000 – 14,000
Secondary, per year: EUR 10,000 – 20,000
Roughly in USD: US$9,000 – 22,000

Lisbon guide

Madrid

Spain

Mid

Primary, per year: EUR 8,000 – 16,000
Secondary, per year: EUR 10,000 – 22,000
Roughly in USD: US$9,000 – 24,000

Madrid guide

Mexico City

Mexico

Mid

Primary, per year: MXN 180,000 – 350,000
Secondary, per year: MXN 220,000 – 450,000
Roughly in USD: US$10,000 – 25,000

Mexico City guide

Mumbai

India

Mid

Primary, per year: INR 600,000 – 1,200,000
Secondary, per year: INR 800,000 – 1,600,000
Roughly in USD: US$7,000 – 19,000

Mumbai guide

Ras Al Khaimah

United Arab Emirates

Mid

Primary, per year: AED 15,000 – 50,000
Secondary, per year: AED 20,000 – 62,000
Roughly in USD: US$4,000 – 17,000

Ras Al Khaimah guide

Santiago

Chile

Mid

Primary, per year: CLP 6,000,000 – 11,000,000
Secondary, per year: CLP 7,500,000 – 14,000,000
Roughly in USD: US$6,500 – 15,000

Santiago guide

Sharjah

United Arab Emirates

Mid

Primary, per year: AED 15,000 – 45,000
Secondary, per year: AED 20,000 – 60,000
Roughly in USD: US$4,000 – 16,000

Sharjah guide

The Hague

Netherlands

Mid

Primary, per year: EUR 5,000 – 20,000
Secondary, per year: EUR 7,000 – 28,000
Roughly in USD: US$5,000 – 30,000

The Hague guide

Vancouver

Canada

Mid

Primary, per year: CAD 19,000 – 30,000
Secondary, per year: CAD 24,000 – 35,000
Roughly in USD: US$14,000 – 26,000

Vancouver guide

Ajman

United Arab Emirates

Lower

Primary, per year: AED 12,000 – 35,000
Secondary, per year: AED 15,000 – 45,000
Roughly in USD: US$3,000 – 12,000

Ajman guide

Fujairah

United Arab Emirates

Lower

Primary, per year: AED 12,000 – 35,000
Secondary, per year: AED 15,000 – 42,000
Roughly in USD: US$3,000 – 11,000

Fujairah guide

Umm Al Quwain

United Arab Emirates

Lower

Primary, per year: AED 10,000 – 28,000
Secondary, per year: AED 12,000 – 35,000
Roughly in USD: US$3,000 – 10,000

