Secondary Schools in Shanghai for Expat Families: IGCSE, A-Level and IB Guide
Secondary school choice in Shanghai carries more weight than primary — qualifications are internationally recognised, university pathways are being determined, and a mid-secondary move to a different curriculum can create academic disruption. Families arriving with secondary-age children, or those whose children are approaching secondary transition, need to assess their options carefully before committing to a school and a residential area.
This guide covers the principal international secondary schools in Shanghai, the qualification choices available, academic performance data where published, and what each pathway means for university applications.
Eligibility: Foreign Passport Holders Only
As at primary level, international secondary schools in Shanghai require children to hold foreign passports. Chinese citizens — including any child registered as a Chinese national, regardless of other passport status — cannot attend international schools under Chinese law. China does not recognise dual citizenship. See our Shanghai international schools hub for full detail.
The Qualification Pathway Decision
At secondary, the curriculum divides into two main stages.
Stage 1 (Ages 14–16): IGCSE
Almost all British-curriculum secondary schools in Shanghai use Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) rather than the domestic GCSE. IGCSEs are examined by Cambridge Assessment International Education and carry identical weight to GCSEs in UK university admissions. Students typically take 8–10 IGCSE subjects over Years 10–11.
American schools use an internal Middle School and High School grading system without an equivalent external examination at this stage.
Stage 2 (Ages 16–18): The IB / A-Level Decision
This is the most consequential choice at secondary level. The options available in Shanghai are:
| Qualification | Schools in Shanghai | How it's assessed | UK university use |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) | Dulwich (both), Wellington, BISS Puxi, NAIS Pudong, YCIS, SCIS | 6 subjects + EE + TOK + CAS | Fully accepted; offers typically stated as total points (e.g. 36–40) |
| A-Levels | Harrow Shanghai, BISS Puxi | 3–4 subjects | Standard for UK university entry |
| Advanced Placement (AP) | SAS, Concordia | 5–8+ AP courses | Primary pathway to US universities; accepted by UK |
| IB + A-Level (choice) | BISS Puxi | Choice of route | BISS uniquely offers both options |
IB Diploma suits students who want breadth across six subject groups including a science, a humanity, a language, and mathematics. It requires an Extended Essay (4,000-word independent research paper) and is highly regarded by both UK and US universities.
A-Levels suit students with a clear subject focus — particularly relevant for UK university courses requiring three very high-grade A-Levels (medicine, law, Oxbridge). A-Levels allow deeper specialisation but require the student to be confident about their subject direction at age 16.
AP courses are the US equivalent of A-Levels and are the natural pathway for families whose secondary school years are in the US system and who are targeting US university admissions.
The Major International Secondary Schools
Dulwich College Shanghai (Pudong and Puxi)
Dulwich is one of the highest-performing international schools in Shanghai by published outcomes. The Class of 2025 at Dulwich Pudong achieved an average IB score of 38.1 out of 45, substantially above the world average of 30.6, with approximately 42% of graduates proceeding to UK universities. Dulwich Puxi shares the same curriculum and academic approach. Both campuses offer IGCSE in Years 10–11 and IB Diploma in Years 12–13.
Annual secondary tuition (approx.): RMB 330,000–390,000 depending on year group.
Harrow International School Shanghai
Harrow Shanghai is unique among the premium British schools in Shanghai for offering A-Levels at sixth form (Years 12–13) rather than the IB Diploma. This is a significant differentiator for families who strongly prefer the A-Level pathway, particularly if targeting UK university courses where three high A-Level grades are the standard offer. The school follows a British curriculum through lower secondary leading to IGCSE.
Annual secondary tuition: approximately RMB 300,000–320,000.
Wellington College International Shanghai
Wellington follows the English National Curriculum through lower secondary, IGCSE in Years 10–11, and the IB Diploma in Years 12–13. The school has a strong pastoral care system and broad co-curricular programme drawing on Wellington's UK heritage.
Annual secondary tuition: approximately RMB 356,700–391,000 depending on year group.
BISS Puxi (British International School Shanghai)
BISS is the only school in Shanghai that offers students a choice between the IB Diploma and A-Levels at sixth form — a notable advantage for families who have not definitively decided on a pathway, or who have one child preferring IB and another preferring A-Levels. The school offers IGCSE in Upper Secondary and then both routes for ages 16–18.
Annual secondary tuition: approximately RMB 350,000–385,090.
Nord Anglia International School Shanghai Pudong (NAIS Pudong)
NAIS follows the English National Curriculum through lower secondary, IGCSE at Years 10–11, and IB Diploma at Years 12–13. The school's global Nord Anglia network facilitates student exchange programmes and collaborative projects with partner schools worldwide, including BISS Puxi. Strong STEM and performing arts programmes, backed by MIT and Juilliard collaborations.
