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The British International School Istanbul

Turkey, Istanbul

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees TRY 21,600 - 52,500
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 520
Type Co-educational
Bus Service No
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Taught languages German, Spanish, French, Turkish, English
Typical class size 15
Strengths Sport, Languages, Performing Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

The British International School Istanbul (BISI) offers a British-led international education for ages 2–18. The Pre-School follows the UK Early Years Foundation Stage; Primary and Secondary use the Cambridge Curriculum to IGCSE, with Key Stage 3 adapting the English National Curriculum. Key Stage 4 offers Cambridge IGCSE, and Key Stage 5 delivers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. BISI, a division of The British School Istanbul, holds triple accreditation from CIS, COBIS and MSA-CESS—the first in Türkiye. It emphasizes languages—German, Spanish, French and Turkish—with English as a Second Language support. The Zekeriyaköy Campus serves ages 2–18 and includes four teaching blocks, two libraries, six science laboratories, a 210-seat theatre and BIS Botanic Garden. Outdoor spaces include rubberised play areas and a running track; facilities include three gyms, an all-weather pitch, a basketball/tennis court and a heated 25 m pool. Extra-curriculars cover drama, photography, guitar and choir, plus CAS, MUN and debate.

www.bis.k12.tr

Etiler Mahallesi Cengiz Topel Caddesi, Etiler, Tuğcular Sk. No:27, 34337, 34337 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Türkiye

Vibes and Culture
The school has not added this information
The Essentials

The British International School Istanbul has 520 pupils, typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English.

Location
Zekeriyaköy Forest Campus, Kilyos Caddesi No: 227, Sarıyer, Istanbul

Stages
Pre-School (ages 2.5–4); Primary (ages 5–11); Secondary (ages 12–18)

Type
Private school

Pupil Nationality Mix
Students from over 60 nations; a multinational school.

Additional learning support
The Learning Support Department works with classroom teachers and parents to support children with special needs, beginning at enrollment with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and meetings. Services include formal monitoring and IEPs, with staff collaborating with teachers, parents, administrators, external Educational Psychologists, Speech Therapists and other professionals. The program offers pull-out and push-in support as well as Booster Classes and Learning Support across all areas of the curriculum.

Country affiliation
British (division of The British School Istanbul)

Bus service
Bus service is offered through AZ-AL. Buses are GPS-tracked, equipped with security cameras, and operated by qualified drivers and hostesses; a representative is based at both the City and Zekeriyaköy Campuses. Bus service registration forms are available for Etiler STEAM Campus and Zekeriyaköy Forest Campus.
Diving Deeper
The school has not added this information
Fees

Annual tuition at The British International School Istanbul ranges from TRY 21,600 to TRY 52,500 for 2026/27.

Application and Registration Fees

- Application fee: USD 1,250 (one‑time, payable before an application may be processed; non‑refundable).
- Registration fee: USD 5,500 (one‑time, non‑refundable; applies to Year 1–Year 13; Pre‑School and Reception pay the registration fee once they progress into Year 1). The registration fee is designated for capital investments and must be paid in full at registration; different payment deadlines apply depending on whether you choose the discounted full‑payment plan or the instalment plan.

Tuition fees (2026–2027 academic year) — annual and per‑term amounts by year group

- Pre‑School (Half Day)
- Discounted full payment (if paid before 31 December 2025): USD 17,000 per year.
- Full payment (if paid before 1 March 2026): USD 20,200 per year.
- Instalment plan total: USD 21,600 per year.
- Instalment amounts (three equal instalments): USD 7,200 due 1 May 2026; USD 7,200 due 1 July 2026; USD 7,200 due 1 September 2026.

- Pre‑School (Full Day)
- Discounted full payment (before 31 December 2025): USD 19,100 per year.
- Full payment (before 1 March 2026): USD 22,500 per year.
- Instalment plan total: USD 25,500 per year.
- Instalment amounts: USD 8,500 + USD 8,500 + USD 8,500 (due 1 May, 1 July, 1 Sept 2026).

