IB Schools in Riyadh: International Baccalaureate Guide for Expat Families

For globally mobile families who move frequently between countries, or who have not yet decided where their children will attend university, the International Baccalaureate (IB) is an increasingly popular choice. Its international design means that a child who begins the IB Primary Years Programme in Singapore and continues it in Riyadh is studying the same conceptual framework — easing transitions and maintaining continuity. And the IB Diploma Programme at 16–18 is accepted by universities across the world, removing the need to predict a final destination country before choosing a curriculum.

Riyadh has several IB World Schools offering different parts of the IB continuum. This guide explains what each programme involves, which schools offer it, what fees look like, and how the IB Diploma compares to A-levels for university entry.

The IB Continuum: Three Programmes

The IB is organised into three distinct age-stage programmes:

1. IB Primary Years Programme (PYP): Ages 3–12

The PYP is an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary framework for early childhood and primary education. Rather than a prescribed content-heavy curriculum, the PYP organises learning around six cross-curricular themes ('Who we are', 'Where we are in place and time', 'How the world works' etc.) and develops student agency — the ability of children to direct and reflect on their own learning.

The PYP culminates in a collaborative 'Exhibition' project in the final primary year, where students investigate a real-world issue of their choice. Assessment is primarily through ongoing teacher observation and portfolio work rather than formal written examinations.

2. IB Middle Years Programme (MYP): Ages 11–16

The MYP bridges primary and pre-university education across five years. Students study eight subject groups: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical and Health Education, and Design. The MYP emphasises interdisciplinary connections, service to the community, and the IB Learner Profile.

At the end of MYP Year 5 (age 16), students may sit optional eAssessments for an official IB MYP certificate, or the school may offer Cambridge IGCSE alongside MYP — as Ellesmere College Riyadh does.

3. IB Diploma Programme (DP): Ages 16–19

The DP is the most widely known IB qualification and the one most relevant to university applications. Over two years, students study six subjects, one from each of the IB subject groups:

1. Studies in Language and Literature (English or mother tongue)
2. Language Acquisition (a second language)
3. Individuals and Societies (History, Economics, Geography, Psychology etc.)
4. Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems)
5. Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation)
6. The Arts (or an additional subject from groups 1–4)

Three subjects are taken at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL). In addition, students complete:

• Theory of Knowledge (TOK): A philosophical course exploring how we know what we know
• Extended Essay (EE): An independent research essay of 4,000 words on a subject of the student's choice
• Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): Ongoing engagement in creative, physical, and community service activities

The maximum score is 45 points (6 subjects × 7 points each = 42, plus up to 3 bonus points for TOK + EE combined). An average international pass requires 24 points; competitive university entry in the UK typically requires 36–42 points.

IB Schools in Riyadh

King Faisal School — Diplomatic Quarter

King Faisal School is Riyadh's most prestigious IB World School. It operates full IB continuum programmes, offering PYP in primary, a combined American/IB programme in middle years, and the IB Diploma in Grades 11–12. The school is located in the Diplomatic Quarter, one of Riyadh's most desirable and secure residential enclaves.

King Faisal School attracts a diverse, internationally mobile student body and has a strong track record of placing students in leading universities worldwide. Its IB Diploma pass rates and average point scores are among the strongest in the region.

Approximate fees (2025–2026):

Stage	Annual Fee Range (SAR)
Primary (PYP)	90,000 – 120,000
Middle / Secondary	110,000 – 135,000
IB Diploma (Grades 11–12)	120,000 – 150,000+

American International School Riyadh (AIS-R)

AIS-R is authorised to offer the IB Diploma Programme for students in Grades 11 and 12 alongside its standard American curriculum. Students who complete the American curriculum through Grade 10 can opt into the IB Diploma track at Grade 11, or continue with a US-focused diploma with AP (Advanced Placement) courses. This flexibility is valuable for families who are undecided about final university destination.

