British International School Lagos is a private British curriculum secondary school on Victoria Island, founded in 2001 on a spacious site and offering both day and boarding places. It is one of the better known British schools among the Lagos international schools, drawing Nigerian and expatriate families who want an England and Wales education with a boarding option in the heart of the city. The school grew quickly after opening and has since become a fixture of the island school scene.
This profile sets out the curriculum, the fee band, the admissions route and the community around the school. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so what follows is an editorial reference rather than a prospectus. For the wider shortlist of strong secondary options in the city, see our guide to the best IB schools in Lagos, which sets the British route in context against the IB.
British International School Lagos at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | British National Curriculum with Cambridge IGCSE and AS and A Levels |
|---|---|
| Stage range | Secondary, day and boarding (ages 11 to 18) |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Accreditation | Cambridge International examination centre; confirm wider accreditation with the school |
| Fee band | Premium tier, boarding charged on top (see Lagos fees guide) |
| Campus area | Victoria Island, central Lagos |
Curriculum and academics
British International School Lagos follows the British curriculum, adapting the National Curriculum for an international setting in West Africa. Through the lower secondary years pupils work towards Cambridge IGCSE qualifications, choosing subjects in Year 9 for the two year programme. In the sixth form the school offers AS and A Levels under the Cambridge framework, which feed directly into UK and other international university applications. The school does not offer the International Baccalaureate, so families weighing the two routes can compare the city's Diploma providers in our Lagos IB schools hub.
As a day and boarding school, BIS combines a full academic timetable with a residential programme and a broad co curricular offer in sport and the arts. The British structure and the A Level exit suit families who want a recognisable pathway between Nigeria, the United Kingdom and other A Level systems around the world.
Budgeting for day or boarding at BIS?
Use our fee calculator to estimate the total cost of a Lagos place, including boarding, bus and examination extras, free and independent.
British International School Lagos fees
British International School Lagos sits in the premium part of the market. Premium island fees run towards the top of the range mapped in our Lagos school fees guide, are usually quoted in US dollars, and rise through the year groups towards A Level. Boarding pupils pay an accommodation charge on top of tuition. We do not republish a precise figure here because schedules change each year, so confirm the current rate with the school before you budget.
Plan for the costs that sit above headline tuition. Expect a registration or application charge, a deposit on acceptance, boarding fees for residential pupils, a school bus fee for day pupils outside walking distance, and examination entry fees in the IGCSE and A Level years. These extras add a meaningful amount to the total cost of attendance.
Admissions and intake
British International School Lagos admits across year groups subject to availability, with the main intake aligned to the September academic year and Year 7 the principal entry point into secondary. Entry is by assessment alongside prior school reports, and demand is strongest at the main intake and into the sixth form.
Applicants typically supply recent school reports, passport documentation and references, and may sit an entrance assessment. Boarding places are limited, so families seeking residential places are encouraged to apply early. Confirm the current application window, assessment format and registration deadlines directly with the school.
Location and who goes there
The school occupies a large site on Victoria Island, the central island district that concentrates much of the city's diplomatic, corporate and financial activity. Many BIS day families live on Victoria Island, in Ikoyi and across the bridges in Lekki, while the boarding houses draw pupils from further afield in Nigeria and from families abroad. The parent body mixes Nigerian and expatriate households drawn by the British curriculum and the central location.
For the wider picture of how the British, American, IB and French schools sit across the city, including fee tiers and neighbourhoods, see the Lagos schools hub.
British International School Lagos reviews
No verified parent reviews of British International School Lagos have been submitted to GlobalSchoolGuide yet. We hold back from publishing a star rating until we have enough verified first hand accounts to represent the school fairly, and we never fabricate ratings. If your family attends or has attended BIS, please consider sharing your experience through our school reviews page to help other relocating families.
Frequently asked questions
How much are British International School Lagos fees?
BIS Lagos sits in the premium band, with boarding charged on top of tuition for residential pupils. Premium island fees are usually quoted in US dollars and rise through the year groups towards A Level. Schedules change annually, so confirm the current rate with the school and budget separately for registration, a deposit, boarding, bus and examination entry.
Is British International School Lagos a good school?
BIS Lagos is an established British curriculum school founded in 2001, offering day and boarding places and a Cambridge IGCSE and A Level route. Suitability depends on whether a Victoria Island location and a British examination pathway fit your family. Confirm current examination results and accreditation with the school.
What curriculum does British International School Lagos follow?
BIS follows the British National Curriculum adapted for an international setting, with Cambridge IGCSE at Key Stage 4 and AS and A Levels in the sixth form, rather than the International Baccalaureate.
When do British International School Lagos applications open?
BIS admits across year groups subject to availability, with the main intake aligned to the September academic year and entry by assessment. Apply early for the most in demand year groups and confirm the current window with the school.
Where is British International School Lagos located?
BIS Lagos occupies a large site on Victoria Island, the central island district of Lagos that is home to much of the city's expatriate and professional community.
