International Education in Hangzhou

⇩ Scroll directly to the list of top 5 best schools in Hangzhou ⇩

Hangzhou is a well known tourist city in the Zhejiang province of China. Thanks to its waterside setting, rich history, thriving business community and excellent university, it attracts a growing expat community. For families arriving in the city, there is also a selection of top notch international schools.

It’s a well known fact that China’s education standards are top of the class. Although schools in Chinese cities like Hangzhou are known for being very strict and even more competitive, there’s no denying that they produce great results year after year. Students who attend schools and universities here are well prepared for impressive professional careers.

Like any city in China, international schools in Hangzhou are not cheap. Although school fees here don’t quite match the sky high costs of cities like Shanghai or Beijing, they’re not too far behind. China is, after all, one of the most expensive countries in the world for international education.

Also like the rest of China, Hangzhou’s international schools favour the International Baccalaureate, and the British and American curricula the most. Many schools offer a choice of two however; usually Chinese and either the IB or the curriculum of the country the schools is affiliated with.

Whether you choose the Chinese curriculum for your child or not, they will still learn plenty about Chinese history and culture. The majority of international schools in Hangzhou will work these topics into school life in a variety of ways, from celebrating Chinese New Year to offering Chinese language classes and everything in between.

You can expect fierce competition for places in all of Hangzhou’s international schools. Although it’s not quite the same level of competition that you’ll see in Shanghai or Beijing, the demand still far outweighs the supply. Waiting lists, aptitude tests and interviews will be standard in most if not all schools. You should apply even earlier than you think is necessary - a minimum of one year in advance.

Once your child wins their coveted spot however, what can they expect? For a start, native English speaking teachers are everywhere in Hangzhou’s international schools. The student body is usually a broad mix of nationalities, with a small minority of local Chinese students (if any).

International schools in China are highly regarded for good reason, and Hangzhou is no different. The campuses are huge, spacious and packed with facilities. From sports grounds to recreation areas to high-tech classrooms, they come with all sorts of bells and whistles. As well as that, class sizes are small so you can be sure your child gets the attention they need.

Below, we have compiled the top 5 international schools in Hangzhou according to our users. However, there are another 9 schools to choose from in the city. You can find the best international school for your child by personalising your results. Just fill in your search criteria, and we will calculate a personal score for every international school in Hangzhou based on your requirements.