4 international schools in Asia empowering tomorrow’s global leaders

To live and learn in Asia is to have the best of both worlds. All eyes are on the continent as it hosts the world’s biggest economy, most extensive market, biggest population and many more nouns with superlatives that cement its size and power. Where 40 years ago three-quarters of China’s population lived in extreme poverty, now only 1% do. It now has the most number of homeowners, college graduates, and even billionaires as well. India is not only home to 1.4 billion people and the world’s fastest-growing big country but set to be the third-largest economy by 2027. Japan has emerged from decades of economic decline into a new golden age, filled with bold moves that make its technology as record-breaking as its most successful media franchises.

Growing up here means spending one’s formative years in lands brimming with opportunities.  There’s a certain vibrancy and confidence in the air. And going to its best schools means benefiting from teaching that blends Asian modules and values with global curricula and being friends with people whose families are leading organisations, companies and governments with some of the greatest potential in the world. That’s just two key perks — there are many more to gain from joining Asia’s best international schools today, as the following examples show:

Located next to University of Tokyo’s second campus and University of Chiba, Rugby School Japan’s world-class campus is in a designated centre for education, innovation and entrepreneurship with close links to the community. Source: Rugby School Japan

Rugby School Japan

“The Whole Person, The Whole Point.” This is Rugby School Japan’s ethos, clear in the attitudes and aspirations of each student here. With courage and little fear of failure, they achieve excellence in academics, the arts, sports and life skills. Throughout a longer school day, they take part in a broad and balanced range of co-curricular activities, including enrichment (personal and academic), visual and performing arts, sports, team and performance, leadership, and competition. It’s this holistic foundation that gives them skills and interests that last a lifetime, plus something more profound: a clear sense of character.

As the second international school opened by the Rugby School UK, Rugby School Japan shares the same vision and governance as this prestigious institution. This partnership ensures high standards in education, recruitment, and offerings for gap years and exchange programmes. Alumni are part of the “Old Rugbeians” global network.

Although it only opened in September 2023, Rugby School Japan is already making a mark as one of the best boarding schools in Asia. It offers the IGCSE and A Level programmes — with students set to achieve good results and secure their path to the world’s leading universities. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 10:1, the expert team of teachers recruited internationally and from the UK can and do provide keen attention and support to ensure this.

The school is led by Principal Tony Darby, who brings over 20 years of experience from Rugby School UK and St Edward’s School, Oxford and a deep understanding of British boarding school culture. His leadership ensures that the school remains unashamedly academic while fostering an environment where personal growth and character development are equally prioritised. Apply to the Rugby School of Japan today.

Marlborough College Malaysia is listed as one of the top 125 private schools globally. Source: Marlborough College Malaysia

Marlborough College Malaysia

Marlborough College Malaysia (MCM) provides a British education tailored to stimulate, challenge and support students in discovering and developing their talents in various areas.

In 2023, the school was listed as one of the top 125 private schools globally. Here, students join the faculty in pursuing questions, not simply answers; in discovering ideas, not merely facts; and in appreciating the journey, not solely the destination.

Highly rigorous academics, a caring community, qualified teachers, student-focused learning, and college-preparatory courses — these are the features that ensure student success at MCM. Academic programmes here offer students many opportunities and challenges in a supportive environment. In the IGCSEs and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme exams, good grades are the norm.

What sets the college apart is its range of co-curricular opportunities. From sports to music and art, each and all provide challenge and comfort as a critical part of a meaningful holistic education. They develop a pupil’s understanding of global issues and their responsibilities as global citizens. These students understand global issues and their responsibility as the next globalised generation — taking these lessons as they progress into some of the best universities in the world and beyond.

The British International School, Phuket, provides ongoing support to all its learners. Source: British International School, Phuket

British International School, Phuket

The British International School, Phuket, is an English-medium, co-educational, day and boarding school in Phuket, Thailand. Everything BISP does is designed to make learning enjoyable and to give every child the opportunity to develop a sense of confidence in themselves. The school delivers high standards of teaching and learning to an international community.

Here, faculty members teach an extensive and stimulating curriculum covering a wide range of subjects and skills. With a model for holistic learning aimed to develop the whole child, students are instilled with a lifelong love of learning through active engagement from early years to primary and secondary school.

BISP students pursue a rigorous and challenging course of academic study that prepares them for success in the most competitive colleges and universities. Their solid preparation can be seen in their impressive results — in 2023, IBDP students scored a 34 point average, surpassing  the global average points score of 30.24.

Speaking about the results, Neil Crossland, Secondary School Principal, said, “We are extremely proud of our students who have yet again achieved a great set of examinations results.  As an academically non-selective international school, I am very proud of the added value our students attain year after year. This is simply down to hard work, excellence in teaching and learning, and the positive ethos of our high-performing school.”

While they’re thriving in their next steps, many graduates often say they miss their school and campus loads. BISP’s facilities are enviable, with art rooms, science labs, workshops, a sports hall, a gym and so forth — all set on a 44-acre campus. Their awards are just as admirable: golds in the British Physics Olympiad 2021-22 and international representations for golf and swimming, among many others.

UWC South East Asia is on a mission to nurture young minds who will succeed in university and beyond. Source: UWC South East Asia

UWC South East Asia

A founding belief of the United World Colleges (UWC) movement is that successful education extends far beyond grades and is a means to a well-lived and successful life. The 18 schools that are part of the global network use education as a driving force for good — a way to encourage today’s youth to contribute to solutions that will enable a more peaceful and sustainable future for all.

A leading institution in this alliance is UWC South East Asia (UWCSEA) in Singapore. Recently celebrating 50 years of educating for peace, UWCSEA is one of Singapore’s oldest international schools and was the first in Asia to offer the IB Diploma. Here, students aged four to 18 from over 100 nationalities learn with and from each other as they each immerse themselves in an education designed to drive forward a mission to educate responsible, compassionate, and informed global citizens.

All students benefit from a bespoke K-12 learning programme designed to keep pace with the rapidly evolving needs of tomorrow, and which maximises the opportunities created by being located in a thriving global hub. The extensive curriculum goes beyond academics to encompass activities, outdoor education, service, and personal and social education. The best part? It’s delivered by a world-class, diverse faculty who bring their perspectives to UWCSEA’s truly international education in an inclusive, holistic approach.

On top of that, UWCSEA has a boarding programme for students aged 14 to 18, offering them a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a truly global community. “We are a big family. You’ll meet so many people and see so many faces from all around the world,” shares a High School boarder. “We do a lot together, and we’ve got a seat waiting for you.” 

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International