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Westbourne College Singapore is one of the best schools in Singapore for expat families relocating to Singapore

Best Schools in Singapore for Expats

Looking for the best schools in Singapore for expats? This guide introduces several international schools in Singapore and explains why Westbourne College (Singapore) is a rising standout for globally minded expat families.

Posted: 15th April 2025

Singapore is one of Asia’s leading education hubs, home to a wide range of international schools catering to expatriate families. With its stable economy, strong employment opportunities, and diverse culture, the city-state attracts families from across the world relocating and seeking world-class education for their children. For those exploring the best schools in Singapore for expats, there is a wealth of options offering globally recognised curricula and diverse learning environments.

This guide explores what makes a school ideal for expats in Singapore, including curriculum options such as the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), IGCSE, and British GCE A-Levels. We also discuss factors to consider when choosing a school—and why Westbourne College (Singapore) is increasingly being recognised as a standout choice for globally minded families, offering an academically rigorous yet deeply nurturing alternative to the mainstream schools.

Education in Singapore

Singapore’s education system is well regarded, both in the public and international sectors. While local schools offer the national curriculum and GCE O-Levels, international schools in Singapore serve the diverse needs of the expatriate community, offering globally recognised programmes such as:

International Baccalaureate (IB Programme)
IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education)
GCE A-Levels
American Advanced Placement (AP)
French Baccalauréat, German Abitur, and others

For many expat families in Singapore, the IB Diploma Programme is a preferred pathway due to its international recognition and strong university preparation. The IB programme is widely regarded as a gold standard for international education. As a result, it features prominently among the best schools in Singapore for expats.

Read about the IB vs A-Level in Singapore

Considerations When Choosing from the Best Schools in Singapore for Expats

When evaluating the best schools in Singapore for expat children, parents often consider:

Curriculum: Is the school offering a globally recognised programme such as the IB Programme, IGCSE or A-Level? Does the curriculum suit my child?
Transferability: How transferrable is this programme to my home country?
Academic performance: How do students perform academically? What are the university destinations?
Teaching approach: Are students supported individually? Is there emphasis on critical thinking and leadership?
Class size: Do students receive personalised attention? Will my child be well supported in class?
Facilities and location: Is the campus centrally located and accessible?
Community: Is the school culturally inclusive with a warm, welcoming environment?
Fees: Are tuition and additional costs transparent and reasonable?

For international families comparing the best schools in Singapore for expats, these factors help shape an informed decision that matches their child’s needs and future aspirations.

“I’ve been in a lot of international schools here, and the Westbourne experience is drastically different from other schools. I think I’ve grown exponentially. Academically, I’ve become a lot more willing to learn. I really enjoy lessons.”
Gabriel, IBDP 2024 Student (2024)

Hear from Expat Parents

International Schools in Singapore

Some international schools in Singapore commonly considered by expat families include:

United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA): Known for its IB programme at their Dover and East campuses.
Tanglin Trust School (TTS): A long-established British school in Singapore offering the IGCSE followed by either A-Levels or the IB Diploma.
One World International School (OWIS): Offers the IB Primary Years Programme, Cambridge IGCSE, and IBDP at campuses in Jurong West and Punggol.
Overseas Family School (OFS): Offers the IB Diploma Programme and caters to a diverse student body.
Chatsworth International School: Offers the full IB continuum and a community-focused environment.
St. Joseph’s Institution International (SJI International): A Catholic international school offering IGCSE and the IB Diploma.
North London Collegiate School (NLCS Singapore): A British international school in Singapore.
Hwa Chong International School (HCIS): Offers a mix of local and international curricula including the IGCSE and IB Programme.

These IB schools each have unique strengths, though they may vary widely in terms of size, fees, and teaching styles. Many of these IB schools have large student populations, which may result in long waiting lists and less personalised support in class. This is something important to consider when choosing among the best schools in Singapore for expats.

“Westbourne is the place where your kids can be nurtured and given responsibility, which is very important at their age. It’s not pressure, it’s support and encouragement. Here, you are valued, you are an individual, you are recognised. That’s what makes Westbourne different to me.”
Margarita, Parent of IBDP Student Gabriel (2024)

One of the Best Schools in Singapore for Expats: Westbourne College (Singapore)

Unlike traditional institutions, Westbourne College (Singapore) is fundamentally different. Our top IB school in Singapore offers an award-winning, unique approach and intentionally smaller school size to create a highly focused class environment where each student is treated as a young professional and supported individually to succeed.

Part of the Westbourne International network—with over 129 years of heritage and award-winning IB schools across the UK and Australia—Westbourne brings its proven model of academic excellence to Singapore’s vibrant international school scene.

Here’s how Westbourne stands out:

STEM and Business Focus: Our IGCSE and IB curriculum is designed for ambitious students with interests in high-growth fields, preparing them for the future world of work.
Industry Engagement and Networking Opportunities: Westbourne students benefit from regular engagement with business leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs through workshops and visits to leading organisations in Singapore such as Google, 3M, and Bloomberg.
Future-ready Global Learning: Our students benefit from our Global Classroom, where they are taught by world-class teachers in Singapore as well as subject experts from our sister schools in the UK and Australia via holographic technology. To complement and enhance the outstanding teaching we already deliver at Westbourne, our students have access to KnowVa Coach, a custom-made AI tutor and IB revision assistant for Westbourne students.
Top 1-2% Academic Outcomes: Across the Westbourne network, students consistently rank within the top 1-2% worldwide in IB results. This success stems from a high-performance culture and focused teaching approach.
Small Class Sizes and Personalised Support: Every student is known by name. Our intentionally small class sizes (typically 1:6 for IGCSE, and 1:10 for IBDP) ensure individualised attention, academic mentoring, and tailored university guidance.
Professional Environment: Conveniently located in central Singapore at River Valley, our campus is purposefully modeled after a professional services office which mirrors the dynamics of a modern workplace, helping students build confidence and independence as young professionals.
Global School Network: Westbourne students in Singapore benefit from a connected learning experience across our schools in the UK, Sydney, and soon Mumbai, giving access to global peers, exchange opportunities, and international speakers.
University Destinations: Our Westbourne International graduates are accepted into top universities globally, including the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and leading institutions in the US, UK, Australia, and Singapore.

For families searching for the best schools in Singapore for expats that blend academic excellence with tailored support and global opportunities, our British school in Singapore offers a truly future-focused and global approach.

Hear from a Westbourne Parent

Explore our IGCSE Programme Explore our IB Diploma

There is no single “best” international school in Singapore, as it can be subjective and dependent on your child’s goals, interests, and the type of environment in which they will thrive. While larger, long-established schools serve many expat families well, a leading school like Westbourne College (Singapore) offers something more personal, more focused, and future-oriented.

As an academically elite yet nurturing IGCSE and IB school in Singapore, Westbourne empowers students to accelerate their success while enjoying the benefits of a truly personalised education. We are proud to develop future ready leaders with the curiosity, creativity, and capability to shape a rapidly developing world.

We warmly invite families to experience the Westbourne difference by visiting us in-person or through a video call for families currently outside of Singapore. Discover our professional learning environment and award-winning approach that fosters both academic excellence and personal growth.

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Choosing Westbourne College for our daughter was a pivotal decision, made easy by the school's proven track record, excellent staff, and comprehensive support. We're thrilled with her progress! Mayank & Vandana, Parents of IBDP Student Manan (2024)