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For the full picture of senior provision, start with our international schools in Brussels directory, which lists every school by curriculum and stage. The schools below all run an examined final two years that leads directly to university entry, and they admit by application rather than by residential catchment. This is a shortlist to research, not a ranking, and provision changes, so confirm current pathways with each school.
If you are weighing the qualification itself, our guides to A levels and the International Baccalaureate explain how each is examined and recognised by universities. Families focused on outcomes should also read our shortlist of the best schools for university preparation in Brussels, and the wider Brussels secondary schools guide.
The shortlist
The British School of Brussels
The British School of Brussels, in Tervuren on the eastern edge of the city, is the only school in Belgium to offer all three pre university routes from age 16: A levels, the IB Diploma and BTEC, including a bilingual IB Diploma option. That breadth is unusual, and it means a family can keep a wholly British A level path open or move to the Diploma without changing school. BSB was also the first IB school in Belgium, so the senior team has decades of experience guiding students into universities across Britain, Belgium and beyond.
International School of Brussels
The International School of Brussels, on a large campus in Watermael-Boitsfort, is the school in the region offering the widest set of graduation routes, with the IB Diploma, a US High School Diploma, Advanced Placement and BTEC all available in the senior years. Students build a personalised path through Grades 10 to 12, which suits families who are not sure yet whether a British, American or international qualification fits their child or their onward move. The scale of the school lets it staff a deep subject list.
St John's International School
St John's International School, on a residential campus in Waterloo just south of Brussels, runs the full IB continuum and finishes with the IB Diploma in the senior years. It is a smaller school than ISB or BSB, which means closer staff contact through the demanding Diploma years, and its IB Diploma results sit consistently above the world average. For families who want a pure IB pathway in a calmer, more personal setting, and the only campus in the area to also offer boarding, St John's is the natural call.
BEPS International School
BEPS International School, founded in 1972, follows the International Baccalaureate from the early years through to the IB Diploma, so a child can move into the sixth form Diploma without changing curriculum. As a smaller, long established city school it offers more intimate senior cohorts than the larger campuses, which some families prefer for the individual attention it brings in the final two years. Confirm the current Diploma subject combinations directly, as a smaller school staffs a more focused list.
How we chose
We included only Brussels schools we could confirm run a genuine, externally examined senior phase leading to university entry, the IB Diploma, A levels, BTEC or a US High School Diploma with Advanced Placement, and that enrol students through to the end of secondary. We did not rank them, score them or attach ratings, because the right sixth form depends on your child's subjects, the qualification universities in your target country prefer, and the fit of the school. Verify current subject lists and pathways directly, as schools add and retire options year to year. Note too that several of these campuses sit just outside the Brussels communes in Tervuren and Waterloo, which matters for the daily commute as much as for the academics.
Shortlist Brussels schools for your child
Tell us your child's stage, curriculum and priorities and the school finder returns a matched Brussels shortlist.
Start the school finderFees and next steps
Sixth form fees in Brussels sit at the top of each school's scale, because the Diploma and A level years are the most resource intensive to teach. The English medium campuses such as BSB and ISB sit at the premium end of the city range, while schools like BEPS fall a little below them, and the subsidised European Schools follow a separate regulated model for eligible families. Rather than quote figures that move each year, we keep the live bands in one place: see our guide to international school fees in Brussels for current tuition by school, and confirm the exact sixth form figure, plus any examination and deposit costs, with the school before you apply.
To build a shortlist around your child, use the school finder, browse the full Brussels schools directory, or compare the related shortlists for university preparation and the best schools for special educational needs in Brussels.
Common questions
The British School of Brussels in Tervuren is the main A levels route in the Brussels area and is the only school in Belgium to offer A levels, the IB Diploma and BTEC together from age 16. Families who want a wholly British sixth form should start there and confirm the subjects offered for the year of entry.
The International School of Brussels, the British School of Brussels, St John's International School in Waterloo and BEPS International School all run the IB Diploma Programme in the final two years. ISB and BSB also offer additional pathways alongside it. Confirm the current subject list with each school, as Diploma options change year to year.
Neither is universally better. The IB Diploma is broad, with six subjects plus the core, while A levels let a student specialise in three or four. Belgian, British and other European universities accept both, so the better choice depends on your child's strengths and target countries. Our curriculum guides compare them in detail.
Sixth form sits at the top of each school's fee scale, because the Diploma and A level years are the most resource intensive. Rather than quote a figure that dates quickly, we keep current bands by school in our international school fees in Brussels guide, and recommend you confirm the exact sixth form figure, plus examination and deposit costs, with the school before you apply.
No. International schools in Brussels admit by application and assessment rather than by residential catchment. Where you live does not guarantee a sixth form place, so apply directly, check each school's entry requirements and apply early because senior places are limited.