Hidden International School Fees – MUST READ

Tuition is only part of the cost of an international school. Many families are surprised by application fees, assessment fees, registration fees, learning support, exam registration, trips, counselling and fee increases as children move up. This guide lists the main hidden international school fees so you can plan and compare schools fairly.

1. Application fee

Most international schools charge a non-refundable application fee when you submit an application. Amounts vary widely (from a few hundred to over a thousand in local currency). This is due even if your child is not offered a place, so factor it in when applying to several schools.

2. Assessment / entrance exam fee

Many schools run entrance assessments (academic tests, interviews, sometimes cognitive or behavioural screening) and charge a separate assessment fee. This can be a few hundred to over a thousand per assessment. If the school uses an external provider for testing, the fee may be higher.

3. Registration / enrolment fee

Once a place is offered and accepted, schools often require a registration or enrolment fee (sometimes called an “acceptance” or “capital development” fee). This can be a one-off payment of a few thousand and is usually non-refundable if you later withdraw. Some schools also charge an annual “re-enrolment” or “capital” fee each year.

4. Learning support fees

If your child receives learning support (e.g. literacy, numeracy, study skills, or SEN support), many schools charge extra learning support fees – per term or per session. These can add a few thousand to well over ten thousand per year depending on hours and type of support. Ask exactly what is included in base tuition and what is charged on top.

5. Overseas trips and residentials

Overseas trips, residentials and cultural exchanges are often optional but encouraged. Costs can range from a few hundred to several thousand per trip. Some schools run multiple trips per year. Budget for at least one or two if your child is likely to participate.

6. Extracurricular activities

Sports, music, drama, clubs and after-school activities may be partly included or fully fee-paying. Premium or specialist activities (e.g. elite sports coaching, instrument hire, exam entries for music) can add hundreds to thousands per term. Check what’s included in the published fee and what is extra.

7. English as an additional language (EAL) fees

If English is not your child’s first language, many schools require or recommend EAL (English as an additional language) programmes and charge extra language fees. These can be substantial (e.g. a few thousand to over ten thousand per year) until the child is deemed proficient. Ask how long EAL is typically required and what the total extra cost might be.

8. Foreign language fees (e.g. certain languages)

Some schools charge extra fees for particular foreign languages (e.g. additional Asian or European languages beyond the core offering). This can be a few hundred to a few thousand per year per language. Check the fee schedule for “language supplements” or “additional language programmes”.

9. Fee increases as your child moves up each grade

Tuition usually increases each year as your child moves up. The jump from primary to secondary, and again into IGCSE/IB MYP or A level/IBDP years, can be very steep (e.g. 10–25% or more). When comparing schools, look at the fee schedule for Year 1, Year 7, Year 10/11 and Year 12/13, not just the current year, so you can plan for the full journey.

10. Board exam registration fees (IGCSE/IB MYP, A levels/IBDP)

IGCSE, IB MYP, A levels and IBDP exams are not included in standard tuition at most schools. You pay exam registration fees per subject per session (to the exam board via the school). These can add up to a few thousand per exam session for IGCSE or IB, and similarly for A levels/IBDP. Late or re-sit entries often cost more. Plan for these in Years 10–11 and 12–13.

11. Psychological assessments

Some schools require or strongly recommend a psychological or educational assessment before admission, or if there are learning or behavioural concerns after joining. These are often done by external psychologists and can be very expensive (e.g. equivalent of several hundred to over a thousand in local currency per assessment). Some schools insist on their own preferred assessors. Ask the school when and why they request assessments and who pays.

12. Psychological counselling

In-school psychological or therapeutic counselling may be offered but charged separately, or only a limited number of sessions are included. Ongoing counselling can add a significant amount per term. Check whether counselling is included in fees or is an extra.

13. University counselling and application fees

University counselling (choosing universities, personal statements, application strategy) is sometimes included in senior-year fees but often charged as an extra. University application fees (e.g. UCAS, Common App, individual university fees) are almost always paid by the family and can run into hundreds per application cycle. Test prep and exam fees (e.g. SAT, ACT, IELTS) are also typically extra. Ask what the school covers and what you will need to pay in Years 12–13.

---

How to use this when comparing schools

• Ask for a full fee schedule (tuition + all one-off and annual extras).
• Clarify what is included in tuition (e.g. standard curriculum, pastoral care, one EAL check) and what is add-on (learning support, EAL programme, trips, activities, exams, counselling).
• Request fee progression by year group for at least the next 3–5 years so you can model total cost.
• Get in writing whether assessment, registration and capital fees are refundable in any circumstances.

---

Tutopiya: exam preparation and support

Tutopiya is much more affordable, with rates starting from as low as SGD 10 per hour. All classes are 1‑to‑1 and personalised with experienced IGCSE, A level and IB exam-board and subject-specialist tutors, supported by our AI‑powered resources bank—the largest in the world. Tutopiya’s AI‑powered IGCSE and A level resources platform is only SGD 96/year for unlimited access to over 25 subjects, including 200,000 exam-style questions with instant AI feedback, 5,000+ topical slides covering the entire syllabus, and 2,000+ videos. Explore Tutopiya’s programmes.