ISC Research data from January 2020 identifies 287 international schools in Malaysia teaching a total of 107,100 children in the language of English (English-medium) or bilingual, where English is one of the main languages of learning. The number of international schools has grown by 43% in just six years, when Malaysia had 96 schools. New international school development has mostly occurred in the Klang Valley region and Putrajaya, and enrolment demand has been particularly notable for the mid-priced schools.

Traditionally, international schools were established to meet the educational needs of children of expatriates working in Malaysia or in the region. These include The Alice Smith School, Garden International School, The International School of Penang (Uplands) and the International School of Kuala Lumpur among others. These schools were considered international not only because they used curricula different from that in use in public schools in the country, but also because they represented a truly global community.

In addition to tuition fees, international schools may also charge other types of fees. Each school has a different fee structure and may use different terms to refer to the various fees. Therefore, it is important that parents take the time to review and understand the different fee structures and schedules.

Schools that have a long history or tradition in boarding overseas are also more expensive compared to newer ones. While there are schools that charge annual tuition fees exceeding RM100,000, there is an increasing number of schools charging midrange fees, i.e., between RM25,000 and RM50,000; and even fees below RM25,000 annually.

There are over 20 international schools located in Kuala Lumpur.

There are plenty of good international schools in Malaysia, especially in Kuala Lumpur. Here are 10 international schools that charge the highest annual tuition fees for Year 1

Finally, no one knows your child better than you and you need to find an environment that they will flourish in. In the same way that some people prefer a house to an apartment, some children will do better in one school than in another. We have many great international schools in Malaysia but hopefully we have guided you to look for the school that will be great for your child.

Age of commencement and completion of education, medium of instruction, fees, curriculum, quality of teachers, additional support outside the classroom, non-academic and academic components.

The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is the international equivalent of the GCSE examinations in the UK. IGCSE is offered by many international schools in Malaysia. The qualification is globally recognised and opens many doors for students who want to study locally or abroad.

Students can sit for IGCSE qualifications at a number of international schools in Malaysia that offer the British or Cambridge International Curriculum. The IGCSE examinations take place during the student’s final year of secondary school. For a list of schools that offer IGCSE, use the powerful School Finder here.

After IGCSE, students can enrol in a pre-university programme of their choice to kickstart their higher education journey. For a guide on how to choose the right pre-university programme, click here.

The IGCSE examinations are carried out twice a year in May and October. Students sit for the examinations in international schools or private examination centres. Results are given out in August and January. Each subject is graded from A* to G, with A* being the highest grade.

The British Curriculum is also known as the UK Curriculum and the National Curriculum of England.

At primary level, students are taught the fundamentals of mathematics and English. Science, technology, humanities and arts subjects are also introduced as multi-disciplinary topics and integrated in school projects. The curriculum aims to hone students’ higher order thinking skills and encourage independent learning as they prepare for the (I)GCSE examinations.

In Malaysia, various pre-university programs that meet different needs and requirements are available. These programs vary in terms of duration, subjects offered, intakes, mode of assessment and fees – among other factors. Generally, you need a minimum of five credits (usually including mathematics and English) at SPM, GCE O Levels, or its equivalent to enroll in any of these programs.

The PYP imparts invaluable skills in their students that will help them transition to the MYP, which is designed for 11 to 16 year olds. The skills include independence, respect, international mindedness, initiative and teamwork.

The IB MYP was adopted by the International Baccalaureate in 1994. It is designed to be a flexible curriculum for middle-level learners aged 11 to 16. This programme is a succession of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). In 2014, the MYP was reviewed and re-launched to meet the demands of a new generation of students and educators. The MYP is now offered by over 1,300 schools in 600 countries across the globe.

The IBDP is a globally recognised pre-university programme which is designed for students aged 16 to 19. It has an academically challenging curriculum which expands students’ knowledge, taps into students’ potential and fosters international understanding. There are currently over 3,000 international schools offering the IBDP in 153 countries.

The International Baccalaureate Curriculum was introduced by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) in 1968. The curriculum is well-known for its academically progressive and rigorous programmes at primary, secondary and pre-university levels. These programmes are the Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), Middle Years Programme (IB MYP), Diploma Programme (IBDP) and Career-related Programme (IB CP).

The International Baccalaureate Curriculum has gained recognition around the world especially in Asia. A number of international schools in Southeast Asia are recognised as IB World Schools by the IBO.

The American Curriculum is divided into three stages: Elementary School, Middle School and High School. In Elementary School, students aged 4 to 11 enter Kindergarten to Grade 5. Students aged 11 to 14 progress to Middle School which covers Grade 6 to Grade 8. They then move on to High School until the age of 18 to complete Grade 9 to Grade 12. The core subjects at each level are English language, arts, mathematics, science and social studies. In addition, students are exposed to visual and performing arts, foreign languages, physical education and technology.

The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is granted to students who complete 16 units, three of them being English. A subject has four units and each unit has a range of topics that students will learn from. Students have to complete these units in Years 11 and 12 of the Victorian Curriculum. The VCE is equivalent to two A Levels and three GCSE subjects. It is a recognised qualification to enter universities or seek employment in Australia. 

Accreditation bodies have the task of evaluating schools to see if they meet a certain set of criteria and standards. Being accredited is a goal for many schools as it assures parents that the education their children will receive at the school is of the highest standard. Here are some of the organisations that have accredited international schools in Malaysia: Council of International Schools (CIS), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), ASIC School Accreditation, The Council of British International Schools (COBIS), International School Quality Mark Accreditation and New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).