AIS-R's IB Diploma sits within an otherwise American-curriculum school, which means students who join at Grade 11 to do the IB come from a US curriculum background. The transition is manageable but requires adjustment, particularly in the essay-writing components.

Ellesmere College Riyadh — Al Hamra

Ellesmere College Riyadh offers a full IB continuum from PYP through MYP to DP, alongside Cambridge IGCSE and A-level options. This makes it one of the most flexible schools in Riyadh in terms of end-of-secondary qualification choice. Students can:

• Follow IB PYP → MYP → IB Diploma (full IB continuum)
• Follow IB PYP → MYP → Cambridge A-levels (British pathway from an IB base)
• Take Cambridge IGCSE alongside MYP and then choose DP or A-levels at Sixth Form

Ellesmere College's fees are lower than King Faisal School, making it particularly competitive for families seeking IB at a more accessible price point.

Approximate fees at Ellesmere College Riyadh (2024–2025 reported; confirm 2025–2026 directly):

Stage	Annual Fee Range (SAR)
Primary (IB PYP)	48,000 – 58,000
Secondary (IB MYP / IGCSE)	55,000 – 65,000
Senior (IB DP / A-levels)	65,000 – 72,000

Why Globally Mobile Families Choose the IB

The IB's design reflects the needs of internationally mobile families better than any nationally-specific curriculum:

• Portability: IB qualifications are recognised and valued in over 150 countries. A student who begins PYP in one country and completes the Diploma in another does not face the curriculum disruption that affects, say, a child moving between the British and American systems.
• University flexibility: An IB Diploma student can credibly apply to universities in the UK, US, Europe, Australia, Canada, and beyond — without the course having been designed for any single destination.
• Holistic development: The IB Learner Profile, CAS, TOK, and Extended Essay develop research skills, intellectual independence, and community engagement — qualities that universities across the world recognise and value.
• International community: In Riyadh, IB schools attract a diverse, globally oriented student body. Children of IB families are, broadly, accustomed to being part of an international community — which eases social integration.

IB Diploma and UK University Entry

UK universities accept IB Diploma scores in place of A-level grades. The standard conversion table used by most UK universities is:

IB Score	Approximate A-Level Equivalent
38+	AAA or above
35–37	ABB – AAB
32–34	BBB – ABB
28–31	BBC – BBB

Specific requirements vary by university and course. For competitive Russell Group courses, typical IB requirements range from 36 to 42 points with Higher Level subject requirements (e.g. 6 in HL Chemistry for Medicine). Students should research requirements at their target institutions early — ideally from the start of the Diploma Programme.

For more on the UCAS process and US university applications from Riyadh, see /guides/university-admissions-riyadh-international-schools.

IB vs A-Levels: Choosing for Your Child

Neither the IB Diploma nor A-levels is inherently superior. The choice should depend on:

• Learning style: Students who enjoy breadth and interdisciplinary learning tend to thrive in the IB. Those who want to specialise deeply in two or three subjects from age 16 may find A-levels a better fit.
• University destination: For the US, the IB is strongly preferred over A-levels. For the UK, both are equally valued, though some students find the IB's breadth a useful differentiator in competitive applications.
• School continuity: If a child has been in an IB school since primary, continuing the IB continuum into the Diploma is the lower-friction choice. A student joining at Year 12 from a British GCSE background entering the IB Diploma needs to adjust quickly.

How Global Investments Can Help

Globally mobile families who invest in IB education are often those with long-term international careers and international financial interests — property in multiple jurisdictions, cross-border tax considerations, and the need for structured wealth advice. Global Investments has over 32 years of experience providing exactly that.

To explore how international property investment or residency planning might fit your family's situation, visit /residency-citizenship or explore /guides.

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This guide is for general information only. IB programmes, fees, and university requirements change over time. Always verify details with schools and with the IB Organisation directly. Investment values can fall as well as rise.