Guide to selecting an international school in India — IB and CBSE curriculum comparison, tuition fees, admission process, and even school buses

The topography of Delhi NCR's schools becomes clearer if we divide them into three groups. When living in a local area, most Korean families' choices are made within these three groups.

• Foreign/Embassy School— In the embassy area of ​​DelhiAmerican Embassy School (AES), The British SchoolThis is representative. It operates American and British curriculums and IB, has the most international student body, and has the highest tuition fees.
• IB·IGCSE affiliated international school— in GurgaonPathways, Lancers International School, Scottish High International School, of NoidaGenesis Global Schooletc. are often mentioned. There is a mix of Indian and foreign students, and children of Korean expatriates are the most popular group.
• prestigious private institution of indian descent — DPS(Delhi Public School), Amity International School, The Shri Ram Schooletc. CBSE·ICSE based school. Because the tuition is relatively reasonable and the academic intensity is high, it is chosen by families staying for a long time or families who want to build a solid foundation in math and science.

The above list is just an example of names that come up and down frequently in the local area and is not a ranking, and the school atmosphere and seating situation vary by campus and grade. Be sure to check it out for yourself with a school tour.

Start by noting that there are two types of academic calendars:

Indian board (CBSE·ICSE) schoolsNew school year starts in AprilCompleted in March of the following year, foreign and some IB schoolsAugust semester systemFollow. Since it all coincides with the March semester in Korea, depending on when you transfer, you may have to skip a semester or take some courses again. Once the timing of your appointment is decided, the first step is to compare the academic schedules of the candidate schools. Also, once a school is decided, a house can be found within the school bus route.Guide to residential areas in GurgaonIf you look at it together, planning your route becomes much easier.

Once you've narrowed down the type of school, next is the curriculum. The two major axes that Korean families in India are practically concerned about are the international standard courses.International Baccalaureate (IB)and India’s national curriculum.CBSE(Central Board of Secondary Education)no see.

To summarize, I can give you this advice.The period of stay is 2 to 4 years, after which the person plans to return to a third country or Korea.If so, IB with good interdisciplinary compatibility is acceptable.If you are staying in India for a long period of time or want to strengthen your studies while reducing the burden of tuition.A prestigious private institution affiliated with CBSE is a realistic answer.

Third option — Cambridge (IGCSE·A Level)

Run by the Cambridge International Rating Agency in the UK.IGCSE (Grades 9-10) and A Level (Grades 11-12)Several schools in provincial NCR operate in parallel. The structure of narrow and deep selection of subjects is advantageous for students with a clear career path, and some schools open CBSE, IGCSE, and IB in one school and allow students to choose when they advance in grade, so ask about the possibility of switching tracks during admissions consultation.

Tuition fees vary greatly depending on the type of school. The table below approximates the range experienced by local Korean families based on the exchange rate of 16 to 17 won per rupee.As of 2026, it may vary depending on grade, school, and exchange rate.It works. Be sure to check each school's Fee Structure notice for the exact amount.

In actual experience, it is more difficult to shake up the budget than tuition fees.Items outside of tuitionno see. When getting a quote, please include all of the items below to calculate the 'total annual cost'.

• Admission Fee— First time, mostly non-refundable
• Caution Deposit— Refundable, but return conditions and procedures must be confirmed at the time of contract
• Annual Charges— Separate billing every year for facility and event expenses
• Transport Fee— Separate pricing for each distance section when using a school bus
• School uniform, teaching materials, meals, after-school activities (ECA)— Many purchases from designated companies
• IB Field Trip/Overseas Program— Depending on the grade, it may cost a lump sum of money.

Tips for Negotiating Education Allowance

If the expatriate package includes tuition support for children, this should be discussed at the negotiation stage.Not only ‘tuition’ but also admission fee, deposit, commuting fee, and annual membership fee are specified in the scope of support.Check if it works. If you agree only on the basis of tuition, it is common to incur unexpected out-of-pocket costs in the first year. Payment is usually made quarterly or by semester, so managing the timing of payment is also very important when considering exchange rate fluctuations.

Admission to international schools in India generally proceeds in the following order. Because seats at popular schools and grades fill up first,Submit your application as soon as your appointment is confirmed.This is the best strategy. Although it is possible to transfer mid-semester, it is better to inquire about seat availability via email first before moving to avoid wasting time.

