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The primary fee range in Seoul
Seoul's premium international schools sit at the top of the Asian range. Schools such as Seoul Foreign School, Seoul International School, Korea International School Seoul, Yongsan International School and the British School Seoul charge KRW 38 million to KRW 46 million a year. Upper-mid international schools run KRW 28 million to KRW 38 million, and smaller international and bilingual schools fill the mid band from KRW 18 million. Most expat families pay KRW 28 million to KRW 38 million at primary. Tuition typically sits a little below the same school's secondary fees. For the full whole-school context see our Seoul international school fees guide.
2026 primary fee table by tier
The bands below are tied to our Seoul international school fees analysis. They show each school's overall annual tuition band; at primary level fees sit toward the lower end of each band, with secondary higher. Treat the figures as bands. exact fees vary by school and year group.
| Tier | Annual tuition (KRW) | Annual tuition (USD) | Example schools (illustrative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium international | KRW 38M - 46M | USD 27,000 - 33,000 | Seoul Foreign School, Seoul International School, Korea International School Seoul, Yongsan International, British School Seoul |
| Upper-mid international | KRW 28M - 38M | USD 20,000 - 27,000 | Asia Pacific International, Dwight Seoul, GSIS Seoul |
| Mid international | KRW 18M - 28M | USD 13,000 - 20,000 | Smaller international and bilingual schools |
Named schools are illustrative of each tier and do not imply a published primary fee. Always confirm current figures with the school.
Registration, bus, lunch and other primary costs
Total cost-of-place adds 10 to 15 per cent to headline fees in Seoul. The bands below are 2026 figures from our Seoul fees analysis.
| Cost item | Typical band (KRW) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Registration / enrolment | KRW 1.5M - 4M | One-time on joining |
| School bus | KRW 4M - 7M | Per year. near-essential given Seoul distances |
| Lunch | KRW 2.5M - 4.5M | Per year |
| Uniform | KRW 800,000 - 1.8M | Initial outfit |
| Device programme (iPad / laptop) | KRW 1.5M - 3M | Per year at many schools |
Most Seoul international schools offer a 5 to 10 per cent sibling discount, and several premium schools offer modest discounts.
What drives the cost
Three things move Seoul primary fees. First, eligibility and scarcity: because foreign international schools restrict enrolment to foreign-passport holders or returnees who have lived abroad for a qualifying period, demand concentrates on a limited set of schools, which supports premium pricing. Second, brand and facilities at the top tier, where the long-established American and British schools sit above newer entrants. Third, fee inflation: Seoul fees rose around 4.0 per cent on average in 2025-26, slightly above Korean CPI, with premium schools tracking 4.0 to 4.5 per cent. The won has been relatively stable against the dollar, so US-paid families saw similar increases in dollar terms.
Hidden costs beyond tuition
Beyond tuition, total cost typically adds 10 to 15 per cent. For primary the largest line items are the school bus, which is near-essential given how spread out Seoul is, lunch, the one-time registration fee, uniform and the device programme. Eligibility is the practical constraint that sits alongside cost: confirm a school's enrolment rules before you build a shortlist, because they determine which schools are open to your child regardless of budget.
Compare Seoul with other cities
Primary tuition is only the entry point. Before you commit, model the full multi-year cost and compare Seoul against the other cities on your shortlist with our international school fees comparison tool. You can also size up the wider relocation budget with the relocation cost calculator or narrow your options with the school finder quiz.
Compare Seoul primary fees side by side
See how Seoul stacks up against every other city for primary, with all-in costs not just headline tuition.
Open the fees comparison toolSeoul primary fees: FAQ
Banded annual primary tuition runs from roughly KRW 18 million (USD 13,000) at the mid tier to KRW 46 million (USD 33,000) at premium international schools, with most expat families paying KRW 28 million to KRW 38 million (USD 20,000 to 27,000) a year. Primary fees usually sit a little below the same school's secondary fees. Figures are 2026 bands; confirm exact fees with each school.
Foreign international schools in Korea generally restrict enrolment to foreign-passport holders, or to Korean nationals who have lived abroad for a qualifying period. Eligibility rules vary by school, so families should confirm them early because they affect which schools a child can attend regardless of fees.
Yes, modestly. Primary tuition typically sits at the lower end of each school's tier band, with secondary fees rising into the upper end and exam-year costs adding more later. Korean won fees have been relatively stable against the US dollar in recent years.
Beyond tuition, expect a one-time registration or enrolment fee (KRW 1.5 to 4 million), the school bus (KRW 4 to 7 million and near-essential given Seoul distances), lunch (KRW 2.5 to 4.5 million), uniform (KRW 800,000 to 1.8 million) and a device programme (KRW 1.5 to 3 million). These add roughly 10 to 15 per cent on top of tuition.