In Mauritius, school is chosen early.
Between the accredited French track, Cambridge programs and IB pathways, the systems, fees for 2026-2027 and the registration procedure can vary significantly depending on the institution and the child's level.preprod.aefe.fr)
This guide helps you understand the major options, anticipate the actual budget and prepare a solid case without wasting time.
Understanding major international school systems in Mauritius
The French AEFE-accredited program
The accredited French curriculum is based on the programs of the French Ministry of National Education; the AEFE coordinates this network of accredited international schools. In Mauritius, École du Nord indicates that it is part of the AEFE network and specifies that the local network comprises five French schools; Lycée La Bourdonnais also has accredited status.preprod.aefe.fr)
For a family considering a return to France, this is often the smoothest path from an educational standpoint; this is a practical inference based on the continuity of curricula, exams, and levels.ecoledunord.net)
The Cambridge model
The Cambridge IGCSE is a common reference in English-speaking schools. Cambridge International describes it as the most popular international qualification for 14–16 year olds, with over 70 subjects and end-of-course assessments; Northfields specifies that it offers Cambridge Assessment International Education in its secondary schools.cambridgeinternational.org)
The IB route
The IB emphasizes learning focused on developing well-rounded and independent learners, and Northfields indicates that it offers the IB at the high school level. For highly mobile families, this type of curriculum is often sought after for its international recognition.cambridgeinternational.org)
Bilingual or hybrid schools
Some schools fall somewhere between the two worlds. Saint Exupéry states that it follows the French national education curriculum with an English component to facilitate access to a French or English secondary school; École du Nord offers a multilingual curriculum with an international section and enhanced English.en.seis.mu)
“Best of Both Worlds”: that's how École du Nord sums up its approach.ecoledunord.net)
How much does an international school cost in Mauritius?
The actual budget is never limited to the monthly tuition. Depending on the school, you must add application fees, initial registration or inception fees, refundable deposits, tuition, textbooks, supplies, activities, exams, transportation, and meals; some schools bill in 11 monthly installments, others offer a discount for annual payments, and still others already include insurance or supplies in the tuition.northfields.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com)
Examples of fees published for 2026-2027
The amounts below are those published by the institutions for 2026-2027; they may change depending on nationality, level and additional services.
| Establishment | System | Examples of published fees | Key points to remember |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northfields International School | Cambridge + IB |
Year 1: Rs 211,200 (Mauritian) or Rs 311,300 (expatriate). Year 7–11: Rs 337,700 or Rs 605,000. Year 12–13: Rs 398,200 or Rs 656,700. |
Application fees, inception fees, deposit fees, resources and other items are added; the school also applies separate costs for certain materials and exams. |
| La Bourdonnais High School | French program accredited by AEFE |
Pre-elementary: Rs 43,000 or Rs 70,000. Elementary: Rs 43,000 or Rs 70,000. College: Rs 45,000 or Rs 70,000. High school: Rs 45,000 or Rs 70,000. International section: Rs 35,000. (secondary.llbinternationalschool.mu) |
The initial registration fees are non-refundable; the institution also publishes fees for cultural and sporting activities.secondary.llbinternationalschool.mu) |
| Northern School | AEFE French program with bilingual section |
Kindergarten: Rs 162,250 (Mauritian) or Rs 200,800 (other nationalities). Primary: Rs 191,175 or Rs 224,600. College: Rs 213,850 or Rs 224,600. International section college: Rs 251,650 or Rs 262,450.ecoledunord.net) |
The institution also publishes a deposit fund of Rs 6,200, an annual insurance of Rs 500, teaching materials and school supplies. |
| Saint Exupéry International School | French program with an English component |
Initial registration fee: Rs 40,000. Annual tuition: Rs 222,000. Refundable deposit: Rs 37,000.en.seis.mu) |
Tuition includes insurance and necessary school supplies, including books. |
For a first year, the example published at Northfields reaches approximately Rs 325,300 for a Mauritian Year 1 and Rs 461,600 for an expatriate, while at Saint Exupéry the starting total comes to approximately Rs 299,000 including deposit, before transport and extras.
At École du Nord, the additional costs published for kindergarten bring the visible envelope to approximately Rs 177,700 for a Mauritian pupil and Rs 216,250 for another nationality, excluding any specific entry fees.
How does the registration process work at an international school in Mauritius?
The most sought-after schools often operate in advance. École du Nord encourages students to start the process early for 2026-2027 and reports waiting lists at several levels; Northfields indicates that a complete application then triggers an entrance test, and Saint Exupéry requires the return of a signed admission form.
- Choose two or three schools based on language, program and total budget, then check open levels and any waiting lists.
