How many secondary schools in Phuket
Phuket has around twelve schools running an English medium secondary programme from Year 7 to Year 11 in 2026, of which roughly eight extend to a full sixth form covering Year 12 and Year 13. The Cambridge IGCSE at Year 10 and Year 11 is the dominant upper secondary qualification, taken at BISP, HeadStart, Kajonkiet, Oakridge, QSI and several smaller providers. At sixth form, the IB Diploma is offered at BISP, UWC Thailand and HeadStart, with A Level offered at BISP, HeadStart and Kajonkiet. BISP is the only school on the island offering IB Diploma and A Level in parallel sixth form, an unusual hybrid that has shaped its appeal to dual mobility families.
Cohort sizes remain smaller than at Bangkok or Singapore equivalents, reflecting the smaller resident expatriate population. The largest single secondary section is BISP Senior School at around 460 students from Year 7 to Year 13. UWC Thailand Senior School runs around 280. HeadStart Senior runs around 200. The smaller schools sit between 80 and 150 across the same age range. This matters at subject selection because a 70 student Year 12 cohort can support 22 or 24 IB subject options, while a 25 student Year 12 cohort can support 14 or 15.
Fees and the Phuket tiers
Secondary tuition in Phuket divides into three rough tiers. The value tier sits at THB 280,000 to THB 380,000 a year and covers the smaller boutique secondary schools and the lower year groups of the mid tier providers. The mid tier runs THB 380,000 to THB 580,000 and captures HeadStart Senior, Kajonkiet Senior, Oakridge Senior and the QSI senior years. The premium tier, THB 580,000 to THB 760,000, includes BISP Senior, UWC Thailand Senior and the upper sixth form years of all the larger schools.
Sixth form fees usually sit at or near the top of the range at any given school, with IB Diploma fees typically running 5 to 10 per cent above the equivalent A Level fees because of the supplementary external examination charges. The IB Diploma exam fees themselves add THB 35,000 to THB 70,000 across Year 12 and Year 13. A Level series exam fees, charged across AQA, Edexcel or Cambridge boards, sit in a similar range. School bus services typically add THB 60,000 to THB 90,000 a year. For the full picture see our Phuket international school fees deep dive.
Choosing a secondary school in Phuket?
Take our 5 minute school finder quiz. We shortlist Phuket secondary schools based on your child’s year group, IB or A Level preference and your budget. Free, no obligation.
Illustrative example schools
The schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each has a credible secondary programme and at least eight years of operating history on the island.
British International School Phuket Senior in Koh Kaew is the largest secondary section on the island at around 460 students from Year 7 to Year 13. Cambridge IGCSE at Year 10 and Year 11, with both IB Diploma and A Level offered in parallel at sixth form. Strong faculty depth and a dedicated boarding house for student athletes attached to the BISP sports academy. Premium tier fees.
UWC Thailand Senior School in Thalang runs the IB Middle Years Programme from Year 7 through Year 11 followed by the IB Diploma at sixth form. Around 280 students with a distinctive UWC mission focus and a sixth form scholar programme drawing students from over 50 nationalities. Mean Diploma score consistently above 34. Premium tier fees.
HeadStart Senior School in Chalong runs Cambridge Lower Secondary at Year 7 to Year 9, IGCSE at Year 10 and Year 11, and both A Level and IB Diploma at sixth form. Around 200 students at senior level, mid tier fees and the strongest secondary option south of Phuket Town.
Kajonkiet International Secondary in Phuket Town runs Cambridge Lower Secondary, IGCSE and Cambridge International A Level alongside its Thai English bilingual stream. Around 280 students at senior level. Value to mid tier fees and the most cost effective credible secondary option close to the centre, with a strong reputation among Thai expat households and a long established A Level cohort.
Where secondary families live
Secondary school families in Phuket cluster slightly differently from primary families, with a stronger concentration close to the major schools and a lower tolerance for long commutes through the daily rush hour. Koh Kaew and Phuket Town host the largest concentration of secondary families, drawn by proximity to BISP and Kajonkiet. The Boat Lagoon and Royal Phuket Marina pockets are the most popular single areas for secondary aged children, given the short commute to BISP and the marina lifestyle that appeals to the BISP parent community.
Cherngtalay, Bang Tao and Thalang, on the west and north, host the secondary families attached to UWC Thailand and the BISP families who choose the west coast for the weekend lifestyle. Chalong, Rawai and Kata, in the south, host the secondary families attached to HeadStart, with a notable Russian and Eastern European concentration. Mai Khao, in the north, has a smaller secondary cohort, with most northern families ultimately transitioning to BISP or UWC Thailand by Year 7. See the Phuket city hub and our moving to Phuket with kids guide.
Admissions calendar
Most Phuket international secondary schools align with the August start of the international school year, with a meaningful January intake at the larger providers. Year 7 entry rounds open at BISP, UWC Thailand and HeadStart in October of the preceding year, with assessments running through November to February. Year 12 IB Diploma and A Level entry rounds open at the same time, with most subject combinations confirmed by March. UWC Thailand additionally runs a separate scholar track admissions cycle for international applicants, with applications closing in January for the following August.
The most over-subscribed entry points are Year 7 at BISP and Year 12 at UWC Thailand. Late applicants for August entry are reviewed on a rolling basis subject to space, with the secondary cohorts somewhat easier to access than the primary years at the same school. Mid year entry is common at Year 8 to Year 10, particularly in January for families relocating during the European Christmas window and in April for families moving from the Southern Hemisphere cycle. For wider context see our Phuket IB schools long read and the city hub.
Frequently asked questions
How many international secondary schools are there in Phuket?
Phuket has around twelve schools running an English medium secondary programme from Year 7 to Year 11 in 2026, of which roughly eight extend to a full sixth form covering Year 12 and Year 13. The dominant senior pathways are the IB Diploma and the Cambridge IGCSE and A Level combination.
What is the dominant secondary curriculum in Phuket?
The Cambridge IGCSE at Year 10 and Year 11 is the most common upper secondary qualification across Phuket international schools. At sixth form, the IB Diploma is offered at BISP, UWC Thailand and HeadStart, A Level is offered at BISP, Kajonkiet and HeadStart, and BISP runs both pathways in parallel.
How much do secondary schools in Phuket cost?
Secondary tuition in Phuket runs from THB 280,000 a year at the value tier providers to THB 760,000 at the upper end of BISP and UWC Thailand. Most credible secondary programmes sit in the THB 380,000 to THB 660,000 range. Sixth form fees usually sit at or near the top of the range.
Which Phuket schools have a sixth form?
British International School Phuket, UWC Thailand, HeadStart, Kajonkiet, Oakridge and QSI all run a sixth form to Year 13. BISP and HeadStart offer both IB Diploma and A Level. UWC Thailand offers IB Diploma only. Kajonkiet and Oakridge offer Cambridge International A Level. The smaller boutique schools usually transition pupils out at the end of Year 11.
When should I apply for a secondary school in Phuket?
Apply 6 to 12 months ahead for Year 7 and Year 12 entry at the popular schools. Year 12 sixth form entry rounds open at BISP, UWC Thailand and HeadStart in October of the preceding year with most subject combinations confirmed by March. Mid year entry into Year 8 to Year 10 is common.
