Six years of Phuket reality: School fees are usually the single largest fixed cost for expat families here — bigger than rent for many. This guide gives you the actual 2025–26 numbers, not the headline figures from school brochures. All prices in Thai Baht (THB) unless stated.
The Phuket International School Landscape
Phuket has a surprisingly strong international school offering for an island of its size. There are six established schools offering English-language curricula from nursery through Year 13 / Grade 12, plus a growing number of bilingual Thai-international options. The north of the island (Bang Tao, Laguna, Surin, Thalang) has the highest density of families — and the highest fees. The south (Rawai, Nai Harn) is home to more budget-conscious schools that are genuinely good.
The curriculum split is roughly: British IGCSE/A-Level (BISP, HeadStart, BIS Kathu), IB Diploma (UWC Thailand), American ASCI (QSI), and Thai-international bilingual (Kajonkiet). Each has trade-offs in terms of university recognition, class sizes, and — critically — cost.
2026 Tuition Fees: Master Comparison Table
The table below shows 2025–26 annual tuition only — it excludes registration fees, capital levies, and other first-year charges (covered in the next section). All figures are approximate; contact each school directly for final quotes as fees typically increase 3–5% per year.
| School | Curriculum | Location | Primary (÷yr) | Secondary (÷yr) | Sixth Form / IB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BISP British Int'l School Phuket |
British | Koh Kaew | ฿430,000–540,000 | ฿590,000–690,000 | ฿760,000–810,000 |
| UWC Thailand United World College |
IB | Thalang (north) | ฿440,000–560,000 | ฿610,000–720,000 | ฿780,000–850,000 |
| BIS Kathu British Int'l School Kathu |
British | Kathu | ฿310,000–390,000 | ฿420,000–520,000 | ฿560,000–620,000 |
| HeadStart HeadStart Int'l School |
British | Rawai (Sai Yuan Rd) | ฿190,000–260,000 | ฿280,000–340,000 | ฿350,000–400,000 |
| QSI Phuket Quality Schools Int'l |
American | Rawai | ฿210,000–290,000 | ฿300,000–370,000 | ฿380,000–430,000 |
| Kajonkiet Kajonkiet Int'l School |
Bilingual | Phuket Town + branches | ฿80,000–130,000 | ฿120,000–150,000 | N/A |
Note on UWC fees: UWC Thailand follows the IB curriculum and also offers need-based scholarships through the UWC global scholarship programme — some students attend on heavily subsidised or full scholarships. Ask about this when enquiring.
First-Year Total: What You Actually Pay
The tuition table above is only part of the story. Every school charges additional first-year fees that can add ฿50,000–160,000 to your Year 1 bill. Here's the full breakdown:
| School | Registration / Application | Capital Levy / Dev Fee | Estimated Year 1 Total (Mid-Secondary) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BISP | ฿15,000 | ฿140,000–160,000 (one-time) | ≈ ฿800,000–870,000 |
| UWC Thailand | ฿10,000–15,000 | ฿150,000–180,000 (one-time) | ≈ ฿880,000–920,000 |
| BIS Kathu | ฿10,000 | ฿60,000–80,000 | ≈ ฿540,000–610,000 |
| HeadStart | ฿5,000–8,000 | ฿30,000–50,000 | ≈ ฿340,000–400,000 |
| QSI Phuket | ฿5,000 | ฿35,000–55,000 | ≈ ฿360,000–430,000 |
| Kajonkiet | ฿3,000–5,000 | ฿10,000–20,000 | ≈ ฿140,000–175,000 |
The Hidden Costs Most Families Miss
Tuition is listed on the tin. These costs often aren't. Budget for all of them when calculating your real annual education spend per child.
For a secondary-age child at BISP, the honest total annual budget including all the above is ฿750,000–1,000,000 per year. At HeadStart, a realistic all-in budget is ฿350,000–480,000 per year.
Planning a School Move to Phuket?
Our relocation specialists can advise on school applications, waiting lists, and which areas put you closest to your preferred school.
Enquire at HeadStart Enquire at BISPSchool Profiles: What You're Actually Getting
Phuket's flagship international school. Large campus, 65+ nationalities, excellent sports facilities. Strong university placement record (Russell Group, US top-50). Long waiting list for primary years — apply 12–18 months early.
