Introduction
Choosing a school in Nanjing is one of the biggest decisions you'll make as an expat parent. The city has nine solid international schools—each with different curricula, fee ranges, and admission rules.
Some follow the International Baccalaureate (IB). Others offer A-Levels, Advanced Placement (AP), or Canada's BC program. Annual tuition runs from ¥60,000 at the budget end to over ¥270,000 at the most prestigious campuses.
What's the catch? Most schools only accept foreign passport holders. A handful of welcome local Chinese students too. And a few have waiting lists, so timing matters.
We've broken down all nine schools by curriculum, fees, age range, and what makes each one stand out. By the end, you'll know exactly which school fits your child—and what to do next.
Quick Comparison: All 9 Nanjing International Schools
| # | School | Curriculum | Ages | Annual Fees (RMB) | Who Can Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nanjing International School (NIS) | IB (PYP, MYP, DP) | 3–18 | ¥191,500–¥274,800 | Foreign passport holders |
| 2 | The British School of Nanjing (BSN) | British NC, IGCSE, A-Level | 2–18 | ¥213,145–¥272,990 | Foreign passport holders |
| 3 | EtonHouse International School Nanjing | IB PYP, British NC, Cambridge | 2–18 | ¥114,800–¥181,000 | Foreign passport holders |
| 4 | BASIS International School Nanjing | US-based AP curriculum | Pre-K–G12 | ¥205,070–¥272,330 | Foreign passport holders |
| 5 | Wycombe Abbey School Nanjing (WASN) | British NC, IGCSE, A-Level | 2–18 | On request | Foreign passport holders |
| 6 | Nanjing Foreign Language School (NFLS) | IB DP, A-Level, Canadian BC | G10–12 | ¥30,000–¥42,000/term | High exam score + English 95+ |
| 7 | Jinling High School Hexi — Intl Dept | A-Level, AP, Canadian OSSD | G10–12 | ¥50,000–¥68,000/year | Nanjing student status required |
| 8 | RGS Guildford Nanjing | A-Level, IB | G1–12 | ¥120,000–¥170,000 | No Hukou restriction |
| 9 | Nanjing Thomas School | Chinese + AP blend | K–G12 | ¥120,000–¥160,000 | No Hukou restriction |
Top 09 Nanjing International Schools
Nanjing’s international schools have public international departments, private bilingual schools, and expatriate-focused institutions. Curricula include IB, A-level, AP, and OSSD programs, with fees ranging from ¥60,000 to ¥250,000 annually.
01. Nanjing International School
Founding and History
NIS started in 1992. It is the first and oldest international school in Nanjing. The school is a non-profit and has been fully approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education.
It is an IB World School offering the full Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme.
Student Body and Faculty
The school welcomes children aged 3–18 from many countries. It has a multicultural setting with both local and foreign faculty.
Teacher-Student Ratios are low, and the max class size is 20 in primary. Teachers do regular professional development to improve learning.
Curriculum and Accreditation
NIS offers the IB system. It includes the Primary Years Programme, MYP, and DP. The school also uses Student Voice and Student Choice in learning. The Assessment and Reporting Authority fully recognizes the curriculum.
Campus and Facilities
The campus is modern, and digital transformation is strong. It has sports fields, libraries, labs, and creative spaces. Student portfolios are part of learning.
Community and Mission
The school community is inclusive. It values academic excellence, respect, and teamwork. It wants every child to be ready for global life.
Location and Accessibility
NIS is in Xianlin University Town. It is near main roads and easy to reach by school bus.
Admission Fee
- Application fee: RMB 2,500; $350
- Deposit: RMB 12,000 (refundable); $1683
- Enrollment fee: RMB 10,000; $1402
Admission Requirements
Only foreign passport holders may join. Parents must give passports, visas, and residence permits. Admission is based on a holistic review and a family meeting.
Extracurricular Activities
There are over 150 choices. Sports, music, art, and the Model United Nations are popular. Gardening, coding, and service clubs also run all year.
