International schools in the United Kingdom

By the Editorial team · Checked October 2026

In the UK, "international school" usually means an independent school teaching the IB or an American curriculum. Most families moving to the UK also consider British independent schools and state schools, which follow the national curriculum.

State or independent

State schools are free for children who are living in the UK lawfully, for example as dependants of a parent with a work visa. Places are allocated by the local council, often based on distance from home. Independent schools charge fees and set their own admissions.

Visas for children

Children coming to the UK on their own to study need a Child Student visa, which is only available for independent schools. Children who come as dependants of a parent with a visa can attend state or independent schools.

London

London has the largest group of international schools in the country. The American School in London is in St John's Wood. ACS International Schools has campuses in Hillingdon, west London, and in Cobham and Egham in Surrey. The International School of London and Southbank International teach the IB. Many families settle in west and south-west London and the Surrey commuter belt for access to these schools.

Boarding

The UK has a long boarding tradition, and many independent schools take boarders from age 11 or 13. Overseas boarders need a UK-based guardian. Ask how the school arranges this.

Curricula

British independent schools teach GCSE or IGCSE and A level, and some offer the IB Diploma. International schools mostly teach the full IB continuum or an American programme with AP courses.

Questions to ask

• When are the entrance exams, and which year groups have places?
• How does the school support children arriving mid-year from another system?
• For boarders, what happens at weekends and in half-term?

Finding schools

See the International Schools DB guide to the UK and its London page.