International schools in Monaco
The Principality offers several internationally recognized private institutions, suited to both expatriate and Monegasque families. The international schools currently present in Monaco include the International School of Monaco, the British School of Monaco, the International University of Monaco, and the International School of Gemmology. These bilingual or English-speaking institutions offer IB and A-Level curricula, integrate the French curriculum, and provide high-level international education starting from kindergarten.
Monaco has four major international schools (ISM, British School, IUM, EIG) offering bilingual or English-language curricula, favored by expatriate families for their academic excellence and proximity to high-end residential areas. These schools cater to families seeking high-level bilingual or English-language education. Petrini Exclusive Real Estate, a specialist in assisting families with their move to the Principality, notes that these institutions are among the most sought-after by newcomers. They cover all cycles, from kindergarten to university, and offer globally recognized programs such as the IB, A-Levels, or specialized curricula in luxury and finance. Located at the heart of the Principality, the International School of Monaco, the British School, and the International University of Monaco provide multicultural environments and modern facilities, meeting the needs of expatriate children settled on the French Riviera.
This article aims to guide families by presenting the specific features of each school, their programs, degrees, and positioning. It also provides clear context: why these schools exist in Monaco, the role they play in the local ecosystem, and how they can meet the expectations of parents who want to offer the best to their children.
Why international schools in Monaco?
Monaco has attracted a cosmopolitan population for decades: nearly 80% of residents do not hold Monegasque nationality according to the Monegasque Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. This unique profile is explained by the combination of an exceptional living environment, favorable taxation, and an economy focused on luxury, finance, yachting, and motorsport. This demographic reality very early raised a key question for expatriate families: how to ensure international educational continuity for their children without placing them in the French public system?
With this in mind, the International School of Monaco (ISM) was created in 1994 as the Principality’s first private international school, pioneering a French/English bilingual model adapted to Anglo-Saxon standards (Official ISM site). Its rapid success demonstrated a growing need among newly settled families, often in transition between several countries. ISM laid the foundations for an educational offer aligned with globally recognized diplomas such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), enabling students to enter the most prestigious universities in Europe, North America, or Asia.
Nearly thirty years later, the arrival of the British School of Monaco in 2022 marks a new milestone in this dynamic (British School of Monaco). This institution, accredited by Cambridge International and Pearson Edexcel, offers a 100% British curriculum from primary school to A-Levels, enhancing Monaco’s attractiveness to anglophone families seeking full immersion in their mother tongue.
Beyond their educational role, these institutions play a strategic part in Monaco’s image as a high-end educational hub. They meet the expectations of parents from international careers, private bankers, company executives, and elite athletes who want to combine a secure, multicultural environment with training aligned with global educational standards. Small class sizes, individualized support, and enriching activities (water sports, arts, humanitarian projects) strengthen their appeal.
Faced with this growing demand, Monaco’s international educational offer has structured itself around several complementary institutions. In its role as an upscale real estate agency, Petrini notes that the proximity of these schools often influences expatriate families’ choice of residential neighborhoods. Each embodies a different vision of global education: the International School of Monaco as a pioneering bilingual institution, the British School of Monaco as immersive and purely British, and specialized institutions like the International University of Monaco or the International School of Gemmology. Let’s explore in detail these schools shaping international education in the Principality.
International School of Monaco (ISM)
Founded in 1994, the International School of Monaco is the Principality’s first international school. Its goal: to offer expatriate families a curriculum aligned with Anglo-Saxon standards while maintaining a Francophone foundation. Over three decades, the institution has grown steadily and now educates over 700 students representing around fifty nationalities (ISM – About Us). Since 2024, the school has inaugurated a new campus within the Testimonio II complex just above Le Bay House building, a flagship architectural project in Monaco. This state-of-the-art site was designed for international education: bright spaces, science laboratories, art studios, integrated sports facilities, and cutting-edge educational technologies make it one of the most advanced school environments in Europe. This relocation reflects a clear ambition: to assert itself among the top private international schools.
