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# Wellington College China: Every School, Fees & Curriculum
- URL: https://blog.alifaedtech.com/wellington-college-china/
- Published: 2026-07-25T15:27:15.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-29T12:01:47.000Z
- Description: A clear 2026 guide to Wellington College China: the three Wellington College International schools and three Hiba Academy bilingual schools. Covers curriculum, exam results, who can enroll at each, fees for every campus, boarding, and how to apply with local guardianship support.
- Author: Emmanuel Usang
- Tags: International Schools in China, Wellington College China, Hiba Academy, Study in China, School Guides

## Introduction

[Wellington College Education (China) operates **six main schools** across Tianjin, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nantong: three Wellington College International schools and three Hiba Academy bilingual schools.](https://pune.wellingtoncollege.in/wellington-family) The group also operates separate early-years settings and a specialist A Level Centre in Tianjin.

**Wellington College International** schools primarily serve families who meet campus-specific international-school eligibility requirements. **Hiba Academy** bilingual schools — known in Chinese as 惠立 (Huili) — are designed mainly for Chinese and internationally minded families. Tuition, application fees, eligibility and curricula differ by campus. All figures in this guide are therefore identified by academic year and should be verified against the relevant school’s official admissions information.

That two-line split is the most confusing thing about the brand. A recent rebrand of the English name, from “Huili School” to “**Hiba Academy**,” adds to it. So this guide clears the split first. Then it covers the six main schools, city by city. It looks at the curriculum, exam results, university offers, who can enrol, fees and admissions, and boarding. It ends with how a family moving to China can get help with a place and a local guardian.

📚 Scope of This Guide

This guide covers the **six main schools**. The group also operates separate early-years nurseries in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Tianjin, and a specialist A Level Centre in Tianjin. Those settings are noted in context but are not profiled individually. Overseas Hiba campuses (including the planned Bay Area site) sit outside this guide’s scope.

**Experience Excellence,** *Embrace Opportunity.*

[🏫 Browse School List](https://alifaedtech.com/schools) [📅 Book a Free Consultation](https://tidycal.com/publisher) 

☰

Table of Contents

[1Introduction→](#introduction) [2Key Takeaways→](#key-takeaways) [3From Berkshire to China→](#from-berkshire) [4Wellington International vs Hiba Academy→](#wci-vs-hiba) [5Every School, City by City→](#campuses-city) [6Curriculum and Academic Pathways→](#curriculum) [7Exam Results and University Destinations→](#results) [8Who Can Attend?→](#eligibility) [9How Admissions Work→](#admissions) [10Boarding and Campus Life→](#boarding) [11Frequently Asked Questions→](#faq) [12How Alifa Helps International Families→](#how-alifa-helps) 

## Key Takeaways

**Two brands, one group.** Wellington College International is for foreign-passport children. Hiba Academy (惠立), formerly known as “Huili School,” is a private bilingual school open to Chinese and international children.

[**Six main schools, four cities:** Tianjin, Shanghai (Pudong), Hangzhou (Xiaoshan), and Nantong.](https://www.wellingtoncollege.cn/) Counting the four kindergartens and Tianjin’s A Level course centre, that comes to **eleven institutions**.

**Founded by Joy Qiao (乔英) in 2009.** The first school opened in Tianjin in 2011 — the **first Wellington College campus anywhere outside the UK**.

**Results are strong.** [In 2025, Wellington International Shanghai averaged **37.4 on the IB Diploma**.](https://shanghai.wellingtoncollege.cn/admissions/eligibility-requirements) Tianjin and Hangzhou each posted **63–64% A\*/A at A Level**. [Hiba Academy Shanghai reached **79% A\*/A at IGCSE**.](https://forbeschina.com/business/71610)

**Sixth Form paths differ by campus.** Shanghai (International) is IB only. Tianjin is A Level only. Hangzhou (International) offers both. The Hiba schools run the IB Diploma in Shanghai and A Level in Hangzhou and Nantong.

**Tuition varies widely (2025–26).** Hiba Academy Shanghai charges about **RMB 170,000/year** for primary. Wellington International Shanghai charges **RMB 391,000/year** for Sixth Form.

[**Boarding** is offered in Tianjin](https://www.wellingtoncollegeeducation.com/our-family-of-schools/wellington-college-international-tianjin/), Hangzhou (from Year 5), and at Hiba Academy Nantong’s flagship, which has room for close to **800 boarders**.