Full IB school in a stunning Thalang campus. Strong on international-mindedness, sustainability, and community service. Scholarship programme makes this accessible beyond the price tag. Preferred by families valuing the IB pathway.
A solid mid-range British curriculum school well-placed for families in Kathu, Patong, or Kamala. Good class sizes, personal feel. Some long-term expats prefer it over BISP for its community atmosphere.
Phuket's best-value serious international school. Located on Sai Yuan Road in Rawai, close to the expat community in Rawai and Nai Harn. British curriculum, smaller classes than BISP, highly regarded by south Phuket families. Strong IGCSE results.
American curriculum, mastery-based learning model. Good for American families or those targeting US university pathways. Located near HeadStart in Rawai — many south Phuket families compare both before choosing.
A popular choice for Thai-foreign families, long-term budget expats, and families who want their children to grow up bilingual. Thai-accredited with English instruction throughout. Multiple campuses including Phuket Town, Chalong, and Kathu.
5-Year Tuition Projection
Fees typically increase 3–5% per year. The table below projects total tuition spend for one child over five secondary years at each school, using a 4% annual increase from 2026 baseline (mid-range tuition only, excluding all additional costs).
| School | 2026 Yr 1 | 2027 Yr 2 | 2028 Yr 3 | 2029 Yr 4 | 2030 Yr 5 | 5-yr Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BISP | ฿640,000 | ฿666,000 | ฿693,000 | ฿721,000 | ฿749,000 | ฿3,469,000 |
| UWC Thailand | ฿665,000 | ฿692,000 | ฿720,000 | ฿749,000 | ฿779,000 | ฿3,605,000 |
| BIS Kathu | ฿470,000 | ฿489,000 | ฿509,000 | ฿529,000 | ฿550,000 | ฿2,547,000 |
| HeadStart | ฿310,000 | ฿322,000 | ฿335,000 | ฿349,000 | ฿363,000 | ฿1,679,000 |
| QSI | ฿335,000 | ฿348,000 | ฿362,000 | ฿377,000 | ฿392,000 | ฿1,814,000 |
| Kajonkiet | ฿135,000 | ฿140,000 | ฿146,000 | ฿152,000 | ฿157,000 | ฿730,000 |
Area-to-School Matching Guide
Where you live on the island matters a lot for school runs. Phuket isn't huge but traffic on the main roads can be brutal during school hours. Here's the practical breakdown by area:
Application Tips & Waiting Lists
Apply Early — Especially at BISP
BISP's primary years (Reception to Year 6) often have waiting lists of 12–18 months. If you're relocating to Phuket with primary-school-age children, apply to BISP before you arrive — seriously. Many families have found themselves in the frustrating position of having moved, signed a lease, and then discovered there's no primary place available for another year.
Assessment Requirements
Most schools require an English assessment for secondary entry (written comprehension, sometimes oral). BISP and UWC also request previous school reports (last 2 years). For children whose first language isn't English, ask about EAL (English as an Additional Language) support before committing — some schools have strong EAL programmes, others expect near-fluency on entry.
Scholarship Availability
UWC Thailand has the most structured scholarship programme — the UWC Global Selection process awards partial and full bursaries based on demonstrated need and potential. BISP offers sports and academic scholarships for secondary age. HeadStart occasionally offers sibling discounts. It's always worth asking each school directly about financial assistance options.
Get Independent School Advice
Our education consultants have helped hundreds of families find the right school fit in Phuket — curriculum matching, application support, and area advice.
BISP Enquiry HeadStart EnquiryEmployer Education Packages: What to Negotiate
If you're relocating to Phuket on an expat package (hospitality, marine, construction, or corporate roles), school fees are negotiable in your contract. The standard approach is to ask for a specific THB school fee allowance per child per year, rather than a percentage of salary. Based on current rates, a reasonable ask for one child at a top-tier school is ฿700,000–900,000/year including transport. Some employers cap at ฿500,000 — know your school costs before negotiating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Phuket Guides
- Schools Hub — All Education Resources
- Where to Live in Phuket — Area Guide
- Full Cost of Living in Phuket 2026
- Long-Term Rental Guide — Phuket
- Expat Health Insurance in Phuket