Hong Kong has long been regarded as one of the strongest international education markets in the world. The city combines an extensive English-medium school network, exceptional academic results, and a settled expat community that has been sending children to UK and US universities for decades. For British families relocating to Hong Kong, the choice is broad — but also requires careful navigation.
This guide covers the full landscape: the ESF network that forms the backbone of affordable English-medium schooling, the private British and IB schools, qualification pathways, fee levels, what has changed since 2019, and new schools opening in 2026.
The ESF Network: Hong Kong's Largest English-Medium System
The English Schools Foundation (ESF) operates 22 schools across Hong Kong — nine primary schools, five secondary schools, three all-through schools, and several kindergartens — serving approximately 18,000 students from more than 60 nationalities.
ESF was originally government-subsidised, but that subsidy (approximately HKD 283 million per year) has been fully phased out. The consequence is annual fee increases of roughly 4–5% per year, a trend unlikely to reverse soon.
ESF primary schools follow the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and are non-selective — places are allocated by catchment area, not academic ability. ESF secondary schools offer both the IB Diploma Programme and IGCSE/GCSE pathways.
ESF Primary Schools
| School | Area | HKD/year (2025-26) | HKD/year (2026-27) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradbury School | Happy Valley / Stubbs Rd | 139,000 | 145,000 |
| Kennedy School | Pokfulam | 139,000 | 145,000 |
| Beacon Hill School | Kowloon Tong | 139,000 | 145,000 |
| Kowloon Junior School | Ho Man Tin | 139,000 | 145,000 |
| Peak School | The Peak | 139,000 | 145,000 |
| Glenealy School | Central / Mid-Levels | 139,000 | 145,000 |
| Quarry Bay School | Quarry Bay | 139,000 | 145,000 |
| Sha Tin Junior School | Sha Tin | 139,000 | 145,000 |
| Clearwater Bay School | Sai Kung | 139,000 | 145,000 |
A non-refundable capital levy (NCL) is charged once on joining ESF: HKD 38,000 at Year 1, reducing by approximately HKD 2,000 per year for later entry years.
ESF Secondary Schools
All five ESF secondary schools charge HKD 181,100 per year in 2025-26 (rising to HKD 188,300 in 2026-27) and offer the IB Diploma Programme:
- Island School — Mid-Levels, feeding from Kennedy, Glenealy, Peak and Quarry Bay primaries
- South Island School — Aberdeen
- Sha Tin College — Fo Tan
- West Island School — Pok Fu Lam
- King George V School (KGV) — Ho Man Tin, serving Kowloon-side catchment
ESF All-Through Schools
Two ESF schools cover the full primary-to-sixth-form age range and carry slightly higher fees:
Discovery College (Discovery Bay, Lantau): Years 1–6 from HKD 162,100 (rising to HKD 169,900 in 2026-27); Years 7–11 from HKD 213,600 (HKD 223,900); Years 12–13 from HKD 215,300 (HKD 225,600). An annual building levy of HKD 8,060 applies.
Renaissance College (Ma On Shan): Years 1–6 from HKD 148,100 (HKD 154,200); Years 7–11 from HKD 193,600 (HKD 201,500); Years 12–13 from HKD 195,700 (HKD 203,700). A one-off levy of HKD 50,000 applies at Year 1 entry.
Private British and International Schools
Kellett School — The Primary Choice for British Families
Kellett School is the school most British families in Hong Kong consider first if they want the familiar structure of IGCSE and A-Levels. It is the only school in the city offering both qualifications to a standard directly comparable to UK independent schools.
Fees for 2026-27: Preparatory (Reception–Year 6) HKD 218,200; Senior (Years 7–11) HKD 271,300; Sixth Form (Years 12–13) HKD 279,100.
From September 2025, Kellett replaced its mandatory debenture with an Annual Capital Levy (ACL) of HKD 40,000 per year for all new students. This is a significant structural change — the one-off debenture model has been replaced by an ongoing annual charge. At secondary level, the total annual cost approaches HKD 311,300 (approximately GBP 31,130 at mid-2026 rates). Kellett is selective, particularly at Year 7 entry, and typically requires an assessment process.
Harrow International School Hong Kong
Located in Tuen Mun, in the New Territories, Harrow HK is the most obviously British-branded school in the city, with boarding available from Year 6. It offers IGCSE and A-Levels.
Fees for 2025-26: Nursery/Reception HKD 175,812; Years 1–5 HKD 201,314; Years 6–11 HKD 229,949; Years 12–13 HKD 239,070. A Capital Levy of HKD 60,000 per year applies unless a Capital Certificate (HKD 3,000,000) is held. Day secondary costs approximately GBP 29,000 per year in total.
Tuen Mun is remote from the commercial districts of Hong Kong and the school relies heavily on school buses. Families considering Harrow often live in the New Territories or specifically choose the Harrow campus environment.
German Swiss International School (GSIS) — English International Stream
GSIS operates from a campus near The Peak and its English International Stream offers IGCSE followed by the IB Diploma. The school's IB results are exceptional: 41.0 average in 2025, among the highest scores of any school globally.
Fees for 2025-26: Primary HKD 203,700; IB Diploma years HKD 256,700.
GSIS is the school of choice for families who specifically want the IB pathway at the highest academic level in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong International School (HKIS)
HKIS occupies two campuses on Hong Kong Island South — Tai Tam (primary) and Repulse Bay Road (secondary) — and follows an American curriculum with AP courses and a Christian ethos. Fees for 2026-27 range from HKD 256,100 (KG2–Grade 5) to HKD 297,100 (Grade 9–12), plus an Annual Capital Levy of HKD 24,500.
