Why scholarships matter in Bahrain’s international schools

Manama has several British, American and IB international schools, with fees that can be challenging for both local and expat families. Some schools and employers offer scholarships, bursaries and corporate discounts to help manage costs.

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1. Scholarship and discount types

• Academic scholarships based on school results and entrance tests.
• Senior‑school scholarships for A Level/IB Diploma or equivalent years.
• Fee‑assistance bursaries for families facing financial difficulty.
• Corporate and embassy discounts negotiated with major employers.

Examples of Manama schools with scholarship programmes

Manama:

• British School of Bahrain – Offers academic scholarships, typically 10–40% fee reduction. Applications usually October–December for the following academic year. Also offers sibling discounts (typically 5–10% per additional child).
• St. Christopher’s School Bahrain – Academic excellence scholarships available, typically 10–35% of tuition. Applications often due September–November.
• Bahrain Bayan School – Merit scholarships, usually 10–30% coverage. Applications typically October–December.
• Al Hekma International School – Academic scholarships typically 10–35% fee reduction. Applications often September–November.

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2. Typical share of fees covered

Based on the schools listed above, typical coverage ranges are:

• Academic scholarships: 10–40% of tuition, with higher percentages for exceptional candidates.
• Bursaries: Partial support based on financial need.
• Corporate discounts: Fixed discounts for employees of partner companies.

Full scholarships are rare and normally tied to specific school or foundation programmes.

• Academic and senior‑school awards: commonly 10–40% of tuition.
• Bursaries and corporate deals: partial support, depending on school and employer.

Full tuition coverage is rare and usually linked to specific partnerships or schemes.

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3. Eligibility and odds

Schools commonly assess:

• Academic strength and entrance test performance.
• Character and contribution to school life.
• For bursaries: evidence of financial need.
• For sporting/talent scholarships: evidence of high‑level performance (competition results, portfolios, graded exams, coach references).

Competition levels:

• Premium schools receive many applications; competition is strong (see school examples above for specific requirements).
• Bursaries are competitive and require demonstrated financial need.
• Sporting scholarships are limited and often require national‑level representation or equivalent achievement.

Spaces are limited; expect competitive odds at popular schools.

Schools typically consider:

• Academic performance and work ethic.
• Behaviour and participation in school life.
• For bursaries: documentation of income and expenses.

Scholarships are limited; families should regard them as competitive opportunities, not guaranteed discounts.

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4. Application process and timing

Usual steps:

1. Read each school’s scholarship/bursary information.
2. Prepare reports, certificates and references, plus financial evidence if applying for bursaries.
3. Submit forms by published deadlines (often months before the new school year).
4. Attend assessments, tests or interviews as needed.

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5. Duration and renewal

• Awards are generally annual, renewed if the student maintains grades and good conduct.
• Corporate discounts depend on continuing employment with the partner organisation.

Families should clarify whether awards are fixed or reviewed yearly.

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How Tutopiya supports Bahrain‑based families

Tutopiya helps students in Bahrain by:

• Raising performance in IGCSE, A Levels and IB with 1‑to‑1 online tutoring.
• Supporting students through key scholarship years (IGCSE and senior school).
• Helping families think about how school‑level funding links to university scholarships later.

If you are exploring international school scholarships in Manama, Tutopiya can help your child build and maintain scholarship‑worthy grades.