doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
S

Shanghai Guanghua Cambridge International School

China, Shanghai

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees RMB 163,895 - 210,000
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 2011
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages English, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Portuguese
Strengths Sport, Academic Enrichment, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Guanghua Cambridge International School (GHCIS) is a private international high school in Pudong, Shanghai. Established in 2011, it offers Cambridge international pathways, including International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and Advanced Level (A Level) programs, with opportunities such as the Cambridge IPQ and additional academic enrichment resources. The campus hosts over 100 student-initiated clubs and nine sports teams, supporting a broad extracurricular life alongside formal study. The Class of 2025 included multiple Oxbridge offers, reflecting a track record of university admissions to top global programs. The school operates with bilingual instruction and combines expatriate and local teachers to support a diverse learning environment. The main campus is located at 2788 Chuanzhou Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai 201319, China. GHCIS emphasizes English and Chinese language study and university-preparatory pathways through Cambridge curricula and related programs.

40 Jingyu Middle Rd, Yangpu District, Shanghai, China, 200093

The Essentials

Shanghai Guanghua Cambridge International School has instruction in English.

Location
Guanghua Cambridge International School is located in Pudong New District, Shanghai, at 2788 Chuanzhou Road, Shanghai 201319, China. The Pudong area is a major eastern district of Shanghai with established international schools and residential communities. The campus is part of the Guanghua Cambridge Education Group and is accessible via Shanghai's public transport network.

Stages
GHCIS offers the Cambridge International Education IGCSE and A-Level curricula. It runs four-year, three-year, and two-year program tracks. In the four-year track, students complete two years of IGCSE (G1 and G2) before two years of A-Levels; the three-year track includes a preparatory Pre-year before IGCSE and two years of A-Levels; the two-year track provides direct AS/A2 years for students with prior IGCSE or high school experience. Cambridge IPQ and Academic Enrichment/Extension Programs (AEP) are also offered.

Type
The school is co-educational and operates as a private day school.

Additional learning support
Public information does not publish formal SEN provisions.

Country affiliation
No formal country affiliation is listed.

Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation is published by the school.

School day structure
The 2025–2026 school year calendar shows the academic year running from August 2025 to June 2026, with start/end dates and key events such as staff orientation, examinations, and holidays published in the calendar. Daily start/end times are not published on public pages.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school provides on-campus dormitory housing.

Food Options
The school has a canteen on campus.

Governance and Ownership
The school is part of Guanghua Education Group.
Fees

Annual tuition at Shanghai Guanghua Cambridge International School ranges from RMB 163,895 to RMB 210,000 for 2026/27.

Tuition (by year and by term)
- Tuition: RMB 210,000 per academic year.
- Billing frequency: billed per semester at RMB 105,000 per semester.

Application / entrance fees
- The admissions procedure requires payment of an entrance-exam (registration) fee to secure a test place; no specific public figure for a separate, one‑time application/registration fee was published in the sources reviewed.

Boarding, meals and learning materials (other compulsory annual charges)
- Boarding: RMB 15,000 per academic year for boarding in a four‑person standard room (description provided as four‑person standard room with private bathroom).
- Meals: RMB 16,000 per academic year (three meals plus two light meals; combination of Chinese and Western cuisine indicated).
- Textbooks and materials: RMB 7,500 per academic year.
- Uniform: RMB 3,800 one‑off (covers four‑season uniform and sportswear).

Exam and assessment fees; other expected additional costs
- External examination fees (for Cambridge/CAIE/IGCSE/A‑Level subjects) are charged per subject; a commonly cited order‑of‑magnitude for single CAIE exam papers is around RMB 1,500 per subject (actual per‑subject fees vary by subject and exam session).
- Other typical additional costs mentioned in public summaries include extracurricular activity fees, competition/contest fees, and personalized university‑application services; these “hidden cost” items were estimated in the sources at roughly RMB 20,000– RMB 30,000 per year but are variable by family choices.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- The school's published admissions process indicates that payment of tuition is part of the final enrollment steps (parents pay tuition fees at the point of acceptance/enrolment). Several public sources present the tuition on a per‑semester basis (two equal instalments per academic year).
- No publicly available, detailed instalment schedule (specific due dates or late‑payment penalties) was located in the materials reviewed.

Boarding fees (detail)
- Boarding fee: RMB 15,000 per year (four‑person standard room; sources explicitly list this annual amount and room type). Meal charges are listed separately (RMB 16,000 per year).

Refund information
- No explicit, publicly posted refund or tuition‑cancellation policy was located in the reviewed admissions and school materials. The sources reviewed do not publish a clear, itemized refund schedule for term‑withdrawal, failed visa, or other withdrawal scenarios. This absence was noted in the review of official admissions descriptions and the public fee summaries.

Fee payment options (channels)
- The school did not publish a specific list of accepted payment channels in the public admissions material reviewed. General payment methods commonly used by comparable international schools (for context) include international bank transfer, credit/debit card payment, and third‑party cross‑border tuition platforms (Flywire / similar services), but those are general industry examples rather than school‑specific published options. No school‑specific payment channels were found in the available public material.
Academics

Shanghai Guanghua Cambridge International School teaches Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels.

