Best International Schools in Singapore: The 2026 Guide for Families

Comparison table

Fees converted to USD at indicative 2026 rates. Verify current figures with each school.

The Schools Everyone Wants

The names that come up in every relocation conversation. Waiting lists are real - some families apply 12-18 months ahead - and backup options are standard practice.

Tanglin Trust School

Curriculum: British (IGCSE, A-Levels + IB Diploma) Ages: 3-18 Location: Portsdown Road Fees: SGD 34,770-61,554/yr (2025-26)

The oldest British school in Southeast Asia, founded in 1925 and now in its centenary year. Around 2,800 students. One of the few schools in Singapore offering both A-Levels and IB Diploma in the Sixth Form, so students choose their pathway at 16. A one-time enrolment fee (SGD 4,500) and capital levy (SGD 4,500) apply; no debenture. Reputation is nurturing but academically rigorous. Waiting lists at Nursery, Reception, and Year 7 are long. In 2025 it opened a learning centre in Gippsland, Australia, where Year 9s spend a five-week outdoor programme.

Tanglin families cluster in Holland Village, Tanglin, and Dempsey. Apply early and have at least two alternatives lined up.

United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA)

Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP) Ages: 4-18 Location: Dover (west) and Tampines (east) Fees: ~SGD 42,000-52,650/yr (2025-26, including one-time fees in first year)

Two campuses, around 5,500 students combined. Dover (opened 1971) is the larger and more established; East at Tampines opened in 2008. Both run the full IB continuum. Admissions are holistic - selective on character and engagement as much as academics. Boarding from Grade 8. The UWC mission means deliberately diverse student bodies, and the school works hard to build community across nationalities. Demand is consistently strong.

Dover suits families in the Holland Village / Bukit Timah belt; East suits Tampines, East Coast, and Changi. The choice is mostly geographical.

Singapore American School (SAS)

Curriculum: American / AP Ages: 3-18 Location: Woodlands (far north) Fees: SGD 36,370-63,420/yr (2025-26, varies by lane)

A 36-acre campus in Woodlands, near the Malaysia border. SAS operates a lane system: US passport or Green Card holders pay slightly lower fees (Lane 1); non-US families sit in Lanes 2-4 with higher registration and facility fees. Around 4,000 students from over 60 countries. Strong AP programme and excellent US university placement.

If SAS is your target, plan to live in or near Woodlands - the commute from central or East Coast is 45-60 minutes. The American community revolves around the school. Suburban and spacious, quite different from central Singapore.

Dulwich College (Singapore)

Curriculum: British (IGCSE, IB Diploma / IBCP) Ages: 2-18 Location: Bukit Batok (west) Fees: ~SGD 36,080-55,000+/yr (2025-26) + Capital Levy + Enrolment Fee (SGD 4,000)

Opened in 2014, now around 2,900 students. Enhanced English National Curriculum through to IGCSE, then IB Diploma or IB Career-Related Programme in the Sixth Form. Application fee SGD 1,500 (non-refundable). Singapore citizens can only apply under specific criteria (e.g. returning from overseas). The Bukit Batok campus is accessible from Bukit Timah and Holland Village.

Dulwich has grown rapidly into the top tier. The key difference versus Tanglin: IB Diploma only, no A-Levels.

Recent Arrivals and New Openings

New entrants are rare because supply is controlled. When a new school opens, it's usually because it won an EDB Request-for-Interest exercise. Several have launched in the past few years; one more is confirmed for 2028.

Wellington College Singapore - Opened January 2025

Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum / IB Diploma) Ages: 3-18 (building to full capacity) Location: Bukit Timah

Wellington already runs eight international schools globally, including in China, Thailand, and India. The Singapore campus opened in January 2025 in Bukit Timah, with capacity for up to 2,000 students. English curriculum followed by IB Diploma. Still early in its growth phase, so places are more accessible than at established schools.

