The International Baccalaureate (IB) is the qualification of choice for a significant proportion of British families relocating to Paris. Its international portability, its acceptance by both UK and US universities, and its broad six-subject curriculum make it particularly well suited to the circumstances of families who may not be certain where their child will apply to university — or who may move again before the Diploma years are complete.
Paris has four schools offering the IB Diploma Programme, with a range of fee levels, entry requirements and teaching philosophies. This guide explains what the IB involves, compares the four schools honestly, and sets out what IB results mean for UK university applications.
What the IB Diploma Programme Involves
The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is a two-year pre-university qualification taken at ages 16–18 (Years 12–13, Grades 11–12). It is examined by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO), headquartered in Geneva.
The DP requires students to:
- Study six subjects from six groups: Language A (native language), Language B (additional language), Individuals and Societies, Experimental Sciences, Mathematics, and Arts (or a second subject from another group)
- Study three subjects at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL)
- Complete the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course
- Write an Extended Essay (EE) of approximately 4,000 words on a topic of the student's choice
- Complete the CAS programme (Creativity, Activity, Service) — an extracurricular requirement
The maximum total score is 45 points (6 subjects × 7 points each = 42, plus up to 3 bonus points for TOK and Extended Essay). The passing threshold is 24 points, though this is rarely the relevant benchmark for students applying to UK universities.
UK University Recognition of the IB
The IB Diploma is fully accepted by UK universities including the entire Russell Group. Typical offers from UK universities are:
- Russell Group (most courses): 36–38 total points, typically including specific HL subject requirements (e.g., 6 in a relevant HL subject)
- Oxbridge and most competitive courses: Often 38–40 points with specific HL requirements (6 or 7 in two or three higher-level subjects)
- Medicine, dentistry and veterinary science: Typically 38–40 points with 6 or 7 in Biology and Chemistry at HL; UCAT required (test centre availability in France should be verified)
For UCAS, IB students apply through the same process as A-Level students with the same deadlines: 15 October for Oxford, Cambridge and medicine; 14 January for most other courses. Predicted IB scores are submitted in the same way as predicted A-Level grades.
International School of Paris (ISP): Full IB Continuum
ISP in the 16th arrondissement is a full IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP) from Nursery (age 2), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) from Grade 6, and the Diploma Programme at Grades 11–12. It is the only major IB school located within Paris proper (inside the Périphérique), which contributes to its sustained demand.
ISP Fees 2026–27
| Year Group | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Nursery/Pre-K | €25,500 |
| Kindergarten | €31,100 |
| Grades 1–5 (PYP) | €31,400 |
| Grades 6–9 (MYP) | €36,500 |
| Grades 10–12 (DP/MYP) | €39,000 |
One-time costs:
- Application fee: €1,200 (non-refundable)
- Entry fee (Grades 1–12): €10,000 (non-refundable)
Optional learning support: €3,000–€4,000 per year. Catering approximately €10 per meal.
Admissions
ISP is oversubscribed at Kindergarten, Grade 6/7 and DP Year 1. Applications should be submitted during the October–December window for the following September. The non-refundable entry fee of €10,000 creates some self-selection among applicants.
ISP suits families who live in central or western Paris, who want the full IB Continuum from early childhood, and who are comfortable with the highest fee tier in the Paris market.
ICS Paris: Full IB Continuum, More Accessible
ICS Paris in the 15th arrondissement offers the same full IB Continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) as ISP, from ages 3 to 18. Its key differentiator is accessibility: ICS has no entrance examination and operates rolling admissions, making it the most reliably accessible English-medium IB school in Paris.
ICS Fees 2025–26
| Year Group | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Nursery/Pre-K/KG | €20,595 |
| Grades 1–5 (PYP) | €23,940 |
| Grades 6–8 (MYP) | €27,840 |
| Grades 9–12 (MYP/DP) | €31,260 |
One-time costs:
- Application fee: €750
- Registration: €2,800
- Refundable deposit: €4,000
- Development Fund: €3,750 (non-refundable)
Approximately a third of ICS students use the school's shuttle service.
ICS is consistently the recommended back-up school for families applying to ISP, EJM or ASP, but many families make it their deliberate first choice. Its pastoral reputation is strong and its DP results feed students into UK universities via UCAS in the normal way.
École Jeannine Manuel (EJM): IB Diploma in a Bilingual Context
EJM in the 15th arrondissement is a bilingual French-English school throughout, offering the IB Diploma at lycée level (Grades 11–12) alongside a French Baccalauréat pathway for students who prefer it.
EJM's IB Diploma is delivered in a genuinely bilingual environment. Students arrive at lycée level with strong French and English from the school's bilingual primary and middle years, and the Diploma Programme is taught with a bilingual approach. This means EJM's IB graduates typically emerge with stronger French than IB graduates from full English-medium schools like ISP or ICS.
