International Schools in Phuket: Compared

Phuket has four international schools. BISP teaches IGCSE and the IB Diploma, UWC Thailand the IB from age 2 to Grade 12, QSI Phuket an American curriculum with AP and HeadStart a British education. BISP and QSI are near Phuket Town and Kathu; UWC is in Thalang.

By Vincent Nguyen and team

Phuket international schools compared

Four schools cover the island. Pick by curriculum first, then by which side of Phuket you will live on.

Fees are in the international school fees guide.

Which side of the island

BISP is at 59 Moo 2, Thepkrasattri Road, Koh Keaw, Muang, Phuket 83000. QSI Phuket is on Chalermprakiat r.9 Road in Kathu. HeadStart’s Chaofah City campus is the Phuket Town one.

UWC Thailand is at 115/15 Moo 7, Thepkasattri, Thalang. HeadStart’s second campus is Cherngtalay. Choose where you live around the school. The where to live guide compares the areas, and the hospitals guide maps what sits nearby.

British International School, Phuket: IGCSE, IB and boarding

British International School, Phuket (BISP) is an English-medium, co-educational, day and boarding school, established in 1996. Student ages run from 2-18. It has a 44-acre campus and students from 60+ nationalities.

For older students it offers the IB Diploma Programme and BTEC International Level 3 in Business and in Sport, both Extended Diplomas. Parents pay all IGCSE and IB examination fees.

Good for

• Families who want a boarding option: more than 100 students are in boarding.
• Mid-year moves: applications are accepted at any time during the school year.
• Children who need English support: an Intensive English Programme runs as part of the school day.

Skip if

• You followed the IGCSE and have fewer than five grades at A* to C: the full IB Diploma requires them.

How to apply

Admission is open to students of all nationalities, ethnicity and religion. A student entering Primary with non-native English completes an English test of reading, writing and a verbal interview. BISP reviews recent reports and checks references with the current school.

Address: 59 Moo 2, Thepkrasattri Road, Koh Keaw, Muang, Phuket 83000. Phone +66 (0) 76 335 555.

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UWC Thailand: the IB for every age

UWC Thailand is a not-for-profit foundation school governed by a three-board structure. It is an affiliated UWC school, one of 18 in the world. It follows the International Baccalaureate continuum and teaches from age 2 to Grade 12.

Good for

• Families who want the IB from the youngest years through the Diploma.
• Diploma students who live in Phuket: they may apply directly as day students.

Skip if

• You need a quick yes: each applicant is reviewed case by case.

How to apply

Admission from age 2 to Grade 10 is done online through the Open Apply platform. Applications are welcome throughout the school year, and visiting first is encouraged. An Open House is listed for 22 October 2026.

Address: 115/15 Moo 7, Thepkasattri, Thalang, Phuket 83110. Phone +66 (0) 76 540 871.

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QSI Phuket: American curriculum, small classes

QSI International School of Phuket is a not-for-profit American school. It was founded in 2000 and has been fully accredited since 2005. Its educational philosophy is based on Mastery Learning.

Classes have fewer than 15 students, with nearly 20 nationalities in the student body. A four-year secondary programme offers core subjects, electives and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Thai and Chinese are taught as additional languages.

Good for

• Children with little English: AP courses and Intensive English instruction come at no extra cost, and students with no previous English are accepted from preschool through the 13-year-old class.
• Parents who want small classes: fewer than 15 students per classroom.

Skip if

• Your child has needs the school cannot address: such a student can be denied admission.

How to apply

Admission needs an application form, a copy of a passport or birth certificate, previous school records, health information and the one-time US $600 registration fee. Each student sits a placement exam that is not used to accept or reject. Secondary students must show increasing English proficiency. A two-year-old programme takes children who are 2 on or before 1 November.

Address: 81/4 Moo1, Chalermprakiat r.9 Road, T. Kathu, A. Kathu, Phuket 83120. Phone +66-093-582-5068.

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HeadStart International School: British, two campuses

HeadStart International School Phuket provides a British education for ages 2-18 across its Chaofah City and Cherngtalay campuses. Foundation covers 2-5 years, Primary 5-11 years, Secondary 11-16 years and Sixth Form 16-18 years.

Good for

• Families who want the same school from Foundation to Sixth Form.
• Either side of the island: one campus in Chaofah City and one in Cherngtalay.
• Parents who want an outside inspection: an Education Development Trust team rated it good with outstanding features on all 8 standards in November 2022. It joined FOBISIA in July 2025.

Students are placed by age on 31 August: a 6-year-old starts in Year 2 and an 11-year-old in Year 7. Its fees are in the fees guide.

Phone the Chaofah City campus on +66-7661-2875 and Cherngtalay on +66-7651-0623.

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What admission looks like

Most Phuket schools follow the same order.

1. Visit first: UWC Thailand encourages a visit before applying.
2. Apply: BISP takes applications at any time of year; UWC Thailand takes age 2 to Grade 10 online; QSI Phuket needs documents and a registration fee.
3. Sit the placement or English test: BISP tests non-native English speakers entering Primary; QSI Phuket tests every new student with a placement exam.
4. Check the fees before you accept: see the fees guide.
5. Plan the move: set up your stay with the first week checklist.

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Not confirmed: QSI's school bus cost: ask admissions before you apply. Whether a place is open in the year group you need: every school decides after your application.

General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.

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