Best International Schools in Penang

Reviewed 2026-10-31. General independent information; check current official immigration, financial and medical guidance before acting.

Expert take — Cost of Asia editorial team Malaysia's 6% service tax on school fees applies only above RM60,000 per student per year, and in Penang that usually means upper grades at the priciest schools: Uplands applies it to Years 7 to 13 but not to its primary years. Dalat's top tuition is RM59,000, just under the line. Ask each school, grade by grade, whether SST will be added. A family with a primary child and a teenager may pay it on one fee and not the other.

Penang has a compact international school scene, with top fees below those of Kuala Lumpur's priciest schools. Several of the best-known campuses sit along the island's north coast, between Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi, with others in George Town and on the Balik Pulau side.

This page is for families relocating to Penang who want a short list with clear criteria. The main trade-off is between the north-coast cluster, which suits families living near the beaches, and schools elsewhere on the island that suit a George Town or southern base.

At a glance

How we chose

• Recognized curriculum and accreditation or inspection, confirmed by the school, the UK government school register or a reference guide.
• Published 2026-27 fees, preferring the school's own schedule.
• Spread of curricula, boarding options and locations.

Checked on 31 October 2026. Tax rules change, so confirm SST with each school.

1. The International School of Penang (Uplands) — best for the IB Diploma

Uplands, on Jalan Sungai Satu in Batu Ferringhi, runs a British-based program through IGCSE and then the IB Diploma in Years 12 and 13. Its 2026/27 schedule, billed in two installments, comes to RM26,000 a year in Reception and RM74,400 in the IB years. New students pay a RM7,000 entrance fee and a RM5,000 enrollment deposit, and every student pays a RM2,500 yearly development fund.

The school states that 6% SST applies from September 2025 to tuition for Years 7 to 13 and to some joining fees. Paying in full by the deadline earns a 5% tuition discount.

2. Dalat International School — best for American curriculum and boarding

Dalat, founded in 1929, sits on Jalan Tanjung Bungah and is accredited by WASC and ACSI. It is a Christian school with a college-preparatory American program, so ask how faith shapes school life. Its 2026-27 tuition runs from RM22,000 (preschool) to RM59,000 (Grades 9 to 12). Room and board costs RM45,200 a year, with limited places. One-time fees are modest: an RM800 application fee and an RM5,000 registration fee from Grade 1.

3. Prince of Wales Island International School — best for UK-style boarding

POWIIS opened in 2011 on a hillside campus off Jalan Sungai Air Putih, on the Balik Pulau side of the island. It follows the English National Curriculum to IGCSE and A Levels and has a large boarding community, according to an independent guide. The International Schools Database lists 2026/27 fees of RM17,460 to RM64,230.

4. Tenby Schools Penang — best for a Cambridge pathway at lower cost

Tenby, in Lembah Permai, Tanjung Bungah, offers a Cambridge route to IGCSE and A Levels alongside a Malaysian private school stream. The International Schools Database lists 2026/27 fees of RM15,528 to RM57,189, the lowest top-grade fee of the schools here.

5. St Christopher's International School — best for primary years in George Town

St Christopher's, at 10 Nunn Road in George Town, appears on the UK government's register as a British school overseas for ages 3 to 13 and was last inspected by Penta International in June 2024. The International Schools Database lists 2025/26 fees of RM15,000 to RM37,200. Because it ends at 13, plan the move to a secondary school early.

What to check before you decide

• SST by grade. Ask whether 6% will be added at your child's level.
• Entry fees and deposits, and which are refundable.
• The school run. Drive it at peak times before you sign a lease, especially between George Town and the north coast.
• Boarding availability if you need it, since places can be limited.
• Next-stage plans for primary-only schools.

FAQ

How much are international schools in Penang?

Among the schools above, 2026/27 fees run from about RM15,500 (Tenby, youngest grades) to RM74,400 (Uplands IB years), before one-time fees and any SST.

Which international schools in Penang offer boarding?

Dalat offers room and board, and POWIIS has a boarding community. An independent guide says Uplands offers boarding for some older students; ask the school about availability.

Do Penang international school fees include the 6% SST?

It depends on the grade. The tax applies to fees above RM60,000 per student per year. Uplands applies it from Year 7; Dalat says it may apply depending on grade and service.

Related guides

• Penang guide
• Best areas to live in Penang
• Malaysia cost of living
• Best international schools in Kuala Lumpur
• Destination finder