International Schools in Mauritius: A Guide for Expat Families (2026)
This guide focuses on international and private schools for expat families. For an overview of the full Mauritius education system, including state schools, private denominational schools and universities, see the education system overview.
Schools. For families, this is the decision that shapes everything else – where you live, what you spend, and whether the move actually works long term. Mauritius has a solid range of international schools covering English and French curricula from nursery through to A-levels and the IB. But demand is high, places fill up quickly and fees are not trivial. Start looking early. Earlier than you think you need to.
The system at a glance
Mauritius has two distinct education tracks: the local Mauritian system (French-influenced, free in state schools) and the international/private sector. Most expat families choose the private international route for language reasons – English-medium instruction is rare in state schools – and for the curriculum continuity it provides if the family moves again.
The island has approximately 20 international and private schools, concentrated on the north coast (Grand-Baie area), the central plateau (Moka, Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes) and, increasingly, the west coast (Tamarin/Flic en Flac area).
Main schools
Northfields International School
If there is a default choice for English-speaking expat families in Mauritius, this is it. Northfields is the island’s largest and most established international school, running from nursery (18 months) all the way through to A-level equivalent at its Pamplemousses campus in the north. British curriculum with IB and Montessori options. Strong sporting and extracurricular programme.
Fees for 2025/2026 range from Rs161,700 to Rs608,300 per year (~£2,700 to £10,100) depending on year group – the jump at secondary level is steep. Waiting lists for some year groups, particularly Years 1-3 and Year 7. Apply early.
Westcoast International Secondary School
Rs294,000 to Rs356,400 per year (~£4,900 to £5,940). That puts it in the mid-range for English-medium schools here, and it is the only secondary option on the west coast. Based in Rivière Noire as part of the Uniciti Education Hub, covering ages 11 to 18 on a British/IB curriculum. Newer than Northfields but well-resourced. If your family is settling around Tamarin, Flic en Flac or Rivière Noire, this avoids a daily cross-island commute for your teenager.
École du Nord
French-speaking families in the north gravitate here, and for good reason. École du Nord in Grand-Baie follows the French national curriculum (Éducation Nationale), takes children from age 3 to 15, and feeds into Lycée Labourdonnais for the senior years. It is highly regarded within the large French expat community on the north coast.
It is also noticeably cheaper than the English-medium schools: Rs151,610 to Rs196,173 per year (~£2,530 to £3,270). For a family with two or three children, that difference adds up fast.
Lycée La Bourdonnais
The school French families ask about first. Lycée La Bourdonnais in Moka is affiliated with AEFE (Agence pour l’Enseignement Français à l’Étranger) and carries the strongest academic reputation of any French-language school on the island. Ages 11 to 18, leading to the French Baccalauréat. Fees are significant but still lower than comparable European independent schools. If your family might return to France or move to another French-system school globally, this is the path that keeps those doors open.
École du Centre – Collège Pierre Poivre
Worth knowing about if you are based on the central plateau and want a French-language option without the commute north. Located in Moka near the mountains, taking ages 3 to 15. Close to Bagatelle Mall and the growing Moka business district. A smaller, quieter alternative to the bigger-name French schools.
Other options
- Riverside School: British curriculum, primary and secondary, Moka area
- Réduit International School: English medium, primary focus
- Le Bocage International School: secondary, Moka
- Judy Montessori Primary School: English/French bilingual, south of the island, ages 3-11
Fees: what to budget
Annual tuition for 2025/2026 by curriculum and age group:
| School type | Early years (3-6) | Primary (7-11) | Secondary (12-18) |
|---|---|---|---|
| British/IB (Northfields) | Rs161,700-220,000 | Rs280,000-380,000 | Rs450,000-608,300 |
| British/IB (Westcoast, secondary only) | n/a | n/a | Rs294,000-356,400 |
| French curriculum | Rs100,000-165,000 | Rs150,000-196,000 | Rs180,000-280,000 |
Sterling equivalents at approximately Rs60/£1. Fees above are annual tuition only. Additional costs typically include:
- Registration/enrolment fee: Rs10,000-30,000 (one-time)
- School bus: Rs18,000-40,000/year depending on route
- Uniform: Rs5,000-15,000
- Extracurricular activities, trips, meals: variable
For a family with two school-age children at an English-medium school, budget Rs700,000 to Rs1,200,000 per year (~£11,700 to £20,000) in tuition alone. This is a significant line in the household budget and worth building into your overall cost-of-living calculation before committing to Mauritius.
Choosing by location
School location should be a major factor in where you choose to live. Long daily commutes for children are draining and logistically complex. The rough geography:
- North coast families: Northfields (British/IB) or École du Nord (French)
- West coast families: Westcoast International Secondary (11+), Northfields with bus from Tamarin for younger children
- Central plateau families: Lycée La Bourdonnais or École du Centre (French), Riverside School or Le Bocage (English)
- East coast / south: fewer options – families often accept longer commutes or boarding terms
Admission and waiting lists
The most important practical point: apply early, especially for the popular English-medium schools. Northfields and Westcoast frequently have waiting lists for key year groups, particularly Years 1-3 and Year 7 entry. Contact schools at least one academic year in advance if you can. For families relocating mid-year, email directly to ask about availability rather than assuming the published information is current.
Documents typically required: birth certificate, previous school reports, immunisation records and a copy of your residence permit or visa.
The local state school option
Mauritius state schools are free and generally well-organised by sub-Saharan African standards. The curriculum is English/French bilingual, with French dominant in many subjects. For families with French-speaking children and a long-term commitment to the island, local schools can work well – many children of mixed expat/Mauritian couples attend state schools successfully. The main constraints are the language barrier for English-only children and the heavy exam focus of the local system, which can be a difficult transition from British or international curricula.
For the full picture of what Mauritius costs as a family, see our cost of living guide, which includes education as a budget line item.
