01 / EDUCATION
International schooling, stage by stage.
Many international schools offer programmes from early years to age 18. Age ranges and places vary by campus; check whether siblings can attend the same school.
| Stage | Typical ages | What is taught |
|---|---|---|
| Early years | 3 to 5 | Nursery and Reception under the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), or International Baccalaureate (IB) early years |
| Primary | 5 to 11 | Years 1 to 6 (British), IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), or American elementary |
| Lower secondary | 11 to 14 | Years 7 to 9 (British), IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), or American middle school |
| Upper secondary | 14 to 16 | International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), IB MYP, or American high school |
| Sixth form | 16 to 18 | Advanced Levels (A Levels), IB Diploma, or American High School Diploma |
Ages are a guide; each school sets its own entry ages.
02 / EDUCATION
What international school costs.
Fees vary considerably by school, age group and curriculum. The examples below are Garden International School’s published 2026/27 annual tuition in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia’s capital. They illustrate one school’s pricing, not a city-wide average or a recommended budget ceiling.
| Stage | Annual tuition · 2026/27 |
|---|---|
| Early years — Nursery / Reception | RM52,440 to RM62,340 |
| Primary — Years 1 to 6 | RM85,590 to RM102,300 |
| Lower secondary — Years 7 to 9 | RM118,170 to RM122,310 |
| Upper secondary — Years 10 to 11 | RM126,870 |
| Sixth form — Years 12 to 13 | RM126,870 |
Source: Garden International School — published 2026/27 fees, checked 4 November 2026. RM means Malaysian ringgit, the local currency. Tuition excludes applicable service tax and extras. Obtain a current, itemised quotation for your child’s year group; other schools may charge less or more.
03 / EDUCATION
Costs beyond tuition.
- Application and registration: Ask which charges are non-refundable and whether a place is guaranteed before paying.
- School deposit: Budget separately from tuition. Check the notice period and conditions for a refund.
- Day-to-day costs: Allow for uniforms, transport, meals, devices, examinations, activities and trips.
- Extra learning support: English as an Additional Language (EAL) and other support may have additional fees or a separate tuition schedule.
- Taxes and annual changes: Ask for a quotation including applicable service tax and confirm when fees are reviewed.
04 / EDUCATION
Well-known international schools by area.
A starting point for your shortlist. Filter by state; we can share more options near the homes you are considering.
10 results
| School | State | Curriculum |
|---|---|---|
| Alice Smith School (primary) | Kuala Lumpur | British |
| Garden International School | Kuala Lumpur | British |
| International School of Kuala Lumpur | Kuala Lumpur | American and IB |
| Mont’Kiara International School | Kuala Lumpur | American and IB |
| Alice Smith School (secondary) | Selangor | British |
| Nexus International School | Putrajaya | British and IB |
| Uplands International School | Penang | British and IB |
| Dalat International School | Penang | American |
| Marlborough College Malaysia | Johor | British and IB |
| Raffles American School | Johor | American |
Examples, not a ranking. Confirm current curriculum, fees and places directly with each school.
05 / EDUCATION
Schooling and your MM2H plan.
- Who can study: Eligible children can apply as MM2H dependants: under 21, or ages 21–34 if unmarried and not working in Malaysia. Disability-related provisions may also apply. Admission and permission to study are separate requirements.
- Permission to study: Confirm the applicable permission-to-study endorsement or Student Pass with the school and Immigration before enrolment. The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), which administers MM2H, publishes a dependant study-permission checklist.
- Choosing your home: Plan your home around the school commute. MM2H homes generally cannot be sold within 10 years unless upgrading to a higher-value home, subject to programme conditions.
- Time in Malaysia: Under-50 applicants have a 90-day cumulative annual stay requirement; eligible days by the applicant, spouse and dependants can count. The published overview states no minimum stay from age 50. Confirm your category conditions.
- Using your deposit: Up to 50% of the fixed deposit may be withdrawn for approved purposes including education. Obtain the required approval and confirm supporting documents before relying on those funds.
How this fits your MM2H plan
Plan your home around the right school. Tell us your children's ages and preferred curriculum. We will suggest areas, schools and MM2H-qualifying homes that fit.
THE DETAIL BEHIND THE NUMBERS
Sources & planning notes.
² The 348-school figure is an ISC Research market count to July 2024, reported by NovaEd, not a current government register. Tuition examples are from one school’s 2026/27 schedule; admissions, fees and available places must be confirmed directly with each school.
- ² ISC Research 2024 figures, reported by NovaEd
- Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture — MM2H category conditions
- Garden International School — tuition and additional costs
- Alice Smith School — fee information and annual reviews
- MOTAC — permission-to-study application checklist
Official programme references and school fee information checked 4 November 2026. Final pass approvals and conditions are decided by the Malaysian government; admissions and fees are decided by each school.