Umm Al Quwain guide

Indicative annual international school tuition by city, 2025/26
City	Fee level	Primary, per year	Secondary, per year	Roughly in USD
GenevaSwitzerland	Premium	CHF 25,000 – 35,000	CHF 30,000 – 48,000	US$28,000 – 54,000
Hong KongHong Kong SAR	Premium	HKD 130,000 – 220,000	HKD 150,000 – 280,000	US$17,000 – 36,000
LondonUnited Kingdom	Premium	GBP 18,000 – 30,000	GBP 22,000 – 38,000	US$23,000 – 48,000
MunichGermany	Premium	EUR 16,000 – 24,000	EUR 20,000 – 30,000	US$17,000 – 33,000
New YorkUnited States	Premium	USD 38,000 – 58,000	USD 45,000 – 68,000	US$38,000 – 68,000
ParisFrance	Premium	EUR 15,000 – 25,000	EUR 18,000 – 33,000	US$16,000 – 36,000
ShanghaiChina	Premium	CNY 180,000 – 280,000	CNY 220,000 – 340,000	US$25,000 – 47,000
SingaporeSingapore	Premium	SGD 28,000 – 45,000	SGD 35,000 – 55,000	US$21,000 – 41,000
ZurichSwitzerland	Premium	CHF 25,000 – 35,000	CHF 30,000 – 45,000	US$28,000 – 50,000
Abu DhabiUnited Arab Emirates	High	AED 25,000 – 70,000	AED 35,000 – 100,000	US$7,000 – 27,000
AmsterdamNetherlands	High	EUR 5,000 – 25,000	EUR 6,000 – 30,000	US$5,500 – 33,000
BangkokThailand	High	THB 400,000 – 800,000	THB 550,000 – 1,100,000	US$11,000 – 31,000
BrusselsBelgium	High	EUR 17,000 – 27,000	EUR 21,000 – 34,000	US$19,000 – 37,000
DohaQatar	High	QAR 30,000 – 70,000	QAR 40,000 – 95,000	US$8,000 – 26,000
DubaiUnited Arab Emirates	High	AED 25,000 – 75,000	AED 40,000 – 110,000	US$7,000 – 30,000
Ho Chi Minh CityVietnam	High	VND 250 – 550 million	VND 400 – 800 million	US$10,000 – 32,000
IstanbulTürkiye	High	TRY 500,000 – 900,000	TRY 650,000 – 1,200,000	US$14,000 – 34,000
JakartaIndonesia	High	IDR 150 – 400 million	IDR 250 – 600 million	US$9,000 – 37,000
ManilaPhilippines	High	PHP 700,000 – 1,200,000	PHP 900,000 – 1,500,000	US$12,000 – 26,000
MelbourneAustralia	High	AUD 21,000 – 35,000	AUD 27,000 – 45,000	US$14,000 – 29,000
MiamiUnited States	High	USD 22,000 – 38,000	USD 28,000 – 45,000	US$22,000 – 45,000
MilanItaly	High	EUR 12,000 – 20,000	EUR 15,000 – 28,000	US$13,000 – 30,000
NairobiKenya	High	KES 1,200,000 – 2,500,000	KES 1,800,000 – 3,500,000	US$9,000 – 27,000
Panama CityPanama	High	USD 10,000 – 18,000	USD 12,000 – 22,000	US$10,000 – 22,000
Rio de JaneiroBrazil	High	BRL 55,000 – 140,000	BRL 70,000 – 175,000	US$10,000 – 32,000
RiyadhSaudi Arabia	High	SAR 30,000 – 75,000	SAR 40,000 – 110,000	US$8,000 – 29,000
RomeItaly	High	EUR 11,000 – 19,000	EUR 14,000 – 26,000	US$12,000 – 28,000
São PauloBrazil	High	BRL 60,000 – 160,000	BRL 80,000 – 200,000	US$11,000 – 37,000
SeoulSouth Korea	High	KRW 25,000,000 – 38,000,000	KRW 30,000,000 – 45,000,000	US$18,000 – 33,000
SydneyAustralia	High	AUD 24,000 – 38,000	AUD 30,000 – 48,000	US$16,000 – 31,000
TokyoJapan	High	JPY 2.0 – 2.8 million	JPY 2.4 – 3.4 million	US$13,000 – 23,000
TorontoCanada	High	CAD 28,000 – 40,000	CAD 32,000 – 45,000	US$21,000 – 33,000
Al AinUnited Arab Emirates	Mid	AED 14,000 – 45,000	AED 18,000 – 55,000	US$4,000 – 15,000
BangaloreIndia	Mid	INR 500,000 – 1,000,000	INR 650,000 – 1,300,000	US$6,000 – 16,000
BarcelonaSpain	Mid	EUR 8,000 – 15,000	EUR 10,000 – 20,000	US$9,000 – 22,000
BerlinGermany	Mid	EUR 8,000 – 18,000	EUR 12,000 – 24,000	US$9,000 – 26,000
BogotáColombia	Mid	COP 30,000,000 – 70,000,000	COP 40,000,000 – 90,000,000	US$7,000 – 22,000
BrasíliaBrazil	Mid	BRL 45,000 – 110,000	BRL 60,000 – 140,000	US$8,000 – 26,000
Buenos AiresArgentina	Mid	USD equivalent 6,000 – 12,000	USD equivalent 8,000 – 15,000	US$6,000 – 15,000
CairoEgypt	Mid	EGP 250,000 – 550,000	EGP 350,000 – 800,000	US$5,000 – 17,000
Cape TownSouth Africa	Mid	ZAR 110,000 – 180,000	ZAR 140,000 – 230,000	US$6,000 – 13,000
Delhi NCRIndia	Mid	INR 500,000 – 1,000,000	INR 700,000 – 1,400,000	US$6,000 – 17,000
JohannesburgSouth Africa	Mid	ZAR 120,000 – 200,000	ZAR 150,000 – 250,000	US$6,500 – 14,000
Kuala LumpurMalaysia	Mid	MYR 25,000 – 70,000	MYR 35,000 – 100,000	US$5,500 – 22,000
LimaPeru	Mid	USD 8,000 – 16,000	USD 10,000 – 20,000	US$8,000 – 20,000
LisbonPortugal	Mid	EUR 8,000 – 14,000	EUR 10,000 – 20,000	US$9,000 – 22,000
MadridSpain	Mid	EUR 8,000 – 16,000	EUR 10,000 – 22,000	US$9,000 – 24,000
Mexico CityMexico	Mid	MXN 180,000 – 350,000	MXN 220,000 – 450,000	US$10,000 – 25,000
MumbaiIndia	Mid	INR 600,000 – 1,200,000	INR 800,000 – 1,600,000	US$7,000 – 19,000
Ras Al KhaimahUnited Arab Emirates	Mid	AED 15,000 – 50,000	AED 20,000 – 62,000	US$4,000 – 17,000
SantiagoChile	Mid	CLP 6,000,000 – 11,000,000	CLP 7,500,000 – 14,000,000	US$6,500 – 15,000
SharjahUnited Arab Emirates	Mid	AED 15,000 – 45,000	AED 20,000 – 60,000	US$4,000 – 16,000
The HagueNetherlands	Mid	EUR 5,000 – 20,000	EUR 7,000 – 28,000	US$5,000 – 30,000
VancouverCanada	Mid	CAD 19,000 – 30,000	CAD 24,000 – 35,000	US$14,000 – 26,000
AjmanUnited Arab Emirates	Lower	AED 12,000 – 35,000	AED 15,000 – 45,000	US$3,000 – 12,000
FujairahUnited Arab Emirates	Lower	AED 12,000 – 35,000	AED 15,000 – 42,000	US$3,000 – 11,000
Umm Al QuwainUnited Arab Emirates	Lower	AED 10,000 – 28,000	AED 12,000 – 35,000	US$3,000 – 10,000

Indicative annual tuition across mainstream international schools, for the stated academic year. Individual schools publish their own fees per year group, the top of each market runs above these ranges, and registration, deposits, transport, uniform, meals and examination entries are billed separately.

How fees work in each city

The structure behind the numbers: who regulates increases, when the year runs, how tuition is published and what sits outside it.

DubaiUnited Arab Emirates

Currency: AED
Regulator: KHDA
Fee increases: Regulated. Permitted increases are tied to the Education Cost Index and the school's most recent inspection rating.
School year: Late August to June or July
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, from FS1 or Pre-KG to Year 13 or Grade 12
Billed separately: Application and assessment fees, deposit, transport by zone, uniform, devices, meals, examination entries

International schools in Dubai

Abu DhabiUnited Arab Emirates

Currency: AED
Regulator: ADEK
Fee increases: Regulated. ADEK governs whether and by how much a school may raise published tuition.
School year: Late August to June or July
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, published by the school
Billed separately: Registration and assessment fees, deposit, transport, uniform, meals, examination entries

International schools in Abu Dhabi

DohaQatar

Currency: QAR
Regulator: Ministry of Education and Higher Education
Fee increases: Regulated. Fee changes at licensed private schools require ministry approval.
School year: Late August or September to June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per grade or year group
Billed separately: Registration fee, deposit, transport, uniform, books, examination entries

International schools in Doha

RiyadhSaudi Arabia

Currency: SAR
Regulator: Ministry of Education
Fee increases: Regulated. Private and international school fees are filed with the ministry.
School year: August or September to June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per grade, often quoted with VAT treatment stated separately
Billed separately: Registration fee, transport, uniform, books, activities, examination entries

International schools in Riyadh

SingaporeSingapore

Currency: SGD
Regulator: Ministry of Education (Committee for Private Education for private schools)
Fee increases: Not capped. Schools set and publish their own annual increases.
School year: August to June, or January to December depending on the curriculum
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per grade, usually billed per term or semester
Billed separately: Application and enrolment fees, refundable deposit, building or facility levy, transport, uniform, examination entries

