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

Quick answer: how do international school admissions work in Ulaanbaatar? Ulaanbaatar has four main international schools: American School of Ulaanbaatar, British School of Ulaanbaatar, Canadian School of Ulaanbaatar and International School of Ulaanbaatar. Apply 6 to 9 months before the 1 September start, expect an assessment and records check, and budget roughly MNT 35 to 90 million a year.

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

The international school admissions process in Ulaanbaatar is smaller and more personal than in larger Asian capitals. With only four established schools teaching in English, families usually deal directly with an admissions officer, and a single email can answer questions that would take weeks elsewhere. The flip side is that popular year groups can fill quickly, and the choice of curriculum is limited.

This step-by-step guide covers the timeline from first enquiry to the deposit, the documents you will need, age cut-offs, waiting lists and mid-year entry, with timing advice shaped by the city's long, very cold winter.

Ulaanbaatar for international families: districts, climate and commutes

Families come to Ulaanbaatar for mining and energy projects, embassies, development agencies, banking and a growing number of education and tech roles. Almost half of Mongolia's population lives in the capital, which stretches east to west along the Tuul River valley.

The international schools are concentrated in the south of the city, in Khan-Uul District and around Zaisan, where many newer apartment complexes and family compounds sit. This makes the choice of home easier: most expat housing in Zaisan and Khan-Uul is within a reasonable drive of all four schools. Families living in the central Sukhbaatar or Chingeltei districts should expect a slower journey, as traffic on Peace Avenue and the bridges over the Tuul can be heavy at peak times.

Climate shapes daily life. Ulaanbaatar is the coldest national capital in the world, with an average annual temperature around minus 1 degree Celsius, and winter air pollution from coal heating can be severe. When you visit, ask about indoor sports space, air filtration and whether the school bus waits outside or children wait indoors.

Curricula available in Ulaanbaatar

North American (Common Core based): an adapted curriculum at American School of Ulaanbaatar.
British (IGCSE and A Level): the British School of Ulaanbaatar follows the British international model up to A Level.
Canadian (New Brunswick) with the Mongolian national curriculum: a bilingual route at Canadian School of Ulaanbaatar leading to two diplomas.
International Baccalaureate: Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes at International School of Ulaanbaatar.

The four international schools in Ulaanbaatar

American School of Ulaanbaatar

American School of Ulaanbaatar (ASU) was founded in 2006 and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). It has three divisions, Pre-School, Elementary and Secondary, and teaches an adapted North American curriculum based on the US Common Core standards. Its campus is at Zaisan Hill 11, and it is rated 5.0 from 4 reviews, with parents mentioning a safe environment, friendly staff and personalised learning.

Admissions tip: families moving between American-system schools will find the transfer smoothest here. Send recent report cards and any standardised test results with the application so the school can place your child in the right grade.

British School of Ulaanbaatar

The British School of Ulaanbaatar (BSU) opened in September 2012 for Years 1 to 9 and has since grown so that its secondary school offers a full range of IGCSE and A Level examinations. It sits at Naadamchidiin Road 50 in Khan-Uul District's 4th Khoroo, teaches in English and is rated 5.0 from 2 reviews. Its profile also stresses preparing Mongolian students to master their own language and script.

Admissions tip: British year groups follow age on 1 September, which matches the Mongolian school year. Children arriving from England or Wales should slot in at the same year group; those from other systems may move up or down a year, so ask early.

Canadian School of Ulaanbaatar

The Canadian School of Ulaanbaatar (CSU) opened in autumn 2022 in Khan-Uul District and offers a bilingual Mongolian and English education that blends the Mongolian national curriculum with that of New Brunswick. As a candidate New Brunswick offshore school, it allows graduates to earn both a Mongolian diploma and a Canadian diploma certified by Atlantic Education International. It runs from PK3 to Grade 12 and reports close to 1,000 students, around 80 teachers from 19 countries, a 12:1 student to teacher ratio and a maximum of 25 per class. It also offers a cafeteria, a school bus and more than 30 activities.

