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The IB landscape in London
London is the deepest IB market in Europe and one of the three most competitive in the world. Approximately 30 schools across Greater London are authorised IB Diploma World Schools, with roughly 12 offering the full PYP through DP continuum. The remainder offer IB at sixth-form only, typically alongside A-Levels.
The cluster splits cleanly into three groups. The first is the small group of British independent boarding and day schools that have made IB their dominant sixth-form route (Sevenoaks, King's College Wimbledon's IB stream, North London Collegiate). The second is the international school cluster around Cobham, Hillingdon and central London (ACS schools, TASIS, Southbank International, ICS London, The International School of London). The third is a growing handful of state schools and academy trusts running IB at no fee. London is the only city in our coverage where families can credibly pursue the Diploma at zero cost.
The 2026 list, ranked
Sevenoaks School
The reference school for IB in the UK. Sevenoaks abandoned A-Levels in 2007 and is now fully IB Diploma at sixth-form. The 2025 five-year average sits above 40 points, the highest of any UK day or boarding school. Approximately 30 percent of leavers go to Oxbridge, Imperial or LSE, with strong US Ivy and top-50 placements alongside. Cohort sizes are large (180 plus), so subject breadth at Higher Level is exceptional. Day and boarding pathways.
ACS Cobham International School
Largest of the ACS schools and the strongest American-style school in the Greater London area on Diploma outcomes. Full IB continuum from PYP. AP courses available alongside. Cohort is large and diverse (60 plus nationalities). Strong destinations to US, UK and continental European universities. Particularly suited to globally mobile families anticipating multiple moves.
North London Collegiate School (NLCS)
One of the highest-performing girls' schools in the UK. Like Sevenoaks, NLCS dropped A-Levels and is now IB-only at sixth-form. The 2025 cohort averaged above 39 with a meaningful share of 44 and 45 point scores. Strong Oxbridge and US Ivy pipeline. Smaller cohort than Sevenoaks but with deeper subject breadth than smaller schools.
Southbank International School
The strongest central London IB-only school. Multi-campus structure with primary in Westminster and Hampstead and senior in Westminster. Full continuum. Cohort sizes are moderate but academic quality is consistently high. Particularly attractive to families living in zones 1 to 2 who want IB without the daily Cobham commute.
The International School of London (ISL)
Long-established west London IB school. Full continuum. Particularly strong mother-tongue programme supporting 30 plus languages, which is valuable for short-tenure expat families with non-English first languages. Cohort sizes are smaller than ACS or Southbank.
King's College School Wimbledon (IB stream)
One of the highest-performing dual-pathway sixth-forms in the country. Most King's pupils take A-Levels but the smaller IB Diploma stream produces consistently world-class results, including the highest cohort average in our London list. Strong Oxbridge and US Ivy outcomes. Highly selective on entry.
ACS Hillingdon International School
Sister school to ACS Cobham, west of London. Smaller cohort, more contained campus, similar academic outcomes. Closer for families based in west London, Buckinghamshire or for parents commuting to Heathrow-adjacent corporate campuses.
ACS Egham International School
Third ACS campus, south-west of London. Smaller and quieter than Cobham. Strong destinations record with a slight tilt towards continental European universities. Good fit for families in Surrey or near Windsor.
TASIS The American School in England
American school running IB Diploma alongside AP and US high school diploma. Boarding option available. Cohort is internationally diverse. Particularly suited to families wanting a US-style high school experience with the IB option layered on.
ICS London
Central London IB school with full continuum. Smaller cohort than Southbank. Strong support for SEN and English-as-an-additional-language students. Particularly attractive to families on shorter postings or with children needing more individualised support.
Compare your shortlist side by side
Put any two or three London IB schools next to each other on fees, cohort averages, university destinations and SEN provision with our free compare tool. Most families end up shortlisting three schools before booking tours.
State and grammar IB options
London is unusual in having credible state-funded IB Diploma options. Camden School for Girls, Dartford Grammar School and a handful of other state and grammar schools run the IB Diploma at no fee. Dartford Grammar in particular has produced strong cohort averages in the 35 to 37 range over the past decade and is genuinely competitive with mid-tier independent schools. The catch is that admission is via the 11 plus exam two years before sixth-form entry, so the route requires a deliberate primary-school choice. For families with academically strong children prepared to take the 11 plus route, state IB in London is one of the best-value academic decisions in the country.
