International schools on the Costa del Sol: a guide for families

Updated: October 2026

The Costa del Sol has one of the largest concentrations of international schools in Spain, from British and IB schools around Marbella to French and German schools near Málaga. This guide is for families who want their children to keep studying in English or in their home-country system. It explains the main curricula, introduces some well-established schools, and gives you a checklist for visits, costs and admissions.

Which curriculum fits your child?

An international school in Spain teaches a foreign curriculum and must be authorised by the Spanish education authorities. On the Costa del Sol you will mostly find these options:

• British (English National Curriculum): the most common choice, from early years to IGCSE at around 16 and A-levels at 18. Many British schools also offer Spanish language and culture lessons, and some offer the Spanish ESO and Bachillerato in parallel.
• International Baccalaureate (IB): a two-year Diploma Programme for ages 16–18, recognised by universities worldwide. Several British schools offer it in their sixth form, sometimes alongside A-levels.
• National schools abroad: French, German and Scandinavian schools follow their home country’s programme and lead to its exams, such as the French baccalauréat or the German Abitur.

Think about where your child is likely to go to university and how long you plan to stay. A family staying five years or less often prefers the home curriculum so that children can slot back in. A family settling permanently may prefer a school that also teaches strong Spanish, or a bilingual Spanish school. Our overview of the types of schools in Spain compares public, concertada, private and international options.

Some established international schools on the coast

The schools below are long-established and were checked on their own websites or their profile with the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS) in October 2026. This is not a ranking and not a complete list – there are many more schools, including smaller and newer ones.

Marbella and San Pedro Alcántara

• Aloha College (Nueva Andalucía, Marbella): British school for ages 3–18. Pupils take IGCSEs, and the sixth form offers both the IB Diploma and A-levels.
• Swans International School (Marbella): ages 3–18, based on the English National Curriculum with (I)GCSE exams, and the IB Diploma in the sixth form.
• Laude San Pedro International College (San Pedro Alcántara): British curriculum from early years to Year 13 (ages 3–18). From age 12, students can choose the Spanish ESO and Bachillerato route instead.

Málaga city, Torremolinos and inland

• Sunny View School (Torremolinos): British school for ages 2–18 following the English National Curriculum, with the option of Spanish subjects leading to the Spanish secondary certificate (Graduado en ESO).
• Lycée Français International de Málaga (Málaga city): part of the French state’s network of schools abroad, from kindergarten to high school, leading to the brevet and the French baccalauréat. See the school’s presentation page.
• Deutsche Schule Málaga (Ojén, near Marbella): German school from kindergarten to the final years of secondary, preparing pupils for the German Abitur as well as the Spanish Bachillerato.

Other NABSS members in the area include The British School of Málaga, The English International College, Novaschool Sunland International and Calpe School. You will also find Scandinavian, American-curriculum and IB-only schools along the coast. The NABSS school directory is a good place to start for British schools.

How to compare schools

Websites all look polished, so visit in person if you can, ideally on a normal school day rather than only at an open day. Questions worth asking:

• Authorisation and inspection: is the school authorised by the Spanish education authorities, and when was it last inspected? British schools in Spain are usually inspected by a UK-approved inspection body – ask to see the latest report.
• Exam results: IGCSE, A-level or IB results for the last few years, and where leavers went to university.
• Pupil mix: many “international” schools on the coast have a large share of Spanish pupils, which can be great for integration but changes the language heard in the playground.
• Spanish teaching: how many hours a week, and is there support for children who arrive with no Spanish?
• Class sizes and staff turnover: how many teachers left last year?
• Special educational needs: what support is available, and does it cost extra?
• Logistics: school bus routes, start and finish times, and traffic on the A-7 and AP-7 at drop-off time.

What it costs

International schools are private and fees vary a lot between schools and year groups, generally rising as children get older. Most schools publish fees only on request, so ask for a full written breakdown for the current school year. Check what is included:

• One-off application, registration or enrolment fees, and whether any deposit is refundable.
• Termly or monthly tuition, and discounts for siblings or early payment.
• Lunch, school bus, uniform, books, trips and after-school activities.
• Exam entry fees for IGCSE, A-levels or the IB, which are often charged separately.

Add school costs to your overall budget using our guide to family living costs in Spain, and see private vs public schools in Spain for the pros and cons.

Admissions and timing

International schools run their own admissions, separate from the public system. Popular year groups, especially in Marbella, can have waiting lists, so contact schools as early as possible – ideally six to twelve months before you move. A typical process looks like this:

1. Send an enquiry and book a visit or video call.
2. Submit the application form with passports, previous school reports and any learning support reports.
3. Your child may take an entry assessment or English test, especially for secondary year groups.
4. Accept the offer and pay the registration fee or deposit to secure the place.

Term dates at international schools do not always match the public calendar. For the official public dates and the March application window, see our guide to the Spanish school year.

University entry from an international school

A-levels and the IB are accepted by universities in the UK and around the world. Students who want to study at a Spanish university can also apply with these qualifications, but usually need an official accreditation of their results, and some sit extra subject exams to improve their admission score. Ask the school’s careers adviser early – ideally in Year 11 – how former students applied to Spanish universities.

If you might move from an international school to a Spanish school later, keep all reports, and ask whether recognition (homologación or convalidación) of your child’s studies will be needed. It is usually needed from the later years of secondary onwards and can take months.

Useful links

• NABSS – directory of British schools in Spain
• Lycée Français International de Málaga
• Aloha College – IB Diploma and sixth form
• Junta de Andalucía – admission to public schools
• Types of schools in Spain
• Private vs public schools in Spain
• The Spanish school year: calendar and enrolment

FAQ: international schools

How much do international schools on the Costa del Sol cost?

Fees vary widely by school and age group and usually rise in secondary. Ask each school for a written breakdown for the current year, including registration, lunch, transport and exam fees.

Can my child join an international school mid-year?

Often yes, if there is space in the year group. Popular schools may have waiting lists, so contact several schools as soon as you know your moving date.

Will my child learn Spanish at an international school?

Most teach Spanish as a subject, but the level of fluency depends on the hours and on how much Spanish your child uses outside school. Clubs and local activities help a lot.

Do I need to be resident to enrol?

Private schools set their own requirements, but you will usually need passports and an address in Spain. Once you live here, see our guide to becoming resident in Spain.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not a recommendation of any particular school. Curricula, fees and admission rules change – always check directly with each school before you decide.