NIST International School is one of the best known international schools in Bangkok, founded in 1992 with support from the United Nations and located in central Sukhumvit. It is a non profit, foundation governed school offering the full International Baccalaureate continuum, from the Primary Years Programme through the Middle Years Programme to the Diploma. It sits alongside the city IB names International School Bangkok and KIS, and this profile sets out how it compares.
NIST International School at a glance
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | Full IB continuum: PYP, MYP and the IB Diploma |
| Stages | Early years to Grade 12 (ages 3 to 18) |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Governance | Non profit, foundation governed; authorised IB World School |
| Fee band | Premium for the city |
| Campus area | Sukhumvit Soi 15, central Bangkok |
Curriculum and academics
NIST delivers all three IB programmes as a single pathway. The Primary Years Programme runs through the early and elementary years with an inquiry led approach, the Middle Years Programme continues into the secondary school, and students complete the two year IB Diploma. Because the school is a full continuum IB World School, children progress through one framework from the start of school to university entry.
English is the language of instruction, with a wide range of additional languages reflecting the international community. As a non profit, NIST reinvests in teaching, facilities and student support. To weigh it against the rest of the field, use the IB schools in Bangkok hub and ask the school for its recent IB Diploma outcomes.
Budgeting for a Bangkok school place?
Use our fee calculator to estimate the full cost of a place, tuition plus the registration, deposit and transport extras, before you commit.
NIST fees
NIST sits in the premium band for Bangkok, with tuition rising at each stage and highest in the Diploma years. The figures are indicative only and should be confirmed with the school, as fees are reviewed annually. Budget beyond tuition for a one off enrolment fee, an annual capital levy and optional transport and meals.
For the wider cost picture see the Bangkok IB hub, or estimate your own total with the fee calculator.
Admissions
The academic year runs from August and the main intake follows it, with smaller entry points through the year where places exist. Families provide recent school reports and a reference, and applicants complete an age appropriate assessment or interview. Entry to the Diploma is more selective, with the school looking for a sound standard across IGCSE or equivalent results.
As one of the most popular schools in the city, some year groups carry waiting lists, so families are advised to apply six to twelve months ahead where they can.
Location and who goes there
NIST sits in central Sukhumvit, close to the BTS Skytrain and within easy reach of the residential and commercial heart of the city. Families who choose NIST often live in Sukhumvit itself or nearby areas served by the BTS and MRT, which keeps the commute short in a city where traffic can be heavy. To compare central IB options see KIS in Ratchadaphisek and start from the Bangkok city hub.
NIST reviews
We do not yet hold any verified parent reviews for NIST International School. GlobalSchoolGuide is an independent guide and no school pays to be listed, so we publish a rating only once we have collected enough verified first hand accounts to be fair to both the school and to families reading them. We would rather show nothing than show an invented score.
If your family has attended the school we would value your account of admissions, teaching, pastoral care and value for money. Share it through our school reviews hub and we will add verified contributions to this page.
Frequently asked questions
What curriculum does NIST International School follow?
NIST offers the full IB continuum, with the Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes leading to the IB Diploma, as a single pathway from age three to eighteen.
Is NIST a non profit school?
Yes. NIST is a non profit, foundation governed school, which means it reinvests in teaching and facilities rather than distributing returns.
How much are NIST International School fees?
NIST sits in the premium band for Bangkok, with fees rising to the top of the range in the Diploma years, plus enrolment and capital levies. Figures are indicative, so confirm with the school.
Where is NIST International School located?
The campus is on Sukhumvit Soi 15 in central Bangkok, close to the BTS Skytrain.
What ages does NIST take?
The school takes children from the early years through to Grade 12, roughly ages 3 to 18.
