International Schools in South Africa
Compare 90 international schools in South Africa. Filter by curriculum, fees (average ZAR 128,780), location, and more to find the right international school now.
Edited by Nik Higgins · Co-founder & CEO
- Schools listed
- 90
- Curricula
- 22
- Average annual fee
- ZAR 128,780
- Fee range
- ZAR 94,021 – 174,800
More school facts
- Most common curriculum
- South African Curriculum (29 schools)
- Average school size
- 642 pupils
- Largest by enrolment
- St Stithians College
- Oldest
- Deutsche Internationale Schule Pretoria (1899)
About international schools in South Africa
International schools in South Africa sit alongside strong national (CAPS/IEB) options and commonly offer a mix of international programmes - the International Baccalaureate, British (Cambridge/Edexcel) pathways and US-style diplomas are widely available - while many private schools also prepare learners for South African qualifications. Instruction is predominantly in English, though Afrikaans and a range of additional languages (French, Spanish and local languages) are offered at many schools, and bilingual programmes can be found in some areas. Annual tuition varies widely by school and grade; a common mid-range for international schools is in the tens to a few hundreds of thousands of rand, with a smaller number of schools and boarding places costing substantially more. The South African school year is set nationally on a January - December calendar for public schools, but some international schools follow northern-hemisphere term patterns, so parents should check each school’s intake windows and prepare standard admissions documents (passports, recent school reports and proof of residence) well before arrival.
View by curriculum (5)
View by curriculum
36 international schools in Cape Town
See all 36 →
35 international schools in Johannesburg
See all 35 →9 international schools in Pretoria
See all 9 →6 international schools in Durban
See all 6 →1 international school in Mahikeng
See all 1 →1 international school in Mbombela
See all 1 →1 international school in Makhanda
See all 1 →1 international school in Magoebaskloof
See all 1 →Choosing an international school in South Africa
Curricula
There are 90 international schools in South Africa covering 22 curricula. The most widely offered are South African Curriculum (29), British Curriculum (25), IB (PYP) (9), Christian Curriculum (8), Montessori Curriculum (7). 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 South Africa runs from about ZAR 94,021 to ZAR 174,800, averaging roughly ZAR 128,780. Budget for one-off costs on top — application and enrolment fees, a refundable deposit, uniform, transport and exams.
Admissions & timing
Sought-after schools in South Africa 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 South Africa 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.