Choosing an international school in Singapore is one of the most significant decisions an expat or local family will make. With tuition fees well into the tens of thousands of dollars annually and limited places at the most sought-after campuses, getting informed early is everything. Two schools that consistently appear at the top of parents’ shortlists are GEMS World Academy Singapore (now rebranded as XCL World Academy) and Dulwich College Singapore — both established in 2014, both premium-tier institutions, and yet quite distinct in philosophy, curriculum, and campus culture.

This guide gives you a complete picture of both schools: who they are, what they teach, how much they cost, and which might be the better fit for your child’s learning journey. Whether you are arriving in Singapore for the first time or reassessing your options for the next academic year, the profiles and fee breakdowns below will help you plan with confidence.

Two of Singapore’s Leading International Schools

Singapore’s international school landscape is competitive, diverse, and — for parents new to the city — genuinely overwhelming. Among the premium-tier options, XCL World Academy (formerly GEMS World Academy Singapore) and Dulwich College Singapore occupy a special place. Both schools opened in 2014, serve students from around age two through to 18, and carry strong reputations for academic outcomes and co-curricular breadth. The key difference lies in their educational DNA: XCL World Academy is a full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum school, while Dulwich College Singapore blends a British National Curriculum tradition with IGCSE and IB Diploma pathways — drawing on more than 400 years of heritage from its founding college in London.

Understanding these distinctions matters because the right school depends less on rankings and more on your child’s learning style, your family’s timeline in Singapore, and the university destinations you have in mind. Read on for everything you need to make a well-informed decision.

XCL World Academy (Formerly GEMS World Academy Singapore): School Profile

GEMS World Academy Singapore opened its Yishun campus in 2014 as part of GEMS Education, one of the largest private K-12 education networks in the world. In 2025, the school underwent a significant rebranding and structural change, merging with XCL American Academy and relaunching as XCL World Academy (XWA) under the XCL Education group. The school retains its address at 2 Yishun Street 42 and continues to accept students from 18 months through to Grade 12 (approximately age 18).

What has always set this school apart is its commitment to the full IB continuum. XCL World Academy is an authorised IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) — making it one of Singapore’s few schools to deliver all three programmes under one roof. In the senior years, students now also have the option of a WASC-accredited High School Diploma with Advanced Placement (AP) courses, adding meaningful flexibility for families considering university applications in the United States.

Curriculum at XCL World Academy

The school’s curriculum is structured around the IB framework at every stage, with added programmes designed to future-proof learning. In the Nursery (18 months to 3 years), children follow a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach built on play-based discovery. From Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5, the IB PYP guides learning through six transdisciplinary themes that connect subjects to the real world. Middle School students (Grades 6 to 10) follow the IB MYP, which places strong emphasis on critical thinking, interdisciplinary learning, and project-based work. The senior years (Grades 11 and 12) offer either the full IB Diploma or the High School Diploma with AP courses.

One distinctive feature is the XCLerate Programme, which integrates AI, coding, and future skills into the primary curriculum. A bilingual English-Chinese programme runs from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5, co-taught by English and Mandarin homeroom teachers. The school also provides university and career guidance from Grade 8, giving students an unusually early start in planning their post-secondary pathways. In 2025, the school’s IB Diploma results included students scoring in the top percentile globally, with 21% of graduates earning bilingual diplomas.

Campus & Facilities

The Yishun campus is large and purpose-built for active, inquiry-driven learning. Facilities include a 750-seat auditorium, a 50-metre Olympic-sized swimming pool, an indoor rock-climbing wall, dedicated arts studios, music rooms, robotics laboratories, AI and coding studios, fabrication and design workshops, virtual reality facilities, and an esports arena. The early years and primary building has been purpose-designed for younger learners, with indoor and outdoor play spaces woven throughout.