02. The British School of Nanjing - BNS
Founding and History
BSN was founded in 2007. It is part of Nord Anglia Education and follows the British National Curriculum. The Chinese Ministry of Education recognizes the school.
Student Body and Faculty
It welcomes students aged 2–18. The school community has children from many countries.
Foreign faculty and local teachers work together. Teacher-student ratios are low, and the max class size is 20. Teachers join professional development to keep teaching strong.
Curriculum and Accreditation
The school offers the English National Curriculum, IGCSE, and A-levels. Students are encouraged to use Student Voice and Student Choice. The Assessment and Reporting Authority reviews the curriculum.
Campus and Facilities
The campus has sports fields, science labs, art rooms, and music halls. Digital transformation is used in daily learning.
Community and Mission
BSN values academic excellence and care. The Global Campus links students to other Nord Anglia schools worldwide.
Location and Accessibility
Located in Jiangning District. School buses cover main routes.
Admission Fee
- Application fee: RMB 2,500; $350
- Refundable deposit: RMB 12,000; $1683
- Enrollment fee: RMB 10,000; $1402
Admission Requirements
Open to expatriate children. Families must provide passports, visas, and local permits. Students need English skills for grade-level study.
Extracurricular Activities
Sports teams, drama, music, and cultural events are active. Students can join clubs like coding, debate, and arts.
03. EtonHouse International School Nanjing- EtonHouse Nanjing
Founding and History
EtonHouse is part of a Singapore group. It opened in Nanjing over 15 years ago. It is an IB World School and a Cambridge Assessment Education center.
Student Body and Faculty
Children aged 2–18 can join. The school community is multicultural. Teacher-Student Ratios are small, with a maximum class Size of 20 in kindergarten and 24 in higher grades. Teachers do professional development each year.
Curriculum and Accreditation
The school follows the British National Curriculum with the IB Primary Years Programme and Cambridge courses. The Assessment and Reporting Authority approves its standards. Student voice and student choice are part of learning.
Campus and Facilities
The campus has play areas, labs, and art spaces. Digital transformation supports student portfolios and creative learning.
Community and Mission
The mission is to build confidence and academic excellence. The school values care, respect, and global thinking.
Location and Accessibility
The school is in Jianye District. It is easy to reach by school bus.
Admission Fee
- Varies by grade. Families may ask for complete details.
Admission Requirements
Assessment is age-appropriate. Parents must provide passports, permits, and records.
Extracurricular Activities
Sports, music, languages (Chinese, French, Korean), and arts are offered. Students also join clubs for science, drama, and service.
04. BASIS International School Nanjing-BASIS Nanjing
Founding and History
Opened in 2019, BASIS is part of a US group of schools. It offers strong academics and is approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education.
Student Body and Faculty
The school has space for 1,200 students, Pre-K to grade 12. Max Class Size is small, with foreign faculty and trained local staff. Teacher-student ratios are low. Professional Development is given to staff.
Curriculum and Accreditation
BASIS uses its own US-based curriculum with Advanced Placement. The Assessment and Reporting Authority approves the program. Students use student portfolios to track progress.
Campus and Facilities
Located in Qixia University Town. The campus has modern labs, sports halls, and boarding houses for older grades. Digital transformation is part of learning.
Community and Mission
The school community values academic excellence and hard work. Student voice and student choice are encouraged.
Location and Accessibility
School buses run across Nanjing. Boarding is for Grades 5–12.
Admission Fee
- About RMB 200,000 per year; $28,050 per year
Admission Requirements
All students take an academic review. Families need to provide passports and permits.
Extracurricular Activities
STEM clubs, arts, sports, and student government are popular. Competitions in maths and science are strong.
05. Wycombe Abbey School Nanjing-WAS Nanjing
Founding and History
The school opened in 2019 in Tangshan, Jiangning. It is linked to Wycombe Abbey, UK. It follows the Chinese and British national curricula.
Student Body and Faculty
Covers students aged 2–18. A multicultural setting with foreign faculty and Chinese teachers. Teacher-student ratios are low, and the maximum class size is limited. Staff get professional development often.
