Brussels International Catholic School

In Brief

BICS suits families who want affordable bilingual education with Catholic values at fees well below the Brussels mainstream - but verify A-level outcomes directly with the school before enrolling at secondary level.

BICS occupies a distinctive position in the Brussels international school market: a Catholic co-educational school offering bilingual English/French education from age 2, with private-tariff fees that are the most affordable on this list for a school teaching the full Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level range. Pre-Primary starts at EUR 11,700 and A-Levels cap at EUR 14,000 - compare that to EUR 45,550 at BSB for the same post-16 stage. The school welcomes families of all faiths and none; the Catholic ethos shapes the calendar (pilgrimages to Rome, Advent and Lent traditions) but does not restrict admissions.

The bilingual programme runs from the earliest years, with children acquiring English and French across subjects rather than through language lessons alone. The Cambridge pathway through IGCSE and A-Levels gives a recognisable academic framework for families from UK or international backgrounds, and the arts, drama, and classics curriculum gives BICS a character that distinguishes it from the more STEM-focused international schools nearby. Sibling discounts of 10%, 20%, and 30% for the second, third, and fourth child make the school particularly attractive for larger families.

The main trade-off at secondary is scale. The secondary campus near the EU institutions has around 60-80 pupils, which means a narrow A-level subject offering and small sixth-form cohorts. Expat forums carry mixed views on A-level academic outcomes; the school does not publish results on its website. If your child's university trajectory depends on strong A-level grades in specific subjects, request recent results directly from the admissions office before committing. The corporate tariff (employer-paid) runs to approximately EUR 19,000-21,300 - nearly double the private rate - so confirm which tariff applies before budgeting.