• Location: 2 Yishun Street 42, Singapore 768039
• Age Range: 18 months to 18 years (Nursery to Grade 12)
• Curriculum: IB PYP, IB MYP, IB Diploma, High School Diploma with AP
• Language of Instruction: English (bilingual English-Chinese programme available)
• School Type: Co-educational Day School
• Contact: [email protected] | +65 6808 7300

XCL World Academy Fees & Financial Information

XCL World Academy sits in the upper-mid to premium range of Singapore’s international school market. Annual tuition fees range from approximately SGD 30,180 for Nursery students up to SGD 52,410 for Grade 11 and 12. Fees increase progressively with each grade level, reflecting the increased specialisation and resources in the senior years. The figures below reflect published fees for the 2026/2027 academic year — always confirm directly with the school’s admissions team as fees are reviewed annually.

Beyond tuition, families should budget for additional one-time fees on enrolment. The application fee is approximately SGD 975, and an enrolment fee of approximately SGD 5,668 is payable upon acceptance. An Annual Development Fee of around SGD 3,000 also applies. These figures are indicative — always verify the current fee schedule directly with the school before applying.

Dulwich College Singapore: School Profile

Dulwich College Singapore opened in August 2014 on a purpose-built green campus at 71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8. It is part of Dulwich College International, a network of schools that traces its roots to Dulwich College London — founded in 1619. That four-century heritage is not merely cosmetic: it shapes the school’s academic selectivity, its emphasis on co-curricular excellence, and its house system, which gives every student a sense of belonging within a larger community. The Singapore campus welcomes more than 50 nationalities and currently enrols approximately 2,600 students from age 2 (Toddler) through Year 13 (age 18).

The school is structured into three clearly defined sections: DUCKS (Dulwich College Kindergarten School, ages 2–7), Junior School (Years 3–6, ages 7–11), and Senior School (Years 7–13, ages 11–18). Each section has its own distinct culture and physical spaces, while sharing the broader campus and its extraordinary facilities. The school is co-educational and operates as a day school, with a boarding option available for Years 12 and 13 through a partner residence for families living outside Singapore.

Curriculum at Dulwich College Singapore

Dulwich follows an enhanced version of the English National Curriculum from the early years through to Key Stage 4, where students prepare for IGCSE examinations in Years 9 to 11. In the Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13), students choose between the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP), the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP), or STEM A Levels — a pathway that was added in 2026 to broaden post-16 options. This layered curriculum structure gives the school a distinctive identity: British at heart, internationally minded in practice.

One of DUCKS’ most celebrated features is its bilingual English-Mandarin immersion programme. From the Toddler year, every class is co-taught by an English class teacher and a dedicated Mandarin teacher — each delivering genuine parallel language instruction, not translation. Mandarin remains compulsory through Year 8, after which students may continue to IGCSE level or transition to a European language. In Junior School, Mandarin is streamed by ability so that beginner learners and native speakers each progress at an appropriate pace. The 2025 IB results were particularly strong, with an average score of 37.13 points and a 100% pass rate.

Campus & Facilities

The Bukit Batok campus is among the most comprehensively equipped international school campuses in Singapore. In 2018, a performing arts centre was completed featuring a 742-seat theatre and a pipe organ — the second-largest in Singapore — along with two black box theatres and dedicated suites for music and visual arts. Sports facilities include three swimming pools, a multi-purpose pitch, two gymnasiums, a dance studio, a fitness centre, and cricket nets. An IB Centre completed in 2023 added quiet study areas and a large common room specifically designed for Sixth Form students.

• Location: 71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8, Singapore 658966
• Age Range: 2 to 18 years (Toddler to Year 13)
• Curriculum: EYFS, English National Curriculum, IGCSE, IB Diploma, IB Career-related Programme, STEM A Levels
• Language of Instruction: English (bilingual English-Mandarin from age 2)
• School Type: Co-educational Day School (boarding for Years 12–13)
• EduTrust Certified: Yes
• Contact: [email protected] | +65 6890 1003

Dulwich College Singapore Fees & Financial Information

Dulwich College Singapore is positioned in the ultra-premium band of Singapore’s international school market. Annual tuition fees for the 2025/2026 academic year range from SGD 20,270 for a Toddler/Nursery half-day place up to SGD 56,220 for Years 12 and 13. Fees are billed and payable termly in advance across three terms. There are also several one-time fees to factor into your total first-year cost.

