Family guide · Updated October 2026
International Schools & Family Areas in Phuket
The international schools families choose in Phuket, what each one teaches and costs in 2026–27, and where to live for a short school run — from Cherng Talay and Laguna to Kathu, Koh Kaew, Chalong and Rawai.
An international classroom
TL;DR
What are the best international schools in Phuket, and what do they cost?
Phuket’s main international schools are BISP in Koh Kaew, UWC Thailand in Thalang, HeadStart (central Phuket and Cherng Talay), Kajonkiet and QSI in Kathu, and BCIS in Chalong, with British, IB, American and French curricula. Annual tuition in 2026–27 runs from about ฿194,000 for the youngest classes to ฿982,700 at the top of BISP.
Fees are 2026–27 annual tuition. BISP’s figures come from the school’s own fee page; the others are as published by schools and reported by Phuket101 and school directories in October 2026 — always check the current fee schedule with the school. Villa rents are median asking rents on our own long-term listings on 29 October 2026. Drive times are our off-peak estimates.
- annual tuition range, 2026–27
- ฿194k–983k
- age range at most main schools
- 2–18
- typically added by extras on top of tuition
- 15–20%
- the school run to aim for
- 15–20 min
Most relocating families choose the school first and the home second. The west-coast cluster around Cherng Talay, Laguna and Pasak suits UWC Thailand and HeadStart’s Cherngtalay campus; Kathu and Koh Kaew suit BISP, Kajonkiet and QSI; Chalong and Rawai suit BCIS and Lighthouse. The sections below compare the schools, their fees and curricula, then the family areas and realistic school-run times.
The schools
Which international schools are there in Phuket?
Phuket has around ten established international schools. The largest are BISP (British curriculum and IB Diploma, with boarding), UWC Thailand (full IB, with boarding), HeadStart (British, two campuses), Kajonkiet (British), QSI (American) and BCIS (British with a French section). Smaller schools include Oak Meadow, Lighthouse and Montessori House.
| School | Area | Curriculum | Ages | Annual tuition 2026–27 (THB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British International School Phuket (BISP) | Koh Kaew | English National Curriculum, IGCSE, A-Level, IB Diploma; boarding | 2–18 | ≈ 489,000–982,700 (official) |
| UWC Thailand | Thepkasattri, Thalang | International Baccalaureate (PYP, MYP, Diploma); boarding | 2–18 | ≈ 345,000–933,000 |
| HeadStart International School | Chao Fa (central) and Cherng Talay campuses | English National Curriculum, IGCSE, A-Level | 2–18 | ≈ 347,000–540,000 |
| Kajonkiet International School (KISP) | Kathu | English National Curriculum, IGCSE, A-Level | 2–18 | ≈ 200,000–454,000 |
| QSI International School of Phuket | Kathu | American, mastery-based, AP courses | 3–18 | ≈ 194,000–453,000 |
| BCIS (Berda Claude International School) | Chalong | Cambridge (IGCSE, A-Level) and a French programme | 2–18 | ≈ 302,000–502,500 |
| Oak Meadow International School | Wichit | American, kindergarten to grade 12 | 3–18 | ≈ 231,000–408,240 |
| Lighthouse International School | Rawai (kindergarten in Chalong) | Canadian (Alberta) with Cambridge exams | 1–18 | ≈ 220,000–387,000 |
| Montessori House Phuket | Chalong | Montessori | Early years to upper elementary (published fees) | ≈ 241,000–305,700 |
BISP
Phuket’s oldest and largest British school, on a large campus near Phuket Town with boarding from Year 4 and sports academies. The highest fees on the island and a one-off placement fee of ฿200,000 (฿250,000 for a family).
UWC Thailand
Part of the United World Colleges movement, formerly Phuket International Academy. Full IB from early years to the Diploma, a strong outdoor and service programme, and boarding for older students. A short drive from Pasak and Laguna.
