Cheapest International School Fees Malaysia: Which is the best?

International schools in Malaysia offer an excellent quality of education for both Malaysian and expat families alike. There’s a huge range of different school choices covering a variety of curricula and approaches - so to find the one which will best suit your needs you’ll need to do some research. This guide is a starting point, looking at some of the options for the cheapest international school fees in Malaysia, including a focus on choices for the cheapest international school in KL and the cheapest international school in Penang.

Use this for some inspiration to get your research off to a good start. And while you’re planning, why not also look at Wise for powerful tools to manage your money across borders - an ideal option for anyone living an international lifestyle.

Cheapest international school fees in Malaysia

Choosing the right school for your family isn’t just about the costs - but having the fee structures in mind when you research different options can certainly be helpful. International school fees can vary a lot between institutions, and tend to increase as a student moves into higher school years. Building a sustainable education budget is essential - which is where this guide may help.

Where we have quoted school fees in this guide, we've only included the annual or per semester tuition fee you’ll need to pay. Bear in mind that there are other costs which you will need to cover as well, including registration fees and - in many cases - a one off fee when you apply. On top of this you’ll normally need to pay for uniforms and books, so building a realistic budget when you choose your school is crucial.

What to look out for when choosing an international school in Malaysia?

International schools in Malaysia cater for different needs, including some which follow different curricula, and some which have different subject options and extra curricular classes. Many international schools in Malaysia follow the UK curriculum, including IGCSE and A Level courses - but this is not universal. You can also find schools with different curricula and exam qualifications if that’s your primary aim.

Aside from the curriculum of the school it’s important to look at the age range served. Not all schools support students through K-12, so if you plan on keeping your child in the same school throughout their education this will be important.

A final pointer is around subject and extra curricular focus areas. Different schools may offer their own subject combinations - particularly when it comes to language acquisition. Similarly some schools have more of a focus on sports or the arts when it comes to out of school activities. Taking a school tour and getting a feel for the ethos of the place can help you work out if it will suit your unique family needs.

Let’s dive into our round up of some of the cheapest international schools in Malaysia.

Cheapest international school in Johor Bahru (JB)

Johor has several excellent international schools available, although as some do not publicly disclose their fees, you’ll need to reach out to your preferred choices directly to find the cheapest international school in Johor Bahru overall. To give you a flavor, we've picked out two of the cheapest international schools in JB which disclose their prices, to give you a place to kick start your research.

Invictus Malaysia International School

The Invictus Malaysia International School² is part of a group of 9 campuses in 5 different countries in Asia, serving 1800+ learners from 60+ countries. This multicultural school was purpose built, opening in 2023, and offering excellent facilities. The curriculum is from the UK, and there are also a wide range of other extra curricular and enrichment options including Singapore Maths Approach, FabLab education, and language acquisition in Chinese and other languages.

The fees for this school are very competitive, particularly considering the quality of the facilities and the range of learning opportunities afforded.

Austin Heights International School

Austin Heights International School⁴ covers the UK curriculum with some modifications to suit the diverse school community. Students progress through the school to take International GCSE and International A-Levels, with an extremely broad range of extracurricular activities also offered. There are also some great additional features such as language camps and exchange programs, and residential trips for students.

Austin Heights charges fees on a termly basis, and while there are some one off costs when you apply, our research shows this to be one of the cheapest international schools in Johor Bahru overall.

Cheapest international school in Kuala Lumpur (KL)

There are plenty of options for international schools in KL, so you’ll be able to pick one according to your specific needs and expectations. Different schools offer their own approach to teaching and learning, and can suit differing communities - doing some research to get a feel for the ethos and approach of a few different schools will be essential.

As a starting point, here are a couple of the cheapest international schools in Kuala Lumpur for you to consider when you’re weighing up the balance of cost and quality to pick the right school for your family.

AIS International School

Alinoor International School - more commonly called AIS International School⁶ - is a very affordable option through to IGCSE level, with students consistently progressing to good exam results. The school has great facilities including 2 full sized football pitches, a great library, and even a mini zoo where children can interact with small animals.

Frontier International School

The Frontier International School⁸ isn’t available for younger students but offers a reasonably priced and high standard boutique approach to education for students from age 10. Students of the school have won various awards from the Cambridge examining body, reflecting the extremely high levels of attainment. Students can also get involved in a lot of extra curricular activities, as well as sports on a friendly and competitive basis.

Frontier offers a very clear pricing structure, including a refundable deposit and an all in uniform cost which means you pay one fee of 500 MYR to get a full set of uniform including standard wear and PE clothes.

Cheapest international school in Penang

Penang has several great international schools, although not all disclose their fee structure without making direct enquiries. We’ve included a couple of good examples to help you start your research, and you can reach out to the schools you’re interested in directly to get more information and to help you decide on the cheapest international school in Penang for your specific needs.

Pelita International School

Pelita International School¹⁰ has an active programme of study including thinking, reasoning, and conceptual skills, to engage students as learners and equip them for life after education. Extra curricular activities offered range from sports and art, to STEM and World Scholar’s Cup tournament preparation.

Straits International School Penang

Straits International School Penang¹² is part of the International Schools Partnership, which includes schools in 22 countries which deliver a holistic education with the UK curriculum. While the school doesn't teach students over the age of 16, all students have the opportunity to access career guidance and university preparation, with even primary aged children encouraged to consider and plan when they want from their life in the future.

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1. Invictus Malaysia International School fees
2. Invictus Malaysia International School
3. Austin Heights International School fees
4. Austin Heights International School
5. AIS International School fee
6. AIS International School
7. Frontier International School fees
8. Frontier International School
9. Pelita International School fees
10. Pelita International School
11. Straits International School Penang fee
12. Straits International School Penang
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