The academic program features dynamic bilingualism: French and English are taught equally in primary school, then English becomes dominant in secondary school to prepare for the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB Diploma Programme). ISM is a member of the IB World Schools network and accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS), guaranteeing pedagogical standards among the highest in the world. Its reputation extends beyond Monaco: the school appears in the Spear’s Schools Index 2025, which lists the 100 best private international schools worldwide. Student results on the IB diploma are regularly above global averages, reinforcing its attractiveness to families aiming for top universities in Europe, North America, and Asia.
Beyond academics, ISM fosters a rich, multicultural school life. Students engage in music, arts, theater, robotics, and various sports, including sailing through local partnerships. Humanitarian projects and educational trips complement this holistic training, preparing children to thrive in an interconnected world. Thanks to its continuous improvement efforts, ISM has been recognized among the best private schools globally and attracts families from multiple nationalities. According to The Good Schools Guide and rankings published by Spear’s Magazine, ISM is regularly cited as a reference institution in Europe for its bilingual approach and IB results. Tuition fees at ISM range from approximately €7,700 to €28,350 per year depending on the school level.
Key facts
International School of Monaco
Founded 1994
Campus Testimonio II (since 2024)
Students About 700
Nationalities Nearly 50
Programs Bilingual FR/EN (primary); IB Diploma (secondary)
Accreditations CIS, IB World School
Distinction Spear’s Schools Index 2025
Annual fees €7,700 to €28,350 (depending on level)
If the International School of Monaco is the historic bilingual reference, another newer institution addresses families seeking a fully English immersion. Opened in 2022, the British School of Monaco offers teaching directly modeled on the British system, complementing the Principality’s international educational offer.
British School of Monaco
Opened in 2022 in the Fontvieille district, the British School of Monaco is the youngest of the Principality’s international schools. Its launch responded to a clear demand from anglophone or international families seeking a 100% British curriculum in Monaco, directly aligned with the National Curriculum of England. This teaching model is also recognized by the British Council as one of the most sought-after international standards by expatriates seeking educational continuity between Monaco, London, and Dubai. Unlike the International School of Monaco, which remains bilingual, this institution offers complete English immersion from early childhood, with integrated French instruction to facilitate local adaptation.
The school accepts children from age three, beginning in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), then guides them through primary and secondary up to IGCSE and A-Level examinations, highly valued by British, American, and Swiss universities. These diplomas, recognized worldwide and validated by Cambridge International and Pearson Edexcel, ensure perfect continuity for families from London, Dubai, or Hong Kong settling in Monaco. The school’s human scale allows small classes and personalized support, reassuring parents seeking both academic rigor and child well-being. The spaces are bright and designed for creative and sports activities, and the location in Fontvieille offers a convenient and secure environment close to the port and residential neighborhoods.
By choosing the British School, families opt for a model where English is the main working language and A-Level preparation opens direct access to the world’s top universities. This positioning makes it an ideal alternative for those wanting to maintain a purely British educational path while enjoying Monaco’s advantages: lifestyle, security, and international openness. Due to the high quality of its supervision (this young school still has small enrollments) and its exclusive location, tuition fees are approximately €35,000 per year per student. The institution is located in Fontvieille, southwestern Monaco, making it easily accessible to families residing in the Principality.
After exploring options for children and teenagers, Monaco also offers another international institution attracting an older audience. The International University of Monaco (IUM) stands out for its fully English-speaking approach and focus on higher education in strategic fields such as finance, luxury management, and sports business. It thus completes the Principality’s international educational ecosystem by offering continuity up to postgraduate studies.
Key facts
British School of Monaco
Founded2022
LocationLe Méridien Quarter Fontvieille, 8 Avenue de Fontvieille
Admission ageFrom 3 years old (EYFS)
ProgramsNational Curriculum of England, IGCSE, A-Levels
AccreditationsCambridge International, Pearson Edexcel
Annual fees€10,000 to €35,000
International University of Monaco (IUM)
Located in the heart of the Principality, the International University of Monaco occupies a unique place in the local educational landscape. Founded in 1986, this private business school caters to an older audience: students seeking English-language higher education in high value-added fields such as finance, luxury management, marketing, or sports business. Unlike the international schools for lower and upper cycles, IUM allows you to pursue a complete academic path in Monaco, from bachelor’s to doctorate.