International schools in Singapore

BangkokThailand

Currency: THB
Regulator: Office of the Private Education Commission, Ministry of Education
Fee increases: Not capped in practice. Schools publish their own annual schedules.
School year: August to June, with some schools running May to March
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per grade, commonly billed by term
Billed separately: Application fee, one-off entrance or development fee, deposit, transport, uniform, meals, examination entries

International schools in Bangkok

LondonUnited Kingdom

Currency: GBP
Regulator: Department for Education; ISI or Ofsted inspection
Fee increases: Not capped. Independent schools set fees and publish annual increases themselves.
School year: September to July
How tuition is published: Fees per term for each year group or school section
Billed separately: Registration and acceptance deposits, lunches, trips, individual music lessons, examination entries

International schools in London

Hong KongHong Kong SAR

Currency: HKD
Regulator: Education Bureau
Fee increases: Regulated. Fee revisions at private and international schools require EDB approval.
School year: August or September to June or July
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, billed monthly or by term at many schools
Billed separately: Application fee, refundable or nominee debentures and capital levies, transport, uniform, meals, examination entries

International schools in Hong Kong

SharjahUnited Arab Emirates

Currency: AED
Regulator: Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA)
Fee increases: Regulated. SPEA licenses schools and approves fee changes in the emirate.
School year: Late August or early September to late June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, published by the school
Billed separately: Registration and assessment fees, deposit, transport, uniform, books, examination entries

International schools in Sharjah

Al AinUnited Arab Emirates

Currency: AED
Regulator: ADEK
Fee increases: Regulated. ADEK governs fee changes across the Abu Dhabi emirate, including Al Ain.
School year: Late August to late June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, published by the school
Billed separately: Registration and assessment fees, deposit, transport, uniform, meals, examination entries

International schools in Al Ain

Ras Al KhaimahUnited Arab Emirates

Currency: AED
Regulator: UAE Ministry of Education framework
Fee increases: Regulated nationally. Fee changes require approval under the Ministry framework.
School year: Late August or early September to late June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group
Billed separately: Registration fee, transport by route, uniform, books, activities, examination entries

International schools in Ras Al Khaimah

AjmanUnited Arab Emirates

Currency: AED
Regulator: UAE Ministry of Education framework
Fee increases: Regulated nationally. Fee changes require approval under the Ministry framework.
School year: Late August or early September to late June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group
Billed separately: Registration fee, transport, uniform, books, activities, examination entries

International schools in Ajman

FujairahUnited Arab Emirates

Currency: AED
Regulator: UAE Ministry of Education framework
Fee increases: Regulated nationally. Fee changes require approval under the Ministry framework.
School year: Late August or early September to late June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group
Billed separately: Registration fee, transport, uniform, books, examination entries

International schools in Fujairah

Umm Al QuwainUnited Arab Emirates

Currency: AED
Regulator: UAE Ministry of Education framework
Fee increases: Regulated nationally. Fee changes require approval under the Ministry framework.
School year: Late August or early September to late June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group
Billed separately: Registration fee, transport, uniform, books, examination entries

International schools in Umm Al Quwain

São PauloBrazil

Currency: BRL
Regulator: MEC and the São Paulo state education authority
Fee increases: Not capped. Schools publish an annual increase, commonly linked to inflation.
School year: Late January or February to early December
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, normally billed in monthly instalments
Billed separately: Enrolment (matrícula) charge, materials, transport, meals, trips, examination entries

International schools in São Paulo

Rio de JaneiroBrazil

Currency: BRL
Regulator: MEC and the Rio de Janeiro state education authority
Fee increases: Not capped. Schools publish an annual increase, commonly linked to inflation.
School year: Late January or February to early December
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, normally billed in monthly instalments
Billed separately: Enrolment (matrícula) charge, materials, transport, meals, trips, examination entries

International schools in Rio de Janeiro

BrasíliaBrazil

Currency: BRL
Regulator: MEC and the Federal District education authority
Fee increases: Not capped. Schools publish an annual increase, commonly linked to inflation.
School year: Late January or February to early December
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, normally billed in monthly instalments
Billed separately: Enrolment (matrícula) charge, materials, transport, meals, examination entries

International schools in Brasília

Kuala LumpurMalaysia

Currency: MYR
Regulator: Ministry of Education Malaysia
Fee increases: Not capped. Schools set and publish their own annual increases.
School year: August or September to June or July; some schools run January to December
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, commonly billed by term
Billed separately: Application and enrolment fees, refundable deposit, facility levy at some schools, transport, uniform, examination entries

International schools in Kuala Lumpur

Ho Chi Minh CityVietnam

Currency: VND (some schools quote USD)
Regulator: Ministry of Education and Training
Fee increases: Not capped. Schools publish their own annual schedules; dollar-quoted fees also move with the exchange rate.
School year: August to late May or June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, billed annually, by semester or by term
Billed separately: Application fee, deposit, transport, uniform, meals, examination entries

International schools in Ho Chi Minh City

JakartaIndonesia

Currency: IDR (some schools quote USD)
Regulator: Kemendikbudristek
Fee increases: Not capped. Schools publish their own annual increases.
School year: Mid-July or August to June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, often billed by term
Billed separately: Development or facility fee on joining, deposit, transport, uniform, meals, examination entries

International schools in Jakarta

TokyoJapan

Currency: JPY
Regulator: MEXT; most international schools are licensed as miscellaneous schools
Fee increases: Not capped. Schools set their own fees and publish increases directly.
School year: August or September to June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per grade, usually billed in two or three instalments
Billed separately: Application fee, entrance or facility fee, refundable bond at some schools, bus by distance, examination entries

International schools in Tokyo

MadridSpain

Currency: EUR
Regulator: Ministerio de Educación and the Comunidad de Madrid
Fee increases: Not capped for private schools. Concertado schools operate under regional funding rules.
School year: September to late June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, commonly billed over ten monthly instalments
Billed separately: Enrolment fee, materials, lunches, uniform, bus routes, trips and activities

International schools in Madrid

BarcelonaSpain

Currency: EUR
Regulator: Departament d'Educació, Generalitat de Catalunya
Fee increases: Not capped for private schools. Concertado schools operate under regional funding rules.
School year: September to late June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, commonly billed over ten monthly instalments
Billed separately: Enrolment fee, materials, lunches, uniform, bus routes, trips and activities