- Reception
- Discounted full payment (before 31 December 2025): USD 23,400 per year.
- Full payment (before 1 March 2026): USD 25,000 per year.
- Instalment plan total: USD 29,550 per year.
- Instalment amounts: USD 9,850 + USD 9,850 + USD 9,850 (due 1 May, 1 July, 1 Sept 2026).

- Primary
- Discounted full payment (before 31 December 2025): USD 37,200 per year.
- Full payment (before 1 March 2026): USD 39,800 per year.
- Instalment plan total: USD 47,550 per year.
- Instalment amounts: USD 15,850 + USD 15,850 + USD 15,850 (due 1 May, 1 July, 1 Sept 2026).

- Secondary (Years 7–10)
- Discounted full payment (before 31 December 2025): USD 38,800 per year.
- Full payment (before 1 March 2026): USD 41,500 per year.
- Instalment plan total: USD 49,050 per year.
- Instalment amounts: USD 16,350 + USD 16,350 + USD 16,350 (due 1 May, 1 July, 1 Sept 2026).

- Secondary (Years 11–12)
- Discounted full payment (before 31 December 2025): USD 40,400 per year.
- Full payment (before 1 March 2026): USD 43,200 per year.
- Instalment plan total: USD 50,550 per year.
- Instalment amounts: USD 16,850 + USD 16,850 + USD 16,850 (due 1 May, 1 July, 1 Sept 2026).

- Secondary (Year 13)
- Discounted full payment (before 31 December 2025): USD 41,850 per year.
- Full payment (before 1 March 2026): USD 44,800 per year.
- Instalment plan total: USD 52,500 per year (this figure includes IB fees; it does not include IB remark or retake charges).
- Instalment amounts: USD 17,500 + USD 17,500 + USD 17,500 (due 1 May, 1 July, 1 Sept 2026).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Discounted full‑payment deadline: payment before 31 December 2025 qualifies for the discounted rate.
- Full‑payment deadline: payment before 1 March 2026 applies for the standard full‑payment rate.
- Instalment plan: three equal instalments due on 1 May 2026, 1 July 2026 and 1 September 2026. Students may not start school until instalment plan payments are fully paid where required by the school. Late instalment payments incur a surcharge.
- Late payment penalty: a surcharge of 5% is applied to late 1st, 2nd and 3rd instalment payments. If payments remain outstanding 14 days after the due date, students may not be admitted until payments are up to date.
- Registration deadlines linked to payment option: registration fee must be paid by the deadline appropriate to the chosen payment plan (discounted full payment vs instalment plan) in order to benefit from the related payment terms.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not listed in the published fee schedule; no boarding fees are shown. The school's fee schedule and related admissions information do not set out a boarding option or boarding charges.

Other costs and extras

- The following items are not included in tuition and are charged separately: bus service (contact AZ‑AL for bus pricing), health/medical insurance, uniform, educational day trips and sports activities.
- IB exam coverage: Year 13 tuition includes IB fees, but does not include IB remark or retake fees. Exam fees and costs for books/materials may be charged separately and are specifically referenced in refund and deduction rules.
- Uniform: the school lists an official uniform provider and uniform costs are not included in tuition.

Refund and withdrawal terms

- Application and registration fees are non‑transferable and non‑refundable. There is no remission of tuition for periods of absence. A refund for unused tuition may be made at the school's discretion if a student is withdrawn during the academic year provided specified conditions are met. Refund conditions include providing a minimum 90‑day written notice (registered post) to the Director of Admissions and the student being absent from school for the remainder of the term; the school will deduct costs for books, materials, exam fees, prepaid taxes and the registration fee when calculating any refund.

Fee payment options and bank details

- Payment method listed: payment by bank transfer in USD to the school's Akbank USD account. Full account details (account number, branch, SWIFT and IBAN) are provided for making payments; parents must indicate student name(s) on the transfer and ensure payments are made on time. The school states it is not responsible for payments sent to incorrect accounts or for bank charges incurred. No credit‑card payment option is listed in the published fee information.
Academics

The British International School Istanbul teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP) for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
The British International School Istanbul uses the Cambridge International Curriculum in Primary and Secondary up to IGCSE. In Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9) students follow an adapted English National Curriculum; in Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11) they study the Cambridge IGCSE; in Key Stage 5 (Years 12–13) they pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The Pre-School follows the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Across the Primary School, the Cambridge Curriculum is used for English, Mathematics and Science.