Admissions tip: primary classes have a Mongolian-speaking homeroom teacher, so this school suits Mongolian returnee families and mixed families most. Expat children with no Mongolian should ask how much of the day is taught in English at their grade.

International School of Ulaanbaatar

International School of Ulaanbaatar (ISU) is an IB World School offering the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes to a community of more than 30 nationalities. It is located on Ikh Mongol Uls Street in the 18th Khoroo, near Four Seasons Gardens. It holds a 2.7 rating from 4 reviews, so read the comments and ask questions on your visit.

Admissions tip: its Parent Teacher Group offers an introduction for newly arrived families. Ask admissions to connect you with a PTG parent before you move.

Step-by-step admissions timeline

Enquiry (9 to 12 months ahead): email each school with your child's age, current curriculum and planned arrival date, and ask about space in the year group.
Visit or virtual tour (6 to 9 months ahead): autumn and spring visits show the school in normal conditions; a winter visit shows how it copes with the cold.
Application: submit the form and pay the application fee.
Documents: passport copies, birth certificate, two years of school reports, immunisation records, a teacher reference and any learning support reports.
Assessment: English and maths tests or an interview for older children; play-based observation for early years.
Offer and deposit: offers usually come within two to four weeks, with a deposit to hold the place.

Age cut-offs: most schools place children by age on 1 September, in line with the Mongolian school year that starts on 1 September, though American-system schools sometimes use different dates. Confirm before you apply.

Fees and admissions costs in Ulaanbaatar

None of the four schools publish fees on their profiles, so the ranges below are indicative annual tuition. Fees are often quoted in US dollars, with the tugrik at roughly 3,400 to 3,500 per USD.

Early years: roughly MNT 30 to 50 million (about USD 9,000 to 14,500).
Primary: roughly MNT 45 to 70 million (about USD 13,000 to 20,000).
Secondary and IB or A Level years: roughly MNT 55 to 90 million (about USD 16,000 to 26,000).

Extras to plan for:

Application and assessment fee, usually non-refundable.
Enrolment fee or deposit to confirm the place.
Development or capital levy at some schools.
School bus, lunches and winter clothing that meets the school's outdoor rules.
Uniform, IGCSE, A Level or IB exam fees, trips and a laptop.

Practical admissions advice for Ulaanbaatar

Aim for an August arrival. Arriving in mid-August lets children settle before term starts on 1 September and avoids the hardest months for a first impression. Families arriving in December or January should expect temperatures well below minus 20 degrees Celsius and shorter days, which can make the first weeks harder for young children.

Mid-year entry is possible but plan for it. Because the schools are small, places mid-year depend on class sizes. Ask about January entry in October, and secure housing close to school to keep winter journeys short.

Use waiting lists actively. If a year group is full, ask to stay on the list and check monthly, as diplomatic and project families leave at short notice.

See the Ulaanbaatar school ranking

Compare ratings and reviews for all four schools in our Best international schools in Ulaanbaatar ranking.

More guides to schools in Ulaanbaatar

Frequently asked questions

When does the school year start in Ulaanbaatar?

The Mongolian school year starts on 1 September, and the international schools in Ulaanbaatar follow a similar August or September start. Most place children by age on 1 September. Aim to apply 6 to 9 months ahead and arrive in mid-August, so your child can settle before term and before the long winter begins in November.

Which international school in Ulaanbaatar offers the IB Diploma?

International School of Ulaanbaatar is an IB World School offering the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes. The British School of Ulaanbaatar offers IGCSE and A Level instead, American School of Ulaanbaatar follows a Common Core based North American curriculum, and Canadian School of Ulaanbaatar leads to Mongolian and New Brunswick diplomas.

Can my child join an international school in Ulaanbaatar in January?

Often yes, as long as there is space in the year group. The schools are small, so contact admissions by October for January entry and send reports early. Winter arrivals face temperatures far below zero, so ask about indoor play, bus arrangements and how new pupils are supported during their first weeks.