International schools in Barcelona

LisbonPortugal

Currency: EUR
Regulator: Ministério da Educação
Fee increases: Not capped. Schools publish their own annual increases.
School year: September to mid or late June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, commonly billed over ten monthly instalments
Billed separately: Enrolment fee, annual reservation fee to hold next year's place, meals, bus, uniform, trips, examination entries

International schools in Lisbon

AmsterdamNetherlands

Currency: EUR
Regulator: Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap; Inspectie van het Onderwijs
Fee increases: Subsidised Dutch international schools charge a regulated parental contribution. Private international schools set their own fees.
School year: Late August or early September to early July
How tuition is published: Annual parental contribution at subsidised schools; annual tuition per year group at private schools
Billed separately: Registration fee, meals, materials, trips, after-school activities, examination entries

International schools in Amsterdam

ParisFrance

Currency: EUR
Regulator: Ministère de l'Éducation nationale
Fee increases: Not capped for hors contrat schools. State and sous contrat schools are free or low-cost.
School year: Early September to early July
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, commonly billed in three instalments
Billed separately: Application fee, registration or capital fee, bus, canteen, trips, examination entries

International schools in Paris

BerlinGermany

Currency: EUR
Regulator: Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, Jugend und Familie (Berlin)
Fee increases: Not capped at private schools; some operate income-scaled tuition. State and Europa-Schule places carry no tuition.
School year: Late August or early September to early July
How tuition is published: Annual or monthly tuition per year group
Billed separately: Registration fee, one-off enrolment or development contribution, lunch, bus, trips, examination entries

International schools in Berlin

MunichGermany

Currency: EUR
Regulator: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Unterricht und Kultus
Fee increases: Not capped at private schools. State schools carry no tuition.
School year: Mid-September to late July
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, billed in instalments
Billed separately: Registration fee, one-off enrolment contribution, bus, lunch, trips, laptop programme, examination entries

International schools in Munich

ZurichSwitzerland

Currency: CHF
Regulator: Bildungsdirektion Kanton Zürich
Fee increases: Not capped at private schools. Cantonal state schools are free for residents.
School year: Mid or late August to early July
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, billed in instalments
Billed separately: Registration fee, enrolment or capital contribution, lunch, transport, camps and ski weeks, trips, examination entries

International schools in Zurich

GenevaSwitzerland

Currency: CHF
Regulator: Département de l'instruction publique, Canton de Genève
Fee increases: Not capped at private schools. Cantonal public schools are free for residents.
School year: Late August to late June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, billed in instalments
Billed separately: Registration fee, enrolment or building contribution, lunch, transport, camps, trips, examination entries

International schools in Geneva

MilanItaly

Currency: EUR
Regulator: Ministero dell'Istruzione e del Merito; USR Lombardia
Fee increases: Not capped. Schools publish their own annual increases.
School year: Mid-September to early June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, commonly billed in two or three instalments
Billed separately: Registration fee, enrolment contribution, bus, lunch, books, trips, examination entries

International schools in Milan

RomeItaly

Currency: EUR
Regulator: Ministero dell'Istruzione e del Merito; USR Lazio
Fee increases: Not capped. Schools publish their own annual increases.
School year: Early or mid-September to early or mid-June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, billed in instalments
Billed separately: Registration fee, enrolment contribution, bus, lunch, books, trips, examination entries

International schools in Rome

IstanbulTürkiye

Currency: TRY
Regulator: Millî Eğitim Bakanlığı (MEB)
Fee increases: Not capped. Annual increases have been large in a high-inflation environment; some schools quote in foreign currency for foreign passport holders.
School year: Early or mid-September to mid-June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, published in Turkish lira and reviewed annually
Billed separately: Registration fee, bus, lunch, uniform, books, trips, examination entries

International schools in Istanbul

ShanghaiChina

Currency: CNY
Regulator: Shanghai Municipal Education Commission
Fee increases: Filed with the municipal authority. Schools publish their own annual fee schedule.
School year: Late August or early September to mid-June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per grade, normally billed by semester
Billed separately: Application fee, registration fee, bus, lunch, uniform, trips, examination entries

International schools in Shanghai

SeoulSouth Korea

Currency: KRW
Regulator: Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education
Fee increases: Not capped for foreign schools. Each school publishes its own annual increase.
School year: August to June at foreign schools; March to February in the Korean system
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per grade, billed by semester
Billed separately: Application and registration fees, deposit, bus, lunch, technology, trips, examination entries

International schools in Seoul

MumbaiIndia

Currency: INR
Regulator: Maharashtra school education department; CBSE, CISCE, Cambridge or IB by board
Fee increases: Subject to state fee-regulation legislation for private unaided schools.
School year: Early or mid-June to March or April
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per grade, billed per term
Billed separately: Admission fee, refundable deposit, transport by distance, meals, uniform, trips, examination entries

International schools in Mumbai

Delhi NCRIndia

Currency: INR
Regulator: Directorate of Education Delhi, or the Haryana or Uttar Pradesh department by campus location
Fee increases: Governed by state rules, which differ across Delhi, Gurugram and Noida.
School year: Early April to March, with some schools on an August start
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per grade, billed quarterly or per term
Billed separately: Admission fee, security deposit, transport, meals, uniform, trips, examination entries

International schools in Delhi NCR

BangaloreIndia

Currency: INR
Regulator: Karnataka Department of School Education; CBSE, CISCE, Cambridge or IB by board
Fee increases: Subject to Karnataka rules for private unaided schools.
School year: Late May or June to March or April
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per grade, billed per term
Billed separately: Admission fee, refundable deposit, transport by distance band, meals, uniform, trips, examination entries

International schools in Bangalore

ManilaPhilippines

Currency: PHP
Regulator: Department of Education (DepEd)
Fee increases: Increases follow DepEd consultation requirements for private schools.
School year: August to June at most international schools
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per grade, billed annually or per term, often with early-payment discounts
Billed separately: Application fee, capital or facilities contribution at some schools, bus, meals, uniform, devices, trips

