British International School Riyadh, known across the city as BISR, is a not for profit, mixed school founded in 1979 with the support of the British and Dutch embassies, which makes it one of the longest established Riyadh international schools. It teaches the National Curriculum for England to students aged 3 to 18, leading to GCSE and IGCSE and then to A Levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and it operates across several campuses in the Kingdom serving close to three thousand students.
This profile sets out the curriculum, the fee level, the admissions calendar 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. BISR features in our shortlist of the best international schools in Riyadh, where families compare the leading campuses on fees and pathways.
British International School Riyadh (BISR) at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | National Curriculum for England with GCSE and IGCSE, then A Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma; a vocational post 16 pathway is also offered |
|---|---|
| Stage range | Ages 3 to 18, from the early years to sixth form |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Accreditation | Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and as a British School Overseas (BSO); member of British Schools of the Middle East (BSME); International Baccalaureate authorised; Green Flag eco school |
| Fee band | Premium tier for Riyadh (see Riyadh fees guide) |
| Campus area | Northern Riyadh, with a sixth form and IB campus in the Diplomatic Quarter |
Curriculum and academics
BISR follows the National Curriculum for England throughout, with the primary stages leading into GCSE and IGCSE in the middle years. Families who want the familiar progression of the British curriculum, with its clear stages and externally examined qualifications, will find the full English pathway here, taught in English with Arabic and other languages alongside.
The sixth form is where the school broadens the offer, giving students aged 16 to 18 a choice between A Levels, the International Baccalaureate Diploma on its Diplomatic Quarter campus, and from recent years a vocational pathway. That breadth, combined with British School Overseas accreditation and the school's long history, gives BISR a track record of university placement in the United Kingdom and beyond. Ask about subject choices at A Level and Diploma and recent university destinations during the admissions process.
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British International School Riyadh fees
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| Foundation 1 (age 3) | SAR 49,095 |
| Foundation 2 | SAR 66,494 |
| Key Stage 1 (Y1 to 2) | SAR 69,082 |
| Key Stage 2 (Y3 to 6) | SAR 76,130 |
| Key Stage 3 (Y7 to 9) | SAR 83,625 |
| Key Stage 4 (Y10 to 11) | SAR 101,414 |
| Key Stage 5 (Y12 to 13) | SAR 107,933 |
Source: British International School Riyadh (bisr.com.sa). Annual fees inclusive of 15 percent VAT (Saudi nationals are VAT-exempt). Banded by key stage. Excludes registration and capital fees. Fees are the most recent published figures and exclude one-off costs such as registration, deposits and capital levies. Always confirm current fees directly with the school.
BISR sits in the premium tier of the Riyadh market, among the higher fee British and IB campuses in the city, reflecting its long history, multiple accreditations and broad sixth form offer. Its position is mapped in our Riyadh school fees guide, which sets out where the premium schools sit in Saudi riyals. The school publishes its current schedule, so confirm the exact figure for your child's year group and campus directly, as rates change each year.
Plan for the costs that sit above headline tuition. Expect a registration or assessment fee, a deposit to secure a place, and separate charges for transport, uniform and examination entry in the GCSE, A Level and Diploma years. The fees guide also tracks the annual inflation that premium Riyadh schools have applied, which is worth building into a multi year budget.
Admissions and intake
The academic year runs from late August or early September, and BISR admits across year groups subject to availability, with the early years and the start of secondary the most natural entry points. Admission is based on prior school reports, age appropriate assessment and evidence that a student can access an English medium curriculum.
As a large and well regarded school operating across several campuses, BISR can offer more capacity than smaller schools, but demand for popular year groups is still strong, so apply early once a move to the city is confirmed. Applications are made through the school and require recent reports, passport and residency documentation and, for transfers, a leaving record from the previous school.
Location and who goes there
BISR operates across several campuses, with its primary and secondary provision in northern Riyadh and a campus in the Diplomatic Quarter that houses the sixth form and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. As a day school across multiple sites the choice of campus and the daily commute matter, so check which campus serves your child's year group and how it fits your neighbourhood.
The community is large and internationally mobile, with families drawn from the embassies, multinational employers and the wider expatriate population, reflecting the school's origins with the British and Dutch embassies. For the wider picture of how the British, American and IB schools sit across the city, including fee tiers and neighbourhoods, see the Riyadh schools hub.
British International School Riyadh (BISR) reviews
No verified parent reviews of British International School Riyadh 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 BISR, please consider sharing your experience through our school reviews page to help other relocating families.
Frequently asked questions
How much are British International School Riyadh fees?
BISR sits in the premium tier of the Riyadh market, among the higher fee British and IB campuses in the city. The school publishes its current schedule, so confirm the figure for your child's year group and campus directly and budget separately for registration, a deposit, transport and examination entry.
Is British International School Riyadh a good school?
BISR is one of the longest established schools in the Kingdom, accredited by the Council of International Schools and as a British School Overseas and authorised for the IB Diploma, which signals externally checked standards. Whether it suits your family depends on whether the English pathway and a large multi campus school fit your child. Confirm current results and university destinations directly with the school.
What curriculum does British International School Riyadh follow?
BISR follows the National Curriculum for England from the early years, leading to GCSE and IGCSE, then a choice in the sixth form between A Levels, the International Baccalaureate Diploma and a vocational pathway.
When do British International School Riyadh applications open?
The school year starts in late August or early September and BISR admits across year groups subject to availability. As a large multi campus school it can offer more capacity than smaller schools, but apply early because popular year groups fill.
Where is British International School Riyadh located?
BISR operates across several campuses, with its main provision in northern Riyadh and a sixth form and IB campus in the Diplomatic Quarter.
