British Curriculum International Schools in Penang, Malaysia

About international schools in Penang, Malaysia

British-curriculum international schools in Penang teach in English and typically follow the English National Curriculum through Early Years and Key Stages, then offer Cambridge IGCSEs at 14 - 16 and A-Levels (or occasionally the IB Diploma) for older students. Schools in Penang commonly provide Bahasa Melayu and Mandarin lessons as part of the programme and offer English-as-an-additional-language (EAL) support for newcomers. Annual tuition varies markedly by school and age: you will find more affordable British-style options for younger children as well as mid-range campuses charging in the mid tens of thousands of ringgit and premium sixth-form places that are higher; one-off enrolment and other charges are common so budget for those too. Most schools operate rolling admissions with principal intakes in August/September and smaller January/April intakes, and families moving from overseas should allow additional weeks for a student pass and paperwork when planning a start date.

Compare 12 British Curriculum international schools in Penang, Malaysia. Filter by curriculum, fees (average MYR 35,482), location, and more to find the right international school now.

At a glance 12 schools · avg fee MYR 35,482

Schools listed: 12
Curricula: 13
Average annual fee: MYR 35,482
Fee range: MYR 5,000 – 84,636
Most common curriculum: Cambridge IGCSE (8 schools)
Average school size: 582 pupils
Largest by enrolment: Straits International School Penang
Oldest: The International School of Penang (Uplands) (1955)
With boarding: 2

Read our parent's guide to the British Curriculum →

Sri KDU International School Penang

British Curriculum · Ages 3 to 18

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Straits International School Penang

British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary) · Ages 3 to 16

MYR 17,940 - 47,340

Ages 3 to 16 years

British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)

Instructs in English

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Tenby Schools Penang

IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum) · Ages 3 to 16

MYR 14,763 - 84,636

Ages 3 to 16 years

IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE

Instructs in English

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Wesley Methodist School Penang (International)

Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary) · Ages 3 to 18

Fees not listed

Ages 3 to 18 years

Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Montessori Curriculum

Instructs in English

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U13 girls taking part in the U13 Girls PSAC Netball Tournament, hosted on campus.

Prince of Wales Island International School - Balik Pulau

British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE · Ages 11 to 19

MYR 55,260 - 62,970

Ages 11 to 19 years

British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels

Instructs in English

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Pelita International School

Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary) · Ages 4 to 19

MYR 9,360 - 33,810

Ages 4 to 19 years

Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)

Instructs in English

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Assumption International Secondary School

Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE · Ages 11 to 19

MYR 21,600 - 28,800

Ages 11 to 19 years

Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels

Instructs in English

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Snippet from the PSAC Football Tournament.

The International School of Penang (Uplands)

IB (PYP), IB (MYP) · Ages 4 to 19

MYR 24,800 - 70,800

Ages 4 to 19 years

IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Cambridge IGCSE

Instructs in English

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Stonyhurst International School Penang

Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels · Ages 3 to 18

MYR 18,975 - 63,249

Ages 3 to 18 years

Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)

Instructs in English

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Children performing on stage during graduation concert.

Corrington Premium Preschool

EYFS (Early years foundation stage) · Ages 2 to 6

Fees not listed

Ages 2 to 6 years

EYFS (Early years foundation stage)

Instructs in English

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Students participating in a race at the annual sports day.

Prince of Wales Island International School - Tanjung Bungah

British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage) · Ages 3 to 13

MYR 17,040 - 49,500

Ages 3 to 13 years

British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)

Instructs in English

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St. Christopher's International School

British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage) · Ages 3 to 10

MYR 5,000 - 12,400

Ages 3 to 10 years

British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)

Instructs in English

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FAQs for Malaysia

What does a British curriculum pathway usually look like in Penang?

A British pathway in Penang typically follows Early Years/Foundation stage into Key Stage 1 and 2 (primary), then Key Stage 3 and 4 where students prepare for Cambridge IGCSEs at about age 14 - 16, followed by Sixth Form study (Cambridge or Pearson A-Levels) at 16 - 18. Some schools combine the British sequence with international options such as the IB Diploma or offer school-developed programmes for lower secondary, so check each school’s upper-secondary qualification if you have a clear university plan.

How much should we budget for fees and one-off charges?

Tuition in Penang British-curriculum schools ranges from relatively modest nursery and primary fees up to substantially higher annual fees for older year groups and premium campuses; many families see annual tuition clustered in the mid-tens of thousands to mid-tens of thousands of ringgit, while some programmes and schools charge more. In addition to annual tuition expect registration or enrolment fees and costs for uniforms, transport, examinations and EAL support; these one-off or recurring extras commonly add several hundred to several thousand ringgit to the total. Be aware that Malaysia’s tax and regulatory environment can affect pricing (for example policies introduced since mid-2025 alter when service tax applies to high fee levels).

When should we apply and how long will admissions take?

Many Penang international schools run rolling admissions but the main intake for British-style campuses is generally August/September, with smaller January or April intakes and mid-year transfers where places exist. Practical experience in Penang suggests applying several months in advance - a common window is four to twelve months before your intended start date for competitive year groups - and schools usually require documents, placement assessments and an interview or visit. If your child needs a student pass, allow additional processing time (typically several weeks) after enrolment is confirmed.

What language support and additional languages can we expect?

English is the medium of instruction in British-curriculum international schools in Penang, and schools routinely teach Bahasa Melayu as the host-country language and often offer Mandarin (and sometimes other modern languages) as part of the timetable. Most schools also run EAL or English support programmes for children who join from non-English backgrounds, and some provide mother-tongue or additional language lessons on request.

What should we look for when comparing British schools in Penang?

Focus on measurable factors: the exact secondary pathway on offer (IGCSE → A-Level versus IGCSE → IB), the school’s class sizes and EAL provision if your child needs language support, the published fee schedule and what it excludes, and the school’s pastoral and safeguarding policies. Also check practicalities such as campus location relative to where you will live or work, transport options, and how quickly the school can sponsor a student pass or help with relocation paperwork.

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British Curriculum International Schools in Penang, Malaysia

Sri KDU International School Penang

British Curriculum · Ages 3 to 18

Straits International School Penang

British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary) · Ages 3 to 16

Tenby Schools Penang

IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum) · Ages 3 to 16

Wesley Methodist School Penang (International)

Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary) · Ages 3 to 18

Prince of Wales Island International School - Balik Pulau

British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE · Ages 11 to 19

Pelita International School

Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary) · Ages 4 to 19

Assumption International Secondary School

Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE · Ages 11 to 19

The International School of Penang (Uplands)

IB (PYP), IB (MYP) · Ages 4 to 19

Stonyhurst International School Penang

Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels · Ages 3 to 18

Corrington Premium Preschool

EYFS (Early years foundation stage) · Ages 2 to 6

Prince of Wales Island International School - Tanjung Bungah

British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage) · Ages 3 to 13

St. Christopher's International School

British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage) · Ages 3 to 10

FAQs for Malaysia

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