A strong option if Tanglin or Dulwich are full. The Bukit Timah location is prime expat territory.

Brighton College Singapore - Secondary Added 2024

Curriculum: British (IGCSE / A-Levels) Ages: Pre-Nursery to Year 13 Location: Lorong Chuan (shared campus with AIS / Stamford)

Brighton opened in Singapore in 2020 as a primary school and added secondary in 2024, offering IGCSE and A-Levels. One of the few Singapore schools doing A-Levels rather than IB in the upper school. Shared campus with the Australian International School and Stamford American.

A real alternative if you want A-Levels and Tanglin's waiting list is too long. Still small, still building its senior cohort.

The Perse School Singapore - Secondary from August 2025

Curriculum: Cambridge International (IGCSE, with A-Levels or IB Diploma planned) Ages: 3-18 (building) Location: Bukit Timah (Chestnut Drive) Fees: SGD 27,052/yr (secondary, 2025-26)

The Perse reopened on a new Bukit Timah campus in January 2025. Currently ages 3-11, with Years 7-10 opening from August 2025. The plan is a choice of A-Levels or IB Diploma when the first cohort reaches Sixth Form. About 20 minutes from the CBD.

Very early stage - not the place for a full through-school today. But founding families get in more easily than at established schools.

OWIS Newton Campus - Opened August 2025

Curriculum: IB PYP Ages: 3-11 Location: Central (Bukit Timah Road) Fees: SGD 24,749/yr (2025-26)

OWIS opened this primary campus in central Singapore in August 2025. Multilingual focus - Japanese, Chinese, or French as a second language. Students completing Grade 5 transition to OWIS Nanyang or OWIS Digital Campus for secondary.

Affordable by Singapore standards and centrally located. Primary only.

ACS (International) Elementary - Opening 2026

Curriculum: Cambridge Primary Ages: Primary (international students only) Location: Dover Road (near Holland Village)

Anglo-Chinese School International is opening an elementary school for international students in 2026, on the same site as the existing ACS International high school. ACS International is one of three "local international" schools (with Hwa Chong International and SJI International) - managed by MOE but privately funded, free to set their own curricula. At least half the students must be Singaporean, but the feel is genuinely international.

ACS International already has a strong secondary reputation. The new elementary fills a gap for families wanting a Cambridge pathway from primary.

Wycombe Abbey Singapore - Confirmed for September 2028

Curriculum: British (TBC) Ages: 2-18 (co-educational) Location: Hougang Avenue 3 (northeast)

Won the 2024 EDB Request-for-Interest exercise. Partnership between Wycombe Abbey, BE Education, and Wee Hur Holdings. Planned as a full K-12 co-educational day school. About 20 minutes from both CBD and Changi Airport.

The next major new entrant. Keep it on your radar if you're arriving in 2028 or later. Hougang isn't traditional international-family territory.

Solid Alternatives

If the top-tier schools are full, these are well-regarded options where admissions tend to be more straightforward. Several are excellent schools in their own right.

Canadian International School (CIS)

Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP) + Bilingual options Ages: 2-18 Location: Tanjong Katong (East) and Lakeside (West) Fees: SGD 20,010-51,550/yr (2025-26)

Two campuses. Tanjong Katong runs IB with a bilingual Chinese-English stream and a French-English stream. Lakeside is the larger, through-train school. No ongoing building or development levies, which keeps the total cost more predictable. A CIS Foundation programme supports students who need a bridge into the mainstream.

The bilingual programmes are a genuine strength. If Mandarin alongside IB matters, CIS is one of the strongest options.

North London Collegiate School Singapore (NLCS)

Curriculum: British / IB Ages: 2-18 Location: Queenstown (near one-north tech hub) Fees: ~SGD 39,000-44,826/yr (first year including one-time fees)

Purpose-built Queenstown campus with a 50-metre pool, performing arts centre, roof gardens, and science and tech labs. NLCS UK ranked first in the UK for IB results in 2025. The Singapore campus follows an inquiry-based curriculum leading to IB. Still relatively new and growing, so admissions are more accessible than at the most established schools.