Curriculum and Accreditation
The school offers the English National Curriculum, IGCSE, and A-levels. It blends Chinese standards with IB-style methods. The Assessment and Reporting Authority confirms quality.
Campus and Facilities
It covers 20 acres and has modern buildings, sports fields, and art studios. Digital transformation is in use.
Community and Mission
It values holistic growth and academic excellence. The school community supports student voice and student choice.
Location and Accessibility
Located in Tangshan. Boarding and bus services are offered.
Admission Fee
- Varies by grade. Families can request full details.
Admission Requirements
Students must meet English level needs and provide the required papers.
Extracurricular Activities
Sports, arts, drama, music, and service clubs are active.
06. Nanjing Foreign Language School-NFLS
Founding and History
Founded in 2002, it was among the first public international departments in Jiangsu Province. Over two decades, it has built a reputation for rigorous academics and strong language programs.
Student Body and Faculty
The department maintains a small-class model. In 2025, a new Southern New City campus was added, with a student–teacher ratio of 5:1, ensuring personalized learning.
Curriculum and Accreditation
It offers IB, A-level, and Sino-Canadian BC programs, catering to varied academic goals and international university pathways.
Campus and Facilities
The new Southern New City campus opened in 2025, designed for small-class teaching and modern academic facilities.
Community and Mission
Known for language excellence, it consistently supports students reaching prestigious global universities.
Location and Accessibility
Located in Nanjing, with expansion into the Southern New City.
Admission Fee
- China-Canada: RMB 30,000 or $4207 (each term), plus extra costs.
- Cambridge: RMB 30,000 or $4,207 for Grade 10, RMB 35,000 or $4,908 for Grades 11–12.
- IBDP: RMB 42,000 or $5,890 each term, including exams and books.
- Dorm fee: RMB 12,000 or $1,683 yearly, with room and utilities.
Admission Requirements
- Students need a high exam score and an English score of 95+.
- Some programs need English tests on campus.
- Seats: Canada 80, Cambridge 50, IBDP 50.
Extracurricular Activities
- Students join fairs and contests in science, math, and more.
- Music, drama, and art shows happen throughout the year.
- Kids do service work and join global school events.
- Over 50 clubs, like robotics and student groups.
07. International Department of Jinling High School Hexi Campus
Founding and History
Founded in 2008 with the A-level program and in 2012 with AP, this public-affiliated branch is recognized for integrating international curricula with modern research opportunities.
Student Body and Faculty
Details on student numbers and faculty ratio are not provided.
Curriculum and Accreditation
It offers A-level, AP, and Canadian OSSD programs. Emphasis is placed on STEM and arts integration, including robotics.
Campus and Facilities
Equipped with a robotics laboratory and, from 2024, an “Interdisciplinary Research Project” exploring AI and environmental themes.
Community and Mission
Its mission highlights the combination of arts and science, with students encouraged to pursue multidisciplinary learning.
Location and Accessibility
Located in Nanjing, it is a branch of Jinling High School.
Admission Fee
Total tuition over three years is approximately RMB 200,000, paid by semester (annual fees vary slightly by program).
- Cambridge Program: ~RMB 50,000/year or $7012/year for Grade 10; ~RMB 65,000/year or $9116/year for Grades 11–12.
- China-US Program: ~RMB 68,000/year or $9,537/year.
Admission Requirements
Target Students: Current junior high school graduates from Nanjing with Nanjing student status.
- Candidates must meet the minimum admission scores for international programs (recently, approximately 597–627 for the Cambridge Program and 613–627 for the China-US Program), with an English score of at least 95.
- Admission is determined by high school entrance exam rankings, with no additional entrance exams required.
- First-batch volunteer application is mandatory (admission codes: China-US Program 1048; Cambridge Program 1049).
Extracurricular Activities
Academic Competitions
- International subject contests (e.g., AMC, Physics Bowl, UKChO).
Clubs
- STEM: VEX Robotics Club, Space City Club (STEM projects), Computer Science Club.
