How many British schools in Singapore
Singapore's British curriculum cluster sits at 12 schools delivering the English National Curriculum to IGCSE, with eight of those continuing to A Level. The list is smaller than the Dubai or Hong Kong equivalents but the average school quality is unusually high. Most schools hold BSO accreditation under the British Schools Overseas framework and CIS accreditation through the Council of International Schools.
The anchor names are Tanglin Trust School in Portsdown, Dulwich College Singapore in Bukit Batok, Dover Court in Dover, and Nexus International School in Aljunied. Tanglin runs both A Level and IB Diploma at sixth form. Dulwich runs A Level only at present, after consolidating its sixth form offering. Nexus has moved fully to IB. For the broader curriculum context see our British curriculum page and our best British schools editorial.
Singapore's regulator, the Committee for Private Education, registers every international school independently. The CPE register is the cleanest single source of truth for school status, fees and capacity. Unlike Dubai's KHDA, the CPE does not run a public Outstanding to Weak inspection grade, so accreditation through BSO and CIS, plus the published A Level and IGCSE outcomes, carry most of the weight in choosing a school.
Fees and the Singapore loading
British schools in Singapore are the most expensive British curriculum schools in the world. Annual tuition runs from S$24,000 at smaller providers to S$48,500 at Tanglin Trust senior years. Median secondary tuition sits near S$36,500 in 2026. Sixth form tuition typically carries a 5 to 10 percent uplift on Year 11. Above tuition, capital levy and registration fees account for another 8 to 12 percent. Transport, lunches, exam fees and trips push the total to 18 to 22 percent above headline tuition for most families.
For a granular view of what the all-in cost looks like at each tier, see our Singapore fees guide. The fees comparison tool compares Singapore tuition against Hong Kong, London, Dubai and Bangkok by year group, useful for families weighing one posting against another.
Not sure which British school is the right fit?
Take our 5 minute school finder quiz. We shortlist three Singapore British schools based on your child's year group, budget and timeline.
Illustrative example schools
The five schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each holds BSO accreditation or operating equivalent and reports strong A Level or IGCSE outcomes.
Tanglin Trust School in Portsdown is the British heritage school in Singapore, founded 1925. Three sub-schools (Infant, Junior, Senior) on a single campus. Sixth form students choose A Level or IB Diploma. A and A star rates above 60 percent are typical.
Dulwich College Singapore in Bukit Batok is the Singapore campus of London's Dulwich College, opened 2014. A Level focus, strong sciences, very competitive selective entry at Year 7 and Year 12. A and A star rates around 65 percent at A Level.
Dover Court International School in Dover runs the British curriculum through to IGCSE and a small A Level cohort. Inclusive ethos, broader admissions than the selective schools, well-regarded learning support provision.
Nexus International School in Aljunied has moved fully to IB from the British curriculum at the senior end, but still runs the British primary and IGCSE pathway. Best understood as a transition option for British families who plan to continue on the IB Diploma.
Where British families live
British curriculum families in Singapore concentrate in three zones. Holland Village, Tanglin, Bukit Timah and Botanic Gardens for proximity to Tanglin Trust and Dover Court. Bukit Batok and Jurong for Dulwich College Singapore, with shorter commutes but lower-density living. East Coast, Aljunied and Katong for Nexus and the eastern-side British primary options. Premium expats often pick Sentosa for villa-style accommodation but accept a 45 minute school bus commute in exchange.
Tanglin and Holland Village rents carry a 15 to 25 percent premium tied to school proximity. British families on shorter postings of two to three years typically prefer apartments in the Tanglin or Holland catchments. Families on longer postings sometimes commit to a landed home in the Bukit Timah area. See our best schools editorial for fuller context.
Admissions calendar
The Singapore international school year runs August to June. Applications for the August 2026 academic year opened at most British schools in August to October 2025. Tanglin Trust closed its main intake lists for Reception, Year 3, Year 7 and Year 12 in December 2025 with offers in February 2026. Dulwich runs a similar cycle ending in January. Mid-tier schools accept applications on a rolling basis through to May, subject to year group availability.
Selective sixth form entry runs as a separate process at Tanglin and Dulwich, with formal entrance assessments in maths, English and the candidate's chosen A Level subjects. For mid-year relocations, apply 4 to 6 months ahead. For September 2027 entry to Year 7 at Tanglin, registration is open now and the assessment day will fall in early 2027.
Frequently asked questions
How many British schools are there in Singapore?
Singapore has 12 schools delivering the English National Curriculum through to IGCSE, with 8 of those continuing to A Level. Anchor names include Tanglin Trust, Dulwich College Singapore, Dover Court and Nexus International School. The cluster is smaller than Dubai or Hong Kong but academically dense.
Are Singapore British schools BSO inspected?
Tanglin Trust, Dulwich College Singapore and Dover Court hold BSO accreditation under the British Schools Overseas framework. Most British curriculum schools in Singapore also hold CIS accreditation. Singapore's Council for Private Education registers every international school separately.
How much do British schools in Singapore cost?
Annual tuition for British curriculum schools in Singapore ranges from S$24,000 at the lower end to S$48,500 at the most selective. Median secondary tuition sits near S$36,500 in 2026. Total cost including registration, capital levy and exam fees is typically 12 to 18 percent higher.
What A Level grades do they achieve?
Top selective British schools in Singapore including Tanglin Trust and Dulwich College Singapore routinely post A and A star rates above 60 percent. The cluster outperforms the UK national figure across most subjects, particularly maths and the sciences.
Can my child transfer from a UK state school?
Yes. Singapore British schools regularly receive transfers from UK state and independent schools and align well year on year. The main friction is Year 9 options selection, where the UK Year 9 child may be entering Singapore Year 10 IGCSE teaching a term in.