Reputation is building fast. The Queenstown campus is convenient for Tiong Bahru, Holland Village, and the CBD.

German European School Singapore (GESS)

Curriculum: German Section / IB (PYP, MYP, DP) Ages: 3-18 Location: Dairy Farm (Bukit Timah area) Fees: SGD 28,855-50,120/yr (2025-26) + Development Levy SGD 6,130/yr

A not-for-profit running two parallel streams: a German section through to Abitur, and an English-medium IB section covering the full continuum. The Dairy Farm campus sits near the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

The IB section doesn't require any German. Solid and affordable by Singapore standards, especially convenient for Bukit Timah families.

Dover Court International School

Curriculum: British (IGCSE, IB Diploma, BTEC) Ages: 3-18 Location: Dover (near UWCSEA) Fees: SGD 29,178-45,609/yr (2025-26)

Part of Nord Anglia. IB average of 36 with a 100% pass rate in 2025. Known for strong inclusivity and SEN provision. BTEC vocational courses sit alongside the academic pathway - unusual for an international school. The Doverian Scholarship (2025-27) offers up to 50% tuition remission. Near UWCSEA Dover.

A genuine mid-point between premium pricing and serious quality. The SEN provision is among the strongest in Singapore.

Australian International School (AIS)

Curriculum: Australian / IB Ages: 2 months - 18 years Location: Lorong Chuan (central-east) Fees: SGD 10,068-50,400+/yr (2025-26)

One of the few schools that takes children from 2 months old through infant care, making it a workable option for families with very young children. Australian curriculum standards alongside IB. Academic scholarships for Years 9-12; up to 10% sibling discounts.

Practical for families with children across a wide age range - infant care through Year 12 on one campus.

Stamford American International School (SAIS)

Curriculum: American / IB Ages: 2 months - 18 Location: Lorong Chuan (central-east) Fees: ~SGD 30,820-38,770+/yr (first year including one-time fees)

Part of Cognita. Combines American curriculum standards with an IB framework. Shares the Lorong Chuan campus with AIS and Brighton College. Strong STEM and arts.

If you want an American curriculum but Woodlands is too far north, SAIS is the central alternative.

Overseas Family School (OFS)

Curriculum: IPC / IB (MYP, DP) Ages: 2-18 Location: Pasir Ris (far east) Fees: SGD 17,200-44,800/yr (2025-26)

One of Singapore's most accessible international schools. No entrance exam. English proficiency isn't required. Admissions open year-round with pro-rated fees. The school moved to a large new campus in 2015 with capacity for 4,800 students. Deliberately inclusive - serves families arriving mid-year, speaking different languages at home, or whose children need time to settle into English-medium education.

The school that will say yes when others can't. Start here if you're arriving mid-year or need entry without entrance testing.

ISS International School

Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP) Ages: 4-18 Location: Orchard / Paterson (central) Fees: SGD 25,000-57,356/yr (2025-26)

Near Orchard Road. One of the longest-established IB schools in the region. 5% early-bird discount on tuition for prompt payment. Compact and urban - no sprawling sports fields, but a mature IB programme and genuine central-city convenience.

Suits families in River Valley, Orchard, or Robertson Quay who want to avoid a long commute.

XCL World Academy

Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP) + Bilingual option Ages: 2-18 Location: Yishun (north) Fees: SGD 29,000-51,570/yr (2025-26)

Full IB with a bilingual option. Generous sibling discounts (10% for second child, 20% for third+). Yishun, in the north, about 20 minutes from downtown. Modern purpose-built campus.

A genuinely good school in a less central location. If you don't mind living in the north, the value is strong.

