International schooling in Hong Kong is expensive by almost any measure. Annual fees at the leading schools range from around HKD 139,000 to HKD 297,100 in tuition alone, and virtually every school charges additional capital levies, annual building charges, or one-off entrance payments on top. Understanding the full cost — not just the headline tuition figure — is essential before making a decision.
This guide sets out the complete cost picture for 2025-26 and 2026-27, covering tuition, one-time levies, annual charges, and debentures, with approximate GBP equivalents based on an indicative rate of HKD 10 = GBP 1.00 (mid-2026).
ESF School Fees
The English Schools Foundation is the largest English-medium network in Hong Kong, serving approximately 18,000 students across 22 schools. Following the full withdrawal of government subsidy, ESF fees have been rising at approximately 4–5% per year.
ESF Tuition Fees
| Phase | 2025-26 (HKD) | 2026-27 (HKD) | Approx. GBP (2026-27) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary (Y1–Y6) | 139,000 | 145,000 | ~14,500 |
| Secondary (Y7–Y10) | 181,100 | 188,300 | ~18,830 |
| Sixth Form (Y11–Y13) | 167,600 | 174,200 | ~17,420 |
Note: ESF Y11 sixth form fees are slightly lower than Y7–10 secondary fees. This reflects the structure of courses rather than a reduction in provision.
ESF Non-Refundable Capital Levy (NCL)
The NCL is a one-time charge paid when a child first joins an ESF school. It is not refunded when the child leaves. The amount reduces with each year of entry, reflecting the shorter remaining school career:
| Year of entry | NCL (HKD) | Approx. GBP |
|---|---|---|
| Y1 | 38,000 | ~3,800 |
| Y2 | 36,000 | ~3,600 |
| Y3 | 34,000 | ~3,400 |
| Y4 | 32,000 | ~3,200 |
| Y5 | 30,000 | ~3,000 |
| Y6 | 28,000 | ~2,800 |
| Y7 | 26,000 | ~2,600 |
| Y8 | 22,300 | ~2,230 |
| Y9 | 18,600 | ~1,860 |
| Y10 | 14,900 | ~1,490 |
| Y11 | 11,200 | ~1,120 |
| Y12 | 7,500 | ~750 |
| Y13 | 3,800 | ~380 |
ESF All-Through Schools: Discovery College and Renaissance College
These carry their own fee schedules and levies:
Discovery College (Discovery Bay):
- Y1–Y6: HKD 162,100 (2025-26) → HKD 169,900 (2026-27)
- Y7–Y11: HKD 213,600 → HKD 223,900
- Y12–Y13: HKD 215,300 → HKD 225,600
- Annual Building Levy: HKD 8,060 per year
Renaissance College (Ma On Shan):
- Y1–Y6: HKD 148,100 → HKD 154,200
- Y7–Y11: HKD 193,600 → HKD 201,500
- Y12–Y13: HKD 195,700 → HKD 203,700
- One-off levy at Y1 entry: HKD 50,000
ESF First-Year Total Cost Examples
For a family entering at Year 1 in 2026-27:
- Tuition: HKD 145,000
- NCL: HKD 38,000
- Total first year: HKD 183,000 (approximately GBP 18,300)
For a family entering at Year 7 in 2026-27:
- Tuition: HKD 188,300
- NCL: HKD 26,000
- Total first year: HKD 214,300 (approximately GBP 21,430)
ESF Individual Nomination Right (INR)
ESF offers an Individual Nomination Right (INR) for HKD 500,000. This provides priority interview processing and allows out-of-catchment zone applications, but does not guarantee a place. The INR deposit of HKD 50,000 is paid upfront; on confirmation of a place, the balance of HKD 450,000 is due, plus the NCL of HKD 38,000.
For a Year 1 entrant using the INR route in 2026-27, the first-year total would be approximately:
- INR: HKD 500,000
- NCL: HKD 38,000
- Tuition: HKD 145,000
- Approximate total: HKD 683,000 (~GBP 68,300)
Kellett School Fees
Kellett is Hong Kong's primary British curriculum school, offering IGCSE and A-Levels.
| Phase | 2025-26 (HKD) | 2026-27 (HKD) | Approx. GBP (2026-27) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparatory (Rec–Y6) | 208,800 | 218,200 | ~21,820 |
| Senior (Y7–Y11) | 259,600 | 271,300 | ~27,130 |
| Sixth Form (Y12–Y13) | 267,100 | 279,100 | ~27,910 |
Annual Capital Levy (ACL): HKD 40,000 per year for all new students from September 2025. This replaced the school's previous mandatory debenture structure.
Kellett Total Annual Cost (2026-27)
| Phase | Tuition | ACL | Total | Approx. GBP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preparatory | HKD 218,200 | HKD 40,000 | HKD 258,200 | ~25,820 |
| Senior | HKD 271,300 | HKD 40,000 | HKD 311,300 | ~31,130 |
| Sixth Form | HKD 279,100 | HKD 40,000 | HKD 319,100 | ~31,910 |
Harrow International School Hong Kong Fees
| Phase | 2025-26 (HKD) |
|---|---|
| Nursery / Reception | 175,812 |
| Years 1–5 | 201,314 |
| Years 6–11 | 229,949 |
| Years 12–13 | 239,070 |
Capital Levy: HKD 60,000 per year (applies unless a Capital Certificate is held).
