British International School Istanbul is one of the named English medium options for expatriate families, listed on our Istanbul city hub and featured in our guide to the best international schools in Istanbul. It teaches an English curriculum from early years through to IGCSE and then the IB Diploma, and serves a notably international community drawn from more than fifty five nationalities.
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At a glance
Curriculum and academics
BISI combines a British and an IB route within one school. The English National Curriculum runs from the early years through to Cambridge IGCSE in the middle secondary years, after which students move into the International Baccalaureate Diploma for the final two years rather than A Level. This pairing gives families a familiar British primary and lower secondary experience followed by an internationally portable sixth form qualification.
With students from more than fifty five nationalities, English language support and a genuinely international peer group are central to the school. Parents comparing the IGCSE and IB routes can read our British curriculum guide and IB Diploma guide to understand how each is recognised at university.
Weighing BISI against other Istanbul schools?
Put BISI side by side with other Istanbul schools on curriculum, stages and fee band before you shortlist.
British International School Istanbul fees
BISI denominates its fees in US dollars, which is standard among the international schools serving expatriate families in Istanbul. Published figures range from about USD 17,000 for pre school on a half day basis, through roughly USD 37,200 to 47,550 for primary depending on the payment plan, up to about USD 38,800 to 49,050 for the senior years. Discounted full payment rates sit below the instalment totals. Our guide to the best international schools in Istanbul places the school at the premium end of the local market.
Beyond tuition, families should budget for a one off application fee of about USD 1,250 and a registration fee of around USD 5,500, along with optional transport, meals, uniform and, in the senior years, external IGCSE and IB examination entries. Sibling discounts are offered for additional children. Confirm the current schedule with the school and use our Istanbul secondary fees reference to frame the market.
Admissions
BISI admits mainly for an autumn start and reviews applications through the year where places remain in a given year group. Entry draws on prior school records and an age appropriate assessment, with English readiness a consideration in the older years given the English medium programme. The application and registration fees are charged separately from tuition.
Families relocating to Istanbul should apply early for popular year groups, confirm availability in their child's exact year, and ask how the IGCSE and IB Diploma cohorts are structured for the year they are joining.
Location and who goes there
The school is in the Zekeriyakoy area on the northern European side of Istanbul, a leafy district in the Sariyer region that is popular with expatriate families and sits near the forests above the city rather than in the central business districts. The setting offers space and greenery, with the trade off of a longer commute for families based further south.
For the wider picture of where families settle across the city and how the British, IB, German and French options compare, see the Istanbul city hub and our guide to the best international schools in Istanbul.
Reviews
We do not yet hold verified parent reviews for British International School Istanbul. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish reviews only once we can confirm they come from real families. If your child attends or has attended BISI, share your experience through the school reviews hub.
Frequently asked questions
How much are British International School Istanbul fees?
Fees are denominated in US dollars, from about USD 17,000 for pre school half day up to around USD 49,050 for senior years on the instalment plan, with discounted rates for full payment. One off application and registration fees of about USD 1,250 and USD 5,500 apply. Confirm the current schedule with the school.
What curriculum does British International School Istanbul follow?
BISI teaches the English National Curriculum with Cambridge IGCSE in the middle secondary years, then the International Baccalaureate Diploma in the final two years.
Is British International School Istanbul a good school?
BISI is an established English medium school with students from more than 55 nationalities, offering IGCSE and the IB Diploma. Whether it suits depends on your child, and we do not publish a rating without verified reviews.
Where is British International School Istanbul located?
The school is in the Zekeriyakoy area of the Sariyer region, on the northern European side of Istanbul.
When do British International School Istanbul applications open?
The school admits mainly for an autumn start and reviews applications through the year where places remain. Entry uses prior records and an assessment, so apply early and confirm availability in your child's year.
