International schools in Kuala Lumpur: curriculum, area and fees

Malaysia is known for the range of international school curricula on offer, and it is also considered as a destination for relocation with education in mind. This article sets out how to think about the three axes of choosing a school: curriculum, area and cost. Fees and admission requirements vary by school, year group and academic year, so always check the latest information from each school.

The main types of curriculum

• British: a programme centred on IGCSE and A-Level. Many options in Malaysia.
• American: AP and the high school diploma.
• IB (International Baccalaureate): PYP, MYP and DP. A programme recognised worldwide.
• Australian: follows the Australian curriculum.
• Japanese school: education following Japan's national curriculum guidelines, as at the Japanese School of Kuala Lumpur (JSKL). For details, see the complete guide to JSKL.

Thinking in terms of area

International schools cluster more densely in some areas than others. Considering the school and the home together — around Mont Kiara, popular with Japanese families, KLCC in the city centre, or the IT city of Cyberjaya — makes it easier to keep the daily commute manageable.

How to think about fees

Beyond tuition, school costs include an enrolment fee, facilities fee, materials, the school bus, uniforms and other extras. Bearing in mind that fees may rise from year to year and that tuition tends to be higher in the upper year groups, it is important to estimate the total. You can also check the share this takes of your monthly and annual household budget with the cost of living simulator.

Points to check when choosing

• Continuity of the curriculum (how it connects to a return home and to the next stage of education)
• Class size, teacher turnover and support structures
• Support in Japanese or the home language, and whether EAL (English support) is available
• Commute time and means of transport
• Waiting lists (availability of places)

The general admissions process

1. School visit and enquiry
2. Submitting the application, assessment and interview
3. The decision, and payment of the enrolment fee and first-year costs
4. Arranging the student visa (Student Pass)

Thinking about the home and the school as one decision means fewer missteps. For the feel of each area, see the area guides; for homes, the listings. If you would like to talk through both the school and the home search, please use our free consultation.