HKIS is best suited to families on a US university track. It is the most expensive option in the city and the AP curriculum is less intuitive for UK university applications.
Malvern College Hong Kong
Opened at Pak Shek Kok near Tolo Harbour, Malvern College HK follows the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP and Diploma) and has established itself quickly as a serious academic school. Its IB DP average for 2025 was 39.0 points, well above the global mean and competitive with ESF and GSIS.
Discovery Bay International School (DBIS)
DBIS is a British-curriculum school (IGCSE and A-Levels, with IB PYP in primary) located in the car-free residential enclave of Discovery Bay on Lantau Island. Fees for 2025-26 run from HKD 120,100 to HKD 185,500 per year, making it one of the more affordable British-curriculum options. It primarily serves Discovery Bay residents and ferry commuters.
Qualification Pathways
| Qualification | Schools | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| IB Diploma | ESF secondaries, GSIS, Malvern, Renaissance College, HKIS | UK and US universities; strong HK results |
| IGCSE + A-Levels | Kellett, Harrow HK, DBIS, GSIS | Families planning UK university on A-Level track |
| AP | HKIS | US university applicants |
| DSE (local HK exam) | Government and DSS schools | Local HK residents; not practical for newly arrived British children |
Hong Kong's IB results significantly outperform the global average. The city's 2025 average was 36.72, compared to a worldwide mean of 30.58. Russell Group universities typically make offers of 36–38 IB points; Oxbridge and medicine require 38–42.
What Has Changed Since 2019
A significant wave of emigration — primarily British, Australian, American and local Hong Kong families — took place between 2021 and 2023, prompted by political changes. School populations fell noticeably. The Education Bureau estimates the six-year-old cohort will decline from 49,600 in 2024 to approximately 34,100 by 2030.
In practical terms, mid-tier international schools are now more accessible than at the 2018–2019 peak. Some schools that previously maintained long waiting lists now have available places for mid-year entry.
However, top-tier schools — ESF primary, Kellett and GSIS — remain competitive. Wealthy local Hong Kong families have increasingly sought international school places as they move away from the local school system. Ten international schools reported a 26% annual increase in applications from local families (as of early 2026).
New Schools Opening in 2026
Two significant additions are planned for 2026:
Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong — Sixth Form Centre (Hung Hom, opening August 2026): The first international school in Hong Kong to offer both the IB Diploma and A-Levels in the same sixth form. This gives students a genuine choice of pathway without changing school at 16.
NLCS Hong Kong (North London Collegiate School): The sixth global campus of the UK school ranked first in the UK and second globally in 2025 IB results (36.5 average). The Hong Kong campus is targeting a 2026 opening, though an exact date was unconfirmed at the time of writing.
ESF is also opening three new kindergartens in 2026 — at Renaissance College, Quarry Bay School and West Kowloon — adding capacity at the early years entry point that feeds the primary pipeline.
Choosing the Right School
The right school depends on three factors: the curriculum you want (IB or A-Level), where you will live in Hong Kong (ESF is catchment-based), and your budget. A British family planning a return to the UK for sixth form or university should consider whether continuity of curriculum matters. A family likely to stay through sixth form has a broader range of choices.
For detailed guidance on individual school types, see our guides to British curriculum schools in Hong Kong, IB schools in Hong Kong, primary schools for expats and secondary school options.
How Global Investments Can Help
Global Investments works with British families relocating to Hong Kong, helping them identify properties in the catchment areas of their preferred ESF schools or within reasonable distance of private schools such as Kellett, Harrow and GSIS. Our advisers understand the relationship between school catchment zones and neighbourhood choice, and can factor school proximity into your property search from the outset. Speak to us early in your relocation planning — school place and property decisions are closely linked in Hong Kong and the timeline for both is tighter than many families expect.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best international school in Hong Kong?
There is no single answer — it depends on the curriculum you want. For British families wanting IGCSE and A-Levels, Kellett School is the leading choice. For IB, GSIS English stream (41.0 average 2025) and Malvern College HK (39.0) are exceptional. ESF schools offer a strong IB pathway across 22 schools at lower cost.
Are international school places easier to get in Hong Kong now than before 2019?
Mid-tier international school places have become more accessible following the emigration wave of 2021–2023. However, top-tier ESF schools, Kellett and GSIS remain competitive because local Hong Kong families have increasingly filled places vacated by departing expats.
What qualifications do international schools in Hong Kong offer?
Most international schools offer either the IB Diploma Programme or A-Levels (or both). ESF secondary schools offer IB DP. Kellett, Harrow and DBIS offer IGCSE and A-Levels. GSIS English stream offers IGCSE and IB DP. HKIS offers AP courses (US-oriented). Nord Anglia Sixth Form (opening August 2026) will be the first HK school to offer both IB and A-Levels.
What is the ESF and how does it work?
The English Schools Foundation is a non-profit network of 22 English-medium schools serving around 18,000 students. ESF primary schools are non-selective and allocate places by catchment area. ESF secondary schools offer IB Diploma and IGCSE/GCSE. The government subsidy was phased out, pushing annual fees to around HKD 139,000–188,300 with further 4–5% increases expected each year.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and regulations change frequently; verify current requirements with a qualified adviser before acting.