Entirely oriented towards the international, the university delivers all its courses in English and attracts around 700 students from over 60 nationalities each year. This cultural diversity fosters a multicultural environment and an open mindset particularly sought after in global careers. Small class sizes and personalized support strengthen the student experience, while the emphasis on practical training—internships, company projects, student competitions—concretely prepares students for the demands of their chosen professions. IUM also benefits from accreditations recognized in management education and maintains strong partnerships with leading companies established in Europe and Monaco.
These privileged connections facilitate access to internships in private banking, luxury brand management, or sports events—sectors emblematic of Monaco’s economy. Choosing IUM therefore means opting for an international higher education directly integrated into Monaco’s economic and cultural ecosystem. For families already settled in the Principality, it also offers the opportunity to provide academic continuity without leaving the country, while opening the doors to global professional networks.
Additionally, the university enjoys recognition by the Monegasque government and several international accreditations (AACSB, AMBA for its MBA, etc.), hallmarks of the quality of its programs. IUM is also featured in the Financial Times Business Education rankings and benefits from recognition by the Conférence des Grandes Écoles for its luxury management and finance programs. While studying at IUM represents a significant financial investment, tuition fees for a 3-year Bachelor amount to around €42,000 in total, for example, opening unique career opportunities in Monaco’s key sectors and abroad.
Key facts
International University of Monaco (IUM)
Founded1986
LocationLe Stella Quartier Condamine, 14 Rue Hubert Clerissi, Monaco
StudentsAbout 700 (60 nationalities)
ProgramsBachelor, Master, MBA, Doctorate (finance, luxury management, sports business…)
AccreditationsRecognized management accreditations
Annual feesAbout €14,000/year depending on program
International School of Gemmology of Monaco (EIG)
The International School of Gemmology of Monaco (EIG) is a specialized higher education institute renowned in the world of jewelry and precious stones. Founded in 2007 and located in the Fontvieille district, EIG trains gemologists and jewelry trade experts to meet the needs of the Monegasque and international luxury sector. Courses, delivered by recognized professionals, cover a wide range of skills related to gemmology—from gemstone trading to jewelry appraisal. The school offers three main programs to suit different profiles and objectives:
- A two-year full cycle (European Bachelor level) dedicated to international trade of precious stones and jewelry expertise, including laboratory theory and study trips to key markets (Sri Lanka, Thailand, etc.);
- A customizable accelerated program designed for professionals wishing to upskill or acquire new competencies in an intensive format;
- A specialized “Diamond” program focused on diamond grading and identification, ideal for exploring the specifics of this booming market.
Courses at EIG can be taken in French or English, reflecting the school’s international dimension. Upon graduation, students earn a Bachelor in Jewelry-Gemmology recognized by the European Federation of Schools (FEDE) and a title approved by the Principality, guaranteeing the value of their qualification on the job market. Training fees vary depending on the chosen path and duration (as an indication, the full Bachelor cycle cost around €9,000 per year in recent years). The International School of Gemmology thus offers a path of excellence for those wishing to pursue a career in the precious stones industry—a sector closely linked to Monaco’s luxury economy.
Charles III College (international section)
Charles III College is a Monegasque public institution normally catering to lower secondary students (grades 6–9). While not strictly an independent “international school,” it offers high-level language sections worth noting. In addition to the standard French curriculum, Charles III College provides an “Anglais+” section (grades 6–7) within a European section (grades 8–9), as well as a true anglophone international section. This latter, open to French speakers with advanced English skills, delivers a bilingual and bicultural education through immersion courses aligned with British programs in language and history-geography. Students in the international section take English literature and history-geography classes in English while remaining integrated into the local school system—they prepare the National Diploma of the Brevet with an “international option” that highlights their pathway. Charles III College also offers enhanced language instruction, including German classes from grade 8 onward to broaden students’ linguistic competencies. This opportunity to receive free public schooling while benefiting from a rigorous bilingual curriculum represents an attractive alternative for resident families and demonstrates Monaco’s commitment to adapting its educational offer to an international context by internalizing anglophone tracks within its public system.
