King George V School, known across the city as KGV, is a coeducational secondary school run by the English Schools Foundation in Ho Man Tin, Hong Kong. It traces its roots to 1894 and is the oldest of the ESF schools, as well as one of the oldest international schools in the territory. KGV teaches a British curriculum base through to IGCSE and BTEC, then offers the IB Diploma in the sixth form, which places it among the city's most established secondary options and on our roundup of the best British schools in Hong Kong.
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At a glance
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | IB Middle Years Programme in Years 7 to 9; IGCSE, GCSE and BTEC in Years 10 and 11; IB Diploma or BTEC in Years 12 and 13 |
| Stage range | Secondary, Years 7 to 13 (ages roughly 11 to 18) |
| Founded | Roots to 1894; renamed King George V School in 1948 |
| Accreditation | Authorised IB World School for the Diploma; a school of the English Schools Foundation |
| Fee band | ESF secondary fee, mid band of the Hong Kong market |
| Campus area | Ho Man Tin, Kowloon |
Curriculum and academics
KGV runs a layered pathway rather than a single system. In Years 7 to 9 students follow the IB Middle Years Programme, which keeps a broad and inquiry led foundation. In Years 10 and 11 they move to IGCSE, GCSE and BTEC courses that lead to recognised subject qualifications, and in the sixth form they choose between the IB Diploma and a BTEC route. That combination lets the school keep the breadth and academic stretch of the Diploma while offering applied pathways for students whose strengths sit elsewhere.
Because it carries the British curriculum base into IGCSE before the Diploma, KGV suits families who want a recognisable secondary structure with a strong final qualification. For how the IB Diploma and A Levels compare as university entry routes, see our IB curriculum guide and British curriculum guide.
Weighing KGV against another school?
Put up to three Hong Kong schools side by side on curriculum, fees and location with our compare tool before you shortlist.
King George V School fees
KGV charges the standard ESF secondary fee, which is set per year and reviewed annually. As an ESF school its fees sit in the mid band of the Hong Kong market, below the most premium private internationals but above the lowest cost options. Treat any single figure as indicative and confirm the current schedule with ESF, since the foundation publishes its fees centrally.
Tuition is not the whole cost. ESF families should budget the building levy or capital contribution, any nomination right where it applies, and school transport and trips. For where the ESF secondary fee sits against the rest of the city, including the private independent ESF schools and the premium internationals, see our Hong Kong international school fees guide.
Admissions
KGV admits through the central ESF process rather than running a wholly independent intake. Priority arrangements apply for siblings of current students and for holders of nomination rights, and the principal intake is into Year 7 at the start of secondary, with in year places opening as families relocate. Entry to the sixth form is a further natural intake point.
The academic year begins in August. Because KGV is long established and popular, applying early matters. Register interest with ESF, confirm the current criteria and intake points, and arrange a visit as your first steps.
Location and who goes there
The school sits on a large central campus in Ho Man Tin in Kowloon, well connected by rail and serving families across the Kowloon peninsula. Its central location makes it a practical choice for households who want an established ESF secondary without a long island commute, and the size of the school supports a broad subject offer and an extensive co curricular programme.
The community is genuinely international, mixing long settled expatriate families with Hong Kong households who value the ESF tradition. To weigh KGV against the other secondary options across the city, including fees and where families live, start with the Hong Kong city hub and our roundup of the best British schools in Hong Kong.
King George V School reviews
We do not yet hold verified parent reviews for King George V School. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish a rating only once we can confirm reviews come from real families. We would rather show nothing than show an invented score.
If your child attends or has attended KGV, we would value your first hand account of the teaching, communication and value for money. Share it through our school reviews hub and help the next relocating family decide with better information.
Frequently asked questions
How much are King George V School fees?
King George V School charges the ESF secondary fee, set per year and reviewed annually, which sits in the mid band of the Hong Kong market below the most premium internationals. Families should also budget the ESF building levy and any nomination right, so confirm the current schedule with ESF directly.
What curriculum does King George V School follow?
King George V School teaches the IB Middle Years Programme in Years 7 to 9, IGCSE, GCSE and BTEC courses in Years 10 and 11, and then the IB Diploma or a BTEC pathway in Years 12 and 13.
Is King George V School the oldest school in ESF?
Yes. King George V School traces its roots to 1894 and is the oldest of the English Schools Foundation schools, as well as one of the oldest international schools in Hong Kong.
How do admissions work at King George V School?
As an ESF secondary school, King George V School admits through the foundation's central process, with priority for siblings and for holders of nomination rights, and the main intake into Year 7. Confirm the current criteria and intake points with ESF.
Where is King George V School located?
The school is in Ho Man Tin in Kowloon, on a large central campus that serves families across Kowloon and is reachable from much of the city by rail.