## From Berkshire to China

Wellington College UK is a leading British independent school. It was founded in **1859** in **Berkshire, England**, as a national monument to the first Duke of Wellington. Over more than 160 years, it built a strong name for **academic results, pastoral care, and a broad, whole-child education**.

![Wellington College China student life: robotics, music, photography and playground](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/81/c28166d6-22ce-4cad-9c10-4defbc55a069/content/images/2026/07/1-9.jpg)

Wellington College China student life: robotics, music, photography and playground

[The China story began in 2009\. That year, **Joy Qiao (乔英)** founded **Wellington College Education (China)**, or WCEC.](https://www.wellingtoncollege.cn/latest-news/352779/) The group’s first school opened in Tianjin in 2011 — the **first Wellington College campus anywhere outside the United Kingdom**. Wellington Education — as the group is widely known — belongs to the wider Wellington College education network, which now spans the UK, China, India, and Thailand, with more campuses opening in the US and Indonesia. Each China campus has its own School Affairs Board under the group’s central leadership.

Beyond China, Wellington runs operating schools in Bangkok, Pune (India), and Jakarta. Wellington College International Lagos is planned to open in September 2027 and is not yet operating. A further **Hiba Academy campus is due to open in the Bay Area, California** — the brand’s first step outside China. Those overseas campuses sit outside the China footprint this guide covers.

## Wellington International vs Hiba Academy

China has two very different school systems for two very different groups of children, and Wellington operates in both. Getting this right is the whole game.

**Wellington College International (惠灵顿外籍人员子女学校)** is a school for foreign children. It is a 外籍人员子女学校 under Chinese rules. Teaching is mainly in English and follows a British path.

**Hiba Academy (惠立学校)** is a private, bilingual school open to Chinese and international families with no nationality restriction. It teaches in both Chinese and English, combining the Chinese national curriculum with international teaching methods. Hiba Academy is part of the same group — but it is a separate school type, with its own campuses.

### Wellington College International

惠灵顿外籍人员子女学校

Chinese name

惠灵顿外籍人员子女学校

English brand

Wellington College International

Regulatory type

外籍人员子女学校 (foreign personnel children’s school)

Who it is for

Foreign-passport / HK-Macao-Taiwan / waiver families

Main language

English

Sixth Form

IB and/or A Level (varies by campus)

Cities

Tianjin, Shanghai, Hangzhou

2025–26 tuition

RMB \~298,750–391,000/yr

### Hiba Academy (惠立)

惠立学校

Chinese name

惠立学校

English brand

Hiba Academy (formerly “Huili School”)

Regulatory type

民办双语学校 (private bilingual school)

Who it is for

Chinese & international — no nationality bar

Main language

Bilingual (Chinese & English)

Sixth Form

IB (Shanghai) or A Level (Hangzhou, Nantong)

Cities

Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nantong

2025–26 tuition

RMB \~170,000–297,000/yr

## Every School, City by City

There are three [Wellington College International schools](https://www.wellingtoncollege.cn) and three [Hiba Academy schools](https://www.hibaacademy.org.cn), across four different cities. Each city also has an early-years or course centre setting. Here is the full picture at a glance.

| School                                                                                                                 | City                | Type                 | Ages                              | Opened |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------- | -------------------- | --------------------------------- | ------ |
| [Wellington College International Tianjin](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/wellington-college-international-tianjin)   | Tianjin · Hongqiao  | International        | 2–18                              | 2011   |
| [Wellington College International Shanghai](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/wellington-college-international-shanghai) | Shanghai · Pudong   | International        | 2–18                              | 2014   |
| [Wellington College International Hangzhou](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/wellington-college-international-hangzhou) | Hangzhou · Xiaoshan | International        | 5–18                              | 2018   |
| Hiba Academy Shanghai                                                                                                  | Shanghai · Pudong   | Bilingual            | Primary–Senior (separate nursery) | 2018   |
| [Hiba Academy Hangzhou](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/hiba-academy-hangzhou)                                         | Hangzhou · Xiaoshan | Bilingual            | 2–18                              | 2018   |
| [Hiba Academy Nantong](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/hiba-academy-nantong)                                           | Nantong             | Bilingual · boarding | 2–18                              | 2022   |

🏠

### Tianjin

Hongqiao District — where it all started

[Wellington College International Tianjin](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/wellington-college-international-tianjin) opened in 2011 — the group’s first school. It takes children from age 2 to 18 and offers boarding. The city also has a bilingual nursery (2017) and an A Level course centre (2014), both under the Wellington College Bilingual Tianjin name. There is no Hiba Academy campus in Tianjin.

