In this guide
What the British curriculum looks like in Brussels
British curriculum schooling in Brussels has a longer and deeper history than in most European capitals. The British School of Brussels (BSB) was founded in 1969 and remains the only school in the city that delivers the full English National Curriculum from Early Years through Cambridge IGCSE and either A-Level or the IB Diploma at sixth form. It is BSO-inspected and a long-standing COBIS member, with a cohort sized to support a broad sixth form subject list.
Beyond BSB, the British curriculum landscape thins. St Paul's British Primary School in Vilvoorde serves the British curriculum at primary level only and is a feeder for BSB at the senior phase. BEPS International School in Limal and Ixelles delivers an IPC and IB-leaning programme that includes Cambridge elements but pivots to the IB. The International School of Brussels (ISB) and St John's International School in Waterloo are full IB World schools and not British curriculum, though they often appear on the same shortlist.
For most families relocating to Brussels on a British curriculum brief, BSB is the default first choice. St Paul's is the natural feeder at primary. After Year 6, families either continue with BSB through to A-Level or pivot to one of the IB schools depending on sixth form preferences. For broader context, see our British curriculum overview guide.
When reading inspection reports for Brussels schools, focus on three signals beyond the headline rating: faculty turnover (the most reliable leading indicator of quality drift), the proportion of teaching staff holding UK qualified teacher status, and the trajectory of the past three inspection cycles rather than the single most recent score. Ask schools directly for their faculty retention numbers during the admissions conversation; the strongest schools will share the data without hesitation.
Top schools to consider
British School of Brussels (BSB)
BSB delivers the English National Curriculum from Early Years through Cambridge IGCSE, with both A-Level and IB Diploma options at sixth form. Founded in 1969 and one of the most established British schools in continental Europe. Strong sixth form cohort that supports a broad subject list, deep extracurricular programme, and excellent university destinations. The default choice for British curriculum families in Brussels.
St Paul's British Primary School
St Paul's delivers the English National Curriculum from Reception through Year 6 only. A feeder relationship with BSB and other senior British schools is standard. Smaller, family-feel campus suited to younger children. Families plan a transition to BSB or to a senior school in the wider Belgian or European British school network from Year 7.
BEPS International School
BEPS delivers the International Primary Curriculum and IB Middle Years with Cambridge elements at primary and lower secondary, then transitions to the IB Diploma at sixth form. A useful option for families who want British curriculum delivery in the early years with an IB endgame. Strong English-medium environment and Brussels-friendly campus locations.
Antwerp International School (regional alternative)
A regional alternative on the Brussels shortlist for families living north of the city or considering Antwerp. Delivers Cambridge IGCSE alongside the IB Middle Years and Diploma. Worth considering for families with flexibility on location, particularly where the work base sits closer to Antwerp than to Brussels.
International School of Brussels (ISB)
ISB is included for context. It is a full IB World school rather than British curriculum, but parents often weigh it directly against BSB. Strong American and IB heritage, deep extracurricular and arts programme. Choose ISB if the family is committed to the IB pathway from primary; choose BSB if A-Level or Cambridge IGCSE matters.
St John's International School Waterloo
Also IB rather than British, included for context. St John's serves the southern Brussels expatriate community and delivers the IB Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma. Worth visiting for families committed to IB and based in the Waterloo or Lasne area, where commute times to BSB or ISB can become tight.
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Fees, intake stages and admissions timing
Brussels' British schools quote in euros. BSB tuition runs roughly EUR 18,000 to EUR 32,000 per year depending on year group, with sixth form at the upper end of that band. St Paul's Primary sits at EUR 14,000 to EUR 18,000. BEPS runs EUR 13,000 to EUR 20,000. The IB alternatives (ISB, St John's) run EUR 19,000 to EUR 36,000 across the senior years. Add 5 to 10 per cent for ancillaries including building levies and activity charges.
A Tier 1 Brussels senior year typically settles at EUR 35,000 to EUR 40,000 all-in per child, which is roughly USD 38,000 to USD 44,000. That positions Brussels in the same band as Munich and Geneva, lower than Hong Kong or Singapore, and broadly in line with what families relocating from London might expect to pay at a continental British international school. NATO and EU institution allowances often cover much of this envelope.
Intake stages follow the English national pattern: Reception at age 4, Year 7 at age 11, and Year 12 at age 16 are the principal entry points. Apply between October and February for the August intake. BSB and St Paul's maintain waitlists in popular year groups. Documentation requirements include school reports, immunisation record, and a school reference. Diplomatic and EU institution families typically receive priority consideration where places allow. For the broader fee picture, see our Brussels international school fees article and the fees explorer.