International schools in Manila

Mexico CityMexico

Currency: MXN
Regulator: Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP) and the federal education authority for the city
Fee increases: Schools publish their fee schedule before the enrolment period; increases are announced annually.
School year: Late August to early July
How tuition is published: Annual inscription plus ten or eleven monthly colegiaturas
Billed separately: Inscription, books, uniform, meals, transport, trips, examination entries

International schools in Mexico City

BogotáColombia

Currency: COP
Regulator: Ministerio de Educación Nacional and the Secretaría de Educación del Distrito
Fee increases: Annual increases follow ministry guidance for private schools.
School year: Calendar A from late January to November, or Calendar B from August to June
How tuition is published: Matrícula at enrolment plus ten monthly pensiones
Billed separately: Matrícula, family contribution or bono at some schools, bus, meals, uniform, books, trips

International schools in Bogotá

Buenos AiresArgentina

Currency: ARS
Regulator: Ministerio de Educación de la Nación and the city education ministry
Fee increases: Increases are announced during the year and have been frequent in a high-inflation environment.
School year: Late February or early March to early December
How tuition is published: Annual matrícula plus ten monthly cuotas
Billed separately: Matrícula, books, uniform, meals, transport, trips, examination entries

International schools in Buenos Aires

SantiagoChile

Currency: CLP or UF
Regulator: Ministerio de Educación and the Superintendencia de Educación
Fee increases: Schools publish annual fees; UF-indexed fees move with inflation month to month.
School year: Late February or early March to early December
How tuition is published: Matrícula at enrolment plus ten monthly colegiaturas
Billed separately: Matrícula, incorporation fee at some schools, bus, meals, uniform, books, trips

International schools in Santiago

LimaPeru

Currency: PEN or USD
Regulator: Ministerio de Educación (MINEDU) and the local UGEL office
Fee increases: Schools publish their fee schedule before enrolment; increases are announced annually.
School year: Early March to mid-December
How tuition is published: Matrícula at enrolment plus ten monthly pensiones
Billed separately: Matrícula, entrance or membership contribution at some schools, transport, meals, uniform, books, trips

International schools in Lima

Panama CityPanama

Currency: USD
Regulator: Ministerio de Educación (MEDUCA)
Fee increases: Schools publish their own annual increases.
School year: August to June at international schools; March to December in the national system
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per grade, billed monthly or per term
Billed separately: Capital or entrance fee at some schools, bus, meals, uniform, devices, trips, examination entries

International schools in Panama City

NairobiKenya

Currency: KES
Regulator: Ministry of Education, Republic of Kenya
Fee increases: Not capped. Schools publish their own termly fees and annual increases.
School year: Late August or September to June at British-system schools; January to November in the Kenyan system
How tuition is published: Tuition per term, three terms a year
Billed separately: Registration, admission or capital fee, deposit, zoned transport, meals, uniform, trips, examination entries

International schools in Nairobi

CairoEgypt

Currency: EGP
Regulator: Ministry of Education and Technical Education
Fee increases: Increases have been large in recent years; some schools quote part of the fee in foreign currency.
School year: Early or mid-September to early June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition per year group, billed in two or three instalments
Billed separately: Registration, zoned bus, books, uniform, activities, examination entries

International schools in Cairo

JohannesburgSouth Africa

Currency: ZAR
Regulator: Gauteng Department of Education; Umalusi for school-leaving qualifications
Fee increases: Independent schools set and publish their own annual increases.
School year: Mid-January to early December, in four terms
How tuition is published: Annual tuition, billed monthly over ten or eleven months or per term
Billed separately: Registration and acceptance fees, deposit, uniform, textbooks, sport, tours, transport

International schools in Johannesburg

Cape TownSouth Africa

Currency: ZAR
Regulator: Western Cape Education Department; Umalusi for school-leaving qualifications
Fee increases: Independent schools set and publish their own annual increases.
School year: Mid-January to early December, in four terms
How tuition is published: Annual tuition, billed monthly over ten or eleven months or per term
Billed separately: Registration and acceptance fees, deposit, uniform, textbooks, sport, tours, aftercare

International schools in Cape Town

New YorkUnited States

Currency: USD
Regulator: New York State Education Department; NYSAIS accredits independent schools
Fee increases: Independent schools set and publish their own annual increases.
School year: Early September to mid-June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition, billed annually or in two instalments
Billed separately: Application fee, deposit, tuition-refund insurance, lunch, buses, technology, trips

International schools in New York

MiamiUnited States

Currency: USD
Regulator: Florida Department of Education; private schools are independently accredited
Fee increases: Private schools set their own annual increases.
School year: Mid-August to late May
How tuition is published: Annual tuition, billed annually or in instalments
Billed separately: Application and re-enrolment fees, deposit, lunch, buses, athletics, technology, trips

International schools in Miami

TorontoCanada

Currency: CAD
Regulator: Ontario Ministry of Education; independent schools are inspected for credit granting
Fee increases: Independent schools set their own annual increases.
School year: Early September to late June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition, billed annually or per term
Billed separately: Application fee, deposit, uniform, buses, technology, trips

International schools in Toronto

VancouverCanada

Currency: CAD
Regulator: BC Ministry of Education and Child Care; independent schools are provincially certified
Fee increases: Independent schools set their own increases; partial provincial funding lowers published fees.
School year: Early September to late June
How tuition is published: Annual tuition, billed annually or per term
Billed separately: Application fee, deposit, uniform, buses, technology, trips, outdoor education

International schools in Vancouver

SydneyAustralia

Currency: AUD
Regulator: NSW Education Standards Authority; NSW Department of Education for government schools
Fee increases: Independent schools set and publish their own annual increases.
School year: Late January to mid-December, in four terms
How tuition is published: Annual tuition, billed per term or annually
Billed separately: Enrolment fee, uniform, textbooks, technology, camps, sport, excursions

International schools in Sydney

MelbourneAustralia

Currency: AUD
Regulator: Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority; Department of Education for government schools
Fee increases: Independent schools set and publish their own annual increases.
School year: Late January to mid-December, in four terms
How tuition is published: Annual tuition, billed per term or annually
Billed separately: Application fee, deposit, uniform, books, technology, camps, music, sport

