International School Admissions in Chengdu: 2026 Step-by-Step Guide

Quick answer: How do international school admissions work in Chengdu? Most expat families apply directly to a school for children of foreign personnel, such as Chengdu International School, QSI or Léman, which admit only foreign passport holders. Expect an online form, school reports, a passport and residence permit copy, an entry assessment and an interview. Tuition runs roughly RMB 150,000 to 320,000 a year.

Last reviewed: September 2026 by Emma from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.

If you are moving to Sichuan, international school admissions in Chengdu are more predictable than in Shanghai or Beijing, but they follow rules that surprise many newcomers. The first question is not which school you prefer, it is which schools your child is legally allowed to attend. Once that is clear, the process is a sequence of documents, assessments and deadlines that you can plan months ahead.

This step-by-step guide explains who can apply where, the paperwork you will need, how entry tests work, when to apply and what the first year really costs.

Chengdu's international school landscape

Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan and one of the largest cities in western China, with a growing community of foreign engineers, consular staff, teachers and business people. Most international schools are in the south of the city, around the High-Tech Zone, Tianfu New Area and the Financial City, close to the neighbourhoods where many expat families rent. A few campuses are further out, and commutes on the ring roads can be long, so it is worth mapping schools before you choose housing.

China's system splits private international education into two groups, and that split drives admissions:

Schools for Children of Foreign Personnel (SCFP): licensed to teach foreign curricula such as the IB or an American programme. They can only enrol students with a foreign passport. Families with Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan documents should check the specific school's policy.
Chinese private schools with international programmes: they follow the Chinese national curriculum, at least in compulsory grades, with bilingual or international courses added. They mainly serve Chinese families but sometimes accept foreigners.

The legal backdrop matters. China's revised Implementing Regulations of the Private Education Promotion Law took effect on 1 September 2021, tightening control over private schools in compulsory education and over foreign curricula for Chinese nationals. SCFPs were not closed, but their rule on foreign passports is now applied very strictly.

Curricula available

International Baccalaureate: PYP, MYP and Diploma at several SCFPs.
American curriculum: a US-style programme with Advanced Placement courses in some schools.
British curriculum: IGCSE and A level programmes, mostly in Chinese private schools linked to UK brands.
Bilingual Chinese-English: the national curriculum with extended English, aimed at Chinese families.

Schools to apply to in Chengdu

Chengdu International School

Chengdu International School is an SCFP with an international programme for foreign passport holders from early years to graduation. It is often the first stop for corporate families because of its long experience with mid-year arrivals.

QSI International School of Chengdu

QSI International School of Chengdu belongs to Quality Schools International, a non-profit network that uses a mastery-based American programme. Small classes and a rolling admissions policy make it easier to join during the year.

Léman International School, Chengdu

Léman International School Chengdu is part of the Nord Anglia network and teaches the IB. It suits families who want an IB continuum and who may move to another Nord Anglia school later.

Malvern College Chengdu

Malvern College Chengdu is a Chinese private school linked to the English boarding school, with an international curriculum in the upper years. It mainly serves Chinese families, so foreign applicants should confirm eligibility and the language profile of each class.

Admissions step by step

Step 1, check eligibility: confirm your child's passport and the school's licence type before anything else.
Step 2, submit the online application: most schools ask for a form, a non-refundable application fee and copies of passports.
Step 3, send documents: the last two years of school reports, a teacher recommendation, vaccination records and, once you have it, your residence permit.
Step 4, assessment and interview: younger children usually have a play-based observation. Older students take English and maths tests, sometimes online if you are still abroad.
Step 5, offer and deposit: a seat is only secured once you sign the contract and pay the enrolment deposit.

Fees and costs to budget

As a rough guide for the 2026 to 2027 school year:

Early years: roughly RMB 120,000 to 200,000 a year.
Primary: roughly RMB 150,000 to 250,000 a year.
Secondary and IB Diploma: roughly RMB 200,000 to 320,000 a year.

Extras to include:

Application fee, often RMB 1,500 to 3,000.
One-off enrolment or capital fee and a refundable deposit.
Bus, lunches, uniforms, trips and IB or AP exam fees.

Many employers pay tuition directly as part of a relocation package, so ask HR which schools they already work with. Schools often have faster processes for companies they invoice every year.

Practical advice for families

Start early for August entry. The main intake is August, and popular grades can fill by spring. Apply as soon as your move is confirmed, even before your visa is final, and update the school when documents arrive.

Prepare certified documents. Some schools ask for notarised or translated reports and birth certificates. Getting them done before you leave home is much easier than arranging them from China.

Ask about English support. If your child is still learning English, check whether the school offers EAL classes and at what age it stops admitting beginners. Some schools limit beginners in the final two years.

Visit if you can, or ask for a live tour. Chengdu schools are used to families who are still abroad and most will run a video call with admissions staff and a virtual walk through the campus. Use it to ask about class sizes, the nationality mix, how many students leave each year and how the school helps new families settle. A school that answers these questions clearly usually runs a well-organised admissions process too.

Keep a waiting list option open. If your first choice is full, accept a place at a second school while you stay on the waiting list. Deposits are usually partly refundable if you give notice before a set date, so read the contract terms carefully.

Compare the best schools in China

To see how Chengdu schools compare with others in the country, and to read parent reviews, visit the ranking of the best schools in China.

More guides to schools in Chengdu

Frequently asked questions

Can Chinese nationals attend international schools in Chengdu?

Chinese nationals cannot enrol in Schools for Children of Foreign Personnel, which only accept foreign passport holders. They can attend Chinese private schools with international or bilingual programmes, such as Malvern College Chengdu, which follow the national curriculum in compulsory grades. Families with dual backgrounds should confirm the rules directly with each school.

What documents do I need to apply to an international school in Chengdu?

Typically you need the application form, your child's passport, parents' passports, the last two years of school reports, a teacher recommendation and vaccination records. Schools will also ask for the residence permit once you have it. Some request notarised or translated copies, so prepare certified versions before you move.

When should I apply for an August start in Chengdu?

Apply between October and March for an August start. Popular grades at the larger schools can fill by spring, while schools with rolling admissions such as QSI can often place students later. If you are moving mid-year, contact two or three schools at once and ask about current availability.