How many IB schools in Singapore
Singapore is home to 27 authorised IB World Schools across the international sector. Eighteen of those run the full IB Diploma Programme at sixth form, with the remainder offering PYP or MYP authorisation only and transitioning their senior students to IGCSE, A Level or the American high school diploma. A separate list of local IB-authorised schools exists, but those operate within the Ministry of Education system and are reserved for Singapore citizens.
Singapore's IB cluster is qualitatively different from any other Asian city. Diploma outcomes here sit consistently above 36 points across the strongest schools, against a global average of 30.3 in 2025. United World College of South East Asia and Tanglin Trust School routinely report cohort averages above 38. The supply side is tightly regulated; the Council for Private Education and the Ministry of Education limit which schools can register, which keeps the market disciplined. For a curriculum primer see our IB curriculum page.
The cluster has been mature for two decades. UWCSEA Dover, the original campus, has delivered IB since 1976. Singapore American School added IB Diploma alongside its AP track in 2015. Tanglin Trust runs both A Level and IB Diploma at sixth form, allowing students to pick the academic profile that fits their university plan. Most newer entrants such as Stamford American and GEMS World Academy Singapore opened on IB authorisation from day one.
Fees and the Singapore tiers
IB tuition in Singapore is the most expensive in Asia and sits in three rough tiers. The value tier, S$22,000 to S$28,000, captures schools such as ISS International and some of the Australian and Canadian curriculum schools that offer IB. The mid tier, S$28,000 to S$38,000, covers Stamford American, GEMS World Academy and the Australian International School. The premium tier, S$38,000 to S$48,500, is UWCSEA, Tanglin Trust, Singapore American School and Dulwich College Singapore (which now runs IB alongside A Level).
Published tuition is the cleanest fee structure in the region but is not the full cost. Registration is non-refundable at S$3,200 to S$5,500. Capital levy or facilities fee adds S$1,800 to S$4,400 a year. Exam fees at Diploma sit around S$1,400 to S$2,200. Our Singapore fees guide shows the loading mathematics. The fees comparison tool compares Singapore tuition against Hong Kong, Tokyo and Bangkok by year group.
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Illustrative example schools
The five schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each has run IB for at least a decade and reports strong, externally verified Diploma outcomes.
United World College of South East Asia operates two campuses, Dover and East. Both are full PYP, MYP and Diploma Programme schools. UWCSEA is the largest IB school in Asia and the most academically selective IB option in Singapore. Cohort averages on the IB Diploma sit consistently above 38 points.
Tanglin Trust School in Portsdown is the British heritage school that adopted IB alongside A Level in 2009. Sixth form students choose the pathway that fits their university plan. IB Diploma cohorts average around 37 points.
Singapore American School in Woodlands runs IB Diploma alongside AP and the US high school diploma. Singapore's largest school by enrolment, with strong sciences and a deep advisory programme for US university applications.
Stamford American International School in Woodleigh is the largest IB World School in Singapore by single campus enrolment and runs the full continuum from preschool to Diploma. Strong PYP foundations and a steadily strengthening Diploma cohort.
Where IB families live
IB families in Singapore cluster around a handful of areas, each shaped by school proximity and the rental market. Holland Village, Bukit Timah and Tanglin for proximity to UWCSEA Dover, Tanglin Trust and Dover Court. East Coast and Siglap for UWCSEA East and the Australian International School. Woodlands for Singapore American School families, particularly American executives on long postings. Sentosa and Keppel Bay for premium expats commuting to either side of the island. Bishan, Ang Mo Kio and Yishun for the GEMS World Academy and Stamford American Woodleigh catchments.
The Tanglin and Holland Village neighbourhoods carry a rental premium of 15 to 25 percent over comparable Singapore zones because of school proximity. Internationally mobile families on shorter Singapore assignments tend to choose IB over the national curriculum specifically for portability between schools and countries. See our best schools guide for an editorial comparison.
Admissions calendar
The Singapore international school year runs August to June. Applications for the August 2026 academic year opened at most IB schools between August and October 2025. UWCSEA closed its main intake lists for Year 1 and Year 7 in early December 2025, with offers going out in February and March. Tanglin Trust ran a parallel cycle ending in January. Mid-tier IB schools accept applications on a rolling basis through to May, subject to year group availability.
Year 12 transfers after September are very rarely accepted because Diploma subjects, internal assessments and CAS planning are already underway. Year 10 and 11 transfers during IGCSE or MYP are possible but require careful subject matching. For mid-year relocations, apply 4 to 6 months ahead, ideally with school reports for the previous two years available in PDF.
Frequently asked questions
How many IB schools are there in Singapore?
Singapore has 27 authorised IB World Schools as of 2026, of which 18 deliver the Diploma Programme. The list includes UWCSEA, Tanglin Trust, Singapore American School, Stamford American and the major Australian, Canadian and Indian international schools. Singapore also has IB-authorised local schools, but those are restricted to Singapore citizens.
What is the average IB Diploma score in Singapore?
Singapore international schools posted an average IB Diploma score of 36.8 in the May 2025 session, well above the global average of 30.3. UWCSEA, Tanglin Trust and ACS Independent (for Singapore residents) routinely average above 38. Singapore is the strongest IB cluster in Asia by outcomes.
How much do IB schools in Singapore cost?
Tuition for the IB Diploma at Singapore international schools ranges from S$22,000 a year at the lower end to S$48,500 at the most premium providers. Median Diploma fees sit near S$38,500. Total cost including registration, capital levy and exam fees usually adds another 12 to 18 percent.
Can Singaporeans attend international IB schools?
Singapore citizens generally need an MOE waiver to attend international schools that are not on the Compulsory Education exemption list. The waiver is straightforward for many international schools but is not automatic, and applications are reviewed case by case.
When should I apply for an IB school in Singapore?
Apply 9 to 12 months ahead for the most competitive Diploma Programme entries at UWCSEA and Tanglin Trust. Mid-tier IB schools accept applications on a rolling basis but year groups can be full at short notice. Year 12 transfers after September are typically not accepted because Diploma subjects are already underway.
