How many British schools in Beijing
Beijing currently lists around six schools delivering the English National Curriculum or a substantial British curriculum stream. Three are fully British: Dulwich College Beijing, Harrow Beijing and the two British School of Beijing campuses operated by Nord Anglia. The remaining providers offer British curriculum streams alongside IB or American programmes, including the bilingual Nord Anglia Chinese International School in Shunyi.
Senior school cohorts at Beijing British schools are smaller than at the larger IB providers in the city. A typical Year 11 IGCSE cohort runs to 40 to 90 pupils across two or three form groups. Sixth form A-level cohorts are smaller still, usually 30 to 70 pupils. The smaller scale means more attention but tighter subject availability, particularly in less common A-level options such as Further Maths, Latin and Mandarin.
The cluster is mature. Dulwich College Beijing has run since 2005, Harrow Beijing since 2005 and the British School of Beijing since 2003. Both Dulwich and Harrow maintain formal links to their UK foundations, with academic and cultural exchanges across both directions. A-level results in Beijing have consistently outperformed UK national averages, with around 60 percent of A-level grades at A or A* across the cluster.
Fees and tiers
British curriculum tuition in Beijing sits within three rough tiers. The value tier, RMB 220,000 to RMB 260,000 a year, covers the lower years at Nord Anglia and BSB Sanlitun. The mid tier, RMB 260,000 to RMB 310,000, captures Dulwich College Beijing primary, BSB Shunyi and most year groups at Nord Anglia Chinese International School. The premium tier, RMB 310,000 to RMB 340,000, applies to Dulwich and Harrow sixth form.
Published tuition is not the all-in cost. Capital contributions at Beijing British schools are typically RMB 30,000 to RMB 50,000 on enrolment, although some schools waive this for corporate sponsored families. A-level examination registration is RMB 8,000 to RMB 15,000 a year. Transport, lunch and trips add 10 to 15 percent. Detailed breakdowns sit in our Beijing fees guide.
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IGCSE and A-level pathways
Sixth form pathways at Beijing British schools split between A-level and the IB Diploma. Dulwich College Beijing and Harrow Beijing offer A-level only at sixth form, with both schools using the Pearson Edexcel International A-level specifications. The British School of Beijing Shunyi runs a parallel A-level and IB Diploma sixth form. Nord Anglia Chinese International School runs IB Diploma only at sixth form, despite British curriculum delivery at IGCSE.
A-level choice in Beijing is strong in the science and mathematics subjects but weaker in arts. Most schools offer 18 to 24 A-level subjects; the strongest specialist options are Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Economics, Business and Computer Science. Languages typically cover Mandarin, French, Spanish and German. Curriculum guidance sits in our British curriculum overview.
Illustrative example schools
The five schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each delivers the English National Curriculum through at least IGCSE with a continuous track record of British sixth form or IB Diploma graduates entering top tier universities.
Dulwich College Beijing (Shunyi). The flagship British curriculum school in Beijing, part of the Dulwich International network. Full Reception through Year 13 with A-level at sixth form. Strong Russell Group destinations including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial and LSE.
Harrow Beijing (Houshayu). Beijing's Harrow campus runs Reception through Year 13 with A-level sixth form. Boys and girls co-educational with strong outdoor and Round Square programme.
British School of Beijing Shunyi. The Shunyi flagship of the Nord Anglia BSB family, delivering English National Curriculum from Reception with a choice of A-level or IB Diploma at sixth form.
British School of Beijing Sanlitun. The smaller BSB campus in central Beijing, popular with families based in the diplomatic district and Chaoyang Park area. Primary through Year 8 only.
Nord Anglia Chinese International School (Shunyi). Bilingual British curriculum primary with IB Diploma at sixth form. Suited to families wanting British structure alongside formal Mandarin progression.
Where British families live
British families in Beijing cluster around three areas. Shunyi District, including the Capital Paradise, Beijing Riviera and Quanfa compounds, holds Dulwich College Beijing, Harrow Beijing, BSB Shunyi and Nord Anglia Chinese International School. This is the dominant British family catchment in the city, with villa style housing and on site amenities suited to families with two or three children.
Houshayu specifically suits Harrow Beijing families, given the school sits in the Houshayu satellite cluster north of the main Shunyi expat areas. Sanlitun and the wider Chaoyang Park district serve BSB Sanlitun families and offer apartment living with cosmopolitan amenities, drawing diplomatic and consular households as well as media and professional services families.
Commute times depend heavily on traffic. Shunyi schools sit 40 to 70 minutes from central Beijing in school bus traffic. BSB Sanlitun is within walking distance for most of its families. School transport is provided by all major Beijing British schools, with a one-time bond on enrolment and recurring termly charges.
Admissions calendar
Most Beijing British schools open the main August intake window in November of the previous year and close priority deadlines by late February. Mid-year transfers in Reception through Year 9 are common where places exist. From Year 10 onward, schools may require GCSE or IGCSE subject alignment for transfer pupils joining the IGCSE programme.
A-level transfers are accepted before September of Year 12. After this date schools usually decline transfers because coursework and exam board registration are already in place. Assessment varies by year group: lower primary uses an informal visit day, upper primary adds an English and mathematics task, and senior school includes a subject interview. Capital contributions are payable on acceptance unless covered by corporate sponsorship.
Frequently asked questions
How many British schools are there in Beijing?
Beijing has around six schools delivering the English National Curriculum or a substantial British stream. The main providers are Dulwich College Beijing, Harrow Beijing, British School of Beijing Shunyi and Sanlitun, and Nord Anglia Chinese International School. Both Dulwich and Harrow run from Reception through Year 13 with A-level at sixth form.
How much do British schools in Beijing cost?
British curriculum tuition in Beijing ranges from around RMB 220,000 a year at value tier lower years to RMB 340,000 at Dulwich and Harrow sixth form. The median sits near RMB 290,000. Add capital contributions of RMB 30,000 to RMB 50,000 on enrolment plus 10 to 15 percent for transport, lunch, examination registration and trips.
Which is the best British school in Beijing?
There is no single best British school in Beijing. Dulwich College Beijing is the longest-established and consistently sends graduates to Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial and LSE. Harrow Beijing has a strong Round Square programme and outdoor leadership focus. BSB Shunyi offers both A-level and IB Diploma. Choice depends on family fit and sixth form pathway.
Should we choose A-level or IB at Beijing British schools?
Dulwich and Harrow offer A-level only at sixth form. BSB Shunyi offers both A-level and IB Diploma in parallel. Nord Anglia Chinese International School offers IB Diploma only at sixth form despite British curriculum delivery at IGCSE. A-level suits subject specialists; IB Diploma suits well rounded candidates targeting US and Canadian universities.
When do British school applications open in Beijing?
Most Beijing British schools open the main August intake window in November of the previous year and close priority deadlines by late February. Mid-year transfers are common in Reception through Year 9. A-level transfers are accepted before September of Year 12.
Can mainland Chinese passport holders attend British schools in Beijing?
The mainstream British providers including Dulwich, Harrow and the two BSB campuses are licensed to enrol only children with foreign passports or foreign permanent residency. Nord Anglia Chinese International School operates under a bilingual licence and accepts mainland Chinese passport holders into dedicated streams. Confirm passport eligibility during admissions.
