International schools · London, United Kingdom
International schools in London — British state, independent, US, IB, French
London has the world's deepest school market: free British state schools, fee-paying independents, US schools, IB schools, French Lycée, German Schule, others.
This page maps the categories of schools and the cost bands — it intentionally doesn't name specific schools or quote current tuition. Tuition adjusts annually and admissions status changes; the directories linked below are the authoritative source for the current list.
London has an international school landscape that solves the schooling problem for most relocating families — but the right choice depends on curriculum fit, language of instruction, admissions timing, and budget. This page maps the landscape and gives you the decision framework; the actual school shortlist needs current research.
International schools in this market change year-over-year — tuition adjusts, waitlists shift, new schools open, and admissions criteria evolve. Mundevo intentionally doesn't name specific schools or quote current tuition: those numbers go stale within a year. The directories linked below are the authoritative starting points for the current list.
Curricula commonly available
British state schools
Free public schools — quality varies by borough. Top state schools (often grammar schools) are highly competitive and tied to catchment area.
British independent (private)
The traditional fee-paying British school sector — from £15k to £50k+ per year. Includes day schools and boarding schools.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Available at several independent and a few state schools.
American schools (e.g. ASL)
Long-established US-curriculum schools serving the US-tied expat community.
French Lycée, German Schule, Swedish, others
National-system schools serving specific expat communities.
Languages of instruction
Tuition cost bands
Order-of-magnitude only. Headline tuition typically excludes registration, capital levies, uniforms, meals, transport, and extracurriculars — add 15-30% for an all-in estimate per child.
Where to find the current school list
Authoritative directories — these stay current in ways an editorial page cannot.
- Department for Education (DfE)Maintains the official school directory for England.Reference: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education
- ISC — Independent Schools CouncilTrade body for British independent schools. Searchable directory.Reference: https://www.isc.co.uk
- IB World Schools DirectoryOfficial directory of all IB-authorized schools worldwide — searchable by location and programme.Reference: https://www.ibo.org/programmes/find-an-ib-school
- COBIS — Council of British International SchoolsAccredited British international schools directory — useful for English-language British-curriculum schools.Reference: https://www.cobis.org.uk
- ECIS — Educational Collaborative for International SchoolsInternational school network with directory and accreditation framework.Reference: https://www.ecis.org
How to think about the decision
- 1.International curriculum (IB / British / American) or local national curriculum?
International curricula are smoother for families likely to relocate again, kids who speak English / the curriculum language, and teenagers who need recognized exit qualifications for university abroad. National curricula are smoother for families planning to stay long-term and young kids who can pick up the local language fast. Bilingual schools split the difference, but quality varies widely.
- 2.How early do you need to apply?
Most established international schools open admissions 12-18 months before the start of the academic year. Waitlists at popular schools run 1-3 years in cities with high expat demand. The single biggest mistake families make is leaving school applications until after the move is confirmed — by which time the slots are gone.
- 3.What does the cost actually include?
Headline tuition often excludes registration fees, capital levies, uniforms, meals, transport, technology, and extracurriculars. Add 15-30% to the headline number for a realistic all-in cost. Multiple children compound the math quickly.
- 4.Will your employer or visa sponsor pay?
Many corporate relocation packages include school fees as a separate line item, especially for expat assignments. If you're negotiating compensation for a move, school fees often beat salary uplift dollar-for-dollar — they're tax-treated differently in many jurisdictions.
London state-school catchment areas are tight and tied to property — "good state schools" effectively cost money via house prices in the catchment, not tuition. Independent school admissions for popular schools are competitive and frequently require testing at age 7, 11, or 13. Applications often need to be in 12-24 months ahead for popular year groups.
Other cities
See the full directory for all 13 cities.