Avicenna International College vs Budapest British International School

	A Avicenna International College Budapest, Hungary	B Budapest British International School Budapest, Hungary
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year HUF 8,000 - 3,023,681	Fees / year HUF 12,090 - 25,250
Age range	Age range 14 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), British Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 200	Pupils 420
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 2015
Bus service	Bus service —	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location —	Location BBIS operates on two campuses in Budapest at 4 Zsolna utca, 1125 Budapest, and 55/B Istenhegyi utca, 1125 Budapest, Hungary.
Stages	Stages —	Stages Early Childhood; Primary Years Programme; IB Middle Years Programme; IB Diploma
School type	School type —	School type Independent international day school; IB World Continuum School
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix Representing over 35 nationalities.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Inclusive education with high-quality teaching; supports individual learning through Special Educational Needs & Inclusion.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation British international school; COBIS-accredited
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details Door-to-door bus service provided by Levissimo Bus.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details —	Fee details Application and entry charges - Application Fee (new students): €450. - Registration Fee (new students): €1,200. - Deposit (new students): €1,000. - Seat reservation deposit (deducted from school contributions): €1,700 (applies to new and returning students). Annual tuition by programme / year group (full-year amounts) - Early Childhood (FS1–FS2; ages 3–4): €12,090 per year. - Early Childhood (FS3; age 5): €14,980 per year. - Primary Year 1 (age 6): €17,660 per year. - Primary Years 2–5 (ages 7–10): €19,850 per year. - MYP Years 1–3 (ages 11–13): €21,990 per year. - MYP Years 4–5 (ages 14–15): €23,270 per year. - DP Years 1–2 (ages 16–17): €25,250 per year. Per-term tuition (standard three-term year) - The school operates on a three-term academic calendar. The per-term amounts below are the annual contribution divided into three equal term payments: - Early Childhood (3–4): €4,030.00 per term (€12,090 ÷ 3). - Early Childhood (5): €4,993.33 per term (€14,980 ÷ 3). - Primary Year 1: €5,886.67 per term (€17,660 ÷ 3). - Primary Years 2–5: €6,616.67 per term (€19,850 ÷ 3). - MYP 1–3: €7,330.00 per term (€21,990 ÷ 3). - MYP 4–5: €7,756.67 per term (€23,270 ÷ 3). - DP 1–2: €8,416.67 per term (€25,250 ÷ 3). Billing schedule and payment terms - The school year is organised into three terms; invoicing and term dates follow the three-term calendar. Families receive invoices and payment is managed through the school finance process. - The seat reservation deposit is applied against the school contribution and is deducted from the invoiced contribution. - Acceptance, invoicing and the formal Education Agreement (Terms and Conditions) are issued alongside the offer and set the contractual payment terms. Boarding - BBIS in Budapest does not publish a boarding provision for students; there are no boarding fees listed for the Budapest campus. (Day-school provision and transport options are described separately.) Other costs and additional fees - English as an Additional Language (EAL): EAL support is charged as an additional fee where required. - Special Educational Needs / one-to-one support: Additional charges may be levied if the school determines interventions are required beyond the standard contribution; such charges are itemised separately. - After-school clubs, Stay & Play and extra‑curricular activities: charges apply for club participation and Stay & Play sessions. - School bus (door-to-door): bus service is available through contracted providers; bus charges are separate from tuition. - School lunches and snacks: primary students are provided with lunch; EYFS and Years 1–2 are provided with morning and afternoon snacks. Any specific meal-plan costs or third‑party catering charges are managed separately. - Uniform: school uniform is required and is purchased separately via the designated uniform supplier. Costs for uniform items are payable by families at the point of order. - Examination or external assessment fees (for DP/IB, external assessments, standardised tests) and dedicated course costs may be charged in addition to the contribution where applicable; these fees are billed separately. Refunds, withdrawal and cancellations - Refunds, withdrawal procedures and any prorating of contributions are governed by the Education Agreement (Terms and Conditions) provided with an offer and by the school's invoicing policy. Families receive the contractual refund and withdrawal terms in the Education Agreement accompanying the offer. For specific refund terms and timelines contact the Finance Office. Fee payment options and contact for payments - Payments and invoicing are handled via the school's finance process and Finance Portal. For payment queries and instructions contact the Finance Office at finance@bbis.hu. Concise note on publicly available details - The publicly posted fee chart provides the annual contribution amounts and the listed one‑off charges (application, registration, deposit, seat reservation). The school calendar shows a three-term year and the Admissions and Terms pages indicate that the Education Agreement contains full payment and refund terms; specific payment‑method details (card, bank transfer or other accepted methods) and a full public refund schedule are not published in the publicly accessible materials and are managed through the Finance Office and the formal Education Agreement. For payment-method specifics and contractual refund terms, contact finance@bbis.hu.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements Boarding facilities are day-only; BBIS is a day school and does not offer boarding.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement BBIS uses a uniform with summer and winter sets and a PE kit. Black, closed-toe shoes are required; students should have indoor shoes; uniforms can be ordered online via the provided link and a uniform guide is available.
