International schools for families relocating to the UK
For families who move frequently or plan to return to their home country, a globally portable curriculum is often the right choice. The UK has a strong concentration of international and independent schools — particularly in London and the South East — covering the IB and a range of national curricula.
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International schools in the UK
Every school listed here has been reviewed by our editorial team before being featured on this page.
9 schools listed
Set within 150 acres in Kent, one of the UK’s leading boys’ boarding and day schools for ages 13–18. Consistently ranked among the top performers in national league tables, combining academic excellence with outstanding sport, music, drama and award-winning sustainability.
Nestled in the beautiful Suffolk countryside and only 5 minutes from the A14, Finborough School offers a distinctive educational experience that seamlessly integrates academic excellence with personal growth, creativity and adventure.
Overlooking the River Thames in Oxfordshire, 40 minutes from London Heathrow. A thriving coeducational boarding and day school for 580 pupils aged 11–18. Flexi, weekly and full boarding available from Year 9, underpinned by the ethos of Inclusive, Individual and Inspirational.
A renowned co-educational boarding and day school for students aged 13–18, set in the Wiltshire countryside within 286 acres of historic grounds. Offers outstanding pastoral care and a vibrant campus life.
In the heart of St Andrews, a leading coeducational day and boarding school for ages 4–18 offering all four IB programmes. Combines academic rigour with vibrant community, world-class golf and a stunning seaside setting.
A distinguished independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11–18 in picturesque Wiltshire. Provides a rigorous academic environment with top-tier A-Level results, a strong Oxbridge track record and exceptional pastoral care.
In the Kent countryside 30 minutes from London, a leading coeducational day and boarding school for ages 11–18. A pioneer of the International Baccalaureate, achieving world-class results while fostering creativity, global perspective and a dynamic boarding community.
On the south coast in East Sussex, a leading coeducational day and boarding school for ages 11–18. Named UK Boarding School of the Year 2025, acclaimed for outstanding academic results, innovative teaching and a pioneering culture of kindness.
The oldest school in England and a world-renowned coeducational day and boarding school for ages 13–18. Blending centuries of tradition with modern innovation, King’s offers outstanding academic programmes, exceptional music, drama and sport beside Canterbury Cathedral.
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Every school and service on this page is editorially reviewed and independently chosen by our team — in some cases a listed provider may have chosen to pay a listing fee, but that never determines who appears or how we describe them. We vet all providers carefully before listing any service or company on our platform.
International schools in the UK — what families need to know
The UK has over 200 schools offering internationally recognised curricula, the majority concentrated in London, the South East and major regional cities. The International Baccalaureate (IB) — particularly the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) — is the most common international curriculum, valued for its portability and its acceptance by universities worldwide.
Beyond the schools listed here, the wider UK sector includes dedicated national-curriculum schools. American curriculum schools (offering AP, SAT preparation and the American High School Diploma) serve the large US expat community, particularly in London. French lycées operated by AEFE (the Agency for French Education Abroad) serve the French-speaking community and often accept non-French-speaking pupils with appropriate language support, and there are German, Scandinavian and Japanese schools serving their respective national communities.
Fees at London international schools are among the highest in the world — the top IB schools charge £25,000 to £35,000 per year for day pupils. Outside London, costs are considerably lower. Corporate relocation packages frequently include school fee allowances, and it is worth clarifying the cap before selecting a school.
Waiting lists at popular international schools can be long — sometimes two to three years. Families relocating on short notice may need to consider the British independent school sector with IB provision as an alternative, or work with a placement consultant who knows which schools have mid-year availability.
The schools listed above span both dedicated IB providers and leading British independent schools that suit internationally mobile families — several offer the IB alongside, or instead of, A-Levels. Start by deciding how portable the curriculum needs to be, then weigh boarding pattern, region, and fees against your relocation timeline. An early conversation with each school’s admissions team, or with a placement consultant, usually reveals more about genuine availability than any prospectus.
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View all categories →International Schools — FAQs
An international school typically offers a globally portable curriculum (most commonly the IB) and is designed to serve internationally mobile families who may move countries again. A British independent school typically follows the UK National Curriculum or GCSEs and A-Levels, which are less portable internationally but highly respected and widely understood by UK universities and employers.
Yes — all UK universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, accept the IB Diploma. UCAS (the UK university application body) has a tariff system that converts IB points to UCAS points for comparison with A-Level applicants. An IB score of 38 to 45 is broadly equivalent to three A grades at A-Level for competitive university applications.
Waiting lists at the most popular London international schools can be two to three years for reception and Year 7 entry. Mid-year and later year group entry is sometimes available, particularly when families leave the country unexpectedly. Registering early — even before a confirmed move date — is strongly advised. A placement consultant can identify schools with genuine availability.
Yes, though intensive French language support is usually required. The Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle in London accepts non-French-speaking pupils who demonstrate sufficient aptitude and commitment to learning French. Some bilingual schools also offer French-English streams that do not require prior French ability at entry.
No — school fees in the UK are not tax-deductible for parents. However, if school fees form part of a corporate relocation package, the tax treatment depends on how the package is structured. Employer-paid school fees are typically treated as a taxable benefit in kind. A cross-border tax adviser can advise on the most efficient structuring.
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Our directory reaches internationally mobile families relocating to the UK and researching schooling for their children. International schools, bilingual schools and placement services are all welcome.
Apply for a listingThis page was last updated on 29 May 2026.