- Humanities & Arts: Drama Club, Literature & Calligraphy Club, and Photography Club.
- Sports: American Football Club (Nanjing’s first high school team), Basketball Club, Flower Arrangement Club
08. RGS Guildford Nanjing-RGSG Nanjing
Founding and History
RGS Guildford Nanjing is the China branch of the Royal Grammar School, UK. It is located in Pukou District and provides twelve-year continuous education. The school emphasizes science, technology, and arts, offering international courses.
Student Body and Faculty
The school has a diverse student body. About 95% of foreign teachers come from the UK, most with PGCE and QTS certificates, bringing strong teaching experience.
Curriculum and Accreditation
It offers A-level and IB programs, with a strong STEAM focus. Many graduates enter the top 30 global universities, including Cambridge and LSE.
Campus and Facilities
The campus is modern, with labs, arts spaces, and facilities for science and technology learning.
Community and Mission
The school aims to combine UK academic strength with Chinese culture, preparing students for global education pathways.
Location and Accessibility
Located in Pukou District, Nanjing, it is accessible by city transport.
Admission Fee
Tuition ranges from RMB 120,000 to 170,000 per year or $16830 - $23843 per year .
Admission Requirements
No Hukou restrictions. Basic English required. Entrance is mainly interview-based.
Extracurricular Activities
Students join academic, arts, and leadership activities, with unique programmes like the Oxford Cambridge Mentor Program.
09. Nanjing Thomas School
Founding and History
Thomas School Nanjing, formerly Nanjing Thomas Experimental School, is a private international school located in Jiangbei New District. It offers K-12 education with a focus on science and technology.
Student Body and Faculty
The school has both local and international students. Teachers include both Chinese and foreign staff with professional backgrounds in STEM education.
Curriculum and Accreditation
It provides a blended curriculum, combining Chinese and international courses. Students can study AP and STEM-focused programmes, with emphasis on project-based learning.
Campus and Facilities
The campus includes modern classrooms, science labs, and technology-focused facilities, supporting innovation and practical learning.
Community and Mission
The mission is to nurture innovative, global-minded students by combining international teaching with local strengths in science and technology.
Location and Accessibility
Located in the Jiangbei New District, with access to Nanjing’s growing infrastructure.
Admission Fee
Annual tuition ranges from RMB 120,000 to 160,000 or $16883 - $22440 depending on grade.
Admission Requirements
No Hukou or nationality restrictions. Requires English ability. Admission includes interviews and tests in Math (Chinese) and English. Zhongkao scores must meet the school line.
Extracurricular Activities
The school offers science and tech clubs, robotics, arts, and social practice activities. Students are encouraged to join competitions and innovation projects.
Are Nanjing International Schools Worth It?
Nanjing, a city in China, has many international schools for kids from other countries. These schools teach in English and offer special programs.
But are they worth the cost and effort?
Let’s look at what makes these schools good, their challenges, and if they are a good choice for families.
Nanjing International Schools Benefits
Great Education
International schools in Nanjing, like Nanjing International School (NIS), teach programs like the International Baccalaureate (IB). This helps kids learn in a fun, hands-on way.
They get ready for top universities around the world. For example, NIS is the oldest IB school in China and strongly focuses on helping kids grow smart and kind.
Diverse Friends
These schools have kids from over 30 countries. This means your child can make friends from different places and learn about other cultures. It’s like a mini-world in one school!
Amazing Buildings and Activities
The schools have cool stuff like big sports fields, swimming pools, and theaters. NIS has a FIFA-approved football field and a 540-seat theater for plays and music. Kids can try sports, art, and even take trips to learn about China.
Teachers Who Care
Teachers at these schools are from many countries and are well-trained. They help kids feel safe and learn in their own way. For example, NIS has 85 foreign teachers from 22 countries.
Nanjing International Schools Challenges
- High Cost: These schools can be expensive. Tuition at NIS ranges from 147,400 to 193,200 RMB per year (about $20,000-$27,000 USD). This might be hard for some families to pay for.