Where to Live

Singapore is small - about 50km east to west - but your school choice still determines where you live. Most schools run buses, but rush-hour expressway traffic can add 30-40 minutes each way. Families cluster near their school.

Holland Village / Bukit Timah

Schools nearby: Tanglin Trust, UWCSEA (Dover), Dulwich, Wellington, GESS, Dover Court

The traditional heartland for international families. Holland Village has a bohemian feel - restaurants, bars, a mix of Western and local shops. Bukit Timah is leafier and more residential, backing onto the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Sixth Avenue links the two. Strong connectivity via the Circle and Downtown MRT lines.

Walkable, green, huge choice of schools within 15 minutes, strong community. Among the most expensive neighbourhoods, can feel very "expat bubble", and the school-run traffic is real.

Tanglin / Dempsey / Orchard

Schools nearby: Tanglin Trust, ISS International

The embassy district and Singapore's upscale residential core. Large condos and houses with gardens. Dempsey Hill is converted colonial barracks now housing restaurants, galleries, and boutiques. Walking distance to Orchard Road.

Central, prestigious, beautiful housing stock. Very expensive, can feel quiet at night, and less street-level buzz than Holland Village.

East Coast / Katong / Marine Parade

Schools nearby: CIS (Tanjong Katong), AIS / Brighton / Stamford (Lorong Chuan, nearby)

A long-established family strip running from Kallang Basin to Changi Airport. East Coast Park gives you 18km of cycling, running, and eating along the seafront. Katong and Joo Chiat are full of Peranakan heritage - colourful shophouses, hawker stalls, and local character. The Thomson-East Coast MRT Line is progressively adding stations.

Beach lifestyle, more space for the money, genuine local character. Further from the main western school cluster - if your school is in Holland Village / Bukit Timah, the cross-island commute is real.

Woodlands

Schools nearby: Singapore American School

Suburban, green, and spacious - where the SAS community lives. Large family houses and gated communities at lower prices than central. Close to the Singapore Zoo and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Strong American community built around the school.

Houses with gardens, affordable, strong school community. But 45-60 minutes from the CBD with limited nightlife and dining, and it can feel isolated if you don't have children at SAS.

Sentosa / Southern Ridges / Harbourfront

Schools nearby: Limited - families bus to schools in central or east

Waterfront living with a resort feel. Sentosa Cove has marina-front condos. The Southern Ridges offer walking trails and green space. Harbourfront has VivoCity mall.

Beautiful setting, resort lifestyle, close to the CBD but feels removed. No major school within walking distance - school buses do the work.

Tiong Bahru / River Valley / Robertson Quay

Schools nearby: NLCS Singapore (Queenstown, nearby), ISS International (Orchard, nearby)

Heritage Tiong Bahru meets riverside Robertson Quay. Tiong Bahru has pre-war walk-ups, a weekly farmers' market, and excellent cafes. River Valley and Robertson Quay offer modern condos along the Singapore River with bars, restaurants, and a waterfront lifestyle.

Character, charm, central location, great dining. Less green space than Bukit Timah, apartments tend to be smaller, and fewer school-age families than Holland Village or East Coast.

Practical Things to Know

Tuition range: SGD 7,500-69,000/yr One-time fees: SGD 2,000-10,000 Annual levies: SGD 4,000-6,000 School bus: SGD 2,600-6,800/yr

The government controls supply. Unlike Bangkok or Hong Kong, new schools don't pop up frequently. The EDB runs periodic Request-for-Interest exercises to introduce capacity. Wycombe Abbey won the most recent round (2024) and opens in 2028. The supply constraint is why top schools carry long waiting lists.

Visas. Children attend on a Dependant's Pass (DP). Sponsorship requires an Employment Pass or S Pass with a minimum fixed monthly salary of SGD 6,000, processed by the Ministry of Manpower. DP holders don't need a separate student visa. Schools typically want to see a valid pass before confirming a place, so run your school and visa timelines together.

