Yew Chung (YCYW) School China: Comparing YCIS vs YWIES

Introduction

Moving to China with children is a big decision. One of the first questions expat parents ask is, "Which school is right for my child?" Two names come up often in China. The first is Yew Chung International School (YCIS). The second is Yew Wah International Education School (YWIES). Both schools share the same parent network. Both have strong reputations across China. But each school serves a very different family.

YCIS is for expat children. It follows a full international curriculum. YWIES is for Chinese local students as well as foreign families looking for bilingual education. It also accepts foreign students. Both schools are well known. Both have strong records. But they are not the same school. They do not serve the same students. They do not follow the same curriculum. Picking the wrong one can hurt your child. It can slow their learning and limit their university choices.

Many expat families do not know this difference. They see two similar names and assume the schools are the same. They apply to the wrong school. They face delays. They miss key admission windows. Some families only find out the truth after they have already paid their fees. This guide will help you avoid that mistake. Read on before you decide.

Alifa Education Services can help. Alifa guides expat families at every step, from finding the right school to submitting a strong application. Book a free consultation with Alifa today and get expert help before you apply.

The YCYW Network: A Shared History, Two Different Paths

The Yew Chung Yew Wah (YCYW) Education Network has a long history. It started in Hong Kong in 1932. Ms. Tsang Chor-hang opened the first Yew Chung School in Kowloon Tong. Her daughter, Dr. Chan Po-king, later grew the network. YCYW entered Mainland China in the 1990s. YCIS Shanghai opened in 1993. YCIS Beijing opened in 1995.

In 1998, the network launched a new brand. Dr. Chan and Professor Yip Kwok-wah created the Yew Wah Education series. The first Yew Wah school opened in Yantai in 2000. This brand caters to Chinese students. It uses the Chinese National Curriculum as its base. It then adds international elements on top.

The network runs on three pillars: science and technology, culture and arts, and love and charity. Both YCIS and YWIES follow this mission, but they serve different students.

YCIS vs YWIES: Core Differences Parents Must Know

This is the most important section for expat families. Here is what sets the two schools apart.

Who can enroll:

• YCIS accepts foreign passport holders
• YCIS also accepts residents of Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan
• YWIES focuses on Chinese students
• YWIES also accepts foreign students looking for bilingual education systems.

Curriculum:

• YCIS uses a full international curriculum
• YCIS follows the National Curriculum for England, IGCSE, and the IB Diploma Programme
• YWIES uses a dual-track system
• YWIES follows the Chinese National Curriculum and adds IGCSE and A Level

Teaching model:

• Both schools use the Western and Chinese co-leadership model
• A Chinese principal and a foreign principal lead each school together
• Both schools pair Western teachers with Chinese teachers in each class

Language:

• YCIS is bilingual from early childhood
• Strong English instruction runs daily alongside Chinese classes
• YWIES also builds bilingual learning
• But YWIES puts more weight on the Chinese language and Chinese culture

University:

• YCIS graduates apply to the UK, US, Australia, and Hong Kong
• YWIES graduates can go overseas or take the Chinese Gaokao path

If your child holds a foreign passport, YCIS is the right fit. If you are a Chinese family seeking a bilingual school, YWIES may work better.

YCIS Campuses in China

YCIS has campuses in several big cities. Each campus runs full education from early childhood to year 13.

Yew Chung International School of Beijing

Chaoyang District, founded in 1995. One of Beijing's oldest international schools. Over 800 students from 45 countries study here. Teachers come from 30 different countries. The school uses interactive touchscreen technology in every classroom. Air filtration units run throughout the building. The campus has a sports field, music rooms, and arts spaces. A second campus, YCIS Beijing Yizhuang, is under development in Daxing District.

YCIS Beijing Tuition Fees (2024-2025):

• Primary Grades 1-2: RMB 251,000 per year
• Primary Grades 3-6: RMB 256,000 per year
• Secondary Grades 7-9: RMB 277,000 per year
• Secondary Grades 10-13: RMB 298,000 per year

Yew Chung International School of Shanghai

Puxi and Pudong, founded in 1993. The first government-approved international school in mainland China. It has since grown to five active campuses across Puxi and Pudong. Students come from over 50 countries. A sixth campus, YCIS Lingang, opens in September 2026. The Lingang campus will offer full K-13 education and 300 dormitory beds.

