IB Curriculum International Schools in Seoul, South Korea
Compare 6 IB Curriculum international schools in Seoul, South Korea. Filter by curriculum, fees (average KRW 39,097,827), location, and more to find the right international school now.
Seoul is home to a number of international schools authorised to teach International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes, with schools commonly offering the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma (and in some cases the Career-related) programmes as part of an inquiry-led, internationally focused curriculum. Many IB schools teach mainly in English but increasingly run bilingual or strong Korean-language options and offer additional modern languages as part of the programme. Annual tuition varies widely by school and age but commonly falls in a broad band from roughly ₩20 million to the mid-₩40 millions, with extra charges for transport, meals, activities and external exam or university counselling costs. Admissions are often rolling but with a main intake cycle in winter - spring for an August start, so families planning a move should begin enquiries and document preparation several months before arrival and check the specific eligibility rules for foreign-school attendance in Korea.
Which IB programmes will my child find in Seoul and what ages do they cover?
Most IB international schools in Seoul offer one or more of the IB continuum: the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for early years and primary-aged children (roughly ages 3 - 12), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for lower secondary (around 11 - 16), and the Diploma Programme (DP) for the final two school years (around 16 - 19); some schools also offer the Career-related Programme (CP). These are globally standard IB frameworks, so check each school for which specific programmes are authorised on its campus.
How much should we budget for tuition and extra costs?
Tuition at IB international schools in Seoul varies by age and school profile; published comparisons and citywide surveys show a wide spread with many schools charging in the region of ₩20 - 45 million per year for full-time places, while certain specialised or premium senior-year fees can be higher and some lower-fee schools publish much smaller junior-year rates. Families should also budget separately for one-off application and registration charges, school meals and transport, uniforms, extracurricular programmes and IB examination or external testing fees.
What language of instruction and language support can we expect?
English is the primary medium of instruction at most IB international schools in Seoul, but many schools run bilingual tracks or structured Korean-language programmes and offer additional language options such as Korean, Chinese, French and Spanish. Schools routinely assess English-language proficiency for non-native speakers and provide English-as-an-additional-language (EAL) or learning-support services; check each school’s published EAL and language-learning provision to match your child’s needs.
When should we start the admissions process and what does it usually involve?
Many schools operate rolling admissions but also have a main application season in the months leading up to the new academic year, so it is prudent to start enquiries three to six months before your planned move; demand for places and entry by age group can create waitlists. Typical requirements include proof of eligibility to attend a foreign school in Korea, passport and residency documents, previous school reports, age-placement information, an application fee, and age-appropriate assessments or interviews; schools will advise about timing for assessments and any language testing.
What should parents compare when choosing between IB schools in Seoul?
Look for which IB programmes the school is authorised to deliver and whether it runs the full continuum if continuity matters, the breadth of subject choices at Diploma level, the size and makeup of the student cohort, language and EAL support, pastoral care and university/careers guidance, and external accreditation or inspection reports beyond IB authorisation. Also check practicalities such as location and commute, published fee schedules and additional costs, extracurricular and specialist facilities, and how the school reports progress and communicates with parents.