A strategic choice for your children
Although the Principality already offers several international school options, some families also consider institutions just outside Monaco, such as the International School of Nice, about a thirty-minute drive away. Founded in 1977, this school teaches the International Baccalaureate in English and regularly ranks among the region’s best.
However, studying within Monaco itself presents unique advantages that bear repeating. Choosing the best school for your child is a crucial decision that must consider their needs, personality, and ambitions. The diversity of curricula available in the Principality—from French/English bilingual programs to pure British curricula or international IB education—allows each family to find the option best adapted to their child’s well-being and success.
Admittedly, tuition at Monaco’s international schools is high compared to public systems (several thousand to several tens of thousands of euros per year depending on the institution). Nevertheless, this cost reflects extremely high educational standards: individualized teaching thanks to small class sizes, highly qualified teachers, state-of-the-art facilities and technologies, and a rich extracurricular offer (sports, arts, educational outings, etc.). Students trained in these institutions benefit from an excellent, multicultural, and stimulating academic environment that prepares them for both higher education and life in a globalized world. They graduate with internationally recognized diplomas—French baccalaureate, international option, or IB Diploma—opening doors to the world’s top universities. Ultimately, enrolling your child in an international school in Monaco gives them the chance to learn and thrive every day in an exceptional setting at the heart of a secure, cosmopolitan city. It is an investment in their educational and personal future while enjoying the incomparable quality of life offered by the Côte d’Azur.
If you are considering moving to the Principality to take advantage of these educational opportunities and are looking for an apartment for sale or an apartment for rent close to one of these prestigious schools, please contact us via our contact page or by phone. We will be delighted to show you our selection of exclusive properties and assist you with your residential project in Monaco. Our knowledge of international schools and family neighborhoods allows us to guide each family toward the solutions best suited to their lifestyle.
FAQ
What are the main international schools in Monaco and where are they located? Monaco has three major institutions: the International School of Monaco (Testimonio II), the British School of Monaco (Fontvieille), and the International University of Monaco (Fontvieille). They cover education from kindergarten through higher education.
What are the average annual fees for the International School of Monaco (ISM)? Fees range from €7,000 to €28,000 per year depending on the cycle, with higher amounts for the secondary IB Diploma program. Meals and optional extracurricular activities are not included.
What are the average annual fees for the British School of Monaco? Fees range from €15,000 to €35,000 per year depending on the cycle (EYFS, primary, secondary). IGCSE and A-Level examinations may incur additional certification fees.
What are the average annual fees for the International University of Monaco (IUM)? Fees range from €15,000 to €25,000 per year for bachelor’s and can reach €35,000 for master’s or MBA programs, including academic support and access to international networks.
What are the admission criteria for the International School of Monaco? Admission is based on academic records, a language test, and a family interview. Places are limited and in high demand, so it is recommended to start the process several months before the intended intake.
From what age can a child enroll in an international school in Monaco? Enrollment begins at age 3 for ISM and the British School (kindergarten/EYFS). IUM caters to post-secondary students from age 18 for higher education in management, finance, and luxury sectors.
Which international diplomas can be prepared for in Monaco? ISM prepares students for the International Baccalaureate (IB), the British School for IGCSE and A-Levels, and IUM awards bachelor’s, master’s, and MBA degrees accredited in management, luxury marketing, and finance.
Are the programs bilingual or English-only? ISM offers a French-English bilingual program, the British School provides a fully English program with mandatory French in primary, and IUM conducts all courses in English.
Which Monaco international school offers the best bilingual program? ISM is renowned for its balanced bilingual approach from kindergarten. The British School emphasizes total English immersion, ideal for families seeking a pure British curriculum.
How do extracurricular activities enhance the educational experience? Sailing, arts, robotics, theater, and humanitarian projects develop creativity, cultural openness, and civic spirit, complementing the rigorous academic programs of Monaco’s schools.
How does school location affect family life? Located in Testimonio II and Fontvieille, the schools are close to residences such as Bay House or Le Méridien. This proximity reduces travel time and simplifies daily routines for families.
What are the major differences between the International School of Monaco and the British School of Monaco? ISM combines bilingual education with the IB program, while the British School follows the pure British curriculum (IGCSE, A-Levels). The choice depends on families’ linguistic preferences and academic objectives.
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