Food options	Food options —	Food options Lunch is provided to Primary School students; EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2 students are offered a morning and afternoon snack.
House system	House system —	House system BBIS has a four-house system: Amber, Emerald, Ruby, and Sapphire. House points are awarded for various activities, and the winning house receives a trophy at the end-of-year assembly.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership BBIS Foundation is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to enriching the community life of BBIS. It operates independently as a nonprofit and supports school programmes.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details —	Curriculum details BBIS delivers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) in the Primary School. The PYP places the individual learner at the heart of learning within a holistic approach that supports academic, social, emotional, and physical development. Teaching and learning are inquiry-driven, transdisciplinary, and student-centered, fostering curiosity and ownership of learning. The PYP is concept-driven and organized around six transdisciplinary themes: Who we are; Where we are in place and time; How we express ourselves; How the world works; How we organise ourselves; Sharing the planet. BBIS teachers develop a Programme of Inquiry (POI) that reflects the school community and links units of inquiry across ages, building a long-term curriculum plan. In the Secondary School, BBIS offers the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the IB Diploma (DP). Learning and teaching in the secondary are guided by six IB Approaches to Teaching: learning is conceptually framed; learning is contextualised; learning is collaborative; learning is differentiated; assessment is criterion-related; and learning emphasises reflection. BBIS is an authorised IB Continuum World School.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results IB Diploma: 92% pass rate since 2024; 100% of Diploma students who pursue higher education gain university places; BBIS average DP score is 31.08 (out of 45) with the highest score of 43.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression Class of 2025 matriculated to Emerson College (USA); Pennsylvania State University (USA); McGill University (Canada); Bath Spa University (UK); Courtauld Institute of Art (UK); ELTE and Semmelweis University (Hungary); and other universities worldwide. Since 2024 BBIS students have also received offers from University College London (UCL); Stanford University; University of Michigan; Georgia Institute of Technology; University of Cardiff; and other leading universities.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning The school fosters an internationally minded community with small classes and strong teacher–student relationships that support curiosity, exploration of ideas, and personal growth, while celebrating achievement and progress.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) BBIS lists Special Educational Needs & Inclusion as a page on its site, indicating dedicated provisions under its inclusion framework.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language BBIS provides an English-focused international education with an English-medium curriculum, as implied by its IB World Continuum status and British international school identity.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing The school emphasizes a supportive community and safeguarding practices as part of its pastoral care framework, aligning with its inclusive IB and COBIS accreditation.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding BBIS highlights pastoral care and safeguarding as part of its provision, underpinned by COBIS accreditation and IB programmes.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview BBIS operates on two Budapest campuses: 4 Zsolna utca, 1125 and 55/B Istenhegyi ut, 1125. The land behind the Primary School was purchased and work began on a new purpose-built Secondary School, which opened in 2018. In 2021 the new Secondary School opened, along with a new Nursery and Reception class. The Primary Library houses almost 4,000 books for children aged three to 11, and a brand-new Secondary Library was opened to support the IB MYP and DP curricula and is open daily at break and lunchtimes. The library also provides access to digital resources such as Gale In Context: Middle School, Global Issues, Opposing Viewpoints and Britannica School.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities BBIS runs sports teams that compete in Budapest fixtures and international tournaments in Austria, Slovakia, Serbia and the Czech Republic. There are after-school sports clubs, including BBIS Lions Football. The school organizes seasonal programmes with Autumn football and cross country, Winter basketball, Spring volleyball and tennis, and Summer athletics.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities From Primary Years Programme 5, BBIS implements the BYOD policy, with students using 1-to-1 iPads or Chromebooks in the classroom. In primary, every classroom is equipped with touch-screen SMART Panels, and every secondary classroom has televisions to enhance teaching and learning. The secondary library opened recently and is designed to support the IB MYP and DP, with a growing collection and access to digital resources such as Gale In Context: Middle School, Global Issues, Opposing Viewpoints, and Britannica School. The Sciences offer Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems and Societies, and Sport, Exercise and Health Science; Robotics is introduced with VEX from the 2025–26 year.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities BBIS offers a broad range of after-school clubs, including Academic Writing, BBIS Lions Football, Model UN, K-Pop Club, Theatre Club, Marketing Club and Choir. Sports clubs and Teams participate in competitive fixtures within Budapest and beyond, with tournaments in Austria, Slovakia, Serbia and the Czech Republic. Extra-curricular activities include Homework Club, Science Club, Creative Writing and Hungarian, among others. All competitive teams are open to both boys and girls, with separate training for MYP students and KS2 students when appropriate.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History BBIS opened in 2015 with about 50 primary students in Years 1–4. It gained COBIS accreditation in 2015 and began pursuing IB MYP accreditation in 2017. In 2018 the land behind the Primary School was purchased to support a new, purpose-built Secondary School. In 2020 BBIS delivered online learning during the pandemic and was designated a Candidate School for the IB PYP. By 2024 BBIS welcomed about 420 students daily, completed COBIS reaccreditation, and reported a 100% pass rate for its first IB Diploma cohort (DP2 average 32, top 38). In 2025 BBIS achieved PYP Authorisation and became Budapest's first IB Continuum School offering PYP, MYP, and DP for ages 3–18.
