Ten international school curricula. Different teaching philosophies, different university pathways, different price points. Use this guide to understand the trade-offs and find the right fit for your family.
| Curriculum | Final qualification | Age range | Best for | Strongest UK / US uni recognition | Typical fee range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IB | IB Diploma (DP) | 3-19 (PYP, MYP, DP) | Globally mobile, well-rounded students | Excellent. both UK and US | $15K-$45K |
| British | IGCSE + A-Level | 3-18 | UK university pathway, structured learners | Excellent UK, strong US | $8K-$45K |
| American | High School Diploma + AP | 4-18 | US university pathway, broad-based learners | Excellent US, good UK | $15K-$50K |
| French | Baccalauréat | 3-18 | French-speaking families, French university pathway | Strong French, accepted globally | $6K-$22K |
| Bilingual | Varies (often IB or local) | 2-18 | Heritage language families, immersion seekers | Depends on overlay curriculum | $8K-$35K |
Want a deeper comparison? Read our IB vs British, IB vs American or British vs American guides.
| Curriculum | UK universities | US universities | Continental Europe | Australia / NZ | Singapore / HK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IB Diploma | Universal | Universal | Universal | Universal | Universal |
| A-Levels | Universal (gold standard) | Most accept | Most accept | Universal | Universal |
| AP / US HS | Most accept (3+ AP) | Universal (gold standard) | Most accept | Most accept | Most accept |
| French Bac | Universal | Most accept | Universal | Most accept | Most accept |
| German Abitur | Universal | Most accept | Universal (gold standard DE) | Most accept | Most accept |
| HSC / VCE / WACE | Most accept | Most accept | Most accept | Universal (gold standard AU) | Most accept |
It depends on the destination country. The IB Diploma is the most globally portable and accepted everywhere. A-Levels are the gold standard for UK universities. AP and the US High School Diploma are preferred for US colleges. The French Bac, German Abitur and Australian HSC are also widely accepted globally but have particular strength in their home countries.
The IB Diploma is generally considered broader and more demanding because students take six subjects plus Theory of Knowledge, an Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity, Service. A-Levels go deeper in three or four subjects. Universities typically equate a 38+ IB DP score with three A* A-Levels, but the experience differs significantly.
Yes, but with timing trade-offs. IGCSE to IB DP at age 16 is very common. Switching from American HS to A-Levels mid-Year 12 is much harder. IB MYP transfers easily to IB DP. We strongly recommend avoiding curriculum switches in the final two years.
French Baccalauréat schools (AEFE network) are typically the most affordable premium option globally, often $6K-$15K per year. German DSD schools and Indian-curriculum schools also offer excellent value. The IB and American curricula are usually the most expensive.
Authentic AMI Montessori extends to age 18 in some schools (Phuket International Academy, Lake Country in WI, etc.) but most Montessori schools transition students to IB DP, IGCSE or local curricula at secondary level. Pure Montessori at secondary is rare globally.
Bilingual schools deliver content in two languages roughly evenly. Immersion schools teach all (or most) academic content in the target language with the student's home language as a separate subject. True bilingual education aims for native-level fluency in both; immersion aims for advanced second-language acquisition.
For high-mobility families, the IB is the only curriculum designed for global portability across all year groups (PYP at primary, MYP at lower secondary, DP at upper secondary). It's the default choice for diplomatic and corporate-mobile families, and most expat-heavy cities have IB schools.
Weekly curriculum analysis, IB DP results, A-Level outcomes and AP changes. Plus city-specific school news for 50+ destinations.
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