Merchiston International School Shenzhen
- IGCSE
- A Level
- IPC
Per yearabout USD 30K–55.5K
CNY 200K–370K · Reference range · not confirmed by the school · 2026-27 school year
About
British-style international boarding and day school in Longhua District, Shenzhen, opened August 2018. An authorised overseas branch of Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh. Serves students aged 4-18, from Early Years to Year 13.
Key facts
Source: Read from the school's website
Curriculum
IGCSE · A Level · IPC
Ages
Ages 4–18
Language
English
Type
International school
Fee level
- Grades
- Early Years – Year 13
- Founded
- 2018
- Scholarships
- Yes
- Memberships
- COIS
Fees
Reference range · not confirmed by the school
CNY 200K–370K
about USD 30K–55.5K
2026-27 school year
We have not found the school's own fee table yet, so this is a rough range from public sources.
Sources
Curriculum and academics
Source: Read from the school's website
Curricula, explainedIGCSE · A Level · IPC
IGCSE
Ages 14–16, 2 years · Ages 14–16
A subject-by-subject qualification taken around age 16 in British-style schools — usually 5–10 subjects studied over two years.
A Level
Last 2 years of school · Ages 16–18
The British university-entrance qualification: usually 3–4 subjects studied in depth for two years; UK universities make offers on these grades.
IPC
Primary · Ages 5–11
The International Primary Curriculum: theme-based units that join science, history, geography and more; common in British-style schools.
Ages are the usual bands; schools can differ.Curriculum basics guide
Strengths
- Academics
- Service
- Performing arts
- Sport
Student support
Source: Read from the school's website
- English support (EAL)
- Yes
- Boarding
- Yes
Campus and school life
Source: Read from the school's website
Facilities
- Swimming pool
- Gym
- Theatre
- Library
Sports
- Football
- Basketball
- Swimming
- Golf
- Tennis
Arts
- Drama
- Music
- Choir
- Art
After-school activities
- Football
- Basketball
- Swimming
- Golf
- Drama
- Music
- Choir
- Art
- Debate
- Outreach community service
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Source: Read from the school's website
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarders are placed in one of three age-based houses with a resident houseparent. Evening supervised homework and monthly boarding trips are offered.
- Three boarding houses
- Evening supervised homework
- Monthly boarding trips
- Weekend activities
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
House system
Boarders are divided into the Pringle, Chalmers and Rogerson houses, each with a resident houseparent and tutors.
- Pringle
- Chalmers
- Rogerson
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Governance and ownership
The school is owned by Lighthouse (Shenzhen) Education and Culture Co Ltd and governed by a Board of Governors that meets three times a year.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Academics
Curriculum
Years 10 to 13 follow British pathways, IGCSE and A Level. The curriculum blends Eastern and Western educational approaches.
- IGCSE
- A Level
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Exam results
The school reports early-application interview invitations for 2026 from Oxford, Cambridge and other universities, and that nearly half of graduates gained places at G5 UK universities.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Wellbeing
Safeguarding
Staff and volunteers are vetted and trained in child protection. Concerns are reported to a designated lead, with a speak-up culture and peer mentoring for seniors.
- Staff vetting
- Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Peer Mentoring programme
- Site security training
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Safeguarding policy
Open linkSchool website · Checked 2026-11-06
Parent experience
History
The school opened in August 2018 as an authorised overseas branch of Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh, which was founded in 1833.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Community
Traditions include start-of-term events, Founders' Day, Halloween, a Christmas winter market, Chinese New Year and boarding events.
- Start of New Term
- Founders' Day
- Halloween
- Christmas Winter Market
- Chinese New Year
- Love Boarding
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities include a library, multimedia classrooms, science labs, a theatre, a recording studio, an indoor pool, courts, a gym and landscaped gardens.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Sports facilities
Sports facilities include an indoor swimming pool, basketball and tennis courts, a gymnasium and an indoor virtual golf hall.
- Indoor swimming pool
- Basketball courts
- Tennis courts
- Gymnasium
- Indoor virtual golf hall
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Academic facilities
Academic facilities include a well-stocked library, multimedia audio-visual classrooms and advanced science laboratories.
- Library
- Multimedia classrooms
- Science laboratories
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Extra-curricular activities
Academic and intellectual
Academic co-curricular options include debate clubs and international competitions.
- Debate
- International competitions
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Arts and creative
Creative options include drama, music, choir and art clubs.
- Drama
- Music
- Choir
- Art
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Community and service
Outreach community service projects bring students together to build responsibility and global citizenship.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Languages
Language provision
English language mastery is a core principle, with students building subject English and everyday English in lessons and daily interaction.
- English
- Chinese
- EAL
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Location
Source: Read from the school's website
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