International School Fees in Riyadh: Full Cost Breakdown for 2025–2026

Understanding the true cost of international education in Riyadh requires looking well beyond the headline annual tuition figure. Registration fees, examination entry charges, transport, uniforms, extracurricular activities, and learning-support supplements can add substantially to the headline number. This guide breaks down the full picture so that relocating families can build a realistic budget before committing to a school.

All fee figures below are indicative estimates based on published and reported data for the 2025–2026 academic year. Fees change annually and should always be confirmed directly with each school before making decisions.

Fee Tiers at a Glance

Riyadh's international schools span three broad cost tiers:

Tier	School Types	Annual Tuition Range (SAR)
Budget	Indian CBSE, smaller community schools	18,000 – 45,000
Mid-tier	Established British / American schools	55,000 – 90,000
Premium	Leading British (A-level), full IB, elite American	90,000 – 150,000+

School-by-School Fee Overview

British International School Riyadh (BISR)

BISR sits in the mid-to-premium tier and is the most widely chosen school for British families and internationally mobile professionals preferring a UK pathway.

Stage	Year Groups	Approximate Annual Fee (SAR)
Early Years (EYFS)	Nursery – Reception	60,000 – 72,000
Lower Primary	Years 1–4	72,000 – 80,000
Upper Primary	Years 5–6	80,000 – 85,000
Lower Secondary	Years 7–9	85,000 – 100,000
IGCSE	Years 10–11	100,000 – 115,000
Sixth Form (A-level)	Years 12–13	100,000 – 135,000

Sibling discounts are available. One-off registration fee: approximately SAR 8,000–15,000.

American International School Riyadh (AIS-R)

AIS-R is an independent non-profit school founded in 1963, offering a US curriculum from Pre-K to Grade 12, including the IB Diploma in grades 11–12.

Stage	Grade Range	Approximate Annual Fee (SAR)
Pre-Kindergarten	PK	55,000 – 68,000
Elementary	K – Grade 5	65,000 – 82,000
Middle School	Grades 6–8	80,000 – 100,000
High School	Grades 9–12	90,000 – 120,000

King Faisal School (IB / American)

Located in the Diplomatic Quarter, King Faisal School is one of Riyadh's most prestigious options, offering both an American curriculum track and the full IB programme. Fees are at the premium end.

Stage	Approximate Annual Fee (SAR)
Primary (IB PYP)	90,000 – 120,000
Secondary (IB MYP / American)	110,000 – 135,000
IB Diploma Programme	120,000 – 150,000+

Ellesmere College Riyadh

A newer school in Al Hamra offering IB and Cambridge A-levels at lower price points than BISR, though fees should be confirmed for 2025–2026.

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

Indian CBSE Schools (IIPS Riyadh; Al Alia International Indian School)

By far the most affordable tier, these schools serve the large Indian and South Asian expat community and charge fees that are a fraction of British or American school tuition.

Stage	Approximate Annual Fee (SAR)
Foundation / KG	18,000 – 20,000
Primary	19,000 – 23,000
Secondary	22,000 – 30,000
Senior Secondary (Grade 11–12)	25,000 – 35,000

One-Off and Additional Costs

Tuition alone does not represent the full annual outlay. Families should budget for the following additional costs:

Registration and Enrolment Fees

Most international schools charge a non-refundable one-off registration fee on acceptance of a place. This ranges from:

• Budget schools: SAR 1,500 – 5,000
• Mid-tier schools: SAR 5,000 – 10,000
• Premium schools: SAR 10,000 – 20,000+

Examination Entry Fees

Board examination fees are charged separately when students sit public exams. Budget for:

• Cambridge IGCSE: SAR 8,000 – 15,000 per session (depending on number of subjects)
• Cambridge A-levels: SAR 10,000 – 20,000 per session
• IB Diploma: SAR 12,000 – 25,000+ (including registration and per-subject fees)

Learning Support and EAL

If a child requires additional learning support or English as an Additional Language (EAL) instruction, expect supplementary charges of SAR 15,000–40,000+ per year. This is not uncommon for families joining mid-curriculum or whose children are not native English speakers.

School Transport

Riyadh is a large, spread-out city with no practical public transport for school runs. School bus services are available at most international schools and are typically charged separately at SAR 8,000–15,000 per year per child depending on distance.

Uniforms and Supplies

Budget SAR 2,000–5,000 per child for uniform, PE kit, and school supplies at the start of the year. Some schools require specific branded sportswear.

Extracurricular Activities

Sports clubs, music lessons, drama, coding, and other after-school activities are usually charged per term. Budget SAR 5,000–10,000 per year per child if your child is active across multiple activities.

Total Annual Budget: Worked Example

For a family with two children — one in Year 5 at BISR and one in Year 9 at BISR — a realistic total annual education budget in 2026 might look as follows:

Item	Year 5 Child (SAR)	Year 9 Child (SAR)
Tuition	82,000	95,000
School transport	10,000	10,000
Extracurriculars	6,000	6,000
Uniforms / supplies	3,000	3,000
Annual sub-total	101,000	114,000

Estimated two-child annual total: SAR 215,000 (c.£46,000 / US$57,000 at mid-2026 rates), before any examination fees.

Payment Terms and Schedules

Most Riyadh international schools require fees to be paid by term (three instalments per year) or in some cases bi-annually. Full-year upfront payment is sometimes incentivised with a small discount. Fees are almost universally denominated in Saudi Riyals (SAR); some schools accept payment in USD or GBP but apply an exchange rate — check whether this is competitive.

Negotiating School Fee Allowances

If you are relocating on an expat package, school fees are a standard negotiating point. Many employers cap the allowance per child (commonly SAR 60,000–80,000 per child per year) or restrict it to a specific number of children. Understanding the full cost picture before signing your employment contract allows you to negotiate an appropriate allowance or factor the shortfall into your overall compensation expectations.

For related guidance, see /guides/international-schools-riyadh and /guides/apply-international-school-riyadh.

How Global Investments Can Help

Education costs are one of the most significant financial considerations for international families, and they interact with broader questions of tax planning, currency management, and long-term wealth strategy. Global Investments has advised internationally mobile families on structuring their finances across jurisdictions for over 32 years.

Whether you are planning an assignment to Saudi Arabia or considering how property investment fits alongside your career plans, our advisers can help you look at the full picture. Visit /residency-citizenship to explore international planning options, or browse /guides for our full resource library.

---

This guide is for general information purposes only. School fees are updated annually and may change; all figures should be verified directly with each school. Investment values can fall as well as rise.