Confidently Plan for Education Costs Ahead of September Assignments

For assignees with families, access to international schools is more than a nice-to-have. It often shapes assignment decisions, housing choices, and overall satisfaction. In today’s climate of rising tuition fees and shifting education policies, understanding the costs of private schooling has never been more critical.

That’s why reliable, consistent education data is essential!

Why Now Is a Critical Time: Planning for September Intake

As we approach the September school year intake, many international schools are finalizing enrollment, and families are actively reviewing their options. This is a crucial period for mobility teams:

Spaces at top schools fill quickly, particularly in high-demand cities like London, Dubai, and Singapore.
Rising costs—including the new UK 20% VAT on private school fees from January 2025—families are reassessing their budgets and may need guidance on affordable alternatives.
Housing decisions are often made around school locations, and rental premiums near sought-after schools add another layer to cost planning.

For companies supporting mobile employees, this is the moment to ensure that education allowances and relocation budgets align with the realities of the 2025–26 academic year.

What’s Changing in the World of Private School Education?

The cost of international schooling continues to climb across many global cities:

UK fee pressures: From January 2025, private school fees in the UK are subject to a 20% VAT, driving up costs for families and sparking debates about affordability. This change alone can add thousands of pounds to annual tuition bills.
Rising fees in expat hubs: Cities like Dubai and Singapore have seen annual tuition increases of 2–5%, with premium schools charging upwards of USD $30,000 per year.
Housing premiums near schools: In markets like Hong Kong and Dubai, housing near top international schools commands higher rents, compounding the overall cost of education for relocating families.

These trends underline the importance of having accurate, up-to-date education data at your fingertips.

Why Clients Rely on AIRINC

AIRINC’s Education Reports deliver a clear, independently sourced summary of international school costs in 200+ cities worldwide—with even more available on request.

Save time: No need to research school fees or align fee structures manually.
Ensure consistency: Uniform data collection ensures fair, accurate comparisons.
Improve cost estimates: Verified tuition and fee data for precise budgeting.
Stay current: Data is updated annually by AIRINC’s research team to reflect changes like tax policies (including VAT) and new fee structures.

Each report includes:

A curated list of accredited international or bilingual schools offering various curricula
Verified annual and one-off fees (tuition, enrollment, testing) by school level (Preschool to Secondary)
Links to each school’s website

Whether you're supporting one move or many, AIRINC’s Education Reports remove the guesswork and streamline budgeting—helping you confidently plan for education costs in a dynamic market.