Compare 8 international schools in Busan, South Korea. Filter by curriculum, fees (average KRW 25,601,551), location, and more to find the right international school now.
Busan’s international school scene is relatively small but varied: a handful of English-medium schools (including schools offering International Baccalaureate programmes and American-style curricula) sit alongside community-language schools serving Japanese and Chinese families. Annual tuition varies widely with grade and school - typically from around the low-tens of millions of Korean won at some primary levels up to the high-tens of millions or more once capital-development fees and extras are included. School calendars and admissions rhythms differ (some schools follow an August - June western calendar with rolling entry; others align with Korea’s March intake), so families should check each school’s published calendar and prepare for document checks well before arrival. Most established foreign schools publish eligibility rules and require passports, proof of overseas residence or entry/exit records for Korean nationals, and common additional charges such as bus, meals and annual capital or enrolment fees; plan to gather transcripts and immigration documents before applying.
What curricula and languages are available at international schools in Busan?
Most English-medium international schools in Busan offer curricula such as the International Baccalaureate or American-style programmes, while there are also community schools that teach in Japanese or Chinese for those language communities. Korean language classes and mother-tongue or language-support programmes are common additions, but the primary language of instruction at the English-medium schools is English.
How much should I expect to pay in tuition and additional fees?
Tuition levels vary by school and by grade: published fee schedules for Busan schools show a wide spread, with some primary year fees in the lower tens of millions of KRW and secondary fees (including capital development or facility charges) rising into the high tens of millions of KRW per year. Schools also commonly charge non-refundable enrolment or capital fees, plus costs for transport, meals and exams, so check each school’s full fee schedule rather than headline tuition alone.
Who is eligible to attend and what documents will I need to apply?
Foreign schools in Korea typically admit children of foreign passport holders and Korean nationals who can document a specified period of overseas residence (commonly 1,095 days or three years), or other categories set by each school; exact eligibility rules vary by institution. Expect to supply passports, proof of residency/entry-and-exit records, previous school transcripts and any standardised-test or language assessment results the school requires.
When should we apply and what is the usual admissions rhythm?
Application timing depends on the school: many international schools that use a western calendar have a main intake in August with rolling mid-year places, while others align with Korea’s traditional March school year; some schools publish specific intake windows or recommend applying several months before the desired start date. Because places can be limited, begin enquiries early, confirm the school’s calendar and deadlines, and ask about waiting-pool and transfer policies if you plan to move mid-year.
What should we look for when choosing a school in Busan?
Focus on curriculum alignment with your child’s next steps, the language-support and English-as-an-additional-language provision, accreditation status and university guidance for older students, and practical matters such as transport, class size and special-education support. Also check the school’s published eligibility rules, fee schedule (including one-off capital or enrolment charges), and the calendar to make sure its intake pattern fits your relocation timeline.