Capital Certificate: HKD 3,000,000 (equivalent to a debenture; waives the annual levy entirely).
Boarding: HKD 130,705 per year additional.
Total annual cost for a day secondary pupil in 2025-26 (without Capital Certificate): approximately HKD 289,949 — around GBP 29,000. Boarding adds approximately GBP 13,070 per year.
Hong Kong International School (HKIS) Fees
HKIS follows an American curriculum (AP courses). It is the most expensive school in Hong Kong.
| Phase | 2026-27 (HKD) |
|---|---|
| KG2 – Grade 5 | 256,100 |
| Grade 6–8 | 269,000 |
| Grade 9–12 | 297,100 |
Annual Capital Levy: HKD 24,500 per year.
Optional debenture: HKD 3,000,000, providing priority access to the waiting pool (not mandatory).
Grade 9–12 total (tuition + ACL): HKD 321,600 per year — approximately GBP 32,160. HKIS is best suited to families targeting US universities.
German Swiss International School (GSIS) — English Stream Fees
| Phase | 2025-26 (HKD) |
|---|---|
| Primary | 203,700 |
| IB Diploma Programme | 256,700 |
No separate mandatory debenture applies to the English stream (verify directly with the school). IB DP costs approximately GBP 25,670 in tuition for 2025-26.
Discovery Bay International School (DBIS) Fees
DBIS is a British-curriculum school on Lantau Island, offering IGCSE and A-Levels.
- Annual fees 2025-26: HKD 120,100–185,500 depending on year group
- First-year total (including levies): approximately HKD 194,500
This makes DBIS the most affordable British-curriculum option in Hong Kong at approximately GBP 18,450–19,450 in the first year.
Understanding Debentures: A Shifting Market
Debentures were once a defining feature of Hong Kong's international school landscape. A debenture is essentially a loan to the school, sometimes refundable when the child leaves, and historically ranging from HKD 500,000 to HKD 3,000,000. Families could buy and sell debentures on a secondary market, and some held their value reasonably well.
The trend is now shifting away from debentures toward annual capital levies — a recurring charge rather than an upfront loan. Kellett's switch to the ACL model in September 2025 was the most significant recent example. Harrow and HKIS retain large optional certificates/debentures that reduce annual levies, but neither requires them as mandatory entry conditions.
For most newly arriving families, the debenture market is now largely irrelevant — the relevant charge is the annual levy structure of each school.
Five-Year Total Cost Comparison (Secondary, 2026-27 Rates)
| School | Annual cost (HKD) | 5-year total (HKD) | 5-year total (GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESF Secondary | ~188,300 + NCL yr 1 | ~967,800 | ~96,780 |
| GSIS (IB DP — 2 yrs only) | 256,700 | 513,400 | ~51,340 |
| DBIS Secondary | ~185,500 | ~927,500 | ~92,750 |
| Kellett Senior | 311,300 | 1,556,500 | ~155,650 |
| Harrow HK Secondary | ~289,949 | 1,449,745 | ~144,975 |
| HKIS Grade 9–12 | 321,600 | 1,608,000 | ~160,800 |
Figures are illustrative, do not include fee inflation, and use mid-2026 indicative exchange rates.
For guidance on how fees compare to property costs by area, see our neighbourhoods guide for expat families.
How Global Investments Can Help
Global Investments helps British families plan their Hong Kong relocation with full visibility of the financial picture — property costs, school fees and the relationship between the two. We can help you identify housing options that align with your school budget, whether that means securing an ESF catchment zone address for a more cost-efficient outcome or finding a property near Kellett or Harrow. Contact our advisers for a combined property and school-cost planning conversation.
This guide is for general information only. School fees, ESF admissions criteria, debenture structures, and entry requirements change regularly. Always verify current information directly with schools before making decisions.
Frequently asked questions
How much do international schools cost in Hong Kong?
Annual tuition ranges from around HKD 120,000 at Discovery Bay International School to HKD 297,100 at Hong Kong International School. Most families also pay capital levies or annual building charges on top of tuition. At ESF schools, total annual costs run from HKD 139,000–188,300 for tuition, plus a one-off non-refundable capital levy at entry. Kellett and Harrow both exceed HKD 300,000 per year in total when levies are included.
What is a debenture in Hong Kong schools?
A debenture is a loan made to the school, sometimes refundable when the child leaves. Traditionally many Hong Kong international schools required large upfront debenture payments (HKD 1–3 million). The market is shifting away from debentures toward annual capital levies — Kellett replaced its mandatory debenture with an HKD 40,000 per year Annual Capital Levy from September 2025.
What is the ESF Non-Refundable Capital Levy?
The ESF NCL is a one-time charge paid when a child first joins an ESF school. It ranges from HKD 38,000 at Year 1 entry down to HKD 3,800 at Year 13. It is non-refundable and applies once per school career. It is separate from tuition fees.
What does it cost to send a child to an ESF school for one year including all charges?
For a Year 1 ESF primary pupil in 2026-27: tuition HKD 145,000 plus NCL HKD 38,000 = HKD 183,000 in the first year (approximately GBP 18,300). From Year 2 onwards, only tuition applies. For secondary, tuition HKD 188,300 plus NCL (reducing scale) in the first year.
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.