- Only for Foreign Kids: Most international schools in Nanjing, like NIS, only accept kids with foreign passports. This means local Chinese kids can’t join, which might limit some friendships.
- Far from City Center: Some schools, like NIS, are in Xianlin University City, a bit far from downtown Nanjing. It might take time to travel there, but the area has parks and restaurants nearby.
So, Are They Worth It?
Good for Global Kids
These schools are excellent if your family moves a lot or wants a global education. They teach in English, offer programs like IB, and help kids get into top colleges.
For example, BASIS International School Nanjing had all its first graduates accepted to the top 50 US universities.
Helps Kids Grow
These schools focus on more than just books. They teach kids to be creative, kind, and ready for the world. NIS won an award in 2020 for its “Student Voice and Choice” program, which lets kids help decide how they learn.
Think About Your Family
Nanjing international schools are worth it if you can afford the cost and want your child to learn with kids from all over.
But if the price is too high or you want a school closer to downtown, you might look at other options, like international-style schools that accept local kids, too.
Frequently Asked Questions: Nanjing International Schools
Q: Which Nanjing international schools accept Chinese students?
Most international schools in Nanjing — including NIS, BSN, and EtonHouse — only admit students with a foreign passport. A few options are open to local students. RGS Guildford, Nanjing, and Nanjing Thomas School don't have Hukou restrictions. Nanjing Foreign Language School and Jinling High School's international departments are public-affiliated, so local Chinese students can apply through the standard entrance exam process.
Q: What's the cheapest international school in Nanjing?
Nanjing Foreign Language School is the most affordable option at around ¥30,000 per term for the Canada–Cambridge program. For private expatriate schools, EtonHouse starts at roughly ¥114,800 per year — the lowest base fee among the full K-12 options.
Q: Do Nanjing international schools teach in English?
Yes. All nine schools use English as the primary language of instruction. Most also offer Mandarin Chinese as a second language. EtonHouse and Wycombe Abbey blend Chinese language learning into the curriculum from early years.
Q: Which schools in Nanjing offer the IB program?
Three schools offer full or partial IB programs: Nanjing International School (full PYP, MYP, and DP), EtonHouse International School Nanjing (IB PYP), and RGS Guildford Nanjing (IB DP). Nanjing Foreign Language School also offers the IB Diploma Programme as one of its three curriculum tracks.
Q: What documents do I need to apply to an international school in Nanjing?
You'll typically need your child's foreign passport, a valid Chinese visa or residence permit, previous school reports or transcripts, and proof of the parent's work permit or residency in China. Some schools also ask for a family interview. Requirements can vary by school, so check directly with the admissions office before applying.
Q: Are boarding options available at Nanjing international schools?
Yes, but only at a few. BASIS International School Nanjing offers boarding for students in Grades 5–12. Wycombe Abbey School Nanjing also provides boarding alongside its day school program. Most of the other nine schools are day-only.
Q: How do Nanjing's international schools compare to those in Shanghai or Beijing?
Nanjing's schools are generally smaller and less crowded than those in Shanghai or Beijing. Fees are often 10–20% lower for comparable programs. The trade-off is fewer options—Nanjing has nine notable international schools versus dozens in Shanghai. For families relocating specifically for education, Shanghai has more variety; for families posted to Nanjing, the local options are strong.
Conclusion
Nanjing international schools, like NIS and Nanjing Thomas School, offer excellent education, fun activities, and a chance to meet kids from many countries. They have awesome buildings and caring teachers.
But they can be expensive and are only for foreign kids. If your family wants a global education and can pay the fees, these schools are a good choice. Consider what’s best for your child and visit the schools to decide!
Are you an expat parent new to China? Finding the right school for your kid is hard. Alifa Education Services helps expat parents find the perfect match. We make it simple and stress-free.
Start your child’s journey today with access to 800+ international schools. Contact us today and book a schedule.
Related Articles
Emmanuel Usang
Emmanuel Usang
Emmanuel Usang
Emmanuel Usang
Member comments