🏢

### Shanghai (Pudong)

The group’s largest cluster

[Wellington College International Shanghai](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/wellington-college-international-shanghai) opened in 2014, for foreign-passport families, ages 2 to 18\. Hiba Academy Shanghai opened in 2018 as the bilingual option, with a separate Hiba nursery. Its fees are set by the Shanghai Pudong New Area Development & Reform Commission. The two schools cover both routes on one side of the city.

🏝

### Hangzhou (Xiaoshan)

Mirrors the Shanghai set-up

[Wellington College International Hangzhou](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/wellington-college-international-hangzhou) and [Hiba Academy Hangzhou](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/hiba-academy-hangzhou) both opened in 2018 and share a campus in Xiaoshan, with a Hiba nursery alongside. The international school takes children from age 5 and offers boarding from Year 5\. The Hiba school runs the full bilingual route from age 2.

🏛

### Nantong

Flagship boarding campus

[Hiba Academy Nantong](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/hiba-academy-nantong) opened in 2022 — a continuous school for ages 2 to 18\. Two seven-storey boarding buildings hold close to 800 students. Its first senior cohort graduated in 2026\. There is no Wellington College International campus in Nantong.

Count the kindergartens and Tianjin’s course centre too, and the group runs **eleven institutions**. A twelfth is on the way: **Hiba Academy Bay Area**, in San Francisco, opens in autumn 2026 — the brand’s first campus outside China.

![Wellington College China video](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ZEoVExuag7M/maxresdefault.jpg) 

![Wellington College China video 1](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ZEoVExuag7M/mqdefault.jpg) 

![Wellington College China video 2](https://img.youtube.com/vi/fykfcfx5W1E/mqdefault.jpg) 

![Wellington College China video 3](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Us-G3f2mPG8/mqdefault.jpg) 

![Wellington College China video 4](https://img.youtube.com/vi/9ZebxlJAV-4/mqdefault.jpg) 

## Curriculum and Academic Pathways

The two school types teach across all educational stages on two different tracks.

At the **Wellington College International** schools, children follow a British path. It starts with early years in the EYFS framework. Primary years use the English National Curriculum alongside the IPC. In Years 10–11, students sit IGCSE exams — the international form of GCSEs. The final two years differ by campus:

- **Shanghai** — the IB Diploma Programmeme only.
- **Tianjin** — A Level only. Tianjin is the group’s established A Level centre, offering CIE, AQA, and Edexcel exams.
- **Hangzhou** — A Level only. The curriculum follows IGCSE preparation, then a two-year A Level programmeme in Years 12 and 13.

![Wellington College China activities: science lab, robotics and horse riding](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/81/c28166d6-22ce-4cad-9c10-4defbc55a069/content/images/2026/07/2-13.jpg)

Wellington College China activities: science lab, robotics and horse riding

At the **Hiba Academy** schools, children follow a bilingual “fusion” model. Lessons run roughly half in English and half in Chinese. The model is built on the [Chinese national curriculum](https://blog.alifaedtech.com/chinese-national-curriculum-schools/), so pupils sit the Chinese Zhongkao and Huikao milestones. They then move to international exams at the senior level:

- **Shanghai** — IGCSE, then the IB Diploma Programmeme.
- **Hangzhou** — [IGCSE, then A Level.](https://blog.alifaedtech.com/igcse-a-level-china/)
- **Nantong** — an IGCSE/Pre-A foundation, then A Level.

The group also holds a wide set of accreditations and memberships that reflect its global recognition. These include CIS, the IB Organization, COBIS, ACAMIS, and FOBISIA. The list also includes the [Duke of Edinburgh’s Award](https://blog.alifaedtech.com/duke-of-edinburgh-award-schools-in-china/) and LAMDA at some campuses, alongside IPC, Cambridge Assessment English, and Edexcel as authorised centres.