Annual secondary tuition: approximately RMB 320,000–385,090.
Shanghai American School (SAS)
SAS offers an American curriculum across its Pudong and Puxi campuses, with middle school (Grades 6–8) and high school (Grades 9–12) delivering Advanced Placement (AP) courses at the top level. SAS produces strong outcomes for US Ivy League and Russell Group equivalent universities. It is the dominant school for the American corporate expat community in Shanghai.
Annual middle/high school tuition: approximately RMB 275,000–317,000.
Concordia International School Shanghai
Concordia, based in Jinqiao (Pudong), delivers an American curriculum through middle and high school with a strong AP programme and an emphasis on Mandarin language at all levels. Its Jinqiao location makes it particularly convenient for the Pudong villa-compound community.
Annual secondary tuition: approximately RMB 280,000–350,000+.
Academic Performance Benchmarks
While comprehensive league table data for Shanghai international schools is not publicly compiled in the way UK schools are ranked, available data points include:
| School | IB Score (2025 cohort) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dulwich Shanghai Pudong | 38.1 avg | Class of 2025; well above 30.6 global average |
| Shanghai High School International Division (SHSID) | 41.1 avg | 2025; ranked 9th globally for average IB score |
| World average | 30.6 | IBO global data 2025 |
SHSID is not a traditional international school for newly arrived expats but is a Chinese public high school with an international division — included here for context.
Subject Breadth at Secondary Level
One practical consideration when comparing schools is subject availability. Smaller sixth form cohorts mean fewer elective subjects are offered — a school with 40 IB students may offer 18 subjects; one with 100 may offer 30+. If your child has a specific subject requirement (Economics, Computer Science, Visual Arts, Music, Theatre, specific languages), check the exact subject offering, not just the headline qualification.
For GCSE and A-Level detail, see our dedicated guide
Our focused guide on GCSEs and A-Levels at Shanghai international schools covers specific subject choices, examination preparation, and how Shanghai schools manage the UK examination timetable for students in China Standard Time.
How Global Investments Can Help
Secondary-age children in Shanghai often mean families are at peak earning and spending simultaneously — high school fees, ongoing property commitments at home, and retirement planning all competing for financial attention. Global Investments specialises in helping internationally mobile families structure their wealth efficiently across jurisdictions, ensuring long-term assets are not neglected while managing the immediate costs of an overseas posting. Contact us for a confidential discussion. Visit our guides library or the residency and citizenship section for further resources.
This guide is for information only. Academic results, fees, and school offerings change annually. Always verify directly with each school. Investments can fall as well as rise; professional advice should be sought before any financial decision.
Frequently asked questions
Is the IB Diploma or A-Levels better for UK university entry from Shanghai?
Both are fully accepted and well regarded by UK universities. A-Levels offer slightly more subject depth and flexibility for narrowly specialist degree programmes (engineering, medicine), while the IB Diploma is valued for its breadth and the Extended Essay research component. Academic results from Shanghai schools for both qualifications are strong — Dulwich Pudong's Class of 2025 achieved an average IB score of 38.1 out of 45, well above the global average of 30.6.
Can my child switch from a British curriculum to an IB school mid-secondary in Shanghai?
A switch is most feasible at the Year 10/IB Year 1 transition (age 15–16), when students in British schools move from the lower secondary curriculum to IGCSE or IB. Switching during IGCSE years (Years 10–11) is more disruptive because curriculum content differs between schools. The most natural transition point is end of Year 9 (age 13–14), when many students move from lower secondary to IGCSE. Discuss timing carefully with both the leaving and receiving school.
What Mandarin options are available at secondary international schools in Shanghai?
Virtually all international secondary schools in Shanghai offer Mandarin as a second or foreign language at multiple levels — including IB Language B (Mandarin) and Cambridge IGCSE Mandarin as a Second Language. A small number of schools also offer Mandarin at native-speaker level (IGCSE First Language Mandarin), relevant for students with significant prior exposure. Mandarin in secondary typically receives 3–5 lessons per week.
How large are sixth form cohorts at Shanghai international schools?
Sixth form (IB Year 1 and 2 / A-Level years) cohorts at international schools in Shanghai are typically between 40 and 120 students depending on school size. Dulwich, BISS, NAIS Pudong, and SAS have larger cohorts; Harrow and Wellington tend towards smaller, more selective sixth forms. Smaller cohorts can mean more limited subject choice; larger cohorts offer more subject breadth but sometimes less individual attention.
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.