HeadStart
A British-curriculum school with its main campus on Chao Fa Road in central Phuket and a second campus in Cherng Talay, popular with west-coast families who want the British system.
BCIS — the French option
The only school in Phuket offering both a British (Cambridge) programme and a French programme from maternelle to the baccalauréat strand. Check with the school which French grades are currently accredited (AEFE).
Two British school brands have announced Phuket campuses: Glenalmond Phuket at Thanyapura in Thalang, starting with early years and primary, and NLCS Phuket (North London Collegiate School) in Cherng Talay, whose opening date had not been announced as of May 2026. Check each school’s status and year groups before you plan around it.
Fees
How much do international schools in Phuket cost in 2026–27?
Annual tuition for 2026–27 ranges from about ฿194,000 at QSI’s youngest grades to ฿982,700 for Years 9, 10 and 12 at BISP. Mid-range British schools such as Kajonkiet and HeadStart charge roughly ฿200,000–540,000. Add one-off enrolment fees and extras — uniforms, buses, lunches, trips and exams — which typically add 15–20% a year.
| School | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| BISP | ฿489,000–982,700 |
| UWC Thailand | ฿345,000–933,000 |
| HeadStart | ฿347,000–540,000 |
| BCIS (Berda Claude) | ฿302,000–502,500 |
| Kajonkiet (KISP) | ฿200,000–454,000 |
| QSI Phuket | ฿194,000–453,000 |
| Oak Meadow | ฿231,000–408,240 |
| Lighthouse | ฿220,000–387,000 |
Source: BISP fee page (2026–27); other schools as published and reported by Phuket101 (October 2026) and school directories. Tuition only — excludes enrolment fees, bonds, boarding, transport and extras. Check with each school.
| Extra cost | What to expect | Example (2026–27) |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Non-refundable, per child | BISP ฿6,000; UWC Thailand ฿7,000 |
| Placement / enrolment fee | One-off, first year only; often the biggest surprise | BISP ฿200,000 (฿250,000 per family); UWC Thailand ฿265,000; others typically ฿40,000–100,000 |
| Bond or deposit | Refundable when the child leaves, if fees are clear | BISP ฿150,000; UWC Thailand ฿25,000 |
| Boarding | Annual, on top of tuition | BISP ฿396,400–509,300 (weekly or full) |
| Bus, uniforms, lunches, trips, exams | Annual | Typically 15–20% on top of tuition |
Fees rise most years, usually by a few percent, and most schools offer sibling discounts and a small reduction for paying the year upfront. Employers relocating staff often cover tuition, so check your package before you choose. For the rest of a family budget — rent, health insurance, cars and food — see our cost of living guide.
Curricula
British, IB, American or French: which curriculum should you choose?
Choose the curriculum your child will continue in next. The British system (IGCSE and A-Levels) dominates Phuket and transfers easily to the UK and Commonwealth; the IB at UWC and BISP suits globally mobile families; QSI and Oak Meadow follow American programmes; BCIS offers a French programme for families returning to the French system.
| Curriculum | Schools in Phuket | Final exams | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| British (English National Curriculum / Cambridge) | BISP, HeadStart, Kajonkiet, BCIS | IGCSE at 16, A-Levels at 18 | UK, Australian and many European universities; families moving between British schools |
| International Baccalaureate | UWC Thailand (full IB), BISP (Diploma) | IB Diploma at 18 | Families who move often; universities worldwide |
| American | QSI, Oak Meadow | High-school diploma, AP courses | North American universities; mastery-based learning at QSI |
| Canadian (Alberta) | Lighthouse | Alberta diploma, Cambridge exams | Canadian families; a smaller-school setting |
| French | BCIS (French programme) | Brevet; baccalauréat strand | French-speaking families who may return to a French school |
| Montessori | Montessori House | — | Early years and primary |
Language support matters as much as the label. Several schools offer English as an additional language support and Thai lessons; ask how many hours a week, at what cost, and whether there is a waiting list. If your child will sit national exams back home, check which subjects and languages the school can actually examine.
