International Schools in Saudi Arabia
Compare 34 international schools in Saudi Arabia. Filter by curriculum, fees (average SAR 63,258), location, and more to find the right international school now.
Edited by Aziza Francienne · B2C Marketing Manager
- Schools listed
- 34
- Curricula
- 15
- Average annual fee
- SAR 63,258
- Fee range
- SAR 22,050 – 125,000
More school facts
- Most common curriculum
- British Curriculum (18 schools)
- Average school size
- 790 pupils
- Largest by enrolment
- British International School Riyadh
- Oldest
- Deutsche Internationale Schule Jeddah (1975)
About international schools in Saudi Arabia
International schools in Saudi Arabia are a diverse mix of British, American, IB and several national systems (for example Indian and other embassy-run curricula), and they serve both long-term expatriate families and an increasing number of Saudi households seeking English-medium education. Instruction is predominantly in English, but schools are required by the Ministry of Education to teach basic Arabic plus Saudi history/geography and aspects of Islamic culture as part of the timetable. Fees vary widely by city, curriculum and age group, with most international schools falling into a broad band rather than a single price point - families should budget for tuition plus extras such as registration, transport, uniforms and exam charges. Admissions normally follow the northern-hemisphere academic calendar (many schools start in late August or September), and offers commonly depend on available places, an assessment or placement test and certified documents such as passports, residency permits (iqama), previous school reports and vaccination records; expect document attestation rules for transfers from overseas. Parents relocating to Saudi Arabia should check each school’s policy on gender arrangements, transport, English-language support and the total “all-in” cost before committing to an offer.
View by curriculum (5)
View by curriculum
21 international schools in Riyadh
See all 21 →8 international schools in Jeddah
See all 8 →2 international schools in Dammam
See all 2 →2 international schools in Dhahran
See all 2 →
1 international school in Jubail
See all 1 →Choosing an international school in Saudi Arabia
Curricula
There are 34 international schools in Saudi Arabia covering 15 curricula. The most widely offered are British Curriculum (18), American Curriculum (14), IB (DP) (13), IB (PYP) (12), IB (MYP) (11). If your child may move countries again, an internationally-portable curriculum (IB, or Cambridge/British) keeps options open; if you're likely to settle, a curriculum matching your home or target university system can be the better fit.
Fees & what they cover
Annual tuition across Saudi Arabia runs from about SAR 22,050 to SAR 125,000, averaging roughly SAR 63,258. Budget for one-off costs on top — application and enrolment fees, a refundable deposit, uniform, transport and exams.
Admissions & timing
Sought-after schools in Saudi Arabia run waiting lists, so apply early — ideally a term or two ahead. Most admissions involve an application, prior school reports and an assessment or interview, with entry points often tied to the school year. Each school's profile shows term dates, open days and how to enquire.
Boarding
Most schools here are day schools; check individual profiles for any boarding options.
How doris stays impartial
doris lists every international school in Saudi Arabia we can find — not only those that pay. We take no placement fees and sell no rankings or "top school" spots, so the schools above aren't ordered by who paid most. Details come from the schools' own information and public sources, and you can compare any of them side by side.