Fees and what they really mean
Premium IB schools in London charge GBP 28,000 to GBP 38,000 per year in Years 12 and 13. ASL and the ACS schools sit at the upper end. Sevenoaks day fees are slightly lower but boarding fees raise the all-in to nearly GBP 50,000. NLCS, King's Wimbledon and Southbank sit in the GBP 26,000 to GBP 32,000 range. Add 20 to 30 percent for the standard extras (registration, capital levies, books, exam fees, transport, trips) and the honest all-in for a premium IB place is GBP 32,000 to GBP 45,000 per year. See our hidden fees guide for the full breakdown.
For families weighing London IB against London British independent A-Levels, the fees are broadly similar. The choice is about curriculum fit and university destinations, not cost.
Neighbourhoods that match these schools
School location is the dominant constraint on housing for relocating IB families. Central London families at Southbank or ICS cluster in Marylebone, Westminster, Hampstead, St John's Wood and Notting Hill. West London families at ACS Hillingdon or ISL tend to live in Chiswick, Ealing, Richmond or further out in Buckinghamshire. Surrey-based families at ACS Cobham, ACS Egham or TASIS live in Cobham, Esher, Weybridge or the wider Walton-on-Thames area, with lifestyle and gardens but longer working-parent commutes. Sevenoaks and NLCS pull from their own catchments (west Kent and north-west London respectively). Our moving to London guide covers neighbourhood and commute trade-offs in more depth.
Admissions timing
Year 12 IB Diploma places are the most accessible entry year at most London IB schools because cohorts expand at sixth-form. ACS schools, Southbank, ISL, TASIS and ICS can typically accept applications for September entry as late as the previous February or March, subject to assessment. Sevenoaks, NLCS and King's Wimbledon are much tighter, with assessments held in the autumn term of Year 11 and offers issued in February. State and grammar IB options have the longest lead time: catchment-based admission for primary is the gateway, and the path effectively starts at age 10 or earlier. Our admissions timing by city guide has the full table.
When IB is not the right call
The IB Diploma is not the right choice for every London family. If your child is targeting UK universities only and has a clear subject focus, A-Levels remain the most efficient route and the British independent system offers world-class A-Level provision at NLCS, City of London, Westminster, St Paul's and many others. If your child is mid-A-Level and arriving in Year 12 or 13, a Diploma switch is rarely advisable. If your child is targeting US universities, the IB Diploma travels well but AP also performs well and is often easier to combine with US extracurriculars. Our international vs local schools guide has the broader trade-off framework.
A common adjacent question is whether the IB Diploma helps with Oxbridge admissions. The honest answer is that strong IB scores (typically 40 plus) are competitive with A-Level A*A*A* offers at the top end. Oxbridge tutors are familiar with the Diploma and the conversion is well established. The route is genuinely viable. But for a child with a clear single-subject focus and no plans to apply outside the UK, A-Levels offer a marginally more efficient path because they give more time on the target subjects. Choose on child profile and breadth of options, not on Oxbridge probability.
A short note on cohort fit
Beyond the academic outcomes, the cohort culture differs meaningfully across London's IB schools. Sevenoaks and NLCS feel like high-octane British independents that happen to offer IB; cohort cultures are intense, traditional and academically focused. ACS schools, TASIS and ASL feel like American or international schools that have layered IB onto a different educational tradition; cohort cultures are warmer, more international and less competitive in tone. Southbank, ISL and ICS feel like genuine international IB schools; cohort cultures are highly diverse, often with shorter average tenure, and adept at integrating new arrivals.
For relocating families, the right cohort culture often matters as much as the right academic outcomes. Visit before deciding. A school that fits the child's temperament will outperform a more prestigious school that does not.
FAQ
How many IB schools are there in London?
Roughly 30 schools across Greater London hold IB Diploma authorisation, with around 12 offering the full PYP to DP continuum.
What is the average IB score in London?
The city-wide weighted average is close to 36 points. The strongest schools (Sevenoaks, NLCS, King's Wimbledon) sit above 39 to 40. Mid-tier schools cluster in the 33 to 36 range.
Can I do the IB Diploma for free in London?
Yes. Camden School for Girls, Dartford Grammar School and a handful of other state and grammar schools offer the IB Diploma at no fee. Admission is typically via 11 plus or sixth-form selection.
Which IB schools have boarding in London?
Sevenoaks, TASIS and ACS Cobham (with a small boarding contingent) offer boarding alongside their day programmes. Boarding is more common in the broader UK independent sector but rarer in Greater London itself.