## Exam Results and University Destinations

Each school publishes results for its own leaving exams. The exception is Hangzhou, where the two schools share a campus and report jointly. The table below shows the most recent figures available at time of writing. Wellington College International Shanghai has published 2026 results; other campuses’ 2026 results should be verified directly with each school. Hiba Academy Nantong’s first full A Level results are due in 2026.

| School                                                                                    | Sixth Form           | Latest published results                                                                                                                    | University offers                                                       |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [WCI Tianjin](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/wellington-college-international-tianjin)   | A Level              | [2025–26](https://tianjin.wellingtoncollege.cn/results): A Level 29% A\*, 63% A\*/A; IGCSE 41% A\*/A                                        | 2025: 130 offers, 85% to QS Top 100, 31% to UK “G5”                     |
| [WCI Shanghai](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/wellington-college-international-shanghai) | IB Diploma Programme | [2026: IB average 38.2/45](https://shanghai.wellingtoncollege.cn/results) (updated July 24, 2026; earlier announcement 37.9); 2025: 37.4/45 | Oxford offers four years running; Cambridge, UCL, Imperial              |
| [WCI Hangzhou](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/wellington-college-international-hangzhou) | A Level              | [2025, campus-wide†](https://hangzhou.wellingtoncollege.cn/results): A Level 25% A\*, 64% A\*/A; IGCSE 35% A\*, 61% A\*/A                   | Class of 2026, campus-wide†: 203 offers (7 per pupil); 50% to QS Top 10 |
| Hiba Shanghai                                                                             | IB Diploma Programme | 2025: IGCSE 44% A\*, 79% A\*/A, 94% A\*–B (first IB cohort results pending)                                                                 | Group-level Oxbridge and Ivy League offers                              |
| [Hiba Hangzhou](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/hiba-academy-hangzhou)                    | A Level              | Reported jointly with WCI Hangzhou†                                                                                                         | Reported jointly with WCI Hangzhou†                                     |
| [Hiba Nantong](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/hiba-academy-nantong)                      | A Level              | 2025 (AS Level): 42% of grades at A; first full cohort 2026                                                                                 | Class of 2026: 24 offers; 88% to QS Top 20 (UCL, Melbourne, HKUST)      |

**†** The two Hangzhou schools share one campus and report IGCSE, A Level, and university-offer results jointly as “Wellington College Hangzhou.” Figures are not split between the foreign-passport and bilingual schools. **G5** \= the five most selective UK universities (Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, UCL). **QS** rankings refer to the QS World University Rankings. Figures are as published by each school; confirm the latest year with the school before relying on them.

## Who Can Attend?

This is where families most often trip up, so read it carefully.

### Wellington College International

**Wellington College International schools** are for children from other countries, under China’s rules. Shanghai publishes the most detailed test. [Applicants must fall into one of six categories, set by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission:](https://shanghai.wellingtoncollege.cn/admissions/eligibility-requirements)

| Category | Who qualifies (WCI Shanghai)                                                                                                       |
| -------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| A        | A working parent holds a valid Shanghai work-type residence permit (foreigner).                                                    |
| B        | The working parent is a PRC national; the child was born overseas or in Hong Kong / Macao / Taiwan.                                |
| C        | A working parent holds a Hong Kong or Macao passport.                                                                              |
| D        | Family holds a formal SHMEC waiver letter (PRC nationals with foreign permanent residence and 2+ years’ study abroad).             |
| E        | PRC-national parent married to a non-working, non-PRC national residing legally in Shanghai; the child is a PRC national.          |
| F        | The PRC-national parent holds foreign permanent residence; the child is a foreign national with a valid Shanghai residence permit. |

Hangzhou and Tianjin use a simpler version of the same idea. A child qualifies with a foreign passport, a foreign permanent residence permit (绿卡), or Hong Kong / Macao / Taiwan residency. Children of Chinese citizens living abroad also qualify. The rule is clear. A mainland-Chinese family with no overseas status generally cannot enrol in a 外籍人员子女学校. Eligibility depends on the child’s nationality, the parents’ residency status, and the local education authority’s rules. **Families should complete an eligibility check directly with the relevant admissions office.**

### Hiba Academy

**Hiba Academy schools** are private bilingual schools that primarily serve Chinese and internationally minded families. Nationality is generally not the same barrier as it is at international schools. However, for compulsory-education years, local residency, hukou, and the local education bureau’s rules may still apply. Families should confirm their child’s eligibility with the relevant Hiba campus before applying. Senior entry expects strong English.