Curriculum
GHCIS in Shanghai offers Cambridge International programs, including IGCSE and A Level, along with Cambridge IPQ (Cambridge International Project Qualification), Academic Enrichment/Extension Programs (AEP), and External Academic Resources (EAR). The curriculum is delivered through three program lengths: a four-year program (G1–G2 IGCSE, then two years of A Level), a three-year program with a preparatory Pre-A Level year before two years of A Level, and a two-year program that allows direct entry to AS and A2. In the four-year track, students take 7–9 IGCSE subjects with a compulsory core including English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Economics, plus 2–3 electives such as History, Geography, Psychology, and Art & Design. The three-year program begins with a Pre-A Level year focused on English and Mathematics, followed by two years of A Level study; elective topics include Physics, Chemistry, Economics, History, Geography, Psychology, Art & Design, Biology, and more. The two-year program permits entry to AS and A2 with English as compulsory and a range of electives, and the Cambridge IPQ, AEP, and EAR programs are available to enrich the curriculum. Instruction is bilingual, and the school reports Oxbridge offers since 2013, including notable Class of 2025 G5 offers.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social and emotional learning at GHCIS is supported through student-led initiatives such as the Duke of Edinburgh International Award and the Student Union, which promote leadership, teamwork, service, and peer support.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The English-language site does not publicly disclose information about Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision or whether the school operates as a specialist SEN institution.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
There is no publicly disclosed information indicating a dedicated English as an Additional Language (EAL) program at GHCIS; the site instead highlights university counseling and broader student-life programs.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is addressed within student life through the Student Affairs Department, which states its work impacts students' physical and mental well-being and overall development.

Safeguarding
Cambridge International safeguarding standards provide the framework for safeguarding and child protection applicable to GHCIS.
Parent Experience

History
Guanghua Cambridge International School (GHCIS) was established in April 2011 as part of the Guanghua Education Group. It began with 88 students and 11 teachers. Over more than ten years, the school has grown to include more than 200 faculty members and over 1,000 students. Since 2013, GHCIS has produced 3,007 graduates and 153 Oxbridge offers. Educators are bilingual and proficient in Cambridge curricula.

Community
GHCIS hosts a vibrant campus life with more than 100 student-initiated clubs across six categories and nine sports teams. Regular activities include the Lion Music Festival in September, as well as Sports Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and a Christmas and New Year's Eve party. Lower-grade students participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The school fosters a broad spectrum of student life opportunities through clubs and events.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Public information about a Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is not published on Guanghua Cambridge International School's English-language pages. The site describes student life through clubs, campus events, and general parent involvement in events, but there is no dedicated PTA page or list of PTA-supported programs. There is mention of parent engagement in the context of school activities, but specifics about PTA committees, meeting schedules, or fundraising activities are not provided. Because no PTA details are publicly listed on the accessible site, the PTA's exact structure and activities remain unverified here. If you would like, I can search for PTA information in Chinese-language materials or other sources to provide a fuller picture.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Guanghua Cambridge International School in Shanghai provides a campus designed to support its IGCSE and A-Level study with facilities across academic, sports and creative spaces. Academic facilities include an Auditorium, Reading Room, Music Room and Laboratory within the main buildings, with additional spaces such as the Yuanpei Building and Sunshine Room for exhibitions and lounges. An Art Room and Conference Room support creative work and meetings within the Academic Buildings. Sports facilities include a Gymnasium (exterior view) with an Indoor Stadium, a Playground, a Basketball Court and a Soccer Field. On-site dining and housing options are provided by a Canteen, Café and on-site Dormitories.

Sports Facilities
Sports facilities include a Gymnasium exterior view, an Indoor Stadium, a Playground, a Basketball Court and a Soccer Field.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities include an Auditorium, a Reading Room and a Music Room, plus a Laboratory for science work. Additional spaces within the Academic Buildings include an Art Room and a Conference Room. The Sunshine Room offers space for art exhibitions and a lounge area for students.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Creative and student-life spaces include the Sunshine Room for art exhibitions and student lounges. There is an Art Room and Music Room for creative activities, and a Conference Room for group meetings. On-site dining and housing options include a Canteen, Café and on-site Dormitories.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Clubs at Shanghai Guanghua Cambridge International School are student-initiated and organized by students. They span six categories: Academic & Skills, Hobby, Language & Arts, Performance, Social Service, and Sports. Academic clubs cover mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, economics, and history, and several have earned awards in competitions. Notable examples include the Guanghua Debate Team and the Business Club.

Arts & Creative
Arts-focused clubs include Dance Clubs (multiple styles), Musical Theater and Drama Teams, and the GHCIS Choir, as well as the Chinese Musical Instrument Club. Visual arts and photography are supported by the Guang Ying Media Club, while Ceramic Club and Ink Club offer hands-on experiences in ceramics and traditional calligraphy and painting. The Musical Theater and Drama Teams produce annual performances, with rehearsals and scripts discussed each semester.

