More and more international schools are mushrooming around the country, and there are about 180+ international schools in Malaysia. From British curriculum to International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, parents here have the luxury of choice, with plenty of international schooling options for every budget and curriculum preference.
International education in Malaysia is not cheap, however, not all of them are expensive. International schools in Malaysia are typically divided into 6 tiers depending on their fees, with Tier 1 being the most expensive, and Tier 6 being the most affordable ones. Below is an approximation of how much a school in each tier would usually charge parents per annum:
Price Tier 1: RM 80-100,000
Price Tier 2: RM 60-80,000
Price Tier 3: RM 40-50,000
Price Tier 4: RM 30-40,000
Price Tier 5: RM 20-30,000
Price Tier 6: Below RM 20,000
Here we have curated a list of the most affordable international schools in Malaysia, where their annual tuition fees cost less than RM30,000.
PELITA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL – PENANG
Pelita International School provides a nurturing environment where every child has the opportunity to explore and develop multiple intelligences, creating students who possess not only high IQ but high EQ (emotional intelligence). At Pelita International School, they offer classes for preschool, primary, secondary and pre-u levels. Their curriculum follows the UK National curriculum, preparing their students for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and A-Levels. Pelita’s tuition fees per annum starts from RM 7,800 for preschool level to RM 29,400 for A-Levels.
Read Pelita International School Penang reviews here.
WESTLAKE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL – PERAK
Westlake International School (WIS) is a purpose-built school with on-campus boarding facilities located in Kampar, Perak. Their mission is to provide the B.E.S.T. education experience through: (i) Boarding that develops independence, integrity and emotional intelligence (ii) Excellent and holistic Education (iii) Sports that builds determination and discipline (iv) Recognising and nurturing Talents.
WIS delivers a world-recognised Cambridge curriculum leading to the IGCSE and A Level for students aged 4 to 18. Their annual tuition fee ranges from RM8,640 to RM24,660. At WIS, parents have a choice of either full-day boarding or weekday boarding for their children. Full-time boarders stay in the boarding facility seven days a week except during mid-term and term-breaks while weekday boarders stay from Sunday evening until Friday afternoon. It’s RM6,200 per term for Full Boarding and RM5,000 per term for Weekly Boarding.
Read Westlake International School Perak reviews here.
WADI SOFIA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL – KELANTAN
Wadi Sofia Schools is a private co-educational institution established in 2002 which provides kindergarten, primary and secondary education. Situated on the outskirts of Kota Bharu, Kelantan, north-east coast of Peninsula Malaysia, it’s surrounded by lush, tropical fruit trees, providing a peaceful learning environment away from urban distractions for students who aspire a holistic education.
Wadi Sofia Schools offers programmes based on the Cambridge curriculum (CAIE) for primary and secondary students leading to IGCSE and the national curriculum for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) for form 4 and form 5 students only. Their annual fees range from RM6,400 to RM12,400.
Read Wadi Sofia International School reviews here.
SRI UTAMA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL – TERENGGANU
Utama International School (UIS), has provided excellent education to students from kindergarten through to Year 11 since 1994. The school has established a reputation for academic excellence, as well as for providing a well-rounded educational program designed to foster student’s moral, social, and academic development. The knowledge, enthusiasm and creativity of their highly qualified and innovative staff inspire students to develop a lifelong commitment to learning. Utama International School follows the Cambridge International Examination curriculum at both Primary and Secondary levels. Their yearly tuition fees start from RM 8,520 to RM 16,395.
Read Sri Utama International School Kuala Terengganu reviews here.
REGENT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL – PAHANG
Regent International School believes that today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders. Hence, the name ‘Regent’ as the word means ‘Leader in Waiting.’ The philosophy of the school originates from the thought that academic qualification must be complemented with values, knowledge and competencies as well as life skills that will produce well-rounded individuals. Regent International School’s academic and co-curricular contents are carefully formulated, regularly reviewed, and refined to ensure that our students are not only academically competent but also instilled with the right values and attitude.
In Regent International School, Cambridge Primary is offered to students from 5 to 11 years old, Cambridge Secondary for students aged 11 to 15 years old and Cambridge IGCSE for 14 to 16 years old students. The fees for Regent International School Pahang ranges from RM 12,000 to RM 18,600.
Read Regent International School Pahang reviews here.
INSPIROS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL – SELANGOR
Inspiros International School is a fully licensed school by the Ministry of Education and accredited by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). Located at Setiawalk Puchong, Inspiros offers middle income families an incredibly affordable rate for their programme, a premier and quality British international education leading to the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) for students ages between 3 to 19 (from preschool up to A-Levels). The fees for Inspiros International School range from RM 10,000 to RM 19,000.
Inspiros International School also offers facilities such as hall, library, computer labs, science labs, art room, music room, canteen, multipurpose court, music studio and dance studio.
Read Inspiros International School Puchong reviews here.
SPECTRUM INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC SCHOOL – PUTRAJAYA
In making sure that the school is able to build a balanced and positive Muslim, Spectrum Islamic International School adopts 7 pillars of qualifications as a basis. These pillars are Islamic, academic, physical, cultural, health, psychological and sociological qualifications.
At both of its Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya campuses, the school uses the Cambridge curriculum as well as the curriculum of Azhar in Egypt so students are not just able to compete with their peers in the academic field but they are also educated with Islamic values to help them become better Muslims in the future. Preparing for the IR4.0, Spectrum also partnered with Google for Education, Microsoft for Education and PowerSchool so its students are capable of utilising technology when looking for information and researching.
Read Spectrum International Islamic School Putrajaya reviews here.