Hiba Academy admissions are rolling and free to apply. The steps are simple: an inquiry, a recommended taster day or campus visit, and the application in Open Apply. The assessment combines a cognitive test, English and Chinese language tests, and a family interview. For compulsory grades, the school follows the local education bureau’s calendar. Senior entry can expect an [IELTS](https://blog.alifaedtech.com/ielts-exam/) or [TOEFL](https://blog.alifaedtech.com/toefl-exam-results/) benchmark — for example, IELTS 5.5 for Hangzhou’s Grade 10.

![Wellington College China students swimming, in group study and early years play](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/81/c28166d6-22ce-4cad-9c10-4defbc55a069/content/images/2026/07/3-12.jpg)

Wellington College China students swimming, in group study and early years play

## Fees and Admissions

Tuition is set for each school year and rises with year group. The international schools charge a one-off application fee and a resource fee of RMB 18,000\. The Hiba schools charge no application fee. All schools bill meals, uniforms, and transport separately.

**⚠ Freshness note — July 2026:** Where 2026–27 fees have been officially published, those figures are shown. Where they have not, the most recent confirmed schedule is shown and labeled accordingly. **Always verify the current year’s fee schedule directly with each school before making financial plans.**

Wellington College International Shanghai · 2026/27 

Tuition rises about 3% across all year groups. Application fee: RMB 3,500 (non-refundable).

| Stage               | Annual Tuition (RMB) |
| ------------------- | -------------------- |
| Early Years         | 301,200              |
| Years 1–5           | 334,300              |
| Year 6              | 352,100              |
| Years 7–9           | 367,400              |
| Years 10–11 (IGCSE) | 391,700              |
| Years 12–13 (IB)    | 402,700              |

Source: [Wellington Shanghai – School Fees 2026/27](https://shanghai.wellingtoncollege.cn/admissions/school-fees/)

Wellington College International Hangzhou · 2026/27 

Fees increase roughly 3% for Years 1–10; Years 11–13 hold at RMB 335,950.

| Stage       | Annual Tuition (RMB) |
| ----------- | -------------------- |
| Years 1–6   | 307,710              |
| Years 7–10  | 322,580              |
| Years 11–13 | 335,950              |

Source: [Wellington Hangzhou – Fee Schedule 2026/27](https://hangzhou.wellingtoncollege.cn/admissions/fees)

Wellington College International Tianjin · 2026/27 

Tuition rises about 8%. Figures below show the discounted annual-payment rate; termly payment costs slightly more.

| Stage       | Annual Tuition (RMB) |
| ----------- | -------------------- |
| Years 2–6   | 344,100              |
| Years 7–9   | 365,400              |
| Years 10–13 | 370,300              |

Source: [Wellington Tianjin – Fee Schedule 2026/27](https://tianjin.wellingtoncollege.cn/admissions/fees)

Hiba Academy Shanghai · 2026/27 

Government-approved tuition unchanged for 2026/27; billed per semester.

| Stage           | Annual Tuition (RMB) |
| --------------- | -------------------- |
| Primary (G1–5)  | 170,000              |
| Junior (G6–9)   | 196,000              |
| Senior (G10–12) | 220,000              |

Source: [Hiba Academy Shanghai – 2026–27 Fees](https://shanghai.hibaacademy.org.cn/admissions/fees)

Hiba Academy Hangzhou · 2025/26 

2026/27 fees pending price-bureau approval; figures below are the 2025/26 rates.

| Stage           | Annual Tuition (RMB) |
| --------------- | -------------------- |
| Primary (G1–6)  | 193,600              |
| Junior (G7–9)   | 226,400              |
| Senior (G10–12) | 259,000              |

Source: [Hiba Academy Hangzhou – Admissions FAQ](https://hangzhou.hibaacademy.org.cn/admissions/faqs)

Hiba Academy Nantong · Official Tuition 

Billed per semester; meals, boarding, uniforms and the comprehensive service fee charged separately.

| Stage           | Annual Tuition (RMB) |
| --------------- | -------------------- |
| Primary (G1–6)  | 150,000              |
| Junior (G7–9)   | 168,000              |
| Senior (G10–12) | 288,000              |

Source: [Hiba Academy Nantong – Admissions FAQ](https://nantong.hibaacademy.org.cn/admissions/faqs)

**Application fee:** RMB 3,500 (Shanghai) or RMB 2,000 (Hangzhou, Tianjin), non-refundable. **Resource fee:** RMB 18,000 at all three WCI schools. Families should check current refund and withdrawal conditions in the official fee schedule. Hangzhou’s international school starts at Year 1; Tianjin’s at Year 2\. Younger children attend the group’s separate Wellington-branded kindergartens.