Student Teacher Ratio
The staff to student ratio is better than 1 to 6; class sizes are small, with a maximum of 15 in iGCSE and IB Diploma classes.

Exam Results
IB Diploma Programme: 100% pass rate in 2025 with an average of 33 points and a top score of 40; 23 of the 30 subjects and levels scored above the global average. IGCSE results in 2025 show an 88% pass rate (A–C), the best pass rate in 10 years, with notable achievements such as a student earning 11 A grades.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates go on to universities around the world, including University of Cambridge, University of Toronto, UC Berkeley, University of British Columbia, Seoul National University, New York University, London School of Economics and Political Science, Imperial College London, Brown University, University of Glasgow, Durham University, University of Edinburgh, Goldsmiths, University of London, King's College London, Lucerne University, The University of Nottingham, Royal Holloway University of London, University of Southampton, Suffolk University Boston, and The George Washington University.

Gifted and Talented
The school notes that when a student is naturally gifted in a subject such as Mathematics, BIS aims to stretch and challenge them.
Wellbeing
The school has not added this information
Parent Experience
The school has not added this information
Facilities
The school has not added this information
Extra-Curricular Activities
The school has not added this information
Languages
The school has not added this information
Reputation
The school has not added this information
Admissions

Admissions
1. Aims and Eligibility. The British International School Istanbul has an inclusive admissions policy and welcomes students of all nationalities and those for whom English is an additional language. Turkish students are not admitted in accordance with Turkish Ministry of Education regulations. Students are accepted between ages 2½ and 18 and are placed in a class by age, subject to English access; in the first EYFS class, students stay half-day for at least the first term.

2. Initial Enquiry. The parent contacts the School and requests an appointment to visit. This can be done via the online contact form or by telephone. A member of the admissions team provides information about the school and the admissions process. An appointment for a visit is arranged.

3. Preliminary Visit. The prospective parent confirms the appointment and is given a contact name. During the visit the parent is given a tour of the school and meets the Director/Deputy Director.

4. Completion of the Application. The parent completes an application for each student when BIS is the chosen school.

5. Application Fee. Each new applicant pays 1,250 USD before the application is processed; this is a one-time, non-refundable fee. The fee must be paid for the application to be processed. The application will not proceed until the fee is received.

6. Registration Fee and Payment. The Registration Fee is 5,500 USD, a one-time payment for students from Year 1 to Year 13; Preschool and Reception pay the Registration Fee when they reach Year 1. The fee is non-refundable and funds campus development, sports facilities, technology and library improvements. Registration is not complete until the fee is paid in full. New Parents paying the Discounted Tuition Plan must pay the Registration Fee by February 1; if not, the discount does not apply and the student is placed on the instalment plan. New Parents on the Instalment Plan must pay the Registration Fee by May 1, with the first instalment not subjected to late charges; students may not start until all instalments are paid.

7. Documentation. The Director of Admissions must receive the following documents: four passport photographs of the child; two photographs of each parent; photocopy of the child's passport; parents' passport copies; BIS Medical Form; BIS Family Contract; Financial Policy + Invoice Information form. Parents should complete all sections of the application form with as much detail as possible and provide recent sealed original reports from the previous school where applicable.

8. Withdrawal. Ninety days' written notice is required to withdraw a student and obtain a refund of fees. The notice should be provided in writing to the admissions/finance team.

9. Registration Forms. Prospective parents download and complete BIS Medical Report Form, BIS Family Contract, Financial Policy, Head Teacher Recommendation Form, Invoice Information, Registration Form, and Swimming Lessons – Parent Disclaimer.

10. Policy Update – July 2025. For the Turkish Ministry of Education equivalence process: two years of school reports (including midterm reports) are required; reports not in English, Russian or Arabic must be translated and notarised; email scanned copies of reports in advance and submit originals on arrival. Residence Permit (Ikamet) is required to begin the process, after which access to e-Devlet is arranged via PTT. Copies of student and parent passports are required. The Edenklik portal provides further guidance; the equivalence process is mandatory for all families. For more information, contact via the Enquiry Form.
School Events
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