At a glance
| Factor | London | Beijing |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | GBP 25,000 to 36,000 | CNY 220,000 to 360,000 (USD 30,000 to 50,000) |
| Dominant curricula | British, IB, American | American, IB, British |
| Cost of living (Expatistan, May 2026) | Baseline (high) | About 30 to 40 percent lower than London |
| Family visa | Skilled Worker visa with dependants or family visa | Z visa with S1 or S2 dependant visa |
| Expat share of population | About 37 percent foreign-born | Under 1 percent foreign residents |
| Typical relocation timeline | 8 to 12 weeks | 10 to 16 weeks |
London is the deeper, easier and more flexible market for English-medium education in 2026. Beijing has narrowed but not closed since the post-2020 expat exodus, and its strongest international schools still deliver excellent IB and American outcomes. Beijing remains a meaningfully cheaper city to live in outside school fees, where the gap has compressed.
Schools landscape side by side
London's international school landscape is unrivalled. Families typically shortlist the American School in London, ACS International (Cobham and Hillingdon), International Community School, Marymount, the Southbank International schools and the British independent boarding and day options like Westminster, St Paul's, and North London Collegiate. Add the IB-focused Sevenoaks and Kings College School Wimbledon for selective entry.
Beijing's flagship international schools remain strong despite a smaller expat base than a decade ago. Parents shortlist the International School of Beijing (ISB), the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB), Dulwich College Beijing, the British School of Beijing and Yew Chung International School of Beijing. Tier 1 capacity in Beijing is currently easier to access than it was in 2019, and most families secure a place within a single term.
Not sure which city fits your family?
Take the 5 minute school finder quiz, then run the cost calculator for both cities. You get shortlisted schools plus a side by side relocation budget in under ten minutes.
Fees and value for money
London day schools at the international end charge GBP 25,000 to 36,000 per year for senior years. Boarding pushes total cost above GBP 45,000. Public school tradition keeps academic standards exceptionally high, but expat budgets need to account for the cost of London housing on top of fees. See our all-city fees hub for a like-for-like comparison.
Beijing's premium international schools sit at CNY 220,000 to 360,000 per year for primary, with secondary and IBDP at CNY 280,000 to 380,000 (roughly USD 38,000 to 52,000). Most school packages bundle transport, meals and trips. Many employer packages still include school fee support, which significantly changes the like-for-like maths against London. Use the cost calculator to model this.
Curriculum availability
London offers the broadest curriculum mix of any city in the world: British (GCSE, A Level, Pre-U), IB, American (AP), Cambridge Pathway, Montessori and Reggio-inspired primaries. Beijing tilts toward American and IB by school count, with a strong British bench at Dulwich and BSB. For curriculum reading see the IB hub, British curriculum hub and American curriculum hub.
Neighbourhoods families pick
London international school families cluster in St John's Wood (American School in London), Hampstead and Belsize Park, Kensington and Chelsea, Wimbledon and the leafy southwest (Putney, Richmond), and the green belt commuter belt around ACS Cobham and Hillingdon. A four-bedroom family home in zone 2 runs GBP 4,500 to 9,000 per month.
Beijing families pick Shunyi, north of the city near the airport, which is built around ISB, WAB, BSB and Dulwich. Lido and Wangjing are also family-friendly with shorter commutes into central Beijing. A four-bedroom Shunyi villa runs CNY 30,000 to 60,000 per month, dramatically larger than equivalent London spend.
Lifestyle and climate
London is rainy and grey eight months of the year, with long summer evenings and a cultural depth that rewards families with curious children. Schoolday logistics are excellent, public transport unmatched in Europe and weekend travel to the rest of Europe is easy. Beijing is dry, with hot summers, cold winters and air quality that has improved but still spikes seasonally. Family life centres on compounds, school communities and weekend escapes to the mountains around the city.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose London if you want the widest curriculum choice, the deepest school market and an easy launchpad into European travel. It is the strongest city for families approaching A Level or IB Diploma years where university applications drive the decision. Choose Beijing if your employer is covering tuition, you value family space and a tighter expat community, and you want your children to grow up with meaningful exposure to China. Most families run both options through the cost calculator; the headline gap closes fast once housing is added.
Frequently asked questions
Is London or Beijing cheaper for international school families in 2026?
It depends on the package. School fees at Tier 1 schools are now comparable. Housing is much cheaper in Beijing for the same square footage. Day-to-day costs (food, transport, services) are 30 to 40 percent lower in Beijing.
Which city has better international schools?
London has more depth across British, IB and American provision. Beijing's top names (ISB, WAB, Dulwich Beijing) deliver outcomes on par with London's mid-tier independents, but the bench is narrower.
How does the family visa compare?
London uses Skilled Worker visas with dependants attached or family visas with income tests. Beijing uses Z working visas with S1 or S2 dependant visas. Beijing documentation is heavier but processing is generally predictable.
How long are admissions waiting lists?
Most London international schools admit within 8 to 12 weeks. Beijing top-tier schools currently have shorter waiting lists than they did pre-2020, with most families admitted within a single term.
Where do expat families live in each city?
London families pick St John's Wood, Hampstead, Kensington, Wimbledon and the green belt around Cobham. Beijing families cluster in Shunyi near ISB and WAB, with Lido and Wangjing as secondary options.
