International schools in Penang
15 international schools in Penang. Every number comes from what schools publish and from official sources.
Talk to SamThis city at a glance
Cost of living
Prices about 65% lower than in the US · country averageWorld Bank WDI · Price index 33 (the US = 100) · country average · checked 2025
Schools and fees
15 international schools · British (IGCSE/A Level) 93% · American (AP) 13%
MYR 10.3K – MYR 90.6K (≈ USD 2,535 – ≈ USD 22.2K)
Living
Each item shows its source and the date we checked it. Check the source again before you move.
Safety
Penang is under level 1 (exercise caution)
Korea's foreign ministry page for Malaysia (checked 2026-10-30) puts everywhere except Sabah's east coast (levels 2-3) at level 1. Watch for motorbike bag snatching, and note the 2026-10-12 notice on haze and health.
- Level 1 outside east Sabah
- Watch for bag snatching
- Check haze notices
Source:외교부 해외안전여행Official sourceChecked 2026-10-30
Schooling
Education: international schools admit Malaysians and foreigners
StudyMalaysia describes international schools as schools teaching a foreign curriculum in English, open to both Malaysian and foreign students. It is a private guide, so confirm a school's approval with Malaysia's education ministry. As of 2026-10-30 our directory lists 15 schools in this city (still growing).
- Foreign curriculum in English
- Open to Malaysians and foreigners
Source:StudyMalaysia.com (StudyMalaysia Sdn Bhd)GuideChecked 2026-10-30
Family life and climate
Climate: warmest-month high 32.2°C, coolest-month low 23.6°C
Normals from the Malaysian Meteorological Department on the WMO World Weather Information Service (1971-2000): the warmest month (Mar) averages a high of 32.2°C, the coolest (Nov) a low of 23.6°C, and yearly rainfall is about 2,398 mm. Months with more than 150 mm of rain: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov. These are older normals and may differ from today's climate.
- Mar average high 32.2°C
- Nov average low 23.6°C
- About 2,398 mm of rain a year
Source:World Meteorological Organization (World Weather Information Service)Official sourceChecked 2026-10-30
Private tutoring
Tutoring: tuition centres register with Malaysia's education ministry
A 2026-09-17 report says Malaysian tuition centres are registered under the education ministry's (KPM) private education centre guidelines, which cover teaching standards, teacher qualifications, student safety and premises. Ownership rules change from 2027, so some centres may restructure; check a centre's KPM registration.
- Registered with KPM
- Teacher and safety standards
- Rule changes from 2027
Source:The Rakyat PostDataChecked 2026-10-30
Prices and living conditions in Malaysia
Price examples
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hamburger (McDonald's Big Mac) · Single item | US$3.6 |
| Bibimbap · 1 serving | US$4.4 |
| Kimchi stew set meal · 1 serving | US$6.1 |
| Shin Ramyun · 1 Pack | US$1.2 |
| Coffee (Starbucks Americano) · 1 cup | US$2.6 |
| Bottled water (supermarket, lowest price) · 500ml | US$0.2 |
| Coca-Cola (supermarket, lowest price) · 500ml | US$0.6 |
| City bus fare · Base Fare | US$0.2 |
| Metro fare · Base Fare | US$0.2 |
| Taxi fare · Base Fare | US$0.7 |
Local prices surveyed by KOTRA trade offices, in US dollars. They vary by city and shop. Source: KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency), data.go.kr · 2026-11-01
Living conditions
- People using safe drinking water
- 97.2%
- 2022
- Tuberculosis cases
- 96
- per 100,000 people · 2024
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea, data.go.kr
In numbers
Yearly tuition range
MYR 10.3K – MYR 90.6K
≈ USD 2,535 – ≈ USD 22.2K
Based on 10 schools that publish fees · latest fee year 2026-27
ECB reference rate (2026-11-02) · Actual transfer rates depend on your bank's or provider's rate and fees.
Lowest to highest amount in the school currency. Fees vary by grade and programme, so check the grade-by-grade fees on each school page.
Curriculum mix
A school that runs several curricula is counted for each.
| schools | % | |
|---|---|---|
| British (IGCSE/A Level) | 14 | 82% |
| American (AP) | 2 | 12% |
| IB | 1 | 6% |
Source: our data · checked 2026-11-03
| schools | % | |
|---|---|---|
| British (IGCSE/A Level) | 14 | 82% |
| American (AP) | 2 | 12% |
| IB | 1 | 6% |
Source: our data · checked 2026-11-03
| schools | n |
|---|---|
| MYR 10K – MYR 14K | 2 |
| MYR 14K – MYR 18K | 5 |
| MYR 18K – MYR 22K | 1 |
| MYR 22K – MYR 26K | 1 |
| MYR 26K – MYR 30K | 1 |
Source: our data · checked 2026-11-03 · ECB reference rate (2026-11-02)
Schools with the most complete information
- Dalat International SchoolAmerican (AP) · Ages 3–18From MYR 22K a year
Assumption International Secondary SchoolBritish (IGCSE/A Level) · Ages 11–16From MYR 15K a year- Fairview International School PenangBritish (IGCSE/A Level) · Ages 4–16
- Ideas International Secondary School PenangBritish (IGCSE/A Level) · Ages 11–18From MYR 16.8K a year
Lighthouse AcademyBritish (IGCSE/A Level) · American (AP) · Ages 6–18Pelita International SchoolBritish (IGCSE/A Level) · Ages 4–17From MYR 10.3K a year
Prince of Wales Island International SchoolBritish (IGCSE/A Level) · Ages 3–19From MYR 17.5K a year
Sri KDU International School PenangBritish (IGCSE/A Level) · Ages 3–18From MYR 27.5K a year
Map
Pins with a dashed ring show an approximate location.
Guides and sources for Malaysia
- International Schools in Malaysia at a Glance: School Approval and the Student PassAn overview of what Malaysian international schools are and what to check in the official school-approval and Student Pass guidance. Rules can change, so confirm with the official bodies and the school.
- Singapore and Malaysia: Employment Pass, Dependant's Pass and Your Child's SchoolA summary of official Singapore and Malaysia guidance on how the Employment Pass, Dependant's Pass and a child's school place fit together. Rules and dates change, so confirm with the official bodies and the school.
Malaysia's international schools: foreign curricula in English, open to locals and foreigners
GuideStudyMalaysia.com (StudyMalaysia Sdn Bhd)Checked 2026-10-29
Malaysia Employment Pass families: Dependant Pass for spouse and children under 18
Official sourceImmigration Department of MalaysiaChecked 2026-10-29
Malaysia: the Student Pass for international-school pupils
Official sourceImmigration Department of MalaysiaChecked 2026-10-29
Always confirm your own situation with the official authority or an immigration professional
AI panel discussions
The AI panel is a fictional panel built from parents' public experiences and official sources · not a review of any school
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