International School of Busan
International School of Busan (ISB) is an English-medium school in Gijang offering the International Baccalaureate continuum from early years through secondary education. Families can follow a Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma pathway, with learning and language support assessed individually. This profile brings together school levels, the 2026-2027 fee handbook, admissions evidence and practical application steps for families comparing schools in Busan.
School levels and curriculum
Grade levels: Primary school, Secondary school.
IB programs and school stages
| Stage | Program and study choices |
|---|---|
| Early Years-Grade 5 | IB Primary Years Programme (PYP): inquiry across mathematics, English, science, social studies, arts, music and additional languages |
| Grades 6-10 | IB Middle Years Programme (MYP): subject teaching, practical connections, inquiry and developing independent study skills |
| Grades 11-12 | IB Diploma Programme (DP); the school also offers an ISB Diploma route for students not taking the full IB Diploma |
The IB’s own school directory confirms ISB’s authorized programs and day-school status. The school’s secondary curriculum page describes the Diploma’s Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity, Service components. Ask about the current subject timetable and higher/standard-level combinations before transferring into the final two years. A qualification route must match the entry requirements of the universities your child intends to consider.
The 2026-2027 age chart normally places children by age on September 1: EY1 children are three, EY2 four, Kindergarten five and Grade 1 six at the start of the school-year age band. Developmentally appropriate two-year-olds may apply for EY1 when places exist, spending two years there before EY2. Final placement belongs to the school. Check the child’s birth date and previous school progression directly rather than transferring a grade label unchanged.
Admissions and placement
Admissions eligibility and learning support
- Applicants must meet the school’s admissions conditions and the applicable government entry rules. The school limits Korean students to 30% of capacity and requires the child to live with at least one parent or a recognized legal guardian. Ask admissions to confirm the family’s nationality and overseas-residence evidence before paying an application fee. A school’s international title does not mean every local family is automatically eligible.
- Prepare academic report cards, any educational assessments, and health and vaccination records. Use the current online application checklist for passport, family and other identity evidence.
- All applicants have a principal interview. The published process calls for mathematics and reading assessments for applicants in Grades 3-11.
- Disclose relevant learning and support needs. Admission depends on whether adequate support can be provided; special materials or instruction may cost extra.
- The student support page describes English as an Additional Language provision, learning support and counseling. EAL support is not a promise that every applicant or grade can be accommodated.
- A generic IELTS filter is not an appropriate substitute for the school’s age-specific assessment. Discuss English development, prior learning and support planning with the admissions team.
Entry dates
- Opening date: Rolling admissions
- Closing date: No fixed closing date
Tuition and school costs
2026-2027 tuition and school fees
The official fee page links the current 2026-2027 handbook. The USD and KRW tuition portions are both required. The following annual figures are tuition only, before additional charges or individually approved assistance.
| Level | Annual USD portion | Annual KRW portion |
|---|---|---|
| Early Years 1-2 | 9,060 | 13,540,000 |
| Kindergarten-Grade 5 | 13,340 | 19,920,000 |
| Grades 6-8 | 13,520 | 20,110,000 |
| Grades 9-10 | 14,860 | 22,290,000 |
| Grades 11-12 | 15,500 | 22,930,000 |
| Other cost | Handbook amount and scope |
|---|---|
| Application | KRW 300,000 or USD 300 per application; does not guarantee admission |
| Enrollment | KRW 500,000 one-time on acceptance |
| Technology development | KRW 2,500,000 one-time on entering Kindergarten or above |
| Annual capital development | KRW 2,500,000 new student; KRW 1,500,000 re-enrolled student |
| Annual cafeteria | Early Years KRW 1,098,000; K-Grade 5 KRW 1,350,000; Grades 6-12 KRW 1,530,000 |
| Annual transportation | Busan KRW 3,580,000; Ulsan KRW 6,186,000; Jinhae KRW 6,968,000 |
| PE uniform | Purchased separately from the school shop |
Semiannual tuition has a different published rate, so dividing annual tuition by two understates that plan. Parents also cover bank and clearing charges. New-student due dates follow the issued statement; the current handbook gives 15 January 2027 for the second semiannual invoice for returning students. Confirm any support-service costs and route-specific transport availability with admissions before using these figures as a relocation budget.
Scholarships and fee support
Financial assistance and award conditions
Required documents
- Portal checklist, school report cards, educational assessments, health/vaccination records, nationality/family evidence as requested.
How to apply
Application links
Official application guidance ↗- Review the application process and confirm eligibility, grade placement and the intended entry term with admissions.
- Complete the school-linked OpenApply application, upload the required records and pay the stated application fee.
- Respond to requests for additional information, attend the principal interview and arrange any required reading and mathematics assessment.
- If offered a place, review the terms, assistance decision and total invoice; confirm acceptance within the stated period.
- Supply final enrollment and health documents before the first school day. Confirm transport, lunch, uniform and transition arrangements.
QUICK ANSWERS
Frequently asked questions
Where can I confirm the current admission requirements?
Read the admission criteria and use the official admissions guide for your chosen grade and curriculum. Requirements can differ between routes.
Are the listed fees my complete study budget?
Check the fee breakdown, including its currency, academic year and payment period. Housing, meals, insurance and other charges may be listed separately. Confirm the current invoice with the institution.
How do I check whether applications are open?
See the recorded dates and route notes, then check the current official notice. A past deadline or a source-check date does not confirm an open intake.
Admissions contact
- Campus address
- 50 Gijang-daero, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan, South Korea
Official sources and last checked
Applications, waiting lists and offers
ISB accepts applications throughout the year, subject to eligibility, assessment and space. For an August start, returning-student re-enrollment affects when new places can be offered. Qualified applicants may be placed on a waiting list, and families must keep academic records current. After an offer, families normally have seven days to confirm acceptance; the invoice follows. A rolling application route does not mean a guaranteed immediate start.
Campus, calendar and withdrawal planning
Read the full handbook before withdrawal. It distinguishes cancellation before the first class day from withdrawal during a semester, lists fees that are nonrefundable in ordinary withdrawals and provides a first-half-semester prorated policy with an administration charge. Written notice and the official refund form are required. Obtain finance advice for the actual dates and circumstances rather than assuming the annual price remains applicable after an early departure.
Questions before choosing ISB
Is this a boarding school? The IB register lists day provision, and the admissions policy requires a parent or approved guardian arrangement. Are both tuition currencies payable? Yes. Does the school provide scholarships to everyone? No; need-based assistance is assessed individually. Can my child take the full IB Diploma after a late transfer? Confirm subject compatibility, timetable and credit planning directly with secondary admissions before accepting a place.
Last checked: 2026-11-01.
