Within the wider field of international schools in Hanoi, British International School Hanoi is one of the most established British style options in the capital, and one of the IB schools in Hanoi that pairs an English National Curriculum with the IB Diploma at the top. It is a selective coeducational day school for an international student body, and since 2015 it has been part of the Nord Anglia Education family alongside its sister schools in Vietnam. The campus sits in a secure residential community in Long Bien, around 20 minutes from the centre of Hanoi.
BIS Hanoi at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | National Curriculum for England and IGCSE, then the IB Diploma Programme in the senior years |
|---|---|
| Stages | Early years to senior, ages 18 months to 18, day school |
| Group | Part of Nord Anglia Education since 2015 |
| Notable programmes | Music with The Juilliard School, plus Nord Anglia collaborations with MIT and UNICEF |
| Fee band | Premium for the city (see Hanoi fees) |
| Campus area | Long Bien District, a residential community east of the Red River |
Curriculum and academics
BIS Hanoi follows the National Curriculum for England through the primary and lower secondary years, teaching English speaking pupils in a structured English language setting from the early years upward. At 14 to 16 the school moves to IGCSE, the international version of the English GCSE, which gives pupils a recognised qualification at the end of Year 11 and a broad academic base before the sixth form. The senior years then run on the IB Diploma Programme, so a child finishes on a globally recognised university entrance qualification rather than A Levels.
That English curriculum to IB Diploma pathway is a deliberate design, and it is the same shape several Nord Anglia schools use. The English National Curriculum and IGCSE give early rigour and a clear progression, while the IB Diploma rounds off a broad, university facing finish across six subject groups plus the core. Beyond the academic spine, the school runs a music programme in collaboration with The Juilliard School and draws on Nord Anglia collaborations with MIT and UNICEF through its global campus. Families weighing BIS Hanoi will usually be comparing the IB Diploma against the British sixth form A Level route offered elsewhere in the city, and our overview of the British curriculum schools in Hanoi sets out where each option sits.
Working out what a BIS Hanoi place really costs?
Our school finder shortlists schools that fit your child and budget, so you can set BIS Hanoi fairly against another Hanoi option before you enquire.
British International School Hanoi fees
BIS Hanoi sits in the premium tier of our guide to international school fees in Hanoi, well above the value campuses, and is one of the more expensive day schools in the capital. As with most schools running an IGCSE and IB pathway, tuition climbs by year group, and the senior IB Diploma years are the most expensive part of the journey. The school publishes a fee schedule, so confirm the current figures with admissions before you plan around them rather than relying on a third party estimate.
Because it is a day school, there is no boarding charge to factor in, but families should still budget beyond the headline tuition. Expect a registration or application fee, a refundable deposit, IGCSE and IB examination entries in the relevant years, and a daily commute or school transport across the river to Long Bien. Our fee calculator pulls these into a single annual figure, which is the only fair way to set a premium Nord Anglia school against a British or bilingual alternative, and our look at the best international schools in Hanoi places BIS Hanoi in the wider field.
Admissions
The school year runs from August, and BIS Hanoi accepts applications year round where a place is free in the year group a child would join. That makes it workable for families relocating to Vietnam outside the usual cycle, since an in year place can often be arranged. The school reviews prior school records and, as a selective school, may assess a child to confirm the right year group and the level of English, particularly for entry into IGCSE or the IB Diploma, which build on earlier study.
Places in the senior years are sought after, so a family aiming for the IB Diploma should apply early and expect prior grades to be considered as part of the fit. The admissions team can talk through the documents required, any assessment, and the support available for a child still building academic English. Contact the school directly to confirm availability in your child's year group and the current intake points.
Location and who goes there
BIS Hanoi is based in a secure residential community in the Long Bien District, on the east bank of the Red River, around 20 minutes from the central districts. Long Bien has grown into one of the areas favoured by expatriate families for its space, newer housing and quieter setting away from the dense Old Quarter, and a purpose built international school campus anchors that appeal. The single campus brings preschool, primary and secondary together on one site, which suits families with children at different stages.
The intake is broadly international, mixing expatriate families on assignment in Hanoi, returning Vietnamese families and local families choosing an English medium education with a British and IB pathway. For how Long Bien and the other districts compare on housing, commute and school choice, the Hanoi hub maps out the wider picture for relocating parents, and you can line BIS Hanoi up beside Concordia International School Hanoi on the American side and the bilingual Edison Schools for a sense of the range.
British International School Hanoi reviews
No verified reviews yet. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish parent reviews only once we can confirm the reviewer is part of the school community, and you will not find an invented star rating here. If your family has experience of BIS Hanoi, please share it through our school reviews hub to help other relocating parents.
Frequently asked questions
How much are British International School Hanoi fees?
BIS Hanoi sits in the premium tier of the Hanoi range, with tuition rising by year group and the senior IB Diploma years the most expensive. The school publishes a fee schedule, so confirm current figures with admissions and budget for registration, a deposit, examinations and transport on top.
What curriculum does British International School Hanoi follow?
BIS Hanoi teaches the National Curriculum for England through the primary and lower secondary years, IGCSE at 14 to 16, and the IB Diploma Programme in Years 12 and 13. It is a Nord Anglia Education school with a music programme run in collaboration with The Juilliard School.
What ages does British International School Hanoi take?
The school takes children from 18 months in the early years through to age 18 at the end of the IB Diploma, across preschool, primary and secondary stages on one campus.
Is British International School Hanoi a day school or boarding?
BIS Hanoi is a day school. Pupils attend from across Hanoi and the surrounding districts, with the campus in a residential community around 20 minutes from the city centre in Long Bien.
When do British International School Hanoi applications open?
The school year runs from August, and applications are accepted year round subject to places in the relevant year group. Families relocating mid year can apply for an in year place, so contact the admissions office to confirm availability and any assessment.
