Updated May 2026 · 4 min read
Beijing has two British curriculum schools in the British Schools Asia index. Both are operated by Nord Anglia Education under the British School of Beijing brand, but they sit in different districts and serve very different stages of school life. Top-year fees are identical at approximately USD 43,000.
The British School of Beijing, Shunyi ranks first in the city (#32 in Asia). Opened in 2003, it is the larger and older of the two campuses, with approximately 1,500 students from Pre-Nursery through Year 13. The pathway is the English National Curriculum through IGCSE, then either A Levels or the IB Diploma in Sixth Form, making Shunyi the only Beijing campus in the index offering a full through-school journey.
The British School of Beijing, Sanlitun ranks second in the city (#33 in Asia). Opened in 2009, it is a primary-focused campus serving around 700 students. Its location at No. 5 Sanlitun Road puts it within walking distance of the embassy district and Sanlitun's commercial core, convenient for diplomatic and corporate families based in central Chaoyang. Sanlitun students typically transition to Shunyi for secondary.
Fees in context
Both BSB campuses sit at the top of the Beijing British school market on price, with top-year fees of approximately USD 43,000. That puts Beijing in line with Singapore on price and slightly above Hong Kong's premium tier, but well below Shanghai's USD 56,000–58,000 band. Fees are billed in RMB; foreign-currency payments are converted at the bank's middle rate at the time of payment.
What parents should know
The Shunyi-or-Sanlitun decision is mostly a location decision. Shunyi suits families in the gated compounds north-east of the city, near the airport, a longer commute from the centre but a more contained expat environment. Sanlitun suits families based in central Chaoyang, the embassy zone, or near the major hospitals.
Curriculum continuity matters too. If you have a primary-aged child and expect to be in Beijing through secondary, consider whether you'd want them to switch campuses at Year 7 or transfer cities. Sanlitun graduates do not automatically receive a place at Shunyi; standard admissions still apply.
Mainland regulation is the third consideration. International schools in China are typically restricted to foreign passport holders only. Confirm passport eligibility early in the admissions process.
For a full breakdown of both schools, visit the Beijing city page or browse the full rankings.