International schools in Melbourne

BrusselsBelgium

Currency: EUR
Regulator: Flemish and French-community education ministries; European Schools governed separately
Fee increases: International schools set their own increases; European School Category III fees are set annually by the Board of Governors.
School year: Early September to late June or early July
How tuition is published: Annual tuition, billed per term or annually
Billed separately: Registration fee, deposit, buses, lunch, trips, after-school activities

International schools in Brussels

The HagueNetherlands

Currency: EUR
Regulator: Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science; Inspectorate of Education
Fee increases: Subsidised DIS contributions are set per school within the funded system; private schools set their own increases.
School year: Late August to early July
How tuition is published: Annual tuition or subsidised parental contribution, billed annually or per term
Billed separately: Registration fee, deposit, lunch, buses, trips, exam entries, activities

International schools in The Hague

How international school fees are published, regulated and billed in each city InternationalSchools.org covers
City	Currency	Regulator	Fee increases	School year	How tuition is published	Billed separately
DubaiUnited Arab Emirates	AED	KHDA	Regulated. Permitted increases are tied to the Education Cost Index and the school's most recent inspection rating.	Late August to June or July	Annual tuition per year group, from FS1 or Pre-KG to Year 13 or Grade 12	Application and assessment fees, deposit, transport by zone, uniform, devices, meals, examination entries
Abu DhabiUnited Arab Emirates	AED	ADEK	Regulated. ADEK governs whether and by how much a school may raise published tuition.	Late August to June or July	Annual tuition per year group, published by the school	Registration and assessment fees, deposit, transport, uniform, meals, examination entries
DohaQatar	QAR	Ministry of Education and Higher Education	Regulated. Fee changes at licensed private schools require ministry approval.	Late August or September to June	Annual tuition per grade or year group	Registration fee, deposit, transport, uniform, books, examination entries
RiyadhSaudi Arabia	SAR	Ministry of Education	Regulated. Private and international school fees are filed with the ministry.	August or September to June	Annual tuition per grade, often quoted with VAT treatment stated separately	Registration fee, transport, uniform, books, activities, examination entries
SingaporeSingapore	SGD	Ministry of Education (Committee for Private Education for private schools)	Not capped. Schools set and publish their own annual increases.	August to June, or January to December depending on the curriculum	Annual tuition per grade, usually billed per term or semester	Application and enrolment fees, refundable deposit, building or facility levy, transport, uniform, examination entries
BangkokThailand	THB	Office of the Private Education Commission, Ministry of Education	Not capped in practice. Schools publish their own annual schedules.	August to June, with some schools running May to March	Annual tuition per grade, commonly billed by term	Application fee, one-off entrance or development fee, deposit, transport, uniform, meals, examination entries
LondonUnited Kingdom	GBP	Department for Education; ISI or Ofsted inspection	Not capped. Independent schools set fees and publish annual increases themselves.	September to July	Fees per term for each year group or school section	Registration and acceptance deposits, lunches, trips, individual music lessons, examination entries
Hong KongHong Kong SAR	HKD	Education Bureau	Regulated. Fee revisions at private and international schools require EDB approval.	August or September to June or July	Annual tuition per year group, billed monthly or by term at many schools	Application fee, refundable or nominee debentures and capital levies, transport, uniform, meals, examination entries
SharjahUnited Arab Emirates	AED	Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA)	Regulated. SPEA licenses schools and approves fee changes in the emirate.	Late August or early September to late June	Annual tuition per year group, published by the school	Registration and assessment fees, deposit, transport, uniform, books, examination entries
Al AinUnited Arab Emirates	AED	ADEK	Regulated. ADEK governs fee changes across the Abu Dhabi emirate, including Al Ain.	Late August to late June	Annual tuition per year group, published by the school	Registration and assessment fees, deposit, transport, uniform, meals, examination entries
Ras Al KhaimahUnited Arab Emirates	AED	UAE Ministry of Education framework	Regulated nationally. Fee changes require approval under the Ministry framework.	Late August or early September to late June	Annual tuition per year group	Registration fee, transport by route, uniform, books, activities, examination entries
AjmanUnited Arab Emirates	AED	UAE Ministry of Education framework	Regulated nationally. Fee changes require approval under the Ministry framework.	Late August or early September to late June	Annual tuition per year group	Registration fee, transport, uniform, books, activities, examination entries
FujairahUnited Arab Emirates	AED	UAE Ministry of Education framework	Regulated nationally. Fee changes require approval under the Ministry framework.	Late August or early September to late June	Annual tuition per year group	Registration fee, transport, uniform, books, examination entries
Umm Al QuwainUnited Arab Emirates	AED	UAE Ministry of Education framework	Regulated nationally. Fee changes require approval under the Ministry framework.	Late August or early September to late June	Annual tuition per year group	Registration fee, transport, uniform, books, examination entries
São PauloBrazil	BRL	MEC and the São Paulo state education authority	Not capped. Schools publish an annual increase, commonly linked to inflation.	Late January or February to early December	Annual tuition per year group, normally billed in monthly instalments	Enrolment (matrícula) charge, materials, transport, meals, trips, examination entries
Rio de JaneiroBrazil	BRL	MEC and the Rio de Janeiro state education authority	Not capped. Schools publish an annual increase, commonly linked to inflation.	Late January or February to early December	Annual tuition per year group, normally billed in monthly instalments	Enrolment (matrícula) charge, materials, transport, meals, trips, examination entries
BrasíliaBrazil	BRL	MEC and the Federal District education authority	Not capped. Schools publish an annual increase, commonly linked to inflation.	Late January or February to early December	Annual tuition per year group, normally billed in monthly instalments	Enrolment (matrícula) charge, materials, transport, meals, examination entries
Kuala LumpurMalaysia	MYR	Ministry of Education Malaysia	Not capped. Schools set and publish their own annual increases.	August or September to June or July; some schools run January to December	Annual tuition per year group, commonly billed by term	Application and enrolment fees, refundable deposit, facility levy at some schools, transport, uniform, examination entries
Ho Chi Minh CityVietnam	VND (some schools quote USD)	Ministry of Education and Training	Not capped. Schools publish their own annual schedules; dollar-quoted fees also move with the exchange rate.	August to late May or June	Annual tuition per year group, billed annually, by semester or by term	Application fee, deposit, transport, uniform, meals, examination entries