Cultural & Language
Language clubs include Latin and Spanish, and there are clubs focused on literature and calligraphy. The school emphasizes language arts through competitions and exhibitions as part of the broader cultural program. There are also language-focused events accompanying club activities and school celebrations.

Social & Hobbies
A wide range of hobby and social clubs exist, including photography, calligraphy, ceramic arts, and various dance styles. Music-related clubs and bands provide performance opportunities, and student-initiated groups create communities around shared interests. Club Fair at the start of the academic year invites students to form new clubs or join existing ones.

Community & Service
Community service and outreach are integral to student life. The Chemlab Volunteer group engages in laboratory-related outreach and experiments, while the GHCIS Cat Club funds and coordinates care for campus cats, including adoption and welfare activities. Other clubs undertake charitable projects and service activities as part of their regular programming.

Leadership & Professional
The GHCIS Student Union serves as a formal student body that coordinates events and represents student interests; it has six departments to organize activities across publicity, arts and sports, community work, public relations, student affairs, and academics. The Union provides leadership opportunities and a platform for students to organize campus events. The Duke of Edinburgh Award Adventurous Journey is part of the program calendar for some students, connecting service, skill-building, and outdoor exploration.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sports are a prominent component of campus life, with nine professional sports teams and multiple in-house clubs. A school-wide Sports Day features a range of athletic activities, and the Mini-Marathon promotes health and wellness each spring. The school calendar also includes events that celebrate student well-being through performances, celebrations, and community involvement.
Languages

Language Provision
English is compulsory in the early years (G1–G2) as part of the IGCSE/A Level pathway. Chinese Language & Culture is offered as an elective in G1/G2 and is listed among elective options in the Pre-year. In AS/A Level tracks, English remains a compulsory subject. Latin and Spanish are among language-focused clubs offered under Language & Arts.

Bilingual Teaching
GHCIS uses bilingual instruction delivered by a team comprising Chinese and expatriate educators. The Our Teams page confirms a staff mix of Chinese and expatriate teachers, supporting a bilingual learning environment. The principal's message notes proficiency in bilingual instruction, reflecting the school's language-learning approach.
Reputation

Accreditations
Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) accreditations and partnerships for the Shanghai Guanghua Cambridge International School (GHCIS). The school operates as a Cambridge International Center, delivering Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level qualifications and exhibiting a Cambridge authorization letter from Cambridge Assessment International Education. In 2017, Guanghua Education Group and Cambridge Assessment International Education signed a strategic cooperation agreement to deepen collaboration in curriculum development, teacher training, activities, and publications. GHCIS also explicitly offers Cambridge IPQ (The Cambridge International Project Qualification) as part of its Cambridge curriculum, in addition to Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level programs.
Admissions

Admissions
Step One.
Families register on the official site, provide the student's basic information, select the grade they are applying for, choose an entrance exam date, and pay the entrance exam fee to secure a spot. The registration collects essential details and sets the intended program, so accuracy at this stage helps prevent delays later. After submitting, families should keep an eye on the system for further instructions regarding next steps.

Step Two.
Students take entrance exams in Mathematics and English. During the exam, a parent meeting is held to introduce the school's educational philosophy, curriculum system, and the growth path within the international curriculum. The exam itself is used to assess academic readiness, while the parent session provides context about expectations and support structures. Candidates should be prepared for both content assessment and the informational session.

Step Three.
A week after the entrance exam, the school sends interview invitations to students who meet the academic standards. Invitations indicate a next-step pathway and help families plan schedules. This interval also gives families time to arrange any required documentation or preparations for the interview.

Step Four.
The interview is conducted online and evaluates the student's English communication skills, ability to interact with others, learning potential, interests, stress tolerance, independence, and more. The process blends conversational assessment with questions about motivation and goals. Parents and students should be ready to discuss coursework, study habits, and personal strengths in English.

Step Five.
The school issues an Admission Letter to students who pass both the written exam and the interview. The Admission Letter confirms a place in the chosen program and outlines any remaining enrollment steps. Families should review all conditions attached to the letter and prepare the required documents for final enrollment.

Step Six.
Parents pay the tuition fees, and the student officially becomes a member of GHCIS. This marks formal enrollment in the school's programs and enables access to coursework, orientation, and campus life. After payment, the family completes any remaining onboarding tasks and the student starts in the assigned program.

Scholarships
External scholarships have featured Guanghua Cambridge School students, notably Jardine Foundation awards (e.g., Jardines Million Scholarship to a Guanghua Cambridge student in 2016), and a 2024 history note mentions a Jardine Scholarship awarded to a GHCIS student. There is no published internal scholarship program listed in the available materials.

Waitlist
Waitlist/Pool: Not published; no waitlist details are listed in the admissions content.
School Events
The school has not added events
Search for more schools
Search schools in China View all schools in Shanghai View all schools in China British curriculum schools in China Open days & tours in Shanghai What is the British curriculum? View all schools Search all schools