Cost Of Hong Kong International Schools – Tuition And Fees Guide 2024 / 2025

Are you planning to send your little one to an international school in Hong Kong? A considerable number of international schools are expected to raise their tuition fees by an average of 4.27 percent this year. Currently, the mean average of schooling in Hong Kong is almost HK$250,000, so providing an international education for your child is not a decision that can be taken lightly. Little Steps provides the ultimate guide on how much it will cost, from application fees, registration fees, uniforms, lunches, contributions to parent’s associations, exams, insurance, and extra-curricular activities.

Hong Kong has a rich history and cultural heritage and offers extraordinary opportunities for students and parents wanting to discover the incredible peninsula. With over 500 primary schools, 500 secondary schools, over 50 special schools, and 170 international schools in Hong Kong, it’s a minefield! The Hong Kong Education Bureau directs the school fees across the city.

Before investing in long-term international education, choosing the right school for your little one is essential. The Little Steps guide will help you navigate through the myriad of information. Make sure to bookmark it for future reference!

One of the advantages of sending your child to an international school is that classes tend to be smaller and less challenging than competitive local schools. Each international school has its own admission requirements, so contacting your preferred educational facility directly is important. Some schools prioritize specific nationalities; French schools prefer French students, siblings of existing students, or children of the teachers or staff.

Applying to some schools in Hong Kong is free, while others have partial or non-refundable fees. It’s worth keeping abreast of any open days offering discounted or waived fees; it could save you considerable outlay. You’ll also have to keep hunger at bay; daily meals in the school canteen can set you back over HK$10,000 per year! Transportation to and from school could also dent the housekeeping tin of up to HK$40,000. You’ll also have to factor in insurance, school uniforms, sportswear, extra-curricular activities, books, field trips, other resources, and exams. Some schools offer sibling discounts if older children are already at the same school. While some schools might allow you to pay in installments, others ask for full payment before the school year. Inevitably, school fees increase as your little one progresses through various age groups, so check with the school about the incremental rates if you plan to educate your child for an extended period.

School Costs In Hong Kong

• Your annual investment varies widely depending on the international schools you are considering, with fees ranging from HK$70,000 to HK$290,000 for various age groups. You can see it pays to research to learn more about the potential fees and the possible savings you can make.
• To get your child started at school, you will find yourself paying for application fees, enrolment fees, building maintenance costs, extra –curricular activities, and school trips….with even more hidden costs.  It is worth noting that while some costs may seem high, other things are often included in the school fees, such as technology, books, and classroom materials. It is important to check with your prospective schools to find out more about the potential fees and all the extra hidden costs

Costs To Note When Comparing Schools In Hong Kong (Tuition/Fees/Extra Costs):

• The biggest cost you may need to consider is the tuition cost
• Submitting an application may not be free. Fees can range from HK$3,000-HK$500.
• Check the assessment fee (HK$3,000 -HK$500)
• A school bus journey can cost between HK$6,000 and HK$20,000 per year.
• Uniform fees vary from HK$300 to HK$1,250
• Other costs can include fees for extra-curricular activities, technology, books, school trips, resources, exams, personal I-pads, learning support and foreign language lessons.
• Some debenture fees are refundable, so you will need to spend as much as HK$500,000++ for a refundable debenture upon acceptance.
• Discounts are offered at only some schools to families who have more than one child attending the school.
• In addition to the obvious costs, there are a number of other costs you should note and budget for after the application has been accepted.1.  Lump Sum Payments: School debentures are a one-off, upfront payment towards financing a school’s community. However, most debentures are not structured in the strict sense of the word as understood in finance. Additionally, what the public refers to as debentures come under a range of different forms. They are being introduced by new schools in Hong Kong and existing schools are using them to fund projects; where debentures already exist, some schools are introducing high-value debentures to give different degrees of priority.2.  Capital Note:  A capital note is non-interest bearing, non-refundable, and fully transferable.3.  Corporate Debenture: A holder of a corporate debenture is entitled to nominate one child to a school at any one time. Nomination accelerates a child’s place on the waitlist, but does not guarantee a place. At some schools, a Corporate Debenture is transferable and refundable while others have a life span of eight years from the date of issue and will depreciate to zero over that period.4.  Foundation Certificate & Foundation Debentures:  Foundation Certificates and Foundation Debentures are only applicable at Kellett School and are valid for 15 years. A nominated child, upon application, is allocated the highest priority.5.  Foundation Certificates:  These are not repayable. When the nominated child leaves the school, a holder of a Foundation Certificate will be entitled to place another nominated child in the year of their choice, subject to the child satisfying the school’s admission criteria.6.  Foundation Debentures:  These are not repayable after 15 years or may be extended and depreciated over a further 10 years to provide a priority place for up to 25 years. A holder of a Foundation Debenture will be entitled to a place in the year of their choice for the nominated child plus up to two additional siblings upon purchasing a Foundation Sibling Debenture for each additional sibling, subject to each child satisfying the School’s admission criteria.7.  Individual Nomination Rights: Nomination Rights is a means for students to gain a “fast track” entry to schools. It is non-refundable.  The Nomination Right guarantees priority on the waiting list and a place subject to interview.8.  Individual /Personal Debenture:  Only mandatory at certain schools and all children have to be nominated under this debenture if not already nominated under another.

  9.  Premium School Development Levy (PSDL):  The PSDL is a one-off payment. The PSDL does not confirm sibling rights and the PSDL is non-refundable and non-transferable.