ALNOOR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL – KUALA LUMPUR
At Alnoor International School, they believe in the importance of understanding and accepting the different cultures represented in the school. They aim to develop emotional, spiritual, moral and cultural values which will lead to students being disciplined, hardworking and wise. Alnoor offers a kindergarten programme for children in the age group of 3 to 5 years old. The school is proudly recognised as a Cambridge Examination Centre and it is following IGCSE syllabus for primary and secondary years. Meanwhile, Arabic is offered to primary and lower secondary students as a subject. Alnoor International School tuition fees start from RM 10,056 to RM 19,500 per year.
Read Alnoor International School Kuala Lumpur reviews here.
GLOBAL INDIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL – KUALA LUMPUR
At Global Indian International School (GIIS), their vision is to become a global role model for teaching and learning. Their mission statement supports this vision; “we nurture our global students into men and women, who will be leaders of distinction, committed to the spirit of excellence, through high-quality education imparted by globally experienced and caring teachers building strong virtues and values while focusing on all round development, creativity and entrepreneurship”.
GIIS adopts the Global Montessori Plus (GMP) Programme which is available for students at the pre-primary level. Then, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is offered to students in classes 9 to 12. At GIIS, the IGCSE program is also offered from classes 1 to 12. GIIS tuition fees range from RM 12,756 to RM 22,728.
Read Global Indian International School (GIIS) Kuala Lumpur reviews here.
ZENITH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL – NEGERI SEMBILAN
Zenith International School is the first and most affordable international school in Seremban offering Preschool, Primary & Secondary education leading to the IGCSE O-Levels & A-Levels qualifications, in both Arts & Science subjects. They believe that every child deserves the best. Whether your child is weak in studies or a brilliant child, their dedicated teachers will work alongside the student to help them reach their full potential. Their annual school fees range from RM6,000 to RM19,950.
Read Zenith International School reviews here.
MELAKA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL – MELAKA (MALACCA)
Melaka International School (MIS) believes that every student is a unique individual deemed for success. Licensed by the Ministry of Education of Malaysia, and certified by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), Melaka International School’s students and faculty members come from more than 15 countries across the globe. The school’s culture of embracing diversity has made them a close-knit family of learners who are eager to share, support and understand one another better.
MIS accepts students from the ages of 4 to 18 (kindergarten, primary, secondary & A-Level) and proudly adopts the internationally recognised Cambridge qualifications. Melaka International School annual tuition fees range from RM 8,907 to RM 31,680.
Read Melaka International School reviews here.
UNITED INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL – JOHOR
United International School’s vision is to transform students’ lives by instilling in them knowledge-based skills to inspire lifelong learning. They aim to provide innovative education that builds both the students’ character as well as prepares them for the rigours of adulthood. United International School facilitates learning by helping its students discover, engage with and acquire valuable skills and knowledge. At United International School, their nursery and reception levels provide pre-school education based on a quality international curriculum to coach their children with a strong foundation to excel in subsequent Primary and Secondary levels. For the primary level, they adopt the Cambridge Primary Programme (CPP). For the secondary level, the programme centres around the IGCSE qualifications. Their annual tuition fees range from RM 6,300 to RM 19,200.
Read United International School Johor reviews here.
AUSTIN HEIGHTS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL – JOHOR
Austin Heights Schools, the forerunner in Experiential Learning, is set to change the educational landscape and traditional boundaries of private education. Their “Education without Boundaries” philosophy challenges the frontiers of private education and brings home the benefits of international education to all Austin Heights Schools’ students. Together with their “East Meets West” approach which incorporates the infusion of Eastern Values to Western Education, their students will be well equipped to face the globalized world without compromising on the core values of Eastern Philosophy. At Austin Heights School, they adopt the British National Curriculum incorporating the International Primary Curriculum, preparing their students for higher education, locally and globally. The school fees for Austin Heights International School ranges from RM 8,400 to RM 18,000 per year.
Read Austin Heights International School Johor reviews here.
LABUAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL – LABUAN
Labuan International School (LIS) is the first and only private international school in Labuan. With more than 20 years of excellent achievements, LIS continues to nurture the children in their Mind, Body and Soul to help them to develop into well balanced individuals. In LIS, the children are always taught to strive for excellence and inculcated with the belief that nothing is impossible when the mind is willing.
LIS provides Reception, Primary and Secondary levels with both National and International curricula where English is the medium of instruction for all subjects except Malay and Mandarin. The main curriculum in LIS is the British curriculum, however, for their Key Stage 1 and 2, Singapore Curriculum will be integrated with their British curriculum. Their annual school fees range from RM4,400 to RM15,400.
Read Labuan International School reviews here.
BORNEO INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL – SARAWAK
Borneo International School opens their doors to both overseas and local students to prepare them for the rigors of life, help them excel in their studies and develop a lasting passion for learning. The school presently employs the Cambridge International Examination Curriculum where all subjects will be taught in English, except for the Malay and Mandarin language classes.
At Borneo International School, parents or guardians will receive notifications of their child’s homework and progress via a dedicated mobile app. They will also receive two written reports per annum on their child’s progress, and an invitation to the school’s annual parent-teacher meeting (PTM) to receive feedback on their child´s performance. The school annual fees range from RM8,000 to RM17,700.
Read Borneo International School reviews here.
If you are unsure about which school is suitable for your children, then we suggest that you book a consultation with our education counsellors who can help to give you more insights on schools and give suggestions on schools that might fit your kids better. You can book a slot here.
Read: International School 101: Everything You Need to Know
Read: List of International School Located Near LRT/MRT/BRT Stations