YCIS Shanghai Tuition Fees

• Nursery 2 (age 2): RMB 243,900 per year
• Kindergarten 1-2 (ages 3-4): RMB 264,800 per year
• Kindergarten 3 to Grade 2 (ages 5-7): RMB 313,900 per year
• Grades 3-4 (ages 8-9): RMB 320,200 per year
• Grades 5-7 (ages 10-12): RMB 350,200 per year
• Grades 8-9 (ages 13-14): RMB 356,400 per year
• Grades 10-11 (ages 15-16): RMB 362,700 per year

Yew Chung International School of Chongqing

Now located in Liangjiang New Area, approved in 2001. The first Ministry of Education-approved international school in Chongqing. It offers IGCSE in Years 10-11 and the IB Diploma Programme in Years 12-13. The school holds accreditation from CIS, CIE, and the College Board.

YCIS Chongqing Tuition Fees:

• Kindergarten (ages 2-4): RMB 190,000 per year
• Primary Grades 1-4: RMB 257,000 per year
• Primary Grades 5-6: RMB 264,000 per year
• Secondary Grades 7-9: RMB 285,000 per year
• Secondary Grades 10-11: RMB 302,000 per year
• Secondary Grades 12-13: RMB 308,000 per year

Yew Chung International School of Qingdao

Huangdao District Founded in 2006. Enrolls only children of foreign nationals. A CIS Member School and IB World School. The library holds over 40,000 books in Chinese and English. Teachers from over 10 countries make up the faculty. Around 46 percent hold master's degrees.

YCIS Qingdao Tuition Fees:

• Kindergarten: RMB 171,000 per year
• Primary Grades 1-4: RMB 226,000 per year
• Primary Grades 5-6: RMB 229,000 per year
• Secondary Grades 7-9: RMB 249,000 per year
• Secondary Grade 10 (IGCSE): RMB 256,000 per year
• Secondary Grades 12-13 (IBDP): RMB 257,000 per year

All YCIS campuses share these features.

• Full education from early childhood to Year 13
• IGCSE and IB Diploma Programme in secondary school
• Character education and whole-child development
• A Learning Community model that links classwork to the real world
• Top educators from over 20 countries
• Air filtration units and interactive touchscreen technology

YWIES Campuses in China

YWIES spreads its campuses across China. They are private bilingual schools. Most students are Chinese.

Yew Wah International Education School Of Beijing Yizhuang Campus

Daxing District, founded in 2016. The main YWIES campus in Beijing. Covers kindergarten to junior high school. The campus is 100,000 square meters. It has a swimming pool, sports field, theater, and robot workshops. Over 40 percent of teachers hold master's degrees. The average teacher has 14 years of experience.

YWIES Beijing Yizhuang Tuition Fees (2025-2026):

Kindergarten to High School: RMB 215,000-279,000 per year

Yew Wah International Education School of Shanghai Lingang

Pudong New Area, founded in 2015. Offers primary to junior high education. The permanent campus opens in September 2026. It will offer full K-12 education in the Lingang New Area. The curriculum combines the Chinese National Curriculum with IGCSE.

YWIES Shanghai Lingang Tuition Fees:

• Primary Grades 1-3: RMB 220,000 per year
• Primary Grades 4-6: RMB 225,000 per year
• Junior High Grades 7-9: RMB 250,000 per year
• Senior High Grades 10-12: RMB 280,000 per year

Yew Wah International Education School of Shanghai Gubei

Changning District Focuses on international art high school education. Offers a three-year A-level art program. Students can study fine art, fashion design, digital media, and architecture. Best for students with a strong interest in creative subjects. Graduates have won places at top art schools worldwide.

Yew Wah International Education School of Guangzhou

Panyu District was founded in 2014. A K-12 school in the Greater Bay Area. The campus covers 144 mu with a building area of 110,000 square meters. It has a gymnasium, athletics field, and student dormitories. The school adds the HKDSE program in 2025-2026.

