At a glance
| Factor | London | Jakarta |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | GBP 25,000 to 50,000 (USD 31,000 to 62,000) | USD 25,000 to 45,000 |
| Dominant curricula | British, IB, American | IB, American, British |
| Cost of living vs Jakarta (Numbeo, May 2026) | About 2 to 3 times higher | Baseline |
| Family visa | Skilled worker plus dependent visa | KITAS plus family KITAS |
| Expat share of population | About 37 percent (foreign-born) | About 1 percent |
| Typical relocation timeline | 8 to 14 weeks | 10 to 16 weeks |
London offers the world's deepest private and international school market with traditional British boarding alongside ACS, Halcyon, ICS and dozens of other IB schools. Jakarta offers an entirely different proposition: premium IB schools at half the London price in a city with abundant domestic help, lower headline costs, and rapid emerging-market career exposure. The two postings rarely overlap but both serve major global mobility briefs.
Schools landscape side by side
London's international and private day school market is the deepest in the world. International schools include ACS International Schools (Cobham, Hillingdon and Egham), the International Community School (ICS), Halcyon London International, the American School in London (ASL) and Southbank International. Alongside these sit hundreds of traditional British independent day and boarding schools (Westminster, St Paul's, Latymer, City of London, Wetherby). Demand is high across the board.
Jakarta's international segment is led by Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS), British School Jakarta (BSJ), Australian Independent School (AIS), Sekolah Pelita Harapan (SPH), and ACG School Jakarta. JIS sets the regional benchmark for the IB Diploma and AP routes. BSJ anchors the British IGCSE and A Level pathway. Capacity is reasonable at most schools but the top names have 4 to 9 month waits at entry points.
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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 international schools charge GBP 25,000 to GBP 40,000 a year at ACS, ICS and ASL, with American School in London top of the range at GBP 38,000 to GBP 50,000 in Senior School. Traditional British boarding schools run GBP 45,000 to GBP 65,000 a year for day, and GBP 55,000 to GBP 75,000 for boarding. See our London fees guide for a full breakdown.
Jakarta JIS publishes 2026 annual fees of IDR 305 million in Early Years to IDR 633 million in High School (USD 19,000 to USD 40,000). BSJ runs IDR 159 million to IDR 561 million across year groups (USD 10,000 to USD 35,000). ACG Jakarta sits IDR 300 to 400 million (USD 19,000 to USD 25,000). One-off application and registration fees run USD 350 to USD 800. Use the cost calculator to model a five year run.
Curriculum availability
London is the only city in the world where you can choose between every major international curriculum: full British (GCSE, IGCSE, A Level), the IB Diploma at multiple schools, US Diploma and AP at ASL, and even Continental European pathways at the French Lycee and Deutsche Schule. The IB Diploma at ICS, ACS and Southbank produces strong outcomes; A Level pathways at the traditional independents remain the gold standard for Oxbridge and Russell Group entry.
Jakarta's mix tilts IB and American. JIS runs the IB Diploma plus AP. BSJ runs IGCSE, A Level and the IB Diploma. AIS runs Australian HSC and IB. The IB Diploma is the safest portable credential here for families who may move again. See our IB hub, British curriculum hub and American curriculum hub.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In London, international school families cluster in Kensington, Chelsea, Hampstead, St John's Wood, Notting Hill, Wimbledon, Richmond and the commuter belts of Cobham, Esher, Sevenoaks and Reigate. A four-bedroom house in central catchments runs GBP 6,000 to GBP 14,000 a month, while a family house in Cobham or Wimbledon runs GBP 3,500 to GBP 7,500. Commute logistics drive the housing choice as much as the school.
In Jakarta, expat families cluster in South Jakarta (Kemang, Pondok Indah, Cilandak) close to JIS and BSJ, in Cipete and Cilandak for ACG, and in compounds in Bintaro for AIS. A four-bedroom villa with garden and pool in Pondok Indah runs USD 3,000 to USD 6,000 a month, often substantially below the same lifestyle in any other Asian capital.
Lifestyle and climate
London offers world-class culture, the densest private schools market on earth, and easy travel across Europe. The downsides are weather, traffic and the highest income tax burden among global cities for high earners. Jakarta offers tropical warmth year-round, abundant domestic help that materially changes family logistics, and lower headline costs across the board. The downsides are traffic, air quality, and limited weekend escape options beyond Bali and the Thousand Islands.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose London if you want the world's deepest private school market, Russell Group university access through A Level pathways, and a global cultural capital for your children. It is the stronger pick for families with senior-school children targeting UK universities, and for parents whose careers anchor in European financial services, professional services or government.
Choose Jakarta if your career is in Southeast Asian markets, your employer carries housing and schooling on package, and the family is energised by emerging-market intensity. JIS, BSJ and ACG deliver world-class IB outcomes at half the London price, and domestic help costs in Jakarta change family logistics in ways that London simply cannot match.
Frequently asked questions
Is London or Jakarta cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Jakarta is dramatically cheaper at headline level. Total cost of living for a family of four runs roughly two to three times higher in London, and family housing is materially more affordable in Jakarta. International school fees are 30 to 50 percent lower at comparable IB schools in Jakarta versus London.
Which city has stronger international schools?
London has the world's deepest market across British, IB and American pathways, and traditional British independents remain the gold standard for Oxbridge entry. Jakarta's JIS and BSJ are excellent at the IB Diploma and competitive on outcomes with mid-tier London IB schools. The deciding factor is curriculum mix and university destination.
Is the family visa easier in London or Jakarta?
London skilled worker plus dependent visas are reasonably efficient if your employer holds a sponsor licence. Jakarta KITAS plus family KITAS is sponsor-tied but typically straightforward for established multinational employers. Indonesia recently expanded the second home visa, which can be useful for non-working spouses.
How long does the school admissions process take in each city?
In London, top day schools commonly close 11-plus and 13-plus admissions 6 to 18 months ahead. International schools at ACS, ICS and Halcyon have 2 to 6 month waits. In Jakarta, JIS and BSJ have 4 to 9 month waits at senior entry points; mid-tier schools place within two months.
Where do most international school families live in each city?
London families cluster in Kensington, Hampstead, St John's Wood, Wimbledon, Richmond and Cobham. Jakarta families pick Kemang, Pondok Indah, Cilandak and Bintaro depending on the school they target.
