If you have just been told you are moving to Shanghai for the 2026 school year, you have a process — and a passport-based rulebook — to navigate. International school admissions in Shanghai are tightly regulated: most "international" schools can only enrol students holding a foreign passport, and the application calendar is more compressed than in many Western cities. This guide walks you through the 2026 admissions process step by step.
Who Can Attend an International School in Shanghai?
Under current Ministry of Education rules, fully foreign-curriculum international schools in Shanghai are restricted to students holding a passport from a country other than mainland China. Students from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan can attend a separate category of school. There is also a growing tier of bilingual schools open to Chinese nationals — these typically follow a national curriculum core with English or IB enrichment.
Check which category each school falls under before applying. The wrong category cannot be fixed with a waiver.
The 2026 Admissions Timeline
- September – November 2025: Research, attend open days, finalise shortlist.
- October 2025 – February 2026: Submit applications and documents.
- November 2025 – April 2026: Assessments and parent interviews.
- February – May 2026: Offer letters issued.
- May – July 2026: Acceptance, deposit, contract.
- August 2026: Term begins.
Popular schools fill priority year groups (Grade 1, Grade 6 entry into middle school, and Grade 9 entry into the IB MYP/Diploma pipeline) months before this window closes. Apply as early as possible.
Documents You Will Be Asked For
- Child's passport and current visa (or expected visa category).
- Parents' passports and proof of work assignment in Shanghai.
- Last two years of school reports, translated and certified if not in English.
- References from current head teacher and class teacher.
- Standardised test results (MAP, CAT4, IGCSE predicted grades) where relevant.
- Medical and vaccination records, often on the school's template.
- Recent photo of the child for the application file.
Assessments and Interviews
Most Shanghai international schools assess applicants. Expect:
- Early Years (KG – Grade 2): a play-based session, often 60–90 minutes, with informal observations and parent interview.
- Primary (Grade 3 – 5): a structured English and maths assessment, sometimes the WIDA or MAP, plus a teacher interview.
- Middle and Upper (Grade 6 – 12): subject-level testing, written tasks, and increasingly an interview that explores the student's interests and self-direction.
For non-native English speakers entering primary or middle school, schools also run an EAL screen to determine support needs and class placement.
Leading International Schools in Shanghai
Concordia International School Shanghai
A long-established American-curriculum school in Jinqiao, Pudong, with a Christian foundation and strong AP outcomes. View Concordia International School Shanghai on ISA.
Nord Anglia International School Shanghai Pudong
An IB Continuum school in central Pudong, part of the global Nord Anglia network. View Nord Anglia Shanghai Pudong on ISA.
The British International School Shanghai Puxi
Part of the Nord Anglia family on the Puxi side, delivering an English National Curriculum with IGCSE and the IB Diploma. View British International School Shanghai Puxi on ISA.
YK Pao School
A bilingual day and boarding school with strong academic outcomes and a Chinese-rooted, internationally focused mission. View YK Pao School on ISA.
Fudan International School
Affiliated with Fudan University and offering a bilingual programme leading to internationally recognised qualifications. View Fudan International School on ISA.
EAL and Language of Instruction
For families whose children do not speak English fluently, most international schools cap EAL admissions at a percentage per class and only at certain age groups (typically up to Grade 5 or 6). Older students are usually expected to demonstrate functional English from the entry assessment. Mandarin is offered as a core subject across almost every international school in Shanghai.
Practical Tips for a Smoother Application
Start the visa work early. Schools cannot enrol students whose visa category does not match the school's licence. Confirm your dependent visa class before paying any deposit.
Apply to a portfolio. Three or four schools is normal — many families do not get their first-choice campus.
Use a school placement consultant if your timeline is tight. A good consultant has live data on which schools have which year-group capacity.
Watch out for re-enrolment windows. Several Shanghai schools require existing families to confirm intent by mid-March, and new offers go out only after that.
Start Your Shortlist
For a constantly updated directory of international schools in Shanghai with reviews, fees and contact details, visit ISA's international school directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Chinese nationals attend an international school in Shanghai?
Generally no — fully foreign-curriculum international schools admit only students holding a passport from a country other than mainland China. Bilingual schools open to Chinese nationals exist as a separate category.
When should we start the admissions process for a September 2026 start?
Begin research and visits in autumn 2025 and submit applications between October 2025 and February 2026 at the latest. Priority year groups fill earlier.
What documents are needed for international school admissions in Shanghai?
Passports and visas, the last two years of school reports, two teacher references, recent standardised test results where applicable, and complete vaccination and medical records.