International schools in Riyadh: fees and admissions

Curricula, fees and when to apply in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia3 min readLast updated 29 Oct 2026Fact-checked 29 Oct 2026

In short

Riyadh has British, American, IB and Indian schools. Demand has grown with regional headquarters moving to the city, so top schools fill quickly. Fees range from SAR 20,000 to over SAR 100,000 a year.

Fees
SAR 20,000–110,000
VAT
15% (refunded for citizens only)
Year start
August
Regulator
Ministry of Education

Step by step

Your progress0 / 3

Tick each step as you finish it. Open a step to see what to do.

  1. Traffic makes distance important.

Documents checklist

Documents ready0 / 3

Do’s and don’ts

Do

  • Negotiate education allowance

Don’t

  • Don’t forget VAT in budget

Cost estimator

Your estimateSAR 6,000 – 10,000

Untick what doesn't apply to you. These are rough figures and fees change often, so check with the authority.

Watch out

  • Certificates from abroad may need attestation for grade placement.

Common questions

Are there mixed schools?

Most international schools are co-ed up to certain grades.

Background and more detail

Riyadh has British, American, IB and Indian schools. Demand has grown with regional headquarters moving to the city, so top schools fill quickly. Fees range from SAR 20,000 to over SAR 100,000 a year.

Key facts

  • Fees: SAR 20,000–110,000
  • VAT: 15% (refunded for citizens only)
  • Year start: August
  • Regulator: Ministry of Education

Steps

  1. Shortlist by district – Traffic makes distance important.
  2. Apply online – Assessment test and interview.
  3. Pay deposit – Non-refundable in most schools.

Watch out

  • Certificates from abroad may need attestation for grade placement.

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