Merchiston International School, Shenzhen
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$28K - US$51K
Curriculum: British
Age Range: 4-18
Students: Not disclosed
Location: Longhua, Shenzhen
Updated April 2026
In Brief
Merchiston is the only full British boarding school in Shenzhen and the right choice for families who specifically want that tradition - IGCSE, A-Levels, boarding houses, and the heritage of Merchiston Castle School. Be clear-eyed about the Longhua location and ask pointed questions about management and staff stability before you sign.
Merchiston International School is the first overseas campus of Merchiston Castle School (Edinburgh, founded 1833), and it opened in Longhua in 2018. It runs IGCSE and A-Levels from Pre-K through Year 13 with class sizes capped at 22 in the main school and 16 in Sixth Form - among the smallest in Shenzhen. Three boarding houses (Pringle, Chalmers and Rogerson) make it the only school in Shenzhen with genuine residential provision. CIS accreditation gives external credibility. A second campus operates in Shekou/Qianhai for families based in Nanshan.
The school's selling point is intimacy - teachers know students by name, class sizes are genuinely small, and the boarding house structure creates a pastoral system more typical of a traditional British independent school than an international school. Graduates have secured places at Oxford, Cambridge and Amherst College with full scholarships, which is striking for a school of this size. The co-curricular programme covers sport, music, drama and community service.
The Longhua location is Dalang Sub-District, which puts the school 40-plus minutes from Nanshan, Shekou and Futian by Didi at most times of day. That is not a small thing if you have daily school runs to manage. Reviews across staff platforms have flagged governance and management concerns over the years - this appears to be improving (an April 2025 review described the school as 'on the up'), but it is a question worth pressing at your admissions visit. Fee progression is wide: CNY 200K at Pre-K rising to CNY 370K at A-Level.
What parents value
- –The only full British boarding school in Shenzhen, with three boarding houses and a pastoral structure that mirrors a traditional UK independent school. If boarding matters to your family, this is the only genuine option in the city.
- –Class sizes capped at 22 in the main school and 16 in Sixth Form. Teachers who have worked here consistently cite small classes as a real strength - students get individual attention you cannot replicate at larger schools.
- –CIS accreditation and a founding school connection to Merchiston Castle School (Edinburgh) give genuine heritage and external quality assurance.
Points of consideration
- –Longhua campus is in Dalang Sub-District - 40-plus minutes from Nanshan, Shekou and Futian by Didi. Think carefully about whether you can live with that commute daily before committing.
- –Staff turnover and governance concerns have been raised in reviews over several years. The picture appears to be improving, but ask specifically about leadership tenure, staff retention and any governance changes at your admissions visit.
- –Fees run CNY 200K at Pre-K to CNY 370K at A-Level, with a significant jump at secondary. Model the full progression carefully if you have children at different stages.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| K2 (age 4) | 4 | NaN |
| K3 and Grades 1-5 (age 5-10) | 5 | NaN |
| Grades 6-10 (age 11-15) | 11 | NaN |
| Grades 11-12 (age 16-18) | 16 | NaN |
Fees converted from CNY. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee (non-refundable) | NaN |
| Security Deposit (refundable) | NaN |
Academic Results
| Accreditation | CIS accredited |
| Founding school | Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh (188+ years) |
Key results: Accreditation CIS accredited, Founding school Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh (188+ years).
Extra Curriculars
Contact the school for details on co-curricular activities, facilities and a typical week outside the classroom.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Shenzhen's international schools serve a highly multinational student body, reflecting the city's status as a major technology and business hub. Contact the school for current enrolment and nationality breakdown.
Leadership
School leadership
Contact the school for current leadership details.