Bilingual Schools in Bandar Seri Begawan: A 2026 Guide for Expat Families

Quick answer: What bilingual school options are there in Bandar Seri Begawan in 2026? Brunei's national system is bilingual in Malay and English, and private schools in Bandar Seri Begawan build on that. Chung Hwa Middle School adds Mandarin for a trilingual education, while Jerudong International School and the International School of Brunei teach in English with Malay and other languages. Fees range roughly from BND 2,000 to BND 30,000 a year.

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

Families searching for bilingual schools in Bandar Seri Begawan will find that Brunei is bilingual by design. Since the 1980s the national education system has taught in both Malay and English, and many private schools add Mandarin on top. For expatriate families this makes Brunei an easy place to give children a second or third language, even at schools that are mainly English-medium.

This guide explains how the bilingual system works, which schools with verified profiles on International School Advisor are worth a visit, what they cost in 2026 and how to choose.

How bilingual education works in Brunei

Brunei introduced its bilingual education policy (Dwibahasa) in 1985, with Malay as the language of early primary and English becoming the main medium for subjects such as mathematics and science in later years. In 2009 the country launched the National Education System for the 21st Century, known as SPN21, which kept the bilingual approach and reorganised the curriculum and assessments.

Private schools in the capital fall into three groups: international schools teaching British or IB programmes in English, Chinese-medium schools teaching Mandarin, Malay and English, and mission and private schools following the national curriculum with a strong English emphasis.

A verifiable fact worth knowing: the Brunei dollar has been exchangeable at par with the Singapore dollar since the Currency Interchangeability Agreement of 1967, so school fees in BND are effectively the same as in SGD, and both currencies are accepted in Brunei.

Programmes and languages on offer

British National Curriculum with IGCSE and A Levels: at the main international schools, taught in English with Malay, Mandarin and European languages as options.
IB programmes: available at a small number of international schools in the capital; check the exact programmes with each school.
Trilingual Chinese-medium education: Mandarin, Malay and English, leading to local and Cambridge qualifications.
National SPN21 curriculum: Malay and English, at private schools that follow the government system.

In practice, most expatriate children in Bandar Seri Begawan end up learning at least some Malay, even at English-medium schools, because it is part of daily life and often part of the timetable. Families who want a second language beyond Malay usually choose Mandarin, which is widely spoken in the Chinese community and taught at every level in the capital. Ask each school what level children typically reach after two or three years.

Bilingual and international schools in Bandar Seri Begawan

These schools have verified profiles on International School Advisor with reviews and indicative prices.

Jerudong International School

Brunei's largest international school, with a British curriculum, IGCSE and A Levels, and boarding. Teaching is in English, with Malay and Mandarin among the language options, and the campus is one of the best equipped in Southeast Asia.

International School of Brunei

Founded in 1964, ISB offers a British-based curriculum with international pre-university options. It is popular with expatriate families on diplomatic and energy sector contracts and supports children whose first language is not English.

Chung Hwa Middle School

The best known Chinese-medium school in the capital, teaching in Mandarin, Malay and English. It is the natural choice for families who want real trilingual fluency and a strong academic culture, at much lower fees than international schools.

St. Andrew's School Brunei

A long-established mission school with English and Malay teaching and a friendly community feel. It offers a bilingual education at local private school prices.

Seri Mulia Sarjana International School

A private school that combines an English-medium international approach with Malay and Islamic studies. It suits families who want an international programme with a strong local dimension.

What families pay in 2026

Brunei has no personal income tax, and school fees are lower than in Singapore for comparable programmes. Indicative 2026 annual tuition:

Chinese-medium and mission private schools: roughly BND 2,000 to BND 6,000.
Private international and bilingual schools: roughly BND 5,000 to BND 12,000.
Leading international schools: roughly BND 12,000 to BND 30,000 depending on grade, with boarding extra.

Extras to budget for

Application and admission fees, and a refundable deposit at international schools.
Transport, as public transport is limited and most families drive.
Uniforms, books and exam fees for IGCSE, A Levels or the IB.
After-school language classes, if you want extra Malay or Mandarin support.

Tips for choosing a bilingual school in Brunei

Decide how many languages you really want. A trilingual Chinese-medium school gives outstanding language results but asks a lot of children who arrive with no Mandarin. For older newcomers an English-medium international school with Mandarin or Malay as subjects is often a better start.

Ask about language support for newcomers. Find out how many hours of EAL, Malay or Mandarin support are included, and whether children are placed by age or by level.

Understand the calendar. International schools follow an August or September start, while local schools follow the January school year. If you arrive mid-year, a local school may have more flexibility, and some families move to an international school at the next natural entry point.

Consider the culture. Brunei is a Malay Islamic Monarchy, and Islamic religious knowledge is part of the curriculum for Muslim students at many schools. International schools offer alternatives for non-Muslim students; ask how the school handles this in practice.

Everyday life for families in the capital

Bandar Seri Begawan is small, safe and green, and most expatriate families live in areas such as Gadong, Kiulap, Jerudong and Kiarong, within 20 minutes of school. Because the city is compact, children can join sports clubs, swimming and music lessons without long journeys, which makes it easy to add language classes after school.

The flip side is choice. There are only a handful of international schools, and popular year groups can have waiting lists, especially at the start of the academic year when new contracts begin. Contact schools as soon as your posting is confirmed.

Compare schools in the Brunei ranking

See ratings, reviews and prices in the ranking of the best schools in Brunei.

More guides to schools in Bandar Seri Begawan

Frequently asked questions

Is the education system in Brunei bilingual?

Yes. Brunei introduced its bilingual Malay and English policy in 1985 and kept it in the SPN21 national system launched in 2009. Children learn in Malay in early primary, with English becoming the main medium for subjects such as mathematics and science in later years.

Which school in Bandar Seri Begawan teaches Mandarin?

Chung Hwa Middle School is the best known Chinese-medium school in the capital, teaching in Mandarin, Malay and English. Jerudong International School and the International School of Brunei also offer Mandarin as a subject within English-medium programmes.

How much do international schools in Brunei cost?

In 2026, local Chinese-medium and mission schools cost roughly BND 2,000 to BND 6,000 a year, while the leading international schools charge roughly BND 12,000 to BND 30,000 depending on grade. Boarding, transport, uniforms and exam fees are extra.