Hiba Academy charges no application fee. Hiba Shanghai’s fees are set and published by the Shanghai Pudong Development & Reform Commission. Hiba Hangzhou and Hiba Nantong set their fees on local price bureau approval. Boarding, meals, uniform, school bus service, and a Hiba “quality education fee” (惠立特色素质教育费) are all billed on top.

## How Admissions Work

### Wellington College International

Wellington College International campuses have a rolling process managed through **OpenApply**. The main intake is in August.

1

Enquire and confirm eligibility

Check your child fits an eligible category for that campus before applying.

2

Apply online and submit documents

Upload the required documents and pay the **application fee** (RMB 3,500 for Shanghai; RMB 2,000 for Hangzhou and Tianjin), non-refundable. Payment is processed through OpenApply.

3

Assessment

Age-appropriate. The youngest sit a classroom activity and a parent interview. From around **Year 3** up: a **CAT4** cognitive test, a short English writing task, and a family interview.

4

Decision

Usually within a few working days to three weeks.

5

Offer and acceptance

Pay an **RMB 18,000 resource fee** to secure the place. Families should check current refund and withdrawal conditions in the official fee schedule, as terms vary by year.

Applications for the next school year open the preceding September. There is no hard deadline — but seats are limited, so **early application matters**.

---

### Hiba Academy

Hiba Academy admissions are also rolling and **free to apply**. The steps are simple: an inquiry, a recommended taster day or campus visit, and then the application through OpenApply. After applying, families go through an assessment that combines a cognitive test, English and Chinese language tests, and a family interview. For compulsory-education grades, the school follows the local education bureau’s calendar. Senior entry can expect an IELTS or TOEFL benchmark — for example, **IELTS 5.5** for Hangzhou’s Grade 10.

## Boarding and Campus Life

Two of the six schools run as day schools only: [Wellington College International Shanghai](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/wellington-college-international-shanghai) and [Hiba Academy Shanghai](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/hiba-academy-shanghai). Boarding is offered in three places:

[**Wellington College International Tianjin**](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/wellington-college-international-tianjin) — full boarding RMB 131,400/year (RMB 6,000/week); weekly boarding RMB 102,000/year (RMB 4,000/week).

[**Wellington College International Hangzhou**](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/wellington-college-international-hangzhou) — full or weekly boarding from Year 5, in Ming House.

[**Hiba Academy Nantong**](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/hiba-academy-nantong) — the group’s flagship boarding campus. Two seven-storey boarding buildings provide close to 800 beds. Pupils can board from Grade 1\. There are four options: day, weekly, full, and overseas-student boarding.

Campus life across the group rests on a house system, the [Duke of Edinburgh’s Award](https://blog.alifaedtech.com/duke-of-edinburgh-award-schools-in-china/), and, at selected campuses, LAMDA drama. A wide programme of co-curricular activities spans sports, performing arts, and science. Several campuses include a dedicated performing arts centre for drama, music, and dance. Classes are small — around 24 pupils, with low student-teacher ratios — so pastoral care stays personal. Resident support staff at boarding campuses provide care all day and night, covering academic, emotional, and practical needs. This whole-child model is core to the Wellington approach.

## Frequently Asked Questions

How many Wellington College schools are there in China? + 

There are **six schools** in four cities. Three are Wellington College International: Tianjin, Shanghai, and Hangzhou. Three are Hiba Academy bilingual: Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Nantong. The group has **eleven institutions in total**, including four kindergartens and Tianjin’s A Level course centre.

What is the difference between Wellington College International and Hiba Academy? + 

**Wellington College International** schools take children with foreign passports. They teach in English and follow a British approach. **Hiba Academy** is a private bilingual school for Chinese families and international families alike — no nationality restriction — teaching in both Chinese and English. Both are part of Wellington College Education (China).

What was Huili School's name changed to? + 

Huili School changed its English brand name to **Hiba Academy**. The Chinese name, **惠立学校**, and the schools themselves are unchanged. Only the English-language brand on the group’s official website was updated.