Community	Community —	Community BBIS builds a small, caring community in which parents, pupils and staff work in partnership to create a happy and friendly environment. Community events and activities include initiatives such as running stalls at International Week and various charity events.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association BBIS has a Parents and Friends Association (PFA) that builds a connected, supportive community and supports activities beyond the classroom. It involves volunteers from parents and staff to create opportunities for families to connect and to bring special projects to life; activities include participation in International Week stalls and charity events.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual The school offers a broad selection of after-school clubs run by teaching staff. After-school activities reinforce classroom learning by providing a real-world context for applying academic skills. Clubs include Academic Writing, Model UN, K-Pop Club, Theatre Club, Marketing Club, and Choir.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative The school supports creative expression through Theatre Club and Choir, and offers arts-focused clubs such as K-Pop Club that encourage collaboration and performance.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language Language and culture are encouraged through activities including Hungarian language clubs and Model UN, broadening cross-cultural awareness and global perspectives.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies After-school clubs foster teamwork, social interaction, physical activity, and a sense of culture and community, with participation in sports teams alongside creative clubs.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional The BBIS Clubs Program is designed to foster creativity, collaboration, leadership, and well-being. Model UN provides opportunities for leadership development and public speaking through competitive activities.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing Physical Education is an integral, inquiry-based part of BBIS. Students have weekly PE and swimming lessons and can represent BBIS in fixtures against international schools. Beyond class hours, after-school clubs including football, basketball, netball, gymnastics, cheerleading, yoga and Mini Ninjas promote health, teamwork and well-being. BBIS PE inspires students to be balanced, reflective and active learners who understand the importance of health and personal growth.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision German, Spanish and Hungarian are offered as foreign languages. Within the Diploma Programme, a variety of international languages can be studied ab initio. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided to help non-native English-speaking students, and is available at an additional cost.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards IB commendations (2025) – BBIS received 16 commendations from the International Baccalaureate. First graduating cohort – 100% pass IB Diploma.
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations IB World Continuum School status – Budapest's first IB World Continuum School and Hungary's first to graduate IB Diploma students. COBIS accreditation (2015) – Council of British International Schools accreditation. MYP accreditation (2021) – the only school in Hungary with full MYP accreditation. IB Diploma (DP) authorisation (2022) – authorised to operate the IB Diploma and join the IB World Schools community; creating the first continuous IB World School for secondary-age students in Budapest. PYP status: Candidate School (2023) – designated as a Candidate School for the IB Primary Years Programme. COBIS reaccreditation (2023) – Reaccreditation of COBIS. COBIS reaccreditation (2024) – Reaccreditation of COBIS. PYP Authorisation (January 2025) – BBIS authorised to offer the IB Primary Years Programme. IB Continuum status (2025) – first IB Continuum School in Budapest and Hungary offering all 3 IB programmes.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions BBIS is an IB World School authorised to teach the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). It is the first fully authorised IB Continuum School in Budapest and an Accredited Member of COBIS, with a British Chamber of Commerce in Hungary membership and sponsorship of events with the British Embassy and expatriate organisations. The school has over 400 students from 35+ countries. In Primary, the adult-to-child ratio is 1:5; in Secondary, 1:7. BBIS operates rolling admissions with applications accepted year-round. All applicants undergo an assessment as part of the process: Secondary students complete two entrance tests (CAT4 and an English language assessment if English is not the first language); Primary students spend time in the prospective class and participate in lessons; Early Childhood to PYP2 have Read Write Inc screening; from EC3 upwards, standardised reading assessments are used; from EC3 upwards, arithmetic and problem-solving assessments provided by White Rose Maths are used for appropriate year groups. If a child cannot speak English, BBIS assesses the current English level; intensive English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available, typically at an additional cost and depending on year group. BBIS offers German, Spanish and Hungarian as foreign languages; within the DP, a variety of international languages can be studied ab initio. After-school provision includes a diverse range of clubs daily from 3:20 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with Stay and Play from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. if there is sufficient interest, and charges apply. The BBIS campus is located at 4 Zsolna utca, 1125 Budapest, and 55/B Istenhegyi utca, 1125 Budapest.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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