# Boarding and international schools, country by country.

Source: https://www.eltschool.org/sg/en/boarding-schools

This page compares boarding schools and international schools in the countries Singapore families often consider, at home and abroad: curricula, entry points, entrance tests, when the school year starts and guardianship rules for students under 18. ELT was founded in London in 1984 and has its roots in British education; we guide families to schools in any of these countries.

## Countries side by side.

| Country | Common curricula | Usual entry points | Entrance tests (examples) | School year starts | Under-18 guardianship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Singapore](https://www.eltschool.org/sg/en/boarding-schools/singapore) | International schools: IB, British (IGCSE, International A-Level), American and others | By school | School's own assessments, English, interview | Local schools: January. Many international schools: August | By school (to be confirmed) |
| [Hong Kong](https://www.eltschool.org/sg/en/boarding-schools/hong-kong) | International schools: IB, British, American and others | By school | School's own assessments, English, interview | September | By school (to be confirmed) |
| [Taiwan](https://www.eltschool.org/sg/en/boarding-schools/taiwan) | International and bilingual schools: American, IB, British and others | By school | School's own assessments, English, interview | Late August to September | By school (to be confirmed) |
| [UK](https://www.eltschool.org/sg/en/boarding-schools/uk) | GCSE / IGCSE, A-Level, some IB | 11+, 13+, 16+ | UKiset, ISEB Pre-Test, 11+ and 13+ exams, CAT4, interview | September | Schools often require a guardian in the UK |
| Australia | Australian state curricula, some IB | By school | AEAS, school's own tests | Late January to early February | Welfare arrangements required for students under 18 (to be confirmed) |
| Switzerland | IB, British, American and Swiss | By school | School's own tests (English, maths), interview | August to September | (to be confirmed) |
| USA | American high school (AP), some IB | Grades 9–12 mainly | SSAT, ISEE, English tests, interview | Late August to September | (to be confirmed) |
| Malaysia and Thailand | British international schools (IGCSE, A-Level), IB | By school | CAT4, school's own tests, interview; some use UKiset | Mostly August to September (to be confirmed) | By school |

Fees are set by each school, and boarding adds to tuition. Requirements differ by school — always check the school's own admissions pages.

## Where you might start.

You may wish to compare schools close to home first — in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan, in the same time zone — before looking at the UK, and then Australia, Switzerland, the USA and the British international schools of Malaysia and Thailand. We list them in this order as a starting point, not as a recommendation (to be confirmed).

Singapore's local school year starts in January, while most of these countries start in August or September. See the [application timeline](https://www.eltschool.org/sg/en/guides/admissions/application-timeline) for how Singapore school years map to the UK.

For an international school in Singapore, see [international school entry](https://www.eltschool.org/sg/en/courses/international-school-entry); for boarding schools abroad, see [boarding school preparation](https://www.eltschool.org/sg/en/courses/boarding-school-preparation).

## Read the guide.

- **Singapore** (Close to home): International schools and boarding options at home.
- **Hong Kong** (Same time zone): International schools with a September year.
- **Taiwan** (Same time zone): International and bilingual schools.
- **United Kingdom** (Our roots): Entry at 11+, 13+ and 16+, and the January-to-September gap.

Guides for other countries will follow as families ask for them.

## Partner schools.

Where we list schools, partner schools are marked. ELT may receive a referral fee from partner schools; this does not change the order in which we suggest schools. See [school applications](https://www.eltschool.org/sg/en/courses/school-applications).

- [Independent Schools Council (UK)](https://www.isc.co.uk/)
- [Ministry of Education, Singapore](https://www.moe.gov.sg/)
- [Education Bureau, Hong Kong — international schools](https://internationalschools.edb.gov.hk/en/schools/)
- [Ministry of Education, Taiwan](https://english.moe.gov.tw/)
- [UKiset](https://www.ukiset.com/)

## Compare with a coordinator.

Tell us your child's year and the countries you are considering.

- [Book a consultation](https://www.eltschool.org/sg/en/trial)

Updated: 2026-10-28

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