JakartaIndonesia	IDR (some schools quote USD)	Kemendikbudristek	Not capped. Schools publish their own annual increases.	Mid-July or August to June	Annual tuition per year group, often billed by term	Development or facility fee on joining, deposit, transport, uniform, meals, examination entries
TokyoJapan	JPY	MEXT; most international schools are licensed as miscellaneous schools	Not capped. Schools set their own fees and publish increases directly.	August or September to June	Annual tuition per grade, usually billed in two or three instalments	Application fee, entrance or facility fee, refundable bond at some schools, bus by distance, examination entries
MadridSpain	EUR	Ministerio de Educación and the Comunidad de Madrid	Not capped for private schools. Concertado schools operate under regional funding rules.	September to late June	Annual tuition per year group, commonly billed over ten monthly instalments	Enrolment fee, materials, lunches, uniform, bus routes, trips and activities
BarcelonaSpain	EUR	Departament d'Educació, Generalitat de Catalunya	Not capped for private schools. Concertado schools operate under regional funding rules.	September to late June	Annual tuition per year group, commonly billed over ten monthly instalments	Enrolment fee, materials, lunches, uniform, bus routes, trips and activities
LisbonPortugal	EUR	Ministério da Educação	Not capped. Schools publish their own annual increases.	September to mid or late June	Annual tuition per year group, commonly billed over ten monthly instalments	Enrolment fee, annual reservation fee to hold next year's place, meals, bus, uniform, trips, examination entries
AmsterdamNetherlands	EUR	Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap; Inspectie van het Onderwijs	Subsidised Dutch international schools charge a regulated parental contribution. Private international schools set their own fees.	Late August or early September to early July	Annual parental contribution at subsidised schools; annual tuition per year group at private schools	Registration fee, meals, materials, trips, after-school activities, examination entries
ParisFrance	EUR	Ministère de l'Éducation nationale	Not capped for hors contrat schools. State and sous contrat schools are free or low-cost.	Early September to early July	Annual tuition per year group, commonly billed in three instalments	Application fee, registration or capital fee, bus, canteen, trips, examination entries
BerlinGermany	EUR	Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, Jugend und Familie (Berlin)	Not capped at private schools; some operate income-scaled tuition. State and Europa-Schule places carry no tuition.	Late August or early September to early July	Annual or monthly tuition per year group	Registration fee, one-off enrolment or development contribution, lunch, bus, trips, examination entries
MunichGermany	EUR	Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Unterricht und Kultus	Not capped at private schools. State schools carry no tuition.	Mid-September to late July	Annual tuition per year group, billed in instalments	Registration fee, one-off enrolment contribution, bus, lunch, trips, laptop programme, examination entries
ZurichSwitzerland	CHF	Bildungsdirektion Kanton Zürich	Not capped at private schools. Cantonal state schools are free for residents.	Mid or late August to early July	Annual tuition per year group, billed in instalments	Registration fee, enrolment or capital contribution, lunch, transport, camps and ski weeks, trips, examination entries
GenevaSwitzerland	CHF	Département de l'instruction publique, Canton de Genève	Not capped at private schools. Cantonal public schools are free for residents.	Late August to late June	Annual tuition per year group, billed in instalments	Registration fee, enrolment or building contribution, lunch, transport, camps, trips, examination entries
MilanItaly	EUR	Ministero dell'Istruzione e del Merito; USR Lombardia	Not capped. Schools publish their own annual increases.	Mid-September to early June	Annual tuition per year group, commonly billed in two or three instalments	Registration fee, enrolment contribution, bus, lunch, books, trips, examination entries
RomeItaly	EUR	Ministero dell'Istruzione e del Merito; USR Lazio	Not capped. Schools publish their own annual increases.	Early or mid-September to early or mid-June	Annual tuition per year group, billed in instalments	Registration fee, enrolment contribution, bus, lunch, books, trips, examination entries
IstanbulTürkiye	TRY	Millî Eğitim Bakanlığı (MEB)	Not capped. Annual increases have been large in a high-inflation environment; some schools quote in foreign currency for foreign passport holders.	Early or mid-September to mid-June	Annual tuition per year group, published in Turkish lira and reviewed annually	Registration fee, bus, lunch, uniform, books, trips, examination entries
ShanghaiChina	CNY	Shanghai Municipal Education Commission	Filed with the municipal authority. Schools publish their own annual fee schedule.	Late August or early September to mid-June	Annual tuition per grade, normally billed by semester	Application fee, registration fee, bus, lunch, uniform, trips, examination entries
SeoulSouth Korea	KRW	Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education	Not capped for foreign schools. Each school publishes its own annual increase.	August to June at foreign schools; March to February in the Korean system	Annual tuition per grade, billed by semester	Application and registration fees, deposit, bus, lunch, technology, trips, examination entries
MumbaiIndia	INR	Maharashtra school education department; CBSE, CISCE, Cambridge or IB by board	Subject to state fee-regulation legislation for private unaided schools.	Early or mid-June to March or April	Annual tuition per grade, billed per term	Admission fee, refundable deposit, transport by distance, meals, uniform, trips, examination entries
Delhi NCRIndia	INR	Directorate of Education Delhi, or the Haryana or Uttar Pradesh department by campus location	Governed by state rules, which differ across Delhi, Gurugram and Noida.	Early April to March, with some schools on an August start	Annual tuition per grade, billed quarterly or per term	Admission fee, security deposit, transport, meals, uniform, trips, examination entries
BangaloreIndia	INR	Karnataka Department of School Education; CBSE, CISCE, Cambridge or IB by board	Subject to Karnataka rules for private unaided schools.	Late May or June to March or April	Annual tuition per grade, billed per term	Admission fee, refundable deposit, transport by distance band, meals, uniform, trips, examination entries
ManilaPhilippines	PHP	Department of Education (DepEd)	Increases follow DepEd consultation requirements for private schools.	August to June at most international schools	Annual tuition per grade, billed annually or per term, often with early-payment discounts	Application fee, capital or facilities contribution at some schools, bus, meals, uniform, devices, trips
Mexico CityMexico	MXN	Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP) and the federal education authority for the city	Schools publish their fee schedule before the enrolment period; increases are announced annually.	Late August to early July	Annual inscription plus ten or eleven monthly colegiaturas	Inscription, books, uniform, meals, transport, trips, examination entries
