Melbourne International School
Dempsey Hill
12+ years in business
12 min walk from Napier MRT
International Schools in Singapore: 3 international schools · budget tier typically S$15,000–S$22,000 per year
Updated October 2026How we rank
Singapore Citizen children generally must attend national schools. An international school needs MOE approval before it can admit a citizen, and approval is usually limited to children who studied overseas. The exceptions are three privately funded schools: ACS (International), SJI International and Hwa Chong International. Annual tuition ranges from about $15,000 to over $50,000.
All 3 international schools in Singapore
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How much do international schools charge in Singapore?
These are indicative annual tuition fees for 2025–2027, from published fee comparisons. Fees rise sharply in IGCSE and IB years. Expect one-off registration and capital or development fees on top.
Budget tier, primary
S$15,000–S$22,000 per year
Examples: EtonHouse, Invictus, One World International.
Mid-tier, primary
S$25,000–S$38,000 per year
Examples: Canadian International, Australian International, GESS.
Premium tier, primary
S$38,000–S$50,000 per year
Examples: Tanglin Trust, UWCSEA, Dulwich, Singapore American School.
Secondary / IB Diploma, mid to premium
S$38,000–S$55,000 per year
Registration / enrolment fee
S$2,000–S$10,000 one-off
Typical range. Check whether it is refundable.
IGCSE / IB / A-Level exam fees
S$2,000–S$6,000 per exam session
Sources: Tutopiya: Singapore international school fees comparison 2025–2026; Tutopiya: Cost of international school in Singapore; ExpatArrivals: Singapore international school fees. Prices in SGD, before GST unless stated.
What licence should an international school have?
Private Education Institution registration
Committee for Private Education, Skills and Workforce Development Agency (formerly SkillsFuture Singapore) · Required by law
Full-time schools teaching a foreign or international curriculum at primary or secondary level register under the private education framework, not with MOE.
Check the official registerEduTrust certification
Committee for Private Education · Optional accreditation
A voluntary quality certification covering management, education and financial health. Schools need it to enrol students on ICA Student Passes, and certified schools must use a Fee Protection Scheme.
How to choose a international school
- If your child is a Singapore Citizen, check eligibility first. The school has to get MOE approval, usually only for children who studied overseas for a few years from Primary 1 or later. MOE takes up to 4 weeks, or 8 weeks for complex medical cases.
- The three privately funded schools (ACS International, SJI International, Hwa Chong International) can admit citizens without MOE approval. Singaporean and PR students there must still take a Mother Tongue language.
- Choose the curriculum for where your child will go next: IB for flexibility worldwide, IGCSE/A-Level for the UK and Commonwealth, and the American system for US universities.
- Budget for the total cost, not just tuition. Capital or development levies, bus fees, exam fees and EAL or learning support can add thousands a year.
- If you rely on a Student Pass, or want your fees protected, check the school's EduTrust status.
Red flags
- A school that offers to enrol a Singapore Citizen without mentioning the need for MOE approval.
- Large non-refundable deposits or capital fees with no written refund schedule.
- Not being able to say which accrediting bodies or exam boards it is authorised by (e.g. IBO, Cambridge).
Questions to ask before you book
- What is the total annual cost, including levies, buses, exams and support fees?
- Is the school EduTrust-certified, and how are fees protected?
- Which curricula and exam boards is the school authorised for?
- For citizens: will you apply to MOE for approval, and what documents do you need?
- What is the waitlist, and is the enrolment fee refundable if a place does not come up?
Questions about international schools in Singapore
How much do international schools cost in Singapore?
Published comparisons for 2025–2026 put primary tuition at about $15,000–$22,000 a year at budget schools, $25,000–$38,000 at mid-tier schools such as GESS or the Australian International School, and $38,000–$50,000 at premium schools such as UWCSEA, Tanglin or SAS. Secondary and IB years often cost $45,000–$55,000 or more, plus one-off registration and development fees.
Can Singaporeans go to international schools?
Only with MOE approval in most cases. Singapore Citizens born after 1 January 1996 and living in Singapore must attend a national primary school unless they are exempted. International schools must get MOE approval before admitting a citizen, and this is generally limited to children who studied overseas for several years. The exceptions are ACS (International), SJI International and Hwa Chong International, which can admit Singaporeans directly.
What is EduTrust and does it matter?
EduTrust is a certification from the Committee for Private Education that assesses a private school's management, education and finances. It is voluntary, but a school needs it to enrol international students on ICA Student Passes, and certified schools must protect student fees under a Fee Protection Scheme. Parents on a Dependant's Pass may not strictly need it, but it is a useful sign of quality and financial safety.
What extra fees do international schools charge?
On top of tuition, expect a one-off registration or enrolment fee (often $2,000–$10,000), capital or development levies, school bus and uniform costs, and IGCSE, IB or A-Level exam fees of about $2,000–$6,000 a session. Learning support or English as an Additional Language can add $3,000–$15,000 a year. Ask for the full fee schedule and the refund policy.
How many international schools are there in Singapore?
Lookup lists 3 international schools in Singapore as of October 2026, with the largest concentration in Bugis (2). Listings are compiled from government registers and open map data and refreshed regularly.