How many IB schools in Hong Kong
Hong Kong has 38 authorised IB World Schools as of 2026, making it the largest IB cluster in Greater China and the second largest in Asia after Tokyo. Twenty four of those deliver the Diploma Programme, with the remainder offering PYP or MYP authorisation only. The full IB continuum (PYP, MYP and Diploma on the same campus) is delivered at 14 schools, including Chinese International School, Canadian International School of Hong Kong, ESF Island School and the Discovery College senior years.
The Education Bureau regulates Hong Kong international schools through the Direct Subsidy Scheme for English Schools Foundation (ESF) schools and through standard private school registration for everyone else. ESF, established in 1967, is the largest single operator of IB World Schools in Hong Kong, with nine PYP and MYP feeder schools plus four through schools delivering Diploma. The independent international sector (HKIS, CDNIS, CIS, GSIS, FIS, ISF Academy and others) operates outside the ESF subsidy framework.
Hong Kong IB cohorts perform consistently above the global average. The city average for the May 2025 Diploma session sat at 35.4 points against a global average of 30.3. Chinese International School, ESF Island School, German Swiss International School, and Canadian International School routinely average above 37 points. For a curriculum primer see our IB curriculum page.
Fees and the Hong Kong tiers
Hong Kong IB tuition sits in three rough tiers. The value tier, HK$160,000 to HK$210,000, captures the ESF feeder schools and the Korean International School IB section. The mid tier, HK$210,000 to HK$260,000, covers Discovery College, ESF Island School, ESF South Island School, and most of the Canadian International School year groups. The premium tier, HK$260,000 to HK$300,000, sits at Chinese International School, Hong Kong International School, German Swiss International School (in HK dollars equivalent), and the French International School Diploma stream.
Published tuition is the cleanest comparable in Hong Kong but is not the full cost. Capital levy or debenture is the meaningful differentiator: independent schools typically require either a one-off capital contribution of HK$300,000 to HK$1.5 million or an annual capital levy of HK$24,000 to HK$48,000. ESF schools require a refundable capital fee at entry of around HK$38,000. IB Diploma exam fees run HK$11,000 to HK$17,500 across a typical six subject Diploma load. Our Hong Kong fees guide sets out the loading mathematics. The fees comparison tool stacks Hong Kong IB tuition against Singapore, Tokyo and Bangkok at the same year group.
Not every IB World School in Hong Kong runs the full Diploma
Our 5 minute school finder quiz factors your child's year group, your continuity plan to Diploma, your budget and your preferred district. We shortlist three Hong Kong IB schools that fit.
Illustrative example schools
The five schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each holds full IB authorisation through to Diploma and has run continuously in Hong Kong for at least 15 years.
Chinese International School at Braemar Hill is the most academically selective IB school in Hong Kong by intake. The bilingual Mandarin English programme runs from Reception to Diploma, with Diploma cohort averages consistently above 38 points. CIS is among the most oversubscribed school entries in the city.
Canadian International School of Hong Kong in Aberdeen runs the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, Diploma) on one campus with a Mandarin English bilingual stream from Lower Primary. The Diploma cohort averages around 36 points.
ESF Island School in Mid-Levels is the largest ESF Secondary school and delivers MYP plus Diploma with a strong A Level alternative for students who prefer the British pathway. Cohorts of around 1,200 students with a high Mid-Levels expatriate intake.
Hong Kong International School at Repulse Bay and Tai Tam runs the US high school diploma with IB Diploma alongside AP at sixth form. The largest American school in Hong Kong by enrolment, with a Lutheran heritage foundation and strong sciences department.
Where IB families live in Hong Kong
Hong Kong IB families cluster by school catchment and MTR proximity. Mid-Levels, Pok Fu Lam and Sai Ying Pun for ESF Island School, ESF West Island School and German Swiss International. Repulse Bay, Stanley, Tai Tam and Chung Hom Kok for Hong Kong International School. Braemar Hill, North Point and Quarry Bay for Chinese International School. Aberdeen, Wong Chuk Hang and Pok Fu Lam for Canadian International School. Discovery Bay for Discovery College and the Lantau IB cluster. Kowloon Tong for Australian International School Hong Kong and Kingston International. Tai Po and Sha Tin for the ESF Sha Tin College catchment.
Rental premiums at the most sought after IB catchments (Braemar Hill for CIS, Repulse Bay for HKIS) run 18 to 28 percent over comparable Hong Kong zones, materially higher than the equivalent premium in Singapore. The Discovery Bay catchment carries a smaller premium of 6 to 10 percent but the daily ferry commute is a real constraint. See our Hong Kong versus Singapore family life comparison and the best Hong Kong schools guide for an editorial perspective.
Admissions calendar
The Hong Kong international school year runs August to June. Applications for the August 2026 academic year opened at most IB schools between September and November 2025. Chinese International School, Hong Kong International School and ESF closed Year 1 and Year 7 lists in early December 2025, with offers from February to March 2026. Canadian International School ran a parallel cycle ending in January. Mid tier IB schools accept rolling applications through to April subject to year group availability.
Hong Kong is unusual in that capital debentures and corporate nomination rights materially shape Year 7 entry priority at the independent schools. Families without a debenture or a corporate sponsorship typically face a meaningfully smaller offer pool. Year 12 transfers into the Diploma after September are very rarely accepted because Diploma subject selection, internal assessments and CAS planning are already underway. For mid year transfers in Years 7 to 11, apply 4 to 6 months ahead with the previous two years of school reports.
Frequently asked questions
How many IB schools are there in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong has 38 authorised IB World Schools as of 2026, of which 24 deliver the Diploma Programme and 14 run the full continuum (PYP, MYP and Diploma) on one campus. The list includes Chinese International School, Canadian International School of Hong Kong, the ESF through schools, German Swiss International School and Hong Kong International School.
What is the average IB Diploma score in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong international schools posted an average IB Diploma score of 35.4 in the May 2025 session, above the global average of 30.3. Chinese International School, ESF Island School, German Swiss International School and Canadian International School routinely average above 37 points.
How much do IB schools in Hong Kong cost?
Tuition for the IB Diploma at Hong Kong international schools ranges from HK$160,000 a year at ESF feeder schools to HK$300,000 at the premium independent schools. Median Diploma fees sit near HK$235,000. Total cost including capital levy or debenture, exam fees and uniforms adds another 10 to 25 percent.
What is a school debenture in Hong Kong?
A debenture is a one-off capital contribution paid to an independent international school for priority admissions access, typically returned (without interest) when your child leaves. Debentures range from HK$300,000 to HK$1.5 million. ESF schools use a much smaller refundable capital fee instead.
When should I apply for an IB school in Hong Kong?
Apply 9 to 12 months ahead for the most competitive Year 1 and Year 7 entries at CIS, HKIS and the ESF through schools. Mid tier IB schools accept rolling applications but year groups can fill at short notice. Year 12 transfers after September are typically not accepted because Diploma subjects are already underway.
Are all ESF schools IB schools?
Yes. ESF transitioned its through schools to the IB MYP and Diploma model in 2009 to 2011 and runs PYP across its primary feeders. The ESF South Island School is the only ESF Secondary that continues to offer A Level alongside IB Diploma at sixth form.