One-time and additional fees are a meaningful component of the total cost at Dulwich. The non-refundable application fee is SGD 1,500 (applicable from 1 August 2025). Upon successful admission, an enrolment fee of SGD 4,000 is payable. A Capital Levy of SGD 4,500 also applies. Families with three or more children enrolled at Reception level and above are entitled to a 5% discount on tuition fees for all eligible students. Singaporean students wishing to enrol must obtain a waiver letter from the Ministry of Education.

Side-by-Side Comparison: XCL World Academy vs Dulwich College Singapore

Admissions: What You Need to Know

Both schools run rolling, year-round admissions, but spaces — particularly in the early years — are limited and can fill quickly, especially at key entry points. For Dulwich College Singapore, admissions vary by age: younger children joining DUCKS take part in play-based assessment sessions, while applicants from Year 3 upwards sit Cognitive Abilities Testing (CAT) and a short written task. The school operates a waiting list based on date of application, and mid-year entry is possible where spaces exist. Singaporean passport holders require an MOE exemption letter to attend. It is advisable to apply at least a year ahead of your intended entry date.

For XCL World Academy, the admissions process includes an online application, submission of previous school reports, and an entry assessment appropriate to the student’s age and grade. The school welcomes students from all nationalities and provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) support to help new arrivals settle in. Both schools require the payment of a non-refundable application fee at the point of application, so it is worth attending an open house or information session before committing.

Which School Is the Right Fit for Your Child?

There is no single correct answer — but there are meaningful clues in each school’s identity that can point you in the right direction. XCL World Academy is an excellent fit for families who are committed to the IB philosophy throughout a child’s entire schooling journey, who value technology-integrated learning and future-skills preparation, or who may have children applying to US universities where the AP pathway or High School Diploma is an advantage. Its Yishun location suits families living in Singapore’s north, and its relatively community-oriented, family-centric culture makes transitions easier for students who are new to Singapore.

Dulwich College Singapore tends to appeal to families who value the British independent school ethos, the structure and rigour of IGCSE before the IB Diploma, and the extraordinary depth of co-curricular provision — from its pipe organ and 742-seat theatre to three swimming pools and cricket nets. The bilingual English-Mandarin programme from age two is a genuine differentiator for families who want strong Mandarin outcomes alongside a British academic foundation. With more than 50 nationalities on campus and strong links to universities in the UK, USA, and Asia, it is a strong choice for families with a long-term horizon in Singapore or plans to transition to the UK education system.

Whichever school you are considering, it pays to visit in person, attend an open house, and speak with current parents. Fee structures, curriculum details, and enrolment availability all change year to year — so always contact each school’s admissions team directly for the most current information before making any decisions.

Looking for more schools near you? Skoolopedia’s preschool directory by MRT station makes it easy to discover quality early childhood options across all of Singapore’s neighbourhoods. You can also explore enrichment centres near MRT stations to supplement your child’s school learning, or find student care centres nearby for before- and after-school support.

Both XCL World Academy (formerly GEMS World Academy Singapore) and Dulwich College Singapore are among the most respected international schools in Singapore, offering world-class curricula, impressive facilities, and strong academic outcomes. XCL World Academy’s full IB continuum and future-focused programmes make it a compelling option for families who want a consistent, inquiry-based pathway from nursery through to graduation. Dulwich College Singapore’s blend of British tradition, IGCSE rigour, and extraordinary co-curricular provision make it one of the city’s standout all-round schools, particularly for families with British curriculum backgrounds or strong Mandarin ambitions.

The decision ultimately comes down to your family’s values, your child’s learning style, where you live in Singapore, and your post-secondary plans. Use the fee tables and profiles above as a starting point, then take the time to visit both campuses — there is no substitute for seeing a school in action and speaking with families who are already part of the community.