Scholarships, sibling discounts, and employer reimbursement are worth investigating early. BSB offers sibling discounts and a small academic and music scholarship programme in the senior years. Where employer education allowances are part of the relocation package, confirm whether the school invoices in euros or in the employer's home currency, since the foreign exchange exposure can shift the effective fee across a full academic year.
IGCSE and A-Level specifics
IGCSE in Brussels is sat across Years 10 and 11 at BSB and at the smaller British curriculum schools that run a senior phase. Most candidates take 8 to 10 subjects through Pearson Edexcel International or Cambridge International. The core mix is English, mathematics, sciences, humanities, and modern languages, with French and Dutch widely available as second or third languages reflecting Belgium's bilingual character.
Sixth form pathway choice is the principal practical advantage of BSB. It is one of relatively few British international schools in Europe to offer both A-Level and the IB Diploma at sixth form, giving families a meaningful choice within a single campus rather than forcing a school change at Year 12. The A-Level cohort typically sits at 40 to 70 candidates per year, with the IB Diploma cohort similar in size. Both pathways are supported by sufficient depth in core subjects.
A-Level subject choice at BSB covers mathematics, further mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, economics, English literature, history, geography, French, Spanish, German, art, music, and a small number of others. IB Diploma subject choice is similarly broad with the usual six-subject structure. University destinations span UK Russell Group institutions, US universities, and continental European universities including those operating in English.
The practical examination calendar matters. IGCSE and A-Level papers are sat in the May to June window, with results released in mid-August for the Cambridge series and slightly earlier for Pearson Edexcel International. IB Diploma results follow in early July. Schools typically run mock examinations in January or February of the same year. For families considering moves between schools, the cleanest transition windows are after the May to June sittings, not during the academic year itself.
How to choose between curricula in Brussels
The honest comparison between British, IB, and Belgian francophone curricula in Brussels turns on three factors. First, sixth form pathway. BSB is unusual in offering both A-Level and IB Diploma. ISB and St John's are IB only. The European Schools deliver the European Baccalaureate, a useful third option for EU staff families. For a deeper view of IB schools in the city, see our best IB schools in Brussels piece.
Second, location. Brussels is geographically compact but commutes can be tight in rush hour, particularly toward Tervuren in the east where BSB sits. Families in central Brussels and Ixelles often find BEPS more practical for primary years. Families in Waterloo or Lasne consider St John's. The European Schools (Uccle, Woluwe, Ixelles, Laeken) offer additional options for EU institution families.
Third, language exposure. Brussels is officially bilingual French and Dutch, and many expatriate families want their children to acquire one or both languages. The British schools teach French (and often Dutch) as a modern language but do not run bilingual immersion. Families wanting genuine bilingualism may consider the European Schools or local Belgian francophone schools alongside the British option. Pair this guide with the Brussels city guide city page and the Brussels British curriculum hub local hub for the broader context.
Beyond academics, the school tour gives the most useful signal. Pay attention to three things: the tone of the head teacher (whether the conversation feels like a relationship or a sales pitch), the demeanour of the senior students you encounter (whether they seem engaged or performative), and the questions other parents ask during the tour. The mosaic of these signals tells you more about whether a school will work for your child than any inspection report or league table can.
Frequently asked questions
How many British curriculum schools are there in Brussels?
One full-pathway British school: the British School of Brussels in Tervuren, which delivers the English National Curriculum from Early Years through A-Level and the IB Diploma. St Paul's British Primary in Vilvoorde delivers primary only. BEPS includes Cambridge elements but is IB-leaning at the senior phase.
Does the British School of Brussels offer A-Levels?
Yes. BSB is one of the few British schools in continental Europe to offer both A-Levels and the IB Diploma at sixth form, allowing families to choose between pathways within a single campus. The A-Level cohort typically sits at 40 to 70 candidates per year, supporting a broad subject list.
How much do Brussels British schools cost?
BSB tuition runs EUR 18,000 to EUR 32,000 per year depending on year group. St Paul's Primary sits at EUR 14,000 to EUR 18,000. BEPS runs EUR 13,000 to EUR 20,000. Add 5 to 10 per cent for ancillaries. A senior year all-in typically settles at EUR 35,000 to EUR 40,000.
When should we apply to a Brussels British school?
Apply between October and February for the August intake. BSB and St Paul's maintain waitlists in popular year groups, particularly at Reception and Year 7. Diplomatic and EU institution families often receive priority consideration where places allow, but planning ahead remains essential.
Are Brussels British schools BSO inspected?
Yes. The British School of Brussels and St Paul's British Primary School both hold recent BSO inspection reports and are COBIS members. BEPS is accredited by the Council of International Schools. The European Schools and IB alternatives follow their own accreditation frameworks.