Primary and Secondary Schools in China

China's school system is the largest in the world, and for foreign families the relevant part of it is the international schools. According to the Ministry of Education's statistical bulletin for 2025, China had 128,300 primary schools, 51,600 junior secondary schools and 16,100 general senior high schools, with nine years of compulsory education. Most of these are Chinese public schools teaching the national curriculum in Chinese. For foreign families, the alternative is an international school or the international section of a Chinese school, which teach mainly in English and follow foreign curricula.

SpainExchange lists three such schools: Tsinghua International School (THIS) and Dulwich College Beijing in Beijing, and Fudan International School in Shanghai.

How international schools work

International schools in China follow foreign curricula and often cover the whole of a child's schooling, from early years to the end of secondary school. Dulwich College Beijing, for example, teaches students aged 2 to 18 in three schools (DUCKS for ages 2 to 7, the Junior School for ages 7 to 11 and the Senior School for ages 11 to 18) and prepares older students for the IGCSE, A-level and International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations. In 2026 its IB students averaged 37.2 points out of 45, according to the school.

Some international schools are attached to Chinese universities or their affiliated schools. Tsinghua International School is the international section of the high school affiliated to Tsinghua University. It was founded in 2009, has primary, middle and high school divisions and more than 500 students from over 20 countries and regions. Teaching is in English, with additional academic English support for students who need it, and secondary students take courses in both English and Chinese, with Chinese classes for native and second-language speakers.

Who can enrol

Admission to international schools is regulated. Dulwich College Beijing explains that it follows the eligibility rules of the Beijing Municipal Education Commission: students must hold a valid foreign passport with a valid Chinese visa, be permanent residents of Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan with the corresponding travel permit, or be Chinese passport holders with foreign permanent residence who have lived abroad for more than a year. Tsinghua International School applies similar conditions and accepts only foreign nationals and permanent residents of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

Schools also set academic requirements. At THIS, applicants need sufficient grades from their previous school, an interview in English and tests in mathematics and academic English; most students have some Chinese, but it is not required. Dulwich College Beijing asks for the last two years' school reports and uses entrance assessments and interviews from Year 3 onwards, with an English assessment for candidates whose first language is not English. Both schools admit pupils during the year when places are available, but entry to the final year of secondary school is rare or not possible.

Costs

International schools charge high fees. For the 2026-27 academic year, Tsinghua International School charges 193,000 yuan for primary school, 216,000 yuan for middle school and 226,000 yuan for high school, with lunches paid separately. Dulwich College Beijing charges an application fee of 2,900 yuan and a one-time capital development fee of 15,000 yuan for new students, on top of tuition and a refundable placement deposit; its school bus costs 17,520 yuan a year within Shunyi and 25,760 yuan from downtown Beijing in 2026-27.

How to choose a school

• Eligibility: check your child's nationality and residence status against the rules of the local education commission.
• Curriculum: compare British-style (IGCSE, A levels) and IB programmes with the system your child will return to.
• Language: check the language of instruction and the support available for students who are still learning English or Chinese.
• Location: schools in Beijing's Shunyi district or Haidian district serve different neighbourhoods, and school buses add to the cost.
• Admission dates: apply early, as popular schools keep waiting lists.

Frequently asked questions

Can foreign children attend a Chinese public school?

Chinese public schools teach in Chinese and follow the national curriculum, so ask the local education authority about admission. International schools are the English-language alternative, open to foreign passport holders and permanent residents of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan under the local education commission's rules.

How much does an international school in China cost?

Fees are high. At Tsinghua International School in Beijing, tuition for 2026-27 ranges from 193,000 yuan a year in primary school to 226,000 yuan in high school.

Do children need to speak Chinese to attend an international school?

No. Schools such as Tsinghua International School and Dulwich College Beijing teach in English; Chinese is taught as a subject.