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International Curriculum International Schools in Shanghai, China

Edited by · B2C Marketing Manager

About international schools in Shanghai, China

Shanghai’s international-school market is large and highly varied, combining British (IGCSE/A-Level), American (US diploma/AP) and International Baccalaureate pathways alongside a substantial cluster of bilingual and other national programmes. English is the primary language of instruction at most international schools, with Mandarin widely offered from early years; many schools also run English-language support and Mandarin immersion options. Annual tuition varies substantially by school and year group - fees commonly range from the low hundreds of thousands of RMB for primary and up to the mid-hundreds of thousands of RMB for secondary - and additional charges for capital levies, buses and activities are typical. Admissions are often competitive: families should start enquiries many months before their intended start date because places, re-enrolment windows and waitlists are managed on a rolling and capacity basis, and most fully foreign-curriculum schools in Shanghai enrol only holders of non-mainland-Chinese passports under current regulation.

Compare 2 International Curriculum international schools in Shanghai, China. Filter by curriculum, fees (average RMB 206,850), location, and more to find the right international school now.

At a glance 2 schools · avg fee RMB 206,850
Schools listed
2
Curricula
8
Average annual fee
RMB 206,850
Fee range
RMB 68,000 – 391,000
Most common curriculum
IB (DP) (2 schools)
Average school size
1,000 pupils
Largest by enrolment
Wellington College International Shanghai
Oldest
Shanghai Jincai International School (2000)

Read our parent's guide to the International Curriculum →

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FAQs for China

Which curricula will my child typically be offered in Shanghai international schools?
You will commonly find three broad pathways: the International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP/MYP/DP), British curricula that lead to IGCSEs and A-Levels, and US-style schools that offer a high-school diploma with Advanced Placement (AP) options. Several schools run mixed models or dual pathways, and there is a growing range of bilingual schools that blend international curricula with stronger Mandarin study.
How much should I budget for annual tuition and extra costs?
Tuition varies by school, campus and year group but families typically see annual fees in the low hundreds of thousands of RMB for younger years and higher amounts for secondary pupils, with published examples in the 150,000 - 335,000 RMB range and some schools above that level. In addition to base tuition expect one-off capital or registration fees, refundable seat deposits in some cases, transport and after-school activity charges, and costs for uniforms and exam fees.
Can my child attend an international school in Shanghai if they hold a Chinese passport?
Most fully foreign-curriculum international schools in Shanghai are authorised to enrol children who hold passports other than mainland Chinese passports, so entry for Chinese nationals is generally restricted under current Ministry of Education rules. There are other options - bilingual private schools, Sino-foreign cooperative schools or specialised programmes - that may admit Chinese citizens, but these operate under different regulations and admissions processes, so check each school’s eligibility policy early.
When should I apply and how do admissions usually work?
Start the process well ahead of your move: many schools open re-enrolment and new-place application windows months before the academic year and manage offers on a rolling, capacity-driven basis with waitlists common for popular year groups. Expect to supply identity documents, previous school records and proof of residency or passport status; some schools also require assessment or interviews, and timetables can differ between US-calendar and UK-calendar schools, so confirm dates with any school you shortlist.
What languages are used and what support is there for non-Mandarin speakers?
English is the dominant language of instruction in most international schools, while Mandarin is widely taught as a language subject and many schools offer stronger Mandarin immersion or bilingual tracks. For children arriving with limited English, schools commonly provide English-as-an-additional-language (EAL/EALD) support and staged entry options; ask shortlisted schools for details of their language support programmes and entry assessments.