Within the wider field of international schools in Hanoi, United Nations International School of Hanoi is the city's longest established international school and its flagship IB option, the school families look at first when they want a full International Baccalaureate pathway. Founded in 1988, it became the first school in Asia to offer all three IB programmes in 1997, and it moved to its custom built campus in the Ciputra development of Tay Ho, in the north of the city, in 2004.
UNIS Hanoi at a glance
| Curriculum and exam route | Full IB continuum: Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and the IB Diploma |
|---|---|
| Stages | Early years to Grade 12, roughly ages 3 to 18, day school |
| Language of instruction | English, with mother tongue and additional language programmes |
| Founded | 1988, custom built Ciputra campus from 2004 |
| Status | Not for profit, coeducational; an IB World School since 1997 |
| Fee band | Premium for the city (see Hanoi fees) |
Curriculum and academics
UNIS Hanoi teaches the full International Baccalaureate continuum. Pupils in the elementary school follow the Primary Years Programme, an inquiry based framework for the youngest children, before moving into the Middle Years Programme across Grades 6 to 10, and finishing with the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12. Becoming the first school in Asia to offer all three programmes, back in 1997, gives the school a long institutional experience of the IB that few schools in the region can match, and the continuum means a child can follow one coherent philosophy from the early years to university entrance.
That full IB pathway is the clearest point of difference from the city's American and British facing schools, since the IB Diploma asks every student to study across six subject groups plus a core of theory of knowledge, an extended essay and creativity, activity and service, rather than specialising early. It suits children who thrive on breadth and on independent research. Our look at the best international schools in Hanoi places UNIS in the wider field, and the Hanoi hub maps the full landscape of curricula across the city.
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United Nations International School of Hanoi fees
UNIS Hanoi sits in the premium tier of our guide to international school fees in Hanoi, among the most expensive day schools in the capital, which reflects its not for profit status, its long established IB continuum and its campus and facilities. As with most schools running a full early years to Grade 12 pathway, tuition rises by grade and the IB Diploma years are the most expensive stage.
As a not for profit school, fee income is reinvested in the school rather than distributed, but the headline tuition is still only part of the picture. Families should budget for a registration or application fee, any capital or building levy, a deposit, IB examination entries in the senior years and transport. The school publishes its fee schedule, so confirm the current figures with admissions, and our fee calculator pulls the extras into a single annual figure, the fair way to compare UNIS with an American alternative such as Concordia International School Hanoi.
Admissions
The school year runs from August, and UNIS accepts applications year round where a place is free in the relevant grade, which suits families relocating to Hanoi outside the usual cycle. As an established and popular school, some year groups carry waiting lists, so applying early is sensible. The school reviews prior records and may assess a child to confirm the right grade and any English language support, particularly for entry higher up the school where the IB Diploma builds on earlier study.
Because the campus runs from the early years to Grade 12 on one site, siblings at different stages can usually be placed together. The intake is strongly international, reflecting the school's United Nations heritage and diplomatic and expatriate community, alongside returning Vietnamese families. The admissions team can explain the documents required, any assessment and the language and learning support available. Contact the school directly to confirm availability in your child's grade and the current intake points.
Location and who goes there
UNIS Hanoi occupies a custom built campus on Lac Long Quan Road in the Ciputra development of Phu Thuong, Tay Ho, in the north of the city. Ciputra is a large gated residential estate popular with diplomatic and expatriate families, and the school's position inside it means many pupils live within a short distance, while the green, spacious campus is part of the school's appeal. Families based in the centre or south of the city should weigh the commute to the northern districts.
The intake is among the most international in Hanoi, drawing on the diplomatic and development community as well as internationally minded Vietnamese families, which suits parents who want a genuinely global peer group. For how Tay Ho and the northern districts compare with the rest of the city on housing, commute and school choice, the Hanoi hub sets out the wider picture, and you can line UNIS up beside the British and IB British International School Hanoi and the American Concordia International School Hanoi for a sense of the range.
United Nations International School of Hanoi reviews
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Frequently asked questions
How much are UNIS Hanoi fees?
UNIS Hanoi sits in the premium tier of the Hanoi range, among the most expensive day schools in the city, with tuition rising by grade and the IB Diploma years the most expensive. The school publishes a fee schedule, so confirm current figures with admissions and budget for registration, any building levy, a deposit, examination entries and transport.
What curriculum does UNIS Hanoi follow?
UNIS Hanoi teaches the full International Baccalaureate continuum in English: the Primary Years Programme in elementary, the Middle Years Programme across Grades 6 to 10 and the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12. It was the first school in Asia to offer all three IB programmes, in 1997.
What ages does UNIS Hanoi take?
The school takes children from the early years through to Grade 12, covering roughly ages 3 to 18, as a coeducational day school. It does not offer boarding.
Where is UNIS Hanoi?
UNIS Hanoi is on a custom built campus on Lac Long Quan Road in the Ciputra development of Phu Thuong, Tay Ho, in the north of the city, which suits families based in the northern districts and within Ciputra.
Is UNIS Hanoi a not for profit school?
Yes. UNIS Hanoi is a not for profit coeducational international school, founded in 1988, which means fee income is reinvested in the school rather than distributed to owners.