- Complete the online application form or download the form requested by the school, depending on its process.northfieldsinternational.school)
- Prepare the complete application before the exchange with the admissions team, as some schools only schedule the evaluation after receiving the documents.
- Administer the tests or interview if necessary; at Northfields, the assessment covers English, mathematics and French, and at École du Nord students coming from a system other than French may have to take placement tests.
- Wait for the decision, then pay the required fees to confirm the place; several schools specify that the initial fees are non-refundable.
- If you are arriving from abroad, check the residency status required by the school, as some differences in pricing or admission apply depending on this criterion.
The documents most often to prepare
- The child's birth certificate, copies of passports and two passport photos, as requested in the Saint Exupéry file.
- The vaccination record, a certificate of withdrawal or change of school, as well as proof of residence or work/residence permit when required by the school.
- School reports and educational monitoring documents, especially if the child changes systems or if the admissions team needs to verify their level.
If you are transferring from another system, also keep in mind that some schools add placement tests or medical documents when language or educational support is being considered. Northfields, for example, specifies that a SEN/EAL file may lead to an interview and a request for recent clinical documents.
“Applications must be complete and the corresponding fees paid to secure a place in our institution.”
How to quickly compare options without making a mistake?
To make a useful selection, first compare the educational program, and only then the prestige or reputation. A good school for a family aiming to return to France will not necessarily be the best for transferring to an English-speaking high school, and the budget difference can be significant once all the costs are added up.
- Check the dominant language of instruction and the level of language support offered, such as Frangipane at École du Nord or EAL/SEN at Northfields.
- Look at the final certification being sought, whether it is the French brevet and baccalaureate, the Cambridge IGCSE or the IB.
- Calculate the full cost, not just the annual tuition, including application fees, deposit, meals, transportation, exams and activities.
- Measure the level of selectivity and the waiting times, as some classes have waiting lists well before the start of the academic year.
- Assess the child's needs, including whether specific support, extracurricular activities, or a transition to another system are required.ecoledunord.net)
To also frame the installation budget and the family procedures surrounding schooling, the practical guides for expatriation to Mauritius constitute a good starting point.
FAQs about international schools in Mauritius
What are the best international schools in Mauritius according to the program and total cost?
There is no single “best” universal school. If your priority is continuity in French, the AEFE network, with its Lycée La Bourdonnais or École du Nord, is often the most suitable. If you are aiming for Cambridge or the IB, Northfields is a good example of a combined school. For a bridge between the two worlds, Saint Exupéry is an interesting option. Regarding budget, the initial estimates range from approximately Rs 299,000 at Saint Exupéry to over Rs 325,300 for a Mauritian Year 1 student at Northfields.
How does the registration process work and what documents do I need to prepare?
Most often, you first fill out a form, then submit a complete application before the tests or interview. Northfields specifies that the assessment follows receipt of the complete application and covers English, mathematics, and French; École du Nord also requires placement tests for students transferring from another system. The documents requested often include birth certificates, passports, photos, vaccination records, and transfer or previous schooling certificates.
What are the typical registration fees and annual school fees by level?
The differences are significant. Within the French network, LLB lists annual fees ranging from Rs 43,000 to Rs 70,000 depending on the grade level, while École du Nord publishes figures from Rs 162,250 to Rs 262,450 depending on the cycle and nationality. In private schools more aligned with the Cambridge/IB system, the fees rise rapidly: Northfields, for example, publishes fees ranging from Rs 211,200 to Rs 656,700 depending on the grade level and status, and Saint Exupéry announces annual tuition fees of Rs 222,000 with separate entrance fees.
What is the difference between a French school accredited by AEFE and a private international school?
An AEFE-accredited school follows the French curriculum and generally prepares students for well-established stages of the French system, facilitating continuity of studies. A private international school, on the other hand, may follow Cambridge, the IB, or a hybrid model, with a more Anglophone approach and sometimes greater flexibility. In practice, this impacts language proficiency, future mobility, and budget, as fees and entry requirements often differ significantly. This interpretation is a practical inference based on the curricula published by the institutions.
How to quickly compare international school options in Mauritius?
Create a simple table with five columns: language of instruction, final program, actual first-year fees, application deadlines, and your child's specific needs. Include transportation, meals, and activities, as these often significantly impact the budget. Then, rank the schools according to your plan: returning to France, studying in the UK, or a bilingual environment. This approach avoids making a decision based solely on annual tuition fees.
And now ?
If your project also includes visa, housing or family settlement, start with the EXPAT MAURITIUS homepage, browse the practical guides to prepare for the next steps, and, if you prefer to read in English, consult the English version of the site. The best approach for a smooth expatriation is to compare schools, waiting times and overall budget early on before submitting the application.
