International Schools in Singapore
For most relocating families the choice of school decides where they live, and Singapore Expat Rental helps expatriates find homes within an easy commute of the right campus. This guide lists the major international schools in Singapore for the 2026 academic year, with their curriculum, area and official website, followed by practical advice on fees, admissions and timing.
Choosing a school before you choose a home
Singapore is one of Asia's largest international-school markets, with more than 60 schools serving over 75,000 students across British, American, International Baccalaureate (IB), Australian, Canadian, French, German and Indian curricula. Because the island is compact and well served by MRT and school-bus routes, a 30-minute commute is realistic from almost any neighbourhood — but proximity still saves real time at peak hours. Most expat families on a Dependant's Pass enrol their children in international rather than government schools, since foreign-student places in the public system are very limited and largely taught in Mandarin. The traditional expat-and-school core runs through Holland Village, Bukit Timah, Orchard and Buona Vista, while the East Coast, Woodlands and the West each cluster around their own campuses. Tell us which school you are targeting and we will focus your home search around it.
Major international schools in Singapore (2026)
The list below covers the most established and most-requested schools. Curricula and campuses change, so always confirm current details, fees and availability on each school's official site.
| School | Curriculum | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore American School (SAS) | American (AP) | Woodlands |
| United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA) | IB continuum | Dover & East (Tampines) |
| Tanglin Trust School | British (IGCSE, A-Level & IB) | Portsdown Road |
| Dulwich College (Singapore) | British & IB Diploma | Bukit Batok |
| Canadian International School (CIS) | IB & Canadian (OSSD) | Lakeside & Tanjong Katong |
| St. Joseph's Institution International (SJII) | IGCSE & IB Diploma | Thomson |
| Stamford American International School | IB continuum & American | Woodleigh |
| Australian International School (AIS) | Australian & IB | Lorong Chuan |
| Dover Court International School | British & IB Diploma | Dover |
| North London Collegiate School (Singapore) | IB continuum | Depot Road |
| GESS – International School | IB & German curriculum | Dairy Farm (Bukit Panjang) |
| Chatsworth International School | IB | Orchard |
| International French School (IFS) | French & IB | Ang Mo Kio |
| One World International School (OWIS) | IB PYP, IGCSE & IB DP | Nanyang (Jurong) & Punggol |
| Global Indian International School (GIIS) | CBSE, IB & Montessori+ | Queenstown & Punggol |
| ISS International School | IB & American High School Diploma | Preston Road / Paterson |
| Hollandse School (Dutch) | Dutch curriculum | Bukit Timah |
| Swiss School in Singapore | Swiss / German curriculum | Bukit Timah |
Other schools serving specific communities include the Japanese School Singapore, the Korean curriculum schools, Lycée Français equivalents and a growing number of newer British-style schools such as Brighton College (Singapore) and Invictus. If your preferred school is not listed, just ask and we will help you locate it.
Fees and one-off costs
International-school fees in Singapore are among the highest in the world, reflecting land costs and the strong expatriate market. As a 2026 guide, annual tuition runs from roughly S$16,000–20,000 at the more affordable schools to S$45,000–58,000 at senior levels in the top-tier institutions, with most mainstream schools landing somewhere in between. On top of tuition, budget for a one-off registration or application fee of about S$3,000–5,000, a refundable deposit equal to roughly one term, and an annual facility or building levy of S$3,000–5,000. Transport, uniforms, devices, lunches and co-curricular trips can add several thousand dollars more each year. A realistic all-in figure at the mainstream schools is around S$40,000–65,000 per child per year, so it pays to confirm the full fee schedule before committing.
Admissions and timing
Demand at the most popular campuses is high and waitlists can stretch to a year or more, especially at Nursery/Reception entry and around Grade 6 and the IB Diploma years. For an August start, the strongest window to apply is roughly September to January of the preceding year; for the most oversubscribed schools, applying 9 to 12 months ahead is wise, while 3 to 6 months is often enough for less competitive slots. Many schools also run a January (mid-year) entry point, which suits families relocating out of the northern-hemisphere cycle. Expect to provide the last two years of school reports, a teacher reference, passport and Dependant's Pass details, and to sit an age-appropriate English and Maths assessment. All foreign students need a Student Pass, which the school normally arranges; you can read the official requirements at the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.
Let us match your home to your school
Once you have shortlisted a school, the next step is finding a home with a sensible commute, the right space and a budget that works. That is exactly where we come in: share your chosen school, budget and move-in date and we will put together a tailored shortlist. Browse current options on our properties page, see which homes sit closest to the rail network on our condos near MRT guide, or simply tell us your criteria and we will take it from there.