YWIES Guangzhou Tuition Fees:

• Early Childhood: Approximately RMB 196,400 per year
• Primary School: RMB 185,000 per year plus RMB 8,800 meal fee
• Junior High: RMB 189,600 per year plus RMB 8,800 meal fee
• High School: RMB 266,000 per year plus RMB 8,800 meal fee

Yew Wah International Education School of Yantai Campus

District was founded in 2000. The first YWIES campus in China. Offers K-12 education with Chinese and international curricula. The ratio of Chinese to foreign teachers is 1 to 1. A new Bajiaowan campus is under construction and is expected to open in 2026.

YWIES Yantai Tuition Fees:

• Primary School: RMB 138,000 per year
• Junior High School: RMB 182,000 per year

Yew Wah International Education School of Zhejiang Tongxiang

Tongxiang City was founded in 2017. Offers a dual-track system. Students choose between full international programs and the Chinese Gaokao path. Art, music, and media tracks are available. The campus is 40 minutes by high-speed rail from Shanghai.

Curriculum Comparison

Both YCIS and YWIES share the same network values, but their curriculum paths differ.

YCIS Curriculum:

• Early childhood: Play-based learning that builds fundamental skills
• Primary school: National Curriculum for England with Chinese Studies and character foundations
• Secondary Years 7-9: Yew Chung Curriculum, a bilingual programme from the network
• Years 10-11: IGCSE
• Years 12-13: IB Diploma Programme
• New in 2025-2026: HKDSE added at several campuses

YWIES Curriculum:

• Early childhood: Bilingual learning through play and inquiry
• Primary and junior high: Chinese National Curriculum plus international frameworks
• High school: IGCSE, A-Level, or HKDSE depending on the campus
• Some campuses: the Chinese Gaokao path is available

Both schools use the dual-teacher model. Both focus on character education and personal and social values. Both build cross-cultural understanding and global perspectives.

The key difference is the base. YCIS builds on a Western curriculum. YWIES builds on the Chinese National Curriculum. This shapes how teachers teach subjects and where students go after school.

How to Apply to YCIS

1. Submit an online application with identity documents and transcripts
2. Attend a written test and interview
3. Wait for the admissions committee to review your file
4. Pay the deposit of RMB 20,000 and tuition on acceptance
5. Confirm uniform, lunch, and transport

Foreign passport holders need a valid visa and a parent work permit. Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan residents need a Home Return Permit and proof of local work.

How to Apply to YWIES

1. Submit an online application with identity and health documents
2. Attend an entrance assessment with a written test and interview
3. Senior high applicants may need an English score
4. Receive the admission notice and pay fees to confirm a place

Most YWIES campuses accept applications all year round.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between YCIS and YWIES? YCIS is for expat children and follows a full international curriculum (IGCSE + IB Diploma). YWIES is primarily for Chinese students and builds on the Chinese National Curriculum with international qualifications added on top.

Q: Can a Chinese child attend YCIS? No. YCIS campuses in China are for foreign passport holders only. Chinese families should look at YWIES instead.

Q: Can a foreign child attend YWIES? Yes, but the curriculum leans heavily on Chinese language and the Chinese National Curriculum. It suits expat families who want strong bilingual immersion, not a fully international pathway.

Q: How much does YCIS cost per year? Tuition ranges from approximately RMB 171,000 in Qingdao to RMB 362,700 in Shanghai, depending on the city and grade level.

Q: When should I apply to YCIS? As early as possible. YCIS runs a waiting pool system, and popular year levels fill up fast. Missing the window can delay enrolment by a full school year.

Conclusion

Choosing between YCIS and YWIES is not about picking a school; it is about picking the right path for your child. YCIS is built for expat children. It runs from early childhood, following a full international curriculum. YWIES is for Chinese families who want a bilingual school with international options.

Both schools share strong values. Both focus on academics, character education, and cross-cultural learning. But the base curriculum, the rules for admission, and the university paths are all different.

Getting this choice right matters. Expat families face tight timelines. The systems are not always easy to follow. One wrong step can cost months. It can also mean a placement that does not suit your child at all.

Alifa Education Services helps expat families get it right. We knows every YCIS campus in China. We also knows the entry rules, the documents you need, and what makes a strong application stand out.

Book your free consultation with us today. Get the right guidance from the start. Give your child the best chance at the right school.