Merchiston International School (MIS) Shenzhen is a IGCSE / A-Level / AP school in Shenzhen, China. Founded in 2018. Annual tuition ranges from $19,044 to $20,424 USD.
Explore This School
Location & Getting There
NanaSays Scorecard
Key Details
Scholarships Available
Formal Scholarship Policy covering tuition fees only; other costs remain payable by the family. Tiered awards (full, 75%, 50%, 25% and smaller discounts), time-limited and renewable subject to academic standards, conduct, attendance and participation. Categories include academic, music, sport, leadership/service/global citizenship, and golf. Evaluated via standardised tests (CEM), interviews, written statements, references and evidence of achievement.
Key facts
About
Merchiston International School (MIS) Shenzhen is an authorized overseas branch of the prestigious Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, offering authentic British education with full boarding to students aged 4-18. Located in Longhua District, the school opened in 2018 and provides both British (IGCSE & A-Level) and American (AP) pathways while integrating Eastern and Western educational philosophies. MIS graduates have secured placements at top universities worldwide including Imperial College, UCL, Tsinghua University, and the University of Hong Kong.
School data verified by NanaSays. Last updated: April 2026.
Why Families Choose
- Academic excellence and warmth
- Dual academic pathways (IGCSE/A-Level and AP)
- Integration of Eastern and Western education
- Authorized branch of historic Edinburgh boarding school
University Destinations
Fees & Financials
| Grade / Year | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Years 6-11 | RMB 335,000 |
| Years 12-13 | RMB 370,000 |
| Early Years / K2 | RMB 200,000 |
| Kindergarten 3 and Years 1-5 | RMB 235,000 |
Conversions to USD use exchange rates as of April 2026.
Original currency: RMB 138,000 - 148,000. Application fee: $276.
Admissions Process
- 1Enquiry and application — submit application form, supporting documents (passport, school reports, assessments, medical declaration) and non-refundable application fee of RMB 2,000. 2) Entry assessment — online entrance assessment for Year 3+; meeting/trial day for Years 1–2; CAT4, English test and interview for senior applicants. 3) Interviews and trial visits for junior and senior applicants; Head of Sixth Form interview for Years 12–13. 4) Decision — offer confirmed by Head of Section; place secured by paying RMB 18,000 enrolment deposit. 5) Waitlist if full — placement by date of application and fee receipt with defined priority categories. 6) Pre-entry — medical checks, confidential current-school report, and SEN screening on entry.
Admissions Details
Formal waitlist with placement determined by date of application and fee receipt. Priority given to: (1) children of full-time faculty, (2) qualified siblings of current students who have completed the application process, (3) children transferring from another Merchiston Castle school. Waitlist positions are not disclosed; applicants are automatically carried forward each term and into the appropriate year level for the new school year.
Boarding Life
Three named boarding houses (Pringle, Chalmers, Rogerson) for different age groups, staffed by resident houseparents and a boarding team. Facilities include supervised study rooms, common rooms (breakfast served there on Sundays), and a fully staffed on-site medical centre.
Full Boarding
School Day
Morning registration/form time around 07:45–08:00, lessons through the day, school finish around 15:30, followed by co-curricular activities approximately 15:45–17:00. Boarders have supervised study and evening programmes with set bedtimes varying by year group.
Student Life
Three boarding houses — Pringle, Chalmers, and Rogerson — organise students by age group and serve as the centre of boarding life and pastoral care.
The school operates a full uniform system. A Uniform Shop and Uniform Guide are available for families.
School meals are provided in the Dining Hall with attendance compulsory for all years. On Sundays, breakfast is served in boarding house common rooms, Sunday lunch is offsite, and dinner is served at 18:00–18:45 on Saturdays and Sundays.
Facilities & Programmes
Wellbeing & Safety
The school runs a published Mental Health Week with sessions led by school counsellor Jenny Jiang covering resilience, mindfulness and communication. A Student Growth Centre focused on learning and wellbeing is embedded in the school's framework. Boarding and pastoral pages emphasise health and welfare promotion, and a fully staffed on-site medical centre supports boarding students.
Merchiston publishes a dedicated Child Protection and Safeguarding Principles page describing trained site security, visitor challenge procedures, and integration of site security with pastoral systems. Pastoral care and safeguarding are stated priorities for the Leadership Team and Board of Governors.
Student Demographics
School Background
Operated by China-Europe Yishang Culture Development (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. Governance is provided by the MIS Board of Governors in collaboration with the leadership team. The school is the authorised overseas branch of Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh.