How many British schools in Cairo
Cairo has 12 schools delivering a full English national curriculum pathway from Reception through year 13. British International School Cairo, BISC, in Sheikh Zayed City is the longest established British school. Modern English School, MES, sits in New Cairo with a heavy senior phase. El Alsson British and American International Schools in Sheikh Zayed runs parallel British and American tracks. Malvern College Egypt in West Cairo is the newest premium entrant. The remaining eight schools cover the mid tier and the upper mid tier, with a growing concentration in the New Cairo and Sheikh Zayed corridors.
The English national curriculum is delivered with IGCSE at year 11 and A Levels at years 12 and 13 across all 12 schools. Two schools, MES and Malvern College Egypt, also offer the IB Diploma alongside A Level at sixth form, which is unusual for Cairo and gives senior families a genuine choice. For the curriculum framework itself see our British curriculum hub.
Outcomes data is strong by regional standards. BISC and MES post A and A star rates of 45 to 60 percent at A Level in the 2025 sitting, with IGCSE grade 7 and above between 55 and 70 percent at the selective schools. Graduates routinely place at UK Russell Group universities, US selective universities, the American University in Cairo and the top European programmes. Malvern College Egypt's first full cohort to graduate, in 2025, posted outcomes broadly in line with BISC.
Fees and the USD shift
Cairo British curriculum fees follow three rough tiers, with most schools now billing in USD or quasi-USD to insulate against Egyptian pound depreciation since 2022. The lower tier, USD 7,800 to USD 10,400 a year, covers Reception and early primary at the smaller British providers. The mid tier, USD 10,400 to USD 15,600, captures BISC and MES primary, El Alsson upper primary and the lower secondary phases. The premium tier, USD 15,600 to USD 22,400, is the senior phase at Malvern College Egypt, BISC and MES A Level cohorts. Examination fees at IGCSE and A Level sit at USD 1,200 to USD 2,000 a year. Capital contributions of USD 1,800 to USD 5,500 apply at the senior schools. Transport adds USD 1,500 to USD 3,000 given Cairo distances. Read the full landscape in our Cairo fees guide and the cheapest international schools in Cairo piece; the fees comparison tool places Cairo alongside Doha, Riyadh and Dubai.
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Illustrative example schools
The four schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each holds British Schools Overseas accreditation or equivalent international inspection.
British International School Cairo, BISC, in Sheikh Zayed City is the longest established British curriculum school in Cairo. Reception through year 13 with IGCSE and A Level, deep alumni network through the British corporate and diplomatic community, and a strong record at UK Russell Group universities.
Modern English School, MES, in New Cairo runs Reception through year 13 with both A Level and IB Diploma at sixth form. Larger and more academically pressed than BISC, with a broader pool of subject offerings.
El Alsson British and American International Schools in Sheikh Zayed delivers a unique parallel British and American track on the same campus, allowing families to choose between IGCSE-A Level or US high school with AP. Founded in 1982 and inspected on the British side under BSO.
Malvern College Egypt in West Cairo is the newest premium entrant. Reception through year 13, modelled on its UK Malvern College parent. Boarding-house style pastoral structure, A Level and IB Diploma at sixth form.
Where British families live
British curriculum families in Cairo cluster around three zones. Sheikh Zayed City and 6th of October for BISC, El Alsson and Malvern College Egypt, with villa compounds, garden space and the bulk of British corporate and diplomatic posting families. New Cairo and Katameya for MES and the eastern British cluster, with newer-build housing and the larger plots that families exchange for a longer commute to central Cairo. Maadi and Zamalek for British families using Cairo schools further out, with leafy streets and apartment stock balanced against bus rides of 45 to 75 minutes depending on traffic. For relocation context see our moving to Cairo with kids guide and our editorial pick of the best Cairo schools for British families.
Admissions and BSO accreditation
Applications for September 2026 entry opened across Cairo British schools between October 2025 and February 2026. BISC, MES and Malvern close year 7 and year 12 first, typically by February. Late applicants land on waiting lists, clearing through May and June as corporate and diplomatic relocations confirm. Year 12 A Level applications require subject choices submitted at the point of application, plus a transcript, a reference and a short interview, often online for families relocating from the UK or the Gulf. Mid-year transfers in years 1 through 9 are accommodated where capacity exists.
BSO inspection covers safeguarding, curriculum quality and outcomes, and is the closest international equivalent to UK Ofsted reporting. BISC, MES and Malvern College Egypt hold full BSO accreditation. El Alsson is inspected on the British side under BSO. Arabic language is taught at all 12 schools from year 1, as required by the Egyptian Ministry of Education, typically two to four hours a week. For our editorial pick across the strongest schools see the best international schools in Cairo guide and the cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many British curriculum schools are there in Cairo?
Cairo has 12 schools delivering a full English national curriculum pathway from Reception through year 13. BISC, MES, El Alsson and Malvern College Egypt are the established premium tier, with several newer entrants opening in New Cairo since 2018.
What A Level results do Cairo British schools achieve?
British International School Cairo and Modern English School post A and A star rates of 45 to 60 percent at A Level in the 2025 sitting. Strong university placement at UK Russell Group, US selective, the American University in Cairo and increasingly the Dutch research universities. IGCSE grade 7 plus sits at 55 to 70 percent at the selective schools.
How much do British curriculum schools in Cairo cost?
Annual fees range from USD 7,800 at smaller British providers to USD 22,400 at Malvern College Egypt senior phase. Median year 9 tuition sits near USD 14,800 in 2026, before transport, examination entry and capital contributions, which add roughly 12 to 18 percent.
Are Cairo British schools BSO accredited?
BISC, MES and Malvern College Egypt hold British Schools Overseas accreditation, inspected through the Independent Schools Inspectorate or Penta. El Alsson runs a parallel British and American track and is inspected on the British side under BSO. BSO inspection covers safeguarding, curriculum quality and outcomes.
Can my child transfer from a UK school mid-year?
Yes for years 1 through 9 where capacity exists. IGCSE transfers in years 10 and 11 are difficult because subject choices and coursework are underway. A Level transfers after October of year 12 are very rare and usually require restarting the qualification, as Cambridge and Edexcel sittings have already begun.
