Best British Curriculum Schools in Hong Kong: Fees & Guide 2026

For British families moving to Hong Kong, the question of schools usually centres on one decision: do you want the familiar IGCSE and A-Level pathway, or are you prepared to follow the IB Diploma route? The answer shapes the shortlist considerably.

Four schools in Hong Kong offer a genuinely British curriculum — meaning IGCSE or GCSE examinations and, in most cases, A-Levels:

1. Kellett School — the primary choice for British families
2. Harrow International School Hong Kong — British boarding school with IGCSE and A-Levels, Tuen Mun
3. Discovery Bay International School (DBIS) — British curriculum, affordable, Lantau Island
4. German Swiss International School (GSIS) English Stream — IGCSE leading to IB Diploma

Each is distinct in character, cost, location and admissions selectivity. This guide covers all four.

Kellett School: Hong Kong's Leading British Curriculum School

Kellett is the school that most British expat families in Hong Kong identify as their first choice when they want a direct equivalent to a UK independent school. It is academically selective, well-regarded by UK universities, and offers a curriculum that British students can enter at almost any year group without significant adjustment.

The school offers the full British curriculum pathway: a preparatory phase (Reception to Year 6), followed by IGCSE in Years 10–11, and A-Levels in Years 12–13.

Kellett Fees 2025-26 and 2026-27

Phase	2025-26 (HKD)	2026-27 (HKD)	2026-27 (approx. GBP)
Preparatory (Rec–Y6)	208,800	218,200	~21,800
Senior (Y7–Y11)	259,600	271,300	~27,130
Sixth Form (Y12–Y13)	267,100	279,100	~27,910

All new students from September 2025 also pay an Annual Capital Levy (ACL) of HKD 40,000 per year (approximately GBP 4,000). The total annual cost at secondary level therefore reaches approximately HKD 311,300 in 2026-27, or around GBP 31,130 — broadly comparable to mid-tier UK independent school fees, but without the subsidy of UK school bursaries.

The Debenture Change at Kellett

Until August 2025, Kellett required new families to purchase a mandatory debenture — a one-off capital payment that was returned (in nominal terms) when the child left the school. From September 2025, that model was replaced by the Annual Capital Levy.

This is a meaningful structural change. Under the old model, a family paid a large sum upfront that was eventually returned. Under the ACL model, HKD 40,000 is paid each year and does not accumulate a refundable balance. For families staying in Hong Kong for five or more years, the ACL model is likely to cost more in total, though it reduces the initial cash outlay.

Kellett Admissions

Kellett is competitive, particularly at Year 7 entry, which is the main transition point for secondary school. Applications should be made well in advance — 12 to 18 months ahead is advisable for secondary entry. The school conducts an assessment process and places are not guaranteed.

Harrow International School Hong Kong

Harrow HK is operated by the same educational group as Harrow School in London, and it is the most recognisably branded British boarding school operating in Hong Kong. It offers IGCSE in Years 10–11 and A-Levels in Years 12–13, with boarding available from Year 6 upwards.

Harrow HK Fees 2025-26

Phase	HKD/year	Approx. GBP/year
Nursery / Reception	175,812	~17,580
Years 1–5	201,314	~20,130
Years 6–11	229,949	~22,995
Years 12–13	239,070	~23,907

A Capital Levy of HKD 60,000 per year applies to all pupils who do not hold a Capital Certificate. The Capital Certificate costs HKD 3,000,000 and waives the annual levy. For most families, the annual levy route applies, bringing the day secondary cost to approximately HKD 289,949–299,070 per year.

Boarding is available at an additional HKD 130,705 per year.

Harrow Location: Tuen Mun

Harrow HK's campus is in Tuen Mun, in the north-western New Territories — approximately 45 minutes to an hour by road from the commercial districts of Hong Kong Island. The school operates an extensive network of school buses. This location is a significant self-selecting factor: families who choose Harrow are usually committed to the boarding environment or live in the New Territories. For a family based in Mid-Levels or on the south side of Hong Kong Island, the daily commute would be substantial.

Discovery Bay International School (DBIS)

DBIS is a British-curriculum school occupying a quieter position in the market. Located in Discovery Bay, the car-free residential development on Lantau Island, the school serves a community of primarily British and Western expatriate families who have chosen the enclave lifestyle.

The school follows the IB PYP in primary, then transitions to IGCSE and A-Levels for secondary. Fees for 2025-26 range from approximately HKD 120,100 to HKD 185,500 per year — meaningfully lower than Kellett or Harrow. First-year total cost (including levies) is approximately HKD 194,500.

DBIS is a sensible choice for British families who live in Discovery Bay or are open to doing so. It is less well known to UK universities than Kellett but follows the same qualification pathway.

GSIS English International Stream: IGCSE into IB

The German Swiss International School's English International Stream operates from its Peak-area campus and offers a different combination: IGCSE examinations in secondary, followed by the IB Diploma Programme at sixth form rather than A-Levels.

For British families, this pathway sits between the purely A-Level route and the purely IB route. Students sit IGCSEs — familiar and well understood by UK universities — and then transition to the IB Diploma at Years 12–13.

The school's IB results are exceptional. In 2025, GSIS students achieved an average of 41.0 IB points, one of the highest school averages globally and significantly above the Hong Kong city average of 36.72.

Fees for 2025-26: Primary HKD 203,700; IB Diploma years HKD 256,700. GSIS carries no separate mandatory debenture for the English stream (verify directly with the school, as policies can change).

ESF Schools: A Strong IB Alternative

ESF schools are not British-curriculum schools in the traditional sense — they do not offer IGCSE or A-Levels. However, they deserve mention in this context because they are English-medium, well regarded by UK universities, and significantly more affordable than Kellett or Harrow.

ESF secondary schools offer the IB Diploma Programme, and Hong Kong's IB results are consistently strong. The ESF group average in 2025 was approximately 36.1 points — meeting the typical Russell Group offer threshold. For British families who are flexible on the curriculum pathway, ESF is a pragmatic choice that reduces annual costs by roughly HKD 40,000–130,000 compared to the private British schools.

For more on the IB option, see our guide to IB schools in Hong Kong. For ESF admissions and the catchment zone system, see how to apply to international schools in Hong Kong.

Comparing the British Curriculum Schools

School	Qualification	Annual fees (2026-27)	Annual levy/levy charge	Approx. total (GBP)
Kellett (Secondary)	IGCSE + A-Level	HKD 271,300	HKD 40,000 ACL	~GBP 31,130
Harrow HK (Secondary)	IGCSE + A-Level	HKD 229,949–239,070	HKD 60,000 annual	~GBP 29,000
GSIS English (IB DP)	IGCSE + IB DP	HKD 256,700	—	~GBP 25,670
DBIS (Secondary)	IGCSE + A-Level	HKD 120,100–185,500	Variable	~GBP 18,550
ESF Secondary (IB)	IB DP	HKD 188,300	NCL at entry	~GBP 18,830

All GBP figures are indicative based on approximately HKD 10 = GBP 1.00 (mid-2026). Verify live rates.

How Global Investments Can Help

Global Investments helps British families in Hong Kong find properties in catchment areas aligned with their school preferences, including access to Kellett School and ESF primary zones. We understand that the school decision and the housing decision are inseparable in Hong Kong — where you live determines which ESF primary you are eligible for, and proximity to private schools affects both convenience and property values. Our advisers can walk you through the options before you commit to a neighbourhood.

This guide is for general information only. School fees, ESF admissions criteria, debenture structures, and entry requirements change regularly. Always verify current information directly with schools before making decisions.