A British-based curriculum in international schools is often designed to provide a rigorous and well-rounded education, with a focus on developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent skills. It typically covers a broad range of subjects, including English, mathematics, science, languages, humanities, arts, and physical education.
International schools that offer a British-based curriculum may also offer internationally recognised qualifications, such as the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and A Level, which are recognised by universities and employers around the world. In this way, the British curriculum in international schools provides students with a globally recognised and high-quality education that can help them pursue higher education and career opportunities in a variety of countries.
Apart from the IGCSE examinations, some international schools also offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme to strengthen their offerings. The IB programme is split into four offerings — the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages three to 12, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11 to 16, the Diploma Programme (DP) for ages 16 to 19, and the Careers-Related Programme for ages 16 to 19. Each of these programmes stands on its own merits. Students do not need to complete the PYP and MYP to study for the IB Diploma.
Here is a list of international schools in Vietnam that offer the British curriculum. Some of these schools offer the Cambridge and other curricula.
1. Anglophone British Curriculum International School
Established in 1995, ABC International School is a non-denominational, multi-national day school for students aged 2 to 18. The school follows the National Curriculum of England, offering instruction in English with adaptations for its Vietnamese setting. Students take IGCSEs and International AS/A Levels from Cambridge and AQA, gaining globally recognized qualifications. The faculty includes 75 overseas teachers recruited from countries such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, ensuring a high standard of education. The school is located in Ho Chi Minh City.
2. Anne Hill International School
Anne Hill International School was established in 2015 in Ho Chi Minh City. The school caters to students aged 18 months to 11 years, offering the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). The school also offers its students Vietnamese and Mandarin classes, exposing them to both the language and the cultural knowledge associated with it. Additionally, the school offers school bus services for students who live far from school and lack transportation.
3. Brendon International Primary School
The school was established in 2011 and offers the British Curriculum. It is the first school in Hanoi to provide a primary education based on the British Curriculum. Students are taught a combination of basic subjects in Vietnam’s national curriculum as well as subjects based on the British Curriculum. The school adopts a bilingual English and Vietnamese instruction medium for their classes. In addition, the school offers a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme in accordance with the American National Standards NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards).
4. British International School
Located in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), the British International School was first established as Tiny Tots Preschool in 1997. The preschool expanded over the years to include both primary and secondary school education. It was officially called the British International School HCMC in 2000. The school caters for students aged two to 17 years old. The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and the British Curriculum are offered. Students also sit for the IGCSE examinations and the IBDP.
5. British Vietnamese International School
Established in 2011, the British Vietnamese International School is the only bilingual school in Vietnam that has a licence to teach an international curriculum. The school was built to meet the demand of local parents who wanted their children to gain international qualifications in an environment which taught their mother tongue and nurtured Vietnamese culture. Therefore, all students have a high level of proficiency in both Vietnamese and English upon graduation. The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and the British Curriculum are offered. Vietnamese subjects are embedded into the syllabus. Students also sit for the IGCSE and the A Levels.
Dwight School Hanoi is the latest addition to the global Dwight Schools network, offering a transformative IB World School experience for students from preschool to grade 12. Located in The Manor Central Park, Hanoi, the school is dedicated to finding and igniting the spark of genius in every child. Kindling their interests, they develop inquisitive, informed, self-aware and ethical citizens who will build a better world.
7. Horizon International Bilingual School
Horizon International Bilingual School has two campuses – in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. The school welcomes students from kindergarten to high school and offers the Cambridge curriculum leading up to the IGCSE examination. The school also offers the Cambridge Advanced program to help prepare their upper secondary students for university.
Located in Hanoi’s Hoang Mai district, RGS Vietnam is a not-for-profit Cambridge International School that offers IGCSEs, the Cambridge AICE Diploma, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The school follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Grades 1-5, transitioning to the Cambridge curriculum for Grades 6-10, and then to the IB Diploma Programme for Grades 11-12. Both the IB and Cambridge programmes are globally focused, offering a wide range of subjects and flexible learning tailored to different student needs. These qualifications are widely recognized by international universities.
9. Renaissance International School Saigon
The Renaissance International School Saigon is located in Ho Chi Minh City and offers the British curriculum with an emphasis on developing critical thinking, problem-solving and independent learning skills. The school welcomes students aged two to 18 years. In April 2011, the school became a member of the Round Square sharing the goal of having a holistic approach to the six IDEALS of learning – Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service. In addition to the subjects offered, the school also offers a range of extracurricular activities to ensure that their students have a well-balanced school life.
10. Saigon Star International School
Saigon Star International School was established in 2006 and is located in Ho Chi Minh City. Students aged two to 14 years old may enrol at the school from Preschool to Year 7 levels. At preschool level, students are taught using a combination of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and Montessori classes. The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC) are also offered.
11. Singapore International School
The school provides a well-rounded education to both Vietnamese and international students from Pre-Nursery to Year 12. Singapore International School prepares students to sit for the International Primary School Examination (IPSLE) at primary school level and the IGCSE examinations at secondary school level. There are a few pre-university offerings at the school such as the A Levels, American College Test (ACT) and Global Assessment Certificate (GAC). In addition to English, students are taught Mandarin and Vietnamese.
12. Vietnam Australian International School
Vietnam Australian International is open to students from kindergarten through high school and offers the Cambridge curriculum leading up to the IGCSE and A Levels examination. Classes are small in size, enabling teachers to pay close attention to each student’s development. Additionally, the school offers an array of Extracurricular Activities (ECAs) to provide opportunities for their students to ignite an interest or passion in any area that they are drawn to. The school is located at Ba Thang Hai Street.
In conclusion, international schools in Vietnam offering a British-based curriculum provide a well-rounded, rigorous education that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving and independence. With globally recognized qualifications like the IGCSE and A Levels, students are well-prepared for higher education and career opportunities worldwide. Many schools also strengthen their curriculum by incorporating the IB programme, offering flexible pathways to meet diverse learning needs. This combination ensures students receive a high-quality, globally relevant education.
Continue reading:
• School Education System in Vietnam
• Preschool & Kindergarten Education System in Vietnam
• Primary Education System in Vietnam
• Secondary/High School Education System in Vietnam