Singaporean children face restrictions. Singapore citizens generally have to attend government schools for primary. International schools are only open to them under specific exemption criteria (returning from overseas, foreign parent). Doesn't affect international families - matters if you have a Singaporean spouse or PR status.

Apply early, apply to several. The most competitive schools accept applications a year in advance. Top-school waiting lists can stretch to two years. Apply to 3-5 simultaneously. Application fees run SGD 500-1,500 (non-refundable).

No debenture system. Unlike Hong Kong, no debenture culture. One-time enrolment fees and annual development levies, but no refundable six-figure lump sum. Makes Singapore slightly more accessible at the point of entry.

Mid-year entry is possible but limited. OFS is the most flexible (no entrance exam, year-round enrolment, pro-rated fees). Most others technically accept mid-year applications but it depends on availability. Primary is easier than secondary for mid-year transfers.

Healthcare is world-class but not free for expats. Public hospitals are excellent, but subsidised rates are reserved for citizens and PRs. Expats pay full rates at public hospitals or go private. Mount Elizabeth, Gleneagles, and Raffles Medical are the usual choices. Private health insurance is strongly recommended.

Transport is excellent but doesn't reach every school. MRT and buses are efficient and safe, but not every campus sits on an MRT line - SAS in Woodlands, GESS in Dairy Farm, and OFS in Pasir Ris all need a bus or car. Most families use the school bus.

Founding-year schools are the easiest in. Wellington (Jan 2025), The Perse secondary (Aug 2025), and ACS International Elementary (2026) are all still in growth mode. Places when established schools have none.

FAQs

How competitive are Singapore's top international schools? Very. Tanglin, UWCSEA, SAS, and Dulwich all carry waiting lists at popular entry points - some families wait 12-18 months. Apply a year before your intended start date and apply to at least 3-5 schools at once. Backups are standard practice.

What's the total cost of international school in Singapore? Tuition alone runs SGD 7,500 to over SGD 69,000 a year. Add one-time registration and enrolment fees (SGD 2,000-10,000), annual development levies (SGD 4,000-6,000), school bus (SGD 2,600-6,800/yr), uniforms, exam fees, and activities. A realistic all-in for one child at a premium school is SGD 55,000-65,000 in year one.

Is there a debenture system like Hong Kong? No. One-time enrolment fees and annual development levies, but no HK$500K-3M refundable lump sum. Cheaper to start, though annual fees are still high.

Can I get my child into a school mid-year? OFS is the most flexible - no entrance exam, year-round enrolment, pro-rated fees. Most others technically accept mid-year applications, but it depends on availability. Primary is easier than secondary. Worth a phone call.

Which schools are easiest to get into right now? Schools in growth mode: Wellington (opened Jan 2025), The Perse (secondary from Aug 2025), Brighton College (secondary added 2024), and OWIS Newton (opened Aug 2025). Among established schools, OFS, AIS, Stamford American, and XCL tend to have more fluid admissions than the top four.

Do I need a car in Singapore? Most families manage without one. MRT and buses are efficient, safe, and affordable; school buses handle the daily commute. A car is most useful in Woodlands or Pasir Ris, or other areas not well-served by MRT for your school. Ownership is expensive - the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) alone runs SGD 90,000-110,000 on top of the vehicle.

What visa do my children need to attend school? A Dependant's Pass (DP), sponsored by a parent on an Employment Pass or S Pass with a minimum monthly salary of SGD 6,000. No separate student visa. Schools want to see a valid pass before confirming a place, so run the timelines together.

Which neighbourhood should I live in if I don't know which school yet? Holland Village / Bukit Timah is the safest bet. It sits within 15 minutes of the largest cluster of international schools (Tanglin, UWCSEA Dover, Dulwich, Wellington, GESS, Dover Court) and has the strongest infrastructure for international families. If you end up at a school in the east or north, you can move later.

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