Shanghai Experimental School International Division

At a glance

Where a detail is not officially published we mark it clearly rather than guess. Always confirm current figures with the school.

Curriculum and academics

The International Division of Shanghai Experimental School runs an English immersion programme built around overseas examination pathways. Pupils work towards Oxford AQA qualifications and College Board Advanced Placement courses, both of which are recognised by universities abroad, so the division serves families who want an internationally portable route while remaining within a state linked school. Our Shanghai city guide shows how the division sits among the city's other international pathways.

Because the school is state linked, its international provision differs from the foreign passport international schools in the city, and eligibility can be more tightly defined. Teaching in the international programme is in English, with Chinese language retained in the timetable, so pupils keep both strands as they specialise. Families weighing this division against the IB and IGCSE schools should look closely at the qualification each pathway leads to and where their child wants to apply to university.

Prospective families should confirm which stages the International Division covers in a given year, how entry works, and whether the Oxford AQA or Advanced Placement route best fits their plans. Many families comparing this division also look at Yew Chung International School Shanghai and other international campuses.

Shanghai Experimental School International Division fees

As a state linked school, tuition for the International Division is set by the education authority rather than by a private board, which keeps fees well below the premium foreign flagships. Independent listings report annual tuition of about RMB 68,000 to 76,000, and note that the figure has been reported as unchanged for several years, though families should treat that as an indication and confirm the current amount with the school. On the reported figures the total annual budget, once textbooks, meals, uniform, trips and examinations are added, is meaningfully higher than tuition alone.

That places the division among the more affordable international pathways in the city, which is a large part of its appeal, though places are limited and entry can be competitive. Our guide to international school fees in Shanghai explains how the bands work, and the Shanghai secondary fees page lines up the senior figures across the market so you can see how a state linked pathway compares.

• Tuition: government set; reported around RMB 68,000 to 76,000 per year.
• Extras: textbooks, meals, uniform, trips and examinations are charged in addition.
• Fee band: among the more affordable international pathways in Shanghai, as a broad indication only.
• Note: figures are reported by third parties; confirm the current schedule with the school.

Admissions

The main intake follows the start of the school year, and as a state linked school with limited international places, entry can be competitive and eligibility more tightly defined than at private international schools. Applicants sit age appropriate assessments, and families should begin the process well ahead of their preferred start date and confirm the current requirements with the school.

Relocating families should ask directly about eligibility for the International Division, the documentation required, the language expectations, and how a child would move onto the Oxford AQA or Advanced Placement pathway in the senior years.

Location and who goes there

Shanghai Experimental School has campuses in the city, including a Puxi site in the Xuhui district and a Pudong site on Nanmatou Road, so families should confirm which campus the International Division uses for their child's stage. As always, families should map the daily commute before they apply.

The community includes families seeking a strong academic environment and an internationally recognised pathway at a state linked school. Many families comparing this division also look at private international and bilingual campuses, so our Shanghai city guide shows how the options compare on curriculum, stage and fee band.

Reviews

No verified reviews yet. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so our profiles stay neutral until parents submit first hand experiences. If your family has attended the International Division of Shanghai Experimental School, you can help other parents by sharing an honest account through our school reviews page.

Frequently asked questions