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IB Curriculum International Schools in Beijing, China

Edited by · B2C Marketing Manager

About international schools in Beijing, China

Beijing’s international schools that teach the International Baccalaureate are a mixed group: some offer the full IB continuum (Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes) while others deliver only one or two of those programmes alongside British or other curricula. Instruction is predominantly English, but several schools run formal Chinese - English bilingual pathways or a strong Mandarin thread, so language provision varies by campus. Annual tuition depends on age and school location - younger years are markedly cheaper than senior years - with many full-continuum schools publishing fees in the low hundreds of thousands of renminbi per year and senior places commonly reaching into the mid-RMB 100,000s; extra application, enrolment and capital levies are common. Most schools follow a northern-hemisphere calendar (new cohorts start in August/September), applications are typically submitted in the autumn and winter before the intake year, and large IB campuses are clustered in Shunyi and Chaoyang so commute and housing are practical factors to check when relocating families make school choices.

Compare 25 IB Curriculum international schools in Beijing, China. Filter by curriculum, fees (average RMB 223,831), location, and more to find the right international school now.

At a glance 25 schools · avg fee RMB 223,831
Schools listed
25
Curricula
18
Average annual fee
RMB 223,831
Fee range
RMB 40,000 – 376,700
Most common curriculum
IB (DP) (23 schools)
Average school size
1,505 pupils
Largest by enrolment
Beijing National Day School International Department
Oldest
Beijing No. 101 High School International Department (1946)
With boarding
8

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FAQs for China

What are the main differences between the PYP, MYP and DP (Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma)?
The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) is an inquiry-based curriculum for younger children that focuses on transdisciplinary learning; the Middle Years Programme (MYP) serves roughly the secondary-lower age range with subject groups and interdisciplinary projects; the Diploma Programme (DP) is a two-year, academically rigorous pre-university course with external assessment. Schools may offer the full continuum (PYP→MYP→DP) or only one programme, which affects continuity and how well students are prepared for the DP.
Will my child be taught in English or Mandarin?
Most IB international schools in Beijing use English as the language of instruction, but several schools run dual-language or bilingual models where Mandarin is taught at a high intensity or used as an additional medium alongside English. If your child is not yet fluent in English, look for explicit EAL/ESL provision and staged entry assessments; if you want strong Mandarin development, check whether the school operates a Chinese-language thread or a bilingual programme.
How much should we budget for annual tuition and extra costs?
Tuition varies by school, year group and whether the campus is central or in Shunyi; published full-year fees at IB schools commonly start in the low hundreds of thousands of RMB for younger years and can rise to around RMB 300,000 - 360,000 or more for senior years at some campuses. Expect additional one-off application and enrolment fees, possible capital levies, and extra charges for transport, meals, uniforms and some activities, so check each school’s full fee schedule before applying.
When should we apply and what documents will schools usually ask for?
Beijing international schools mostly follow a northern-hemisphere calendar with intakes in August/September, so families commonly submit applications in the autumn or winter before the intended start year; many schools also run rolling admissions but spaces in popular year groups can fill early. Typical documentary requirements include a child’s birth certificate and passport, recent school reports, standardised test records where relevant, and proof of parents’ immigration status; some schools request notarisation or apostilles and certified English or Chinese translations for foreign documents.
What ages and year groups do IB programmes cover and where are the main entry points?
The IB PYP covers early years and primary (approximately ages 3 - 11), the MYP covers lower secondary (roughly ages 11 - 16) and the DP is a two-year programme for pre-university students (typically ages 16 - 19). Common entry points for international schools are early years, Year 1/Grade 1, the start of lower secondary (around Year 7/Grade 6 - 7) and the beginning of the DP (Grade/Year 11), though exact year-group naming and ages may vary between British, American and international systems.
What should we check when comparing IB schools in Beijing?
Confirm which IB programmes the school is authorised to teach and whether it offers a full continuum, review language-support provision (EAL, bilingual threads and Mandarin intensity), and check accreditation, class sizes, special-education support and university-counselling services. Also compare total cost of attendance (not just base tuition), transport options and the school’s location relative to likely housing, and, where possible, visit for a lesson observation or a meeting with admissions and learning-support staff.
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