School fees are typically the largest single expense for families relocating to Phuket — often larger than rent. Understanding what you'll actually pay (not just headline tuition) is essential before committing to a move. This is the most comprehensive 2026 fee breakdown for all six international schools in Phuket.
Note: All fees are approximate 2025–2026 academic year figures. Schools update fees annually — confirm directly with the school for the most current numbers before applying.
| School | Location | Curriculum | Primary Tuition/yr | Secondary Tuition/yr | Registration (one-off) | Capital Levy (one-off) | Total Yr 1 (primary est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BISP | Koh Kaew | British / IB | ฿580,000–650,000 | ฿700,000–820,000 | ฿50,000 | ฿250,000 | ฿880,000–950,000 |
| UWC Thailand | Kanchanaburi (boarding) | IB only | N/A | ฿980,000–1,200,000 | ฿30,000 | — | N/A (boarding school) |
| HeadStart | Rawai (Sai Yuan Rd) | British / IGCSE / A-Level | ฿380,000–440,000 | ฿450,000–520,000 | ฿30,000 | ฿60,000 | ฿470,000–530,000 |
| QSI Phuket | Rawai | American / WIDA | ฿340,000–400,000 | ฿420,000–480,000 | ฿25,000 | ฿40,000 | ฿405,000–465,000 |
| BIS Phuket | Kathu | British / Cambridge | ฿380,000–430,000 | ฿450,000–500,000 | ฿25,000 | ฿50,000 | ฿455,000–505,000 |
| Kajonkiet Int'l | Phuket Town | Thai national / English medium | ฿180,000–220,000 | ฿220,000–280,000 | ฿10,000–20,000 | — | ฿190,000–240,000 |
The largest international school on the island. Full British curriculum Nursery through Year 13, plus IB Diploma. Olympic-standard sports facilities, 25m pool, strong arts programme. Best commute from Bang Tao/Laguna — long commute from Rawai/Nai Harn (30–40 min). Waiting lists for popular year groups. Most rigorous academic programme on the island at this curriculum level.
Community-feel school with strong pastoral care reputation. British curriculum, IGCSE and A-Level/IB pathway. Best choice for families in Rawai, Nai Harn and Chalong. More intimate than BISP. Good English-language results. School bus from most south Phuket areas. Application timeline typically 2–4 months. Affiliated with [AFFILIATE_HEADSTART].
American curriculum, mastery-based system. Quality of Success International (QSI) network school. Good for US-passport families or those targeting US universities. Most available places among the south-Phuket schools. Smaller community than BISP or HeadStart. English only from early primary.
British curriculum school in the Kathu area, convenient for residents of Patong, Kathu and the central areas. Cambridge curriculum. Smaller than BISP, more accessible fees. Good option for families who don't need the premium BISP facilities but want a British-curriculum education.
Not Phuket-based — a boarding school in Kanchanaburi province. IB-only, highly selective (application/scholarship process). For older teenagers (16+) targeting elite IB results for UK/international universities. UWC has a global scholarship programme that can significantly reduce fees. Mentioned here because several Phuket expat families send secondary-aged children.
Thai national curriculum delivered in English — the most affordable international-standard option on the island. Strong for primary years. Some families use Kajonkiet through primary and then transfer to BISP or HeadStart for secondary. Located near Phuket Town, convenient for Phuket Town and Chalong residents.
| Area | Best Primary School | Best Secondary School | Commute Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bang Tao / Laguna / Surin | BISP | BISP | 15–20 min to BISP Koh Kaew |
| Rawai / Nai Harn | HeadStart | HeadStart or QSI | 5–10 min — best location for south Phuket families |
| Chalong | HeadStart or Kajonkiet | HeadStart | 10–15 min to HeadStart |
| Phuket Town | Kajonkiet or BIS | BISP (school bus) | BISP school bus available |
| Patong / Kamala | BIS Kathu | BIS Kathu or BISP | BIS is 15–20 min from Patong |
| Kata / Karon | QSI Rawai or BIS | HeadStart or BIS | 30–40 min to either — school bus essential |
Contact HeadStart International directly — our affiliate partner for south Phuket families. Mention Phuket Expat Guide for priority response.
[AFFILIATE_HEADSTART] Enquire at HeadStart →This page contains affiliate links to school enquiry services. We may receive a referral fee if you make contact via our links. All fee data is from school published information and may change — verify directly with schools before applying.