Quick answer: how much do international schools in Bandar Seri Begawan cost in 2026? Day places at Jerudong International School and International School Brunei run roughly 15,000 to 26,000 Brunei dollars a year, with JIS boarding adding roughly 20,000 to 30,000 BND. Seri Mulia Sarjana, St Andrew's and other mid-range schools charge roughly 5,000 to 12,000 BND. There is no VAT in Brunei, so the quoted fee is the fee.
Last reviewed: September 2026 by Catherine from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.
Brunei is a small, quiet, wealthy sultanate where the expatriate community is dominated by oil and gas, the British Garrison, education and a handful of embassies, and international school fees in Bandar Seri Begawan reflect a market with two flagship schools and a tail of smaller, cheaper options. Because there is no VAT and no personal income tax, and because the Brunei dollar is pegged one to one to the Singapore dollar, budgeting is simpler than almost anywhere else in Asia. This guide sets out what each school charges, what is included, and where the extras sit.
Why Brunei fees are easy to compare
Three structural facts make Brunei unusual. First, the Brunei dollar has been interchangeable with the Singapore dollar at par since the 1967 Currency Interchangeability Agreement, so fees track Singapore in real terms and there is no local currency risk. Second, Brunei levies no VAT, GST or sales tax and no personal income tax, so a school's published fee is the total you pay, and expatriate packages stretch further than the salary line implies. Third, the market is small: around 450,000 people in the country and most international families within a 20-minute drive of the capital, Jerudong or the Shell town of Kuala Belait.
Geography follows the coast. Jerudong International School sits on a large campus in Jerudong, west of the capital near the beach and the polo club, and is the school of choice for Shell and garrison families. International School Brunei is closer to the city centre. The smaller schools are scattered around Bandar Seri Begawan and Gadong.
Curricula available in Bandar Seri Begawan
- British curriculum and IB Diploma: Jerudong International School offers IGCSE followed by a choice of A Level or the IB Diploma, plus boarding.
- International Baccalaureate: International School Brunei runs the IB Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma programmes.
- Cambridge (IGCSE and A Level): Seri Mulia Sarjana International School and St Andrew's School follow Cambridge programmes at lower fee levels.
- Chinese-medium with English: Chung Hwa Middle School, a long-established Chinese school with strong academic results, is an option for families who want Mandarin.
- Early years and primary specialists: Stella's School and Bright Jigsaw School serve younger children at modest fees.
International schools in Bandar Seri Begawan and what they charge
Jerudong International School (JIS)
One of the largest international schools in South-East Asia by campus, with day and boarding from age 2 to 18, IGCSE, A Level and the IB Diploma, and facilities that rival top UK boarding schools. Day fees are roughly 18,000 to 26,000 BND a year by year group; full boarding adds roughly 20,000 to 30,000 BND. There is a registration fee and a deposit. It is the default for Shell and British Forces families, many of whom have fees covered by their employer.
International School Brunei (ISB)
The IB World School in the capital, from early years to the IB Diploma, with a more urban campus and a diverse mix of expatriate and Bruneian students. Fees are roughly 15,000 to 24,000 BND a year, slightly below JIS. It is the natural choice for families on an IB continuum or without a boarding requirement.
Seri Mulia Sarjana International School
A Bruneian-owned international school following Cambridge programmes through to A Level, with fees roughly 6,000 to 12,000 BND a year. It attracts local professional families and expatriates on more modest packages, and is one of the strongest value options in the country.
St Andrew's School
An Anglican mission school founded in the 1950s, teaching in English to Cambridge examinations, with fees roughly 4,000 to 9,000 BND a year. Class sizes are larger than at JIS or ISB, but results are solid and it has educated generations of Bruneian professionals.
Chung Hwa Middle School
The leading Chinese school in the capital, bilingual in Mandarin and English with a strong academic reputation and fees among the lowest on this list. It is most relevant to families who want Mandarin as a language of instruction rather than a subject.
Fee ranges by age, and the extras
- Early years (ages 2 to 5): roughly 3,000 to 9,000 BND at smaller schools; roughly 12,000 to 17,000 BND at JIS and ISB.
- Primary (ages 6 to 11): roughly 5,000 to 11,000 BND; roughly 16,000 to 22,000 BND at the two flagships.
- Secondary, IGCSE, A Level and IB Diploma: roughly 7,000 to 12,000 BND; roughly 20,000 to 26,000 BND at the two flagships.
Extras to budget for. Registration or enrolment fee: a one-off charge on acceptance, higher at JIS and ISB. Deposit: refundable, usually a term. Uniforms: compulsory everywhere. Transport: school buses run from the capital to Jerudong and are priced by route. Lunches: optional at most schools. Exam fees: IGCSE, A Level and IB Diploma registrations at cost. Boarding: at JIS only, with separate charges for weekend activities and flights home. There is no tax line on any of these invoices.
Practical advice for families budgeting for Brunei
Check whether your package pays JIS boarding or day rates. Some Shell and garrison agreements cover day fees at JIS or ISB only; boarding, if you want it for older children, may be your own cost.
Ask about sibling discounts. Brunei schools are more generous than most on second and third child discounts, commonly 5 to 15 percent, because the market is small and families tend to stay for several years.
Use the Singapore peg to your advantage. Because the Brunei dollar tracks the Singapore dollar, Brunei fees at JIS or ISB are roughly half of what an equivalent school charges in Singapore for the same currency exposure. For families choosing between postings, that is a large saving.
Compare Brunei schools side by side
Use the ranking of the best schools in Brunei to compare every school in this guide on fees, curriculum and parent reviews before you request visits.
More guides to schools in Bandar Seri Begawan
Frequently asked questions
How much do international schools in Brunei cost per year?
Roughly 15,000 to 26,000 Brunei dollars a year for day places at Jerudong International School and International School Brunei, the two large international schools, with boarding at JIS adding roughly 20,000 to 30,000 BND. Mid-range international schools such as Seri Mulia Sarjana and St Andrew's charge roughly 5,000 to 12,000 BND. The Brunei dollar is pegged one to one to the Singapore dollar.
Is there VAT or sales tax on school fees in Brunei?
No. Brunei has no VAT, GST or sales tax, and no personal income tax, so the tuition figure quoted by a school is the figure you pay. That makes Brunei fees unusually easy to compare with other countries, and it is one reason total cost of living for expatriate families is lower than headline salaries suggest.
What extras should I budget for at Brunei international schools?
A one-off registration or enrolment fee, a refundable deposit, uniforms, the school bus, lunches, external examination fees for IGCSE, A Level and IB Diploma, and residential trips. At JIS, boarding fees and boarding-specific costs are separate. Together, day-school extras typically add 8 to 12 percent to headline tuition.