1. List of candidate schools— Select 3 to 5 places based on curriculum, academic schedule, and commuting time from your potential home location.
2. School tour reservations— In most cases, you apply through the website or email, and when you visit, check the number of Korean students and EAL (English Supplementary English) support.
3. Submit registration form— Registration fees are mostly non-refundable
4. submit documents— See list below
5. Diagnostic evaluation/interview— Grade placement assessment focusing on English and math and interviews with students (and in some cases, parents)
6. Receive offer letter → Pay admission fee → Confirm seat— If you miss the payment deadline, your seat may be transferred to the next person on the waiting list.

Preparation Document Checklist

• Copy of student/parent passport and visa
• Proof of Residence — Depending on the school, FRRO registration certificate, etc. may be required.Checklist for your first 30 days in IndiaIt is easier if you complete the administrative procedures first.
• Previous school transcript (English) 2~3 grades and proof of attendance
• Transfer Certificate (TC)Or an equivalent document in English - obtain it before leaving Korea
• Immunization Records (English)
• Multiple passport photos, proof of employment of parents (company letter)

Grade Placement — Check Date of Birth Cutoff

Indian schools by grade levelEntrance age cutoff (baseline date of birth)The base dates for schools in the April semester system and August semester system are different. Since the Korean grade may not be assigned as is, confirming in writing what grade your child will be assigned to before applying is a way to prevent confusion later.

In NCR life, commuting to school is a bigger variable than you might think. Due to heavy congestion during rush hour, a 20-minute distance on the map may actually be 40-50 minutes.Before signing a contract on a house, measure commuting time based on rush hour.I recommend you try it. Most schools operate directly or consigned school buses, and transportation fees are calculated separately for each distance section.

India has institutionalized safety standards for school buses. As you tour the school, keep an eye out for the items below.

• Yellow paint and ‘School Bus’ markings— Basic identification criteria for school buses in India
• Speed ​​limiter, fire extinguisher and first aid kit provided
• Accompanying assistant teacher (Attendant)— Is there someone to help lower grades get on and off the train?
• GPS Tracking and Parent App— The number of schools that can check bus locations in real time is increasing.
• designated stop— Do you come in front of the Apartment Society Gate or get off on the main street?

Bus routes are adjusted according to demand each semester, so please contact us during admission consultation.Is my home location within the current service route?You must check . If you are outside the route, the alternative of hiring a private car and driver is also common locally. Since driver operations overlap with school pick-up and drop-off times, it is recommended that you plan your vehicle around your entire family schedule.

To add another local touch, commuting time to school is directly related to a child's physical strength. Since commuting to school for more than an hour each way is a significant burden for lower grades,Within 30 to 40 minutes of commuting to schoolThere are many families that prioritize this standard.

Choosing a school is not just about living in India.Decisions that last until after returning to Koreano see. In particular, if you are a family with children in middle or high school, it is a good idea to consider the return scenario from the beginning.

Special selection for overseas Koreans — requirements change every year

Korean universities provide programs for children accompanying overseas workers.Special selection for overseas KoreansThere is this. Generally, there are two types of cases: those who accompanied their parents working overseas and attended school abroad for a certain period of time (commonly referred to as the ‘3-year special exception’), and those who completed their entire elementary, middle, and high school overseas (the so-called ‘12-year special exception’).Calculation of days of stay and grade requirements vary by university and year, and detailed regulations change frequently.. If there is room to adjust the period of appointment, we strongly recommend that you check the latest requirements on the college entrance information portal (where you go) and plan your stay before leaving the country.

Utilizing IB scores and maintaining Korean language

IB Diploma (DP) scores are used for applications to Korean universities as well as overseas universities. Depending on the school, you may be able to take Korean as a native language subject at DP, so please inquire during admission counseling. When attending an international school, your child's Korean skills will be greatly improved, especiallyReading and writing skills noticeably stagnateIt's easy to become. Information on weekend Korean schools run by the local Korean community can be found through the Korean Association, and many families also use Korean online learning resources such as EBS. It is also a locally proven tip to bring more Korean language textbooks than your grade level in your luggage.

Finally, half of school adjustment comes from life outside of school. If you have a place to go every weekend, your child will adapt much faster to the local environment.Delhi NCR weekend activity guide to enjoy with kidsPlease also refer to: