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IB Curriculum International Schools in Shanghai, China

Edited by · B2C Marketing Manager

About international schools in Shanghai, China

IB-curriculum international schools in Shanghai include institutions that offer the full IB continuum (PYP - MYP - DP) as well as schools that deliver only the Diploma Programme in secondary years; the IB’s age bands run from early years through to pre-university study. Many IB schools in Shanghai are English-medium with daily Mandarin tuition or operate as bilingual Mandarin - English schools that aim for dual-language competence, and they commonly provide EAL and mother-tongue support. Annual school fees vary widely across the market: premium international campuses typically charge in the mid-to-high hundreds of thousands of yuan for secondary places, while some bilingual or local international-division options charge substantially less. Admissions generally begin in the autumn for the following academic year with formal application rounds, assessments and interviews, followed by rolling admissions and waiting lists; also check passport and eligibility rules as many international schools admit only foreign-passport holders.

Compare 26 IB Curriculum international schools in Shanghai, China. Filter by curriculum, fees (average RMB 220,635), location, and more to find the right international school now.

At a glance 26 schools · avg fee RMB 220,635
Schools listed
26
Curricula
20
Average annual fee
RMB 220,635
Fee range
RMB 68,000 – 399,750
Most common curriculum
IB (DP) (25 schools)
Average school size
1,632 pupils
Largest by enrolment
Shanghai High School International Division
Oldest
Shanghai American School (1912)
With boarding
7

Read our parent's guide to the IB Curriculum →

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FAQs for China

What does the IB curriculum actually cover and what ages does each programme serve?
The International Baccalaureate offers a continuum of four programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for early years and primary, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for lower secondary, the Diploma Programme (DP) for the final two years of secondary, and the Career-related Programme (CP) as an alternative pathway; together they span roughly ages 3 to 19. Schools in Shanghai may offer one, several or all of these programmes as a continuous pathway or in separate stages, depending on the campus.
How much should I expect to pay for an IB school in Shanghai?
Tuition varies by school, campus and year group: many premium international schools in Shanghai charge in the region of CNY 250,000 - 400,000 per year for secondary places, while some bilingual or international-division campuses report lower annual fees, particularly at primary level where fees can fall into roughly CNY 100,000 - 150,000. Additional costs such as application or capital development fees, uniforms and extracurriculars are common and can add materially to the total annual cost.
Can children with Chinese citizenship attend IB international schools in Shanghai?
Eligibility depends on the school category and local regulations: many international schools in Shanghai are authorised to enrol only children holding foreign passports, while bilingual or international divisions of public schools may admit Chinese nationals under different rules. Always confirm a school’s enrolment policy before applying because passport and residency requirements vary by campus and by the Shanghai education authorities.
What languages are used in IB schools in Shanghai and what language support is available?
Most IB international schools in Shanghai use English as the main language of instruction while offering daily Mandarin classes; a number of schools operate true bilingual programmes with instruction in both English and Mandarin and provide specialist mother-tongue lessons and English-as-an-additional-language (EAL) support. The balance between English and Mandarin, and the availability of other world languages, varies by school so parents should check each school’s language policy and examples of classroom practice.
When should I start applying and what does the admissions process usually involve?
Families typically start applications in the autumn for entry in the following school year, with many schools running an early application round and then shifting to rolling admissions and placement decisions in the spring; popular year groups can have long waiting lists. The process commonly includes an application form, school visit or interview, age-appropriate assessment and submission of passport/visa and residency documents, so allow time for paperwork, testing and possible waiting-list placement.
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