EJM Lycée Fees
- Grades 11–12 (IB Diploma or French Bac): €32,560 per year
This is a significant jump from EJM's middle school fees (€11,185), as the lycée level loses Ministry subsidy and operates as a private programme. Registration is €650.
EJM suits families who have prioritised bilingual development throughout schooling and want the IB Diploma as the culmination of a bilingual education. It is not the right choice for families arriving at lycée level without existing French competence.
Apply 12–18 months ahead. EJM is oversubscribed at every year group. See our waiting lists guide.
The American School of Paris (ASP): IB as an Option
ASP in Saint-Cloud follows the US curriculum at its core (with US-style grade structure, GPA and SAT/ACT focus) but offers the IB Diploma as an option in Grades 11–12. For British families, ASP is most relevant if the child has a US curriculum background from previous postings, or if a US university application is a realistic prospect.
ASP Fees 2026–27
Annual fees at secondary level range from approximately €35,000 to €40,950. Capital Assessment: €12,200 (non-refundable). Application fee: €1,450. Most grades have waiting lists.
LISGL British Section: Not IB but Comparable
Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye's British Section does not offer the IB. It offers the OIB (Baccalauréat Français International) — the French Baccalauréat with English-language papers at A-Level standard. The OIB is a different qualification from the IB and should not be confused with it.
The OIB is accepted by UK universities. For families considering LISGL as a cost-effective alternative to ISP or ICS, see our British schools guide and our GCSEs and A-Levels guide for comparative detail.
Comparing the IB Schools Side by Side
| Factor | ISP | ICS | EJM (lycée) | ASP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IB Programmes | PYP, MYP, DP (full) | PYP, MYP, DP (full) | DP only | DP (option) |
| Location | 16th arr. | 15th arr. | 15th arr. | Saint-Cloud |
| Annual fee (DP) | €39,000 | €31,260 | €32,560 | €35,000–€40,950 |
| Admissions | Competitive | Rolling; no exam | Competitive (apply 12-18 months) | Rolling; waiting lists |
| Language | English + French as additional | English + French as additional | Bilingual French-English | English + French as additional |
| Entry fee | €10,000 NR | €3,750 NR + €4,000 refundable | €650 | €12,200 NR |
IB for US University Applications
The IB Diploma is well regarded by US universities, including the Ivy League. This makes it a particularly useful qualification for families who are uncertain whether their child will apply to UK or US institutions — or who want to keep both options open. British families who arrive in Paris from US postings, or who have US secondary education in mind, are well served by the IB at ISP, ICS or EJM.
Sciences Po Paris is a relevant additional option: it admits students via its own international admissions process and accepts the IB alongside A-Levels and the French Baccalauréat. ISP and ICS graduates regularly progress to Sciences Po. See our university admissions guide for detail.
How Global Investments Can Help
Global Investments helps British families in Paris make property decisions that align with their school choices. The IB schools cluster in the 15th and 16th arrondissements and the inner western suburbs, and our team knows these residential markets well. Whether you are looking for an apartment in the 16th near ISP or a rental in Boulogne-Billancourt for ICS access, we can help you identify the right property. Contact us to discuss your requirements.
This guide is for general information only. School fees, residency requirements, and educational frameworks change regularly. Always verify current information directly with schools and relevant French authorities.
Frequently asked questions
Which Paris schools offer the full IB Continuum?
Two schools in Paris offer the full IB Continuum — Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP): International School of Paris (ISP) in the 16th arrondissement, and ICS Paris in the 15th arrondissement. EJM offers the IB Diploma at lycée level only (not the full PYP/MYP continuum). ASP offers the IB Diploma as an option alongside the standard US curriculum.
What are typical IB Diploma university offers from UK universities?
Russell Group universities typically make IB Diploma offers in the range of 36–38 total points. Oxbridge and the most competitive courses (medicine, law at leading institutions) may require 38–40 points with specific higher-level subject requirements. The IB is fully familiar to UK university admissions tutors and carries the same weight as A-Levels in the application process.
Is the IB better than A-Levels for UK university applications?
Neither is definitively better — they are different. A-Levels (at BSP) involve three subjects studied in depth over two years, which suits students with clear subject preferences. The IB Diploma involves six subjects plus Theory of Knowledge, the extended essay and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service), offering greater breadth. Both are fully accepted by UK universities. The IB also provides better preparation for US and international university applications.
Is ICS Paris easier to get into than ISP?
Yes. ICS Paris operates rolling admissions with no entrance examination, making it the most accessible of the main English-medium IB schools. ISP is oversubscribed at Kindergarten, Grade 6/7 and DP Year 1 and requires applications during the October–December window. Both schools offer the full IB Continuum and both have strong pastoral and academic reputations.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and regulations change frequently; verify current requirements with a qualified adviser before acting.