Can Chinese citizens attend Wellington College China? + 

Yes, at any Hiba Academy school, with no restriction. Some spots at Wellington College International are available to Chinese nationals who meet a residency rule — for example, a parent registered in Shanghai with foreign permanent residence, or a child born in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, or overseas. Confirm the exact category with the school.

How much does Wellington College China cost? + 

For 2025–26, the lowest tuition is about **RMB 170,000/year** at Hiba Academy Shanghai (Primary). The highest is about **RMB 391,000/year** at Wellington College International Shanghai (Sixth Form, IB Diploma Programme). International campuses charge a one-off application fee of RMB 2,000–3,000 and a refundable RMB 18,000 resource deposit. The Hiba schools charge no application fee.

How good are Wellington College China's results? + 

Strong. [In 2025, Wellington College International Shanghai averaged **37.4/45** in the IB Diploma Programme, with two perfect scores.](https://shanghai.wellingtoncollege.cn/academic/academic-results-and-university-offers) Tianjin and Hangzhou each posted **63–64% A\*/A** at A Level. [Hiba Academy Shanghai reached **79% A\*/A** at IGCSE.](https://forbeschina.com/business/71610) University offers include Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, and other QS Top 20 universities. Hiba Academy Nantong’s first full A Level results are due in 2026.

Does Wellington College China offer boarding? + 

Yes, in three places. **Wellington College International Tianjin** offers full and weekly boarding. **Wellington College International Hangzhou** offers boarding from Year 5\. **Hiba Academy Nantong**, the group’s flagship, has room for close to **800 boarders**. The two Shanghai schools are day schools.

Which curriculum does Wellington College China teach? + 

The international schools follow the English National Curriculum and IPC, then IGCSE, then the IB Diploma Programme and/or A Level. Shanghai is IB-only, Tianjin is A Level-only, and Hangzhou offers both. The Hiba schools teach a bilingual model built on the Chinese national curriculum, leading to IGCSE, then the IB Diploma Programme (Shanghai) or A Level (Hangzhou and Nantong).

Where are Wellington College schools located in China? + 

In four cities: **Tianjin, Shanghai (Pudong), Hangzhou (Xiaoshan), and Nantong**.

When did Wellington College open in China? + 

Wellington College Education (China) was founded by **Joy Qiao** in **2009**. Its first school opened in Tianjin in **2011** — the first Wellington College campus anywhere outside the United Kingdom.

Is Hiba Academy part of Wellington College? + 

Yes. Hiba Academy was previously called “Huili School” in English. It is the bilingual school brand of **Wellington College Education (China)**. Its Chinese name, **惠立 (Huili)**, is unchanged. It is a distinct school type from Wellington College International, with its own campuses and a bilingual curriculum.

## How Alifa Helps International Families

Placement and Guardianship, Handled Locally

[Alifa Education](https://alifaedtech.com/schools) helps international families place their children in Wellington College schools across Tianjin, Shanghai, and Hangzhou — and provides a local guardian once they arrive. We handle the parts that are hardest to manage from abroad.

🏫 School placement

We shortlist the right campus for your child’s passport, grade, and goals. We prepare the application and documents, ready your child for the entry assessment, and manage the timeline so nothing is missed.

[👥 Local guardianship](https://alifaedtech.com/guardianship)

A minor studying in China usually needs a local guardian. Alifa provides a vetted guardian based in the school’s own city — a trusted Chinese national, never a company director. Our full guardianship covers the day-to-day care a family abroad cannot provide.

📄 Eligibility check

Not sure if your family qualifies for a Wellington College International school? We check your passport, residency, and status against the relevant city’s rules before you apply.

🕒 Ongoing support

From school selection to settling in, we stay with your family. Our team is on the ground in China, reachable by WeChat, email, or phone.

Alifa Education Services

### Ready to apply to a Wellington College school in China?

Tell us your child’s passport, current grade, and preferred city. We will check eligibility, shortlist the right campus — Wellington College International or Hiba Academy — and manage the application from there.

[ business@alifaedtech.com ](mailto:business@alifaedtech.com) 

larry9455 

[ +86 152 0107 9455 ](https://wa.me/8615201079455) 

[📅 Book a Free Consultation →](https://tidycal.com/publisher) 

**Disclosure:** Alifa Education Services is an independent education placement consultancy. We may earn a referral fee from partner schools when families enroll, at no extra cost to the family. Our recommendations are based on fit, not fee structure.