Quick answer: How much are international school fees in Foshan? In 2026, international school tuition in Foshan ranges from roughly CNY 90,000 a year in the early years to about CNY 280,000 in the final secondary years. Boarding adds around CNY 40,000 to 80,000. Budget another 10 to 20 percent for application fees, deposits, bus, lunch and exam costs on top of tuition.
Last reviewed: September 2026 by Catherine from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.
Foshan sits right next to Guangzhou in the Pearl River Delta and is one of China's manufacturing powerhouses, known for furniture, ceramics, appliances and a growing number of foreign owned factories. Many families moving here want a clear picture of international school fees in Foshan before they accept a job offer or negotiate an education allowance.
Compared with Shenzhen or Shanghai, Foshan is more affordable in almost every respect, including schooling. But fees still vary a lot between schools, and the extras can catch families by surprise. This guide sets out what you can expect to pay in 2026, school by school, and how to plan the total budget.
Foshan at a glance for relocating families
Foshan is a large city of around ten million people, divided into districts that feel quite different from each other. Chancheng and Nanhai are the most urban and closest to Guangzhou, with plenty of modern housing and good metro links. Shunde, to the south, is famous for its food and for major employers such as appliance manufacturers, and it is where several international and bilingual schools are based.
Transport is one of Foshan's strengths. The Guangfo Metro, opened in November 2010, was China's first intercity metro line and links Foshan directly with Guangzhou, so some families live in Foshan and work across the border, or the other way around. When comparing fees, remember that a cheaper school far from home can end up costing more once you add a long bus contract or a second car.
What curricula you are paying for
Fees in Foshan tend to follow the curriculum and the school brand. The main options are:
- British curriculum and IGCSE. Offered by several of the newer premium schools, with A levels in the sixth form.
- International Baccalaureate. The IB Diploma is available at the top end of the market and usually carries the highest fees in the final two years.
- Early years and primary programmes. EtonHouse style inquiry based early years and the International Primary Curriculum are common at the lower end of the fee range.
- Bilingual Chinese and English tracks. Mainly for Chinese nationals, who follow the national curriculum in compulsory years under the 2021 private education regulations.
Fees at the main international schools in Foshan
The schools below have verified profiles on International School Advisor, where you can check the latest reported fees and read family reviews. Figures are indicative ranges for 2026 to 2027, not official price lists.
Nord Anglia School Foshan
Part of the global Nord Anglia group, with a British based curriculum and access to the group's partnerships with institutions such as Juilliard and MIT. Expect tuition roughly between CNY 150,000 and 250,000 a year depending on the year group. It is one of the more expensive options in the city, and families generally pay for the network, facilities and university guidance.
Foshan EtonHouse International School
Best known for its early years and primary education, with an inquiry based approach inspired by Reggio Emilia and the IB Primary Years framework. It is usually the most accessible option for younger children, with tuition roughly from CNY 90,000 to 180,000 a year. A good fit if your children are under 11 and you want a gentle start in English.
Lady Eleanor Holles International School
Linked to the well known girls' school in London, this campus brings a traditional British academic model to Foshan, including boarding. Tuition is roughly CNY 180,000 to 280,000, with boarding charged on top. It appeals to families who want a strong academic focus and a clear pathway to UK universities.
Guangdong Country Garden School
A very large bilingual boarding school in Shunde with an international section. It offers several tracks, including national and international pathways, and fees vary widely: roughly CNY 100,000 to 250,000 a year depending on the programme and boarding. Check carefully which track your child would join and whether a foreign passport is required.
The full cost: tuition plus extras
Tuition is only part of the bill. When you build your budget, or when you negotiate an education allowance with your employer, include these extras, which typically add 10 to 20 percent a year:
- Application and assessment fee: roughly CNY 1,500 to 5,000, non refundable.
- Enrolment deposit or debenture: usually CNY 10,000 to 30,000; ask whether it is refundable and on what terms.
- School bus: around CNY 8,000 to 18,000 a year depending on distance and district.
- Meals: roughly CNY 6,000 to 14,000 a year for lunch and snacks.
- Boarding: where available, roughly CNY 40,000 to 80,000 a year on top of tuition.
- Uniform, trips and exams: IGCSE, A level and IB exam fees, plus residential trips, are billed separately.
An important legal point: since China's 2021 regulations on private education, schools that teach foreign curricula in the compulsory years are mainly those licensed for children of foreign personnel. In practice, a foreign passport or a Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan permit is usually needed to enrol in a fully international programme. That can affect which fee category and which school you can access.
Most schools invoice per term or per semester, and many offer a discount of around 3 to 5 percent for paying the full year in advance, plus sibling discounts of about 5 to 10 percent. Ask about these directly; they are not always advertised.
How to keep school costs under control
Negotiate education support before you sign. Employers in the Pearl River Delta often include an education allowance for expatriate staff. Ask for it to cover tuition plus the main extras, and to be linked to the actual invoice rather than a fixed amount.
Match housing to the school. Living in Shunde and commuting to a school in Chancheng, or the reverse, can add a large bus bill and an hour a day. Choosing housing near the school often pays for itself.
Read the refund and withdrawal policy. Families in manufacturing sometimes relocate at short notice. Check how much notice is needed to withdraw, whether the deposit is refunded, and whether a term's fees are due if you leave early.
Compare schools across China
Foshan does not yet have a dedicated city ranking, so the best next step is our ranking of the best schools in China, where you can filter by city, compare fees and read what other families say about each school.
More guides to schools in Foshan
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest international school option in Foshan?
For younger children, early years and primary programmes such as those at Foshan EtonHouse International School are usually the most affordable, from roughly CNY 90,000 a year. Secondary years and the IB Diploma or A levels cost more everywhere. Remember to compare the total bill, including bus and meals, not just tuition.
Do international schools in Foshan offer boarding?
Yes, some do. Lady Eleanor Holles International School and Guangdong Country Garden School both offer boarding options. Boarding typically adds around CNY 40,000 to 80,000 a year to tuition, depending on the room type and the number of nights per week. Ask about weekly versus full boarding.
Is Foshan cheaper than Guangzhou for international schools?
Generally yes. Premium schools in Guangzhou and Shenzhen often charge above CNY 250,000 a year in the upper years, while Foshan has more options below that level. Many families also save on rent in Foshan and use the Guangfo Metro to reach Guangzhou when needed.