Family areas
Where do families live near Phuket’s international schools?
Families cluster in four areas: Cherng Talay, Laguna and Pasak on the west coast for UWC Thailand and HeadStart Cherngtalay; Kathu for Kajonkiet, QSI and HeadStart’s central campus; Koh Kaew for BISP; and Chalong and Rawai for BCIS and Lighthouse. On our listings, a 3-bedroom pool villa rents for about ฿140,000–180,000 a month in these areas.
| Area | Nearest schools | Typical villa rent (our listings, Oct 2026) | Family life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherng Talay & Pasak | UWC Thailand, HeadStart Cherngtalay | 3-bed: ≈ ฿155,000 / month | Gated villa estates, Boat Avenue and Porto de Phuket, Bang Tao beach |
| Bang Tao & Laguna | HeadStart Cherngtalay, UWC Thailand | 3-bed: ≈ ฿160,000 / month | Resort estates, golf, lagoon parks and beach clubs |
| Layan | UWC Thailand, HeadStart Cherngtalay | 3-bed: ≈ ฿180,000 / month | Quiet, large plots, national-park beach |
| Kathu | Kajonkiet, QSI, HeadStart (Chao Fa) | 4-bed: ≈ ฿195,000 / month | Central, golf courses, close to hospitals and malls |
| Koh Kaew | BISP | 3-bed: ≈ ฿140,000 / month | Marinas, calm east coast, close to Phuket Town |
| Chalong & Rawai | BCIS, Lighthouse, Montessori House | Chalong villas: ≈ ฿150,000 / month | Long-stay expat community, marinas, Nai Harn beach |
Rents are median asking rents on our long-term listings on 29 October 2026; small samples are indicative only, and Kathu’s figure is for 4-bedroom villas. Rawai and Nai Harn offer more varied stock, from modest pool houses to large villas. Our best areas to live in Phuket guide compares each area in depth, and the area guides and rental pages linked below show what is available now.
If your school is UWC Thailand or HeadStart Cherngtalay, look at Pasak, Cherng Talay and Laguna: a school run of 5–15 minutes, the beach and shops close by, and the island’s deepest choice of family villas for long-term rent. For BISP, Koh Kaew and Kathu keep the run short and the hospitals close.
School run
How long is the school run in Phuket?
Living within 15–20 minutes of school is realistic in Phuket if you choose the area after the school. Off-peak, Laguna to UWC Thailand takes about 10–15 minutes and Koh Kaew to BISP about 5–10; crossing the island, for example Laguna to BISP or Rawai to UWC, takes 30–50 minutes and can double at peak times.
| From | To | Typical drive (off-peak) | Peak-time risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laguna / Bang Tao | HeadStart Cherngtalay | 5–10 min | Low |
| Laguna / Bang Tao | UWC Thailand | 10–15 min | Low to moderate |
| Laguna / Bang Tao | BISP | 30–40 min | High (Heroines Monument, Thepkasattri Road) |
| Kathu | Kajonkiet or QSI | 5–10 min | Moderate |
| Kathu | BISP | 15–20 min | Moderate |
| Koh Kaew | BISP | 5–10 min | Low |
| Koh Kaew | UWC Thailand | 15–20 min | Moderate |
| Rawai / Nai Harn | BCIS or Lighthouse | 5–15 min | Moderate (Chalong circle) |
| Rawai / Nai Harn | BISP or UWC Thailand | 35–50 min | High |
Phuket’s main bottlenecks — Heroines Monument, Chalong circle, the Central Festival junction and the bypass — can double a map estimate during the morning school run and in heavy rain. Most schools run buses on set routes; ask for the current route map before choosing a house.
How to choose
How do you choose a school and a home in Phuket?