BogotáColombia	COP	Ministerio de Educación Nacional and the Secretaría de Educación del Distrito	Annual increases follow ministry guidance for private schools.	Calendar A from late January to November, or Calendar B from August to June	Matrícula at enrolment plus ten monthly pensiones	Matrícula, family contribution or bono at some schools, bus, meals, uniform, books, trips
Buenos AiresArgentina	ARS	Ministerio de Educación de la Nación and the city education ministry	Increases are announced during the year and have been frequent in a high-inflation environment.	Late February or early March to early December	Annual matrícula plus ten monthly cuotas	Matrícula, books, uniform, meals, transport, trips, examination entries
SantiagoChile	CLP or UF	Ministerio de Educación and the Superintendencia de Educación	Schools publish annual fees; UF-indexed fees move with inflation month to month.	Late February or early March to early December	Matrícula at enrolment plus ten monthly colegiaturas	Matrícula, incorporation fee at some schools, bus, meals, uniform, books, trips
LimaPeru	PEN or USD	Ministerio de Educación (MINEDU) and the local UGEL office	Schools publish their fee schedule before enrolment; increases are announced annually.	Early March to mid-December	Matrícula at enrolment plus ten monthly pensiones	Matrícula, entrance or membership contribution at some schools, transport, meals, uniform, books, trips
Panama CityPanama	USD	Ministerio de Educación (MEDUCA)	Schools publish their own annual increases.	August to June at international schools; March to December in the national system	Annual tuition per grade, billed monthly or per term	Capital or entrance fee at some schools, bus, meals, uniform, devices, trips, examination entries
NairobiKenya	KES	Ministry of Education, Republic of Kenya	Not capped. Schools publish their own termly fees and annual increases.	Late August or September to June at British-system schools; January to November in the Kenyan system	Tuition per term, three terms a year	Registration, admission or capital fee, deposit, zoned transport, meals, uniform, trips, examination entries
CairoEgypt	EGP	Ministry of Education and Technical Education	Increases have been large in recent years; some schools quote part of the fee in foreign currency.	Early or mid-September to early June	Annual tuition per year group, billed in two or three instalments	Registration, zoned bus, books, uniform, activities, examination entries
JohannesburgSouth Africa	ZAR	Gauteng Department of Education; Umalusi for school-leaving qualifications	Independent schools set and publish their own annual increases.	Mid-January to early December, in four terms	Annual tuition, billed monthly over ten or eleven months or per term	Registration and acceptance fees, deposit, uniform, textbooks, sport, tours, transport
Cape TownSouth Africa	ZAR	Western Cape Education Department; Umalusi for school-leaving qualifications	Independent schools set and publish their own annual increases.	Mid-January to early December, in four terms	Annual tuition, billed monthly over ten or eleven months or per term	Registration and acceptance fees, deposit, uniform, textbooks, sport, tours, aftercare
New YorkUnited States	USD	New York State Education Department; NYSAIS accredits independent schools	Independent schools set and publish their own annual increases.	Early September to mid-June	Annual tuition, billed annually or in two instalments	Application fee, deposit, tuition-refund insurance, lunch, buses, technology, trips
MiamiUnited States	USD	Florida Department of Education; private schools are independently accredited	Private schools set their own annual increases.	Mid-August to late May	Annual tuition, billed annually or in instalments	Application and re-enrolment fees, deposit, lunch, buses, athletics, technology, trips
TorontoCanada	CAD	Ontario Ministry of Education; independent schools are inspected for credit granting	Independent schools set their own annual increases.	Early September to late June	Annual tuition, billed annually or per term	Application fee, deposit, uniform, buses, technology, trips
VancouverCanada	CAD	BC Ministry of Education and Child Care; independent schools are provincially certified	Independent schools set their own increases; partial provincial funding lowers published fees.	Early September to late June	Annual tuition, billed annually or per term	Application fee, deposit, uniform, buses, technology, trips, outdoor education
SydneyAustralia	AUD	NSW Education Standards Authority; NSW Department of Education for government schools	Independent schools set and publish their own annual increases.	Late January to mid-December, in four terms	Annual tuition, billed per term or annually	Enrolment fee, uniform, textbooks, technology, camps, sport, excursions
MelbourneAustralia	AUD	Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority; Department of Education for government schools	Independent schools set and publish their own annual increases.	Late January to mid-December, in four terms	Annual tuition, billed per term or annually	Application fee, deposit, uniform, books, technology, camps, music, sport
BrusselsBelgium	EUR	Flemish and French-community education ministries; European Schools governed separately	International schools set their own increases; European School Category III fees are set annually by the Board of Governors.	Early September to late June or early July	Annual tuition, billed per term or annually	Registration fee, deposit, buses, lunch, trips, after-school activities
The HagueNetherlands	EUR	Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science; Inspectorate of Education	Subsidised DIS contributions are set per school within the funded system; private schools set their own increases.	Late August to early July	Annual tuition or subsidised parental contribution, billed annually or per term	Registration fee, deposit, lunch, buses, trips, exam entries, activities

Reading the table

The regulator column matters more than it looks. Where increases are approved by an education authority, as in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh and Hong Kong, the first invoice is a reasonable guide to the following years. Where they are not, as in Singapore, Bangkok and London, a school can revise its schedule each year on its own judgement, so ask what it applied in each of the last three years.

The school year column changes what a mid-year move costs. A family arriving in February is entering the second half of a year in every one of these markets except the Bangkok schools that run May to March, and schools differ on whether they pro-rate tuition or charge the full term.

The separately billed column is where budgets are usually broken. Transport in particular is priced by zone or route, so two families at the same school can pay materially different amounts. Get the quote for your actual address before you compare two schools on cost.

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Common questions about fees across cities

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Understanding school fees

What sits inside tuition, what is billed separately and what to confirm in writing.

Dubai school fees in detail

Year-group tuition, KHDA-regulated increases and the charges billed separately.

All destinations

Destination guides for the cities we cover, and how places work in each.

Compare curricula

British, IB and American side by side, including transfer between countries.

Last reviewed: August 2026

Fee rules, regulators and school-year dates change. Confirm the published schedule and the applicable increase with each school before you rely on it.

Sources

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