How many British curriculum schools in Manila
Metro Manila has three substantial British curriculum schools that lead with the English National Curriculum, IGCSE and A Level. The British School Manila in Bonifacio Global City is the largest, a member of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia, and it serves the densest concentration of British expatriate families in the city. A further three to five Cambridge-aligned bilingual schools run shorter British pathways alongside the Filipino national curriculum, but the pure British provision is concentrated in those three flagship campuses.
The British cohort in Manila is smaller than in Singapore or Bangkok because the United Kingdom diplomatic and corporate presence is more modest. The cohort skews towards energy, infrastructure and financial services families on three to five year postings, with a steady flow of returning Filipino-British dual citizens whose children sit IGCSEs and then head back to UK universities.
British schools in Manila follow an August to June academic year, in line with the rest of the city's international sector, rather than the September to July UK rhythm. Year groups are mapped by the calendar year, so a child born in January 2014 enters Year 7 in August 2025 alongside an August 2013 birth, and the boundaries are firmer than at most UK schools.
Fees at British schools in Manila
British curriculum tuition in Manila sits in a narrower band than the IB market. The British School Manila publishes annual tuition of USD 16,400 in Year 7 rising to USD 22,200 in Year 13. Other British-aligned schools sit a touch below, in the USD 14,000 to 18,000 range. Capital fees on admission are USD 8,000 to 18,000 and refundable on completion of a minimum tenure, which is typically three years.
Examination costs are not bundled into tuition. Families should budget USD 1,500 to 2,400 in Year 11 for the IGCSE examination registrations, and a similar figure in Year 13 for A Level. Boarding is not available at any Manila British school. For a full read on the fee landscape, our Manila international school fees guide walks through every line item.
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Illustrative example schools
The two schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Both have a long British curriculum record in Manila and a settled identity in the market.
The British School Manila (BSM) in Bonifacio Global City is the city's largest dedicated British curriculum school. It runs the English National Curriculum through to Year 13, with IGCSEs at 16 and a choice between A Level and the IB Diploma at sixth form. Cohort sizes sit between 110 and 140 per year group, which is unusually large for the British sector in southeast Asia.
The Singapore School Manila on the Ortigas campus, despite the name, runs a Cambridge International curriculum that closely mirrors the British school structure through IGCSE and A Level. It is a useful alternative for families who want a British-style pathway at a slightly lower fee point and who do not need the Edexcel or AQA boards specifically.
Where British families live
British expatriate families in Manila concentrate in Bonifacio Global City for proximity to The British School Manila and the densest cluster of British corporate offices, and in Makati for the slightly older diplomatic and financial services cohort. Smaller numbers settle in Alabang in the south for the larger houses and gardens, but the trade off is a longer school commute, which many families decide against once they have lived through a wet season.
The British diplomatic mission, the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and the long-running British Women's Association all run family events that anchor the community to BGC and Makati. Newcomer families tend to be steered towards those two districts in the first month of arrival, which then shapes the school choice rather than the reverse.
Admissions calendar
Applications for the August 2026 academic year opened at The British School Manila and the other British-aligned schools in October 2025. Priority intake closes in mid-January 2026 for Year 7 and Year 12, with regular admissions running through to March. The British School Manila publishes a clear priority list: sibling, alumni, corporate sponsor, then open applicants, and that order is applied transparently.
Mid-year transfers are accepted when places exist, with the heaviest movement between the December break and the start of the spring term. A Level transfers into Year 13 are rarely accepted because the two-year programme is already under way, and the school will usually require a re-sit of Year 12 instead. For a broader read on the curriculum trade-offs at sixth form, the British curriculum primer sits alongside this hub.
Frequently asked questions
How many British curriculum schools are there in Manila?
Metro Manila has three substantial British curriculum schools leading with the English National Curriculum, IGCSE and A Level. The British School Manila in Bonifacio Global City is the largest, with the others sitting a step below on cohort size and fee point.
How much do British schools in Manila cost?
Annual tuition at British curriculum schools in Manila ranges from about USD 14,000 in the primary stage to USD 22,200 in Year 13. Capital fees on admission of USD 8,000 to 18,000 are typical, refundable after a minimum tenure of around three years.
Do Manila British schools offer A Level or the IB Diploma?
The British School Manila offers both A Level and the IB Diploma at sixth form, letting families choose between the two routes after IGCSEs. Other British-aligned schools in Manila typically offer only A Level, with no IB Diploma alternative.
Can my child transfer from a UK school mid-year?
Yes, where places exist. Manila British schools are used to mid-year transfers from UK schools and will map your child to the relevant year group based on their UK position. The main constraint is the August to June academic calendar, which can mean a half-year shift on entry.
Are IGCSE results from Manila accepted by UK universities?
Yes. IGCSEs sat in Manila are issued by Cambridge International, Edexcel or AQA and are treated exactly the same as those sat in the UK. The same applies to A Level results, which are accepted on the same basis as UK A Levels by all UK universities including Oxford and Cambridge.