Start with the curriculum and your child’s next move, shortlist two or three schools, visit them, and check places and waiting lists for your year group. Only then choose the area within 15–20 minutes of the school, rent for twelve months, and buy later once the school and the area have proved right.
Step 1
Pick the curriculum
British, IB, American, Canadian or French, depending on where your child will study next and for how long you expect to stay.
Step 2
Shortlist and visit
Visit two or three schools during term, meet the teachers of your child’s year group, and ask about class sizes, language support and staff turnover.
Step 3
Check places and apply
Popular year groups fill up; apply early with school reports, passports and any assessments, and budget the application and placement fees.
Step 4
Choose the area
Draw a 15–20 minute radius around the school and compare villa estates and condos inside it.
Step 5
Rent first
Sign a 12-month lease near the school. It gives you a year to test the school run, the neighbourhood and the rainy season.
Step 6
Buy when you are sure
Once the school is settled, buying near it can make sense — family homes near good schools rent well if you leave.
Renting near the school first
- You can change area if the school or commute does not work
- No capital tied up while you settle in
- Lets you see the area in the rainy season
Buying straight away
- Harder to move if you change school
- Transfer taxes and fees on both purchase and resale
- Foreigners buy freehold only in condos; villas are usually leasehold
With Empire Estates
How we help families relocating to Phuket
We are based in Cherng Talay, close to UWC Thailand and HeadStart Cherngtalay, and help families find a long-term rental or a home to buy within easy reach of their school. We shortlist villas and condos by school run, arrange viewings, check the lease, and speak English, French and Thai.
Shortlist by school run
Homes chosen around your school, not the other way round.
Long-term rentals
Family villas and condos on 12-month leases across the island.
French-speaking team
Helpful for families heading to BCIS’s French programme.
Buy later, with data
When you are ready to buy, we compare prices and rents near your school.
This guide is general information. School fees are 2026–27 annual tuition figures from the schools’ own publications or as reported in October 2026, and may change; always confirm fees, places, curricula and accreditations directly with each school. Rents are median asking rents on our own listings on 29 October 2026, not market-wide averages. Drive times are our estimates for off-peak traffic. Empire Estates has no commercial relationship with the schools listed.
FAQ
International schools in Phuket — your questions
Short answers to what relocating families ask us most.
Talk to a local expert
Moving to Phuket with children?
Tell us your school, your budget and your move-in date. We will shortlist family villas and condos within an easy school run and organise viewings around your visit.
Where families live
Family areas and homes to rent near the schools
Read the area guides around your school, then browse the long-term rentals available there today.
Cherng Talay & Laguna — for UWC and HeadStart Cherngtalay
The west-coast family hub, with the island’s deepest choice of rental villas.
Kathu & Koh Kaew — for BISP, Kajonkiet and QSI
Central and east-coast living, close to hospitals and Phuket Town.
Chalong & Rawai — for BCIS and Lighthouse
The south’s long-stay community, with good value for space.
Buying near a school
When the school is settled, homes to buy and a quiz to narrow down the area.
Sources
The schools’ own websites and fee pages, and the directories and reports this guide relies on (checked 30 October 2026). Fees change every year: confirm them with each school.
- School fees 2026–27 — British International School Phuket (BISP) (official fee schedule)
- School fees — UWC Thailand
- HeadStart International School Phuket — HeadStart International School
- Kajonkiet International School Phuket (KISP) — KISP Academy
- Welcome to QSI Phuket (Kathu campus, American curriculum) — QSI International School of Phuket
- British and French international programmes — BCIS International School of Phuket
- Oak Meadow International School Phuket — Oak Meadow
- Lighthouse International School Phuket — Lighthouse International School
- International schools in Phuket: fees, curricula and locations — Phuket101 (updated October 2026)
- French schools in Thailand — Le Petit Journal Bangkok (in French)
- Leading UK school group to establish Phuket campus (NLCS Phuket, Cherng Talay) — Macau Business (May 2026)