4 international schools in Asia offering rigorous scholarships

As a parent, you probably care about the teachers your child will have and the subjects they’ll explore. And you probably care about this deeply.

But what about the peers they’ll be learning alongside? Will they challenge your child, collaborate with them, or inspire them to try something new? Research suggests those classmates matter significantly. In 1966, the Coleman Report, one of the largest education studies ever conducted by the US government, found that who students go to school with can have a bigger impact on their achievement than many school resources. UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report in 2024 continues to affirm that finding. Peers still influence grades, future education choices, and social and emotional development.

The right classmates can and will make a difference. Great schools have long known this, curating communities where students encourage one another to do more and be more. And one of the best ways to do this is through scholarships. They bring together promising academics, athletes, artists, musicians, and performers under one roof – raising the bar and inspiring one another to reach further.

Tanglin Trust School

For a school with a century of history, looking to the future means knowing what is worth carrying forward – and what needs to evolve. At Tanglin Trust School, a century of heritage provides a strong foundation for innovation, shaping an education that is rooted in experience but designed for an increasingly complex world. Tanglin understand that the Arts are central to this: they give young people space to observe closely, think critically, find their voice, and develop the confidence and resilience to adapt.

“Truly great education should be transformative,” explains Dr. Richard Malpass, Principal of Secondary School. “It should reveal fascinations and exciting challenges in order to unfold possibilities, both intellectual and experiential, which can transform a child’s sense of self, and their sense of the opportunities around them.”

This future-focused approach is reflected in the Tanglin Centenary Music Scholarship. Celebrating a century of education by creating opportunity to the next generation, the scholarship looks beyond musical ability, recognising the determination, talent, and character that students bring as they develop their potential, confidence, and creative voice.

Music Scholars benefit from a comprehensive programme designed to extend their musical experience and develop their skills – the scope of scholarship is impressive and includes workshops and seminars, masterclasses with visiting musicians and specialists, solo performance opportunities, ensemble and orchestral performance, and a myriad of opportunities to perform at events and across the Tanglin community. “I’m very grateful to have been given the opportunity to be a Centenary Music Scholar,” shares Finn C, who was also the Musician of the Year 2026 winner. “I’ve been fortunate to perform in numerous concerts, with repertoire ranging from Slipknot to Mendelssohn.

The scholarship is open to new joiners and students in Years 7 to 13. Successful applicants may receive a 5% to 10% fee remission and/or free instrumental tuition for up to two instruments, with support continuing throughout their time at Tanglin if they continue to meet expectations. In return, Music Scholars are expected to make their mark on Tanglin’s musical life. They should have an appetite for improvement as well as a willingness to perform regularly and inspire those around them. “The scholarship has allowed me to grow as a musician and collaborate with other talented individuals. I’m excited by the prospect of learning and achieving more in my music,” shares Music Scholar Isabella E.

British International School, Phuket’s scholarships enable the best to access the best. Source: British International School, Phuket

British International School, Phuket (BISP)

Doing well at school is important. But so is having the space for your child to figure out what they’re good at. That’s the balance BISP wants its students to find. Understanding that finances can sometimes stand in the way of those opportunities, BISP’s academic scholarships aim to help bridge that gap.

One example is the Dr. Arthit Academic Scholarship, open to promising future leaders entering Year 10 or Year 12, as well as those with exceptional talent in Innovation, Robotics, and Entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, the top-performing IGCSE student each year receives the Orange Riband (full tuition fees for one academic year or 50% for the two-year IB Programme) and Blue Riband (50% reduction in tuition fees for one academic year) scholarships.

Academic ability, however, is just one kind of excellence BISP looks for. Its scholarships extend to talented athletes in football, swimming, tennis, golf, and aerial arts. For young artists, the BISP Art Department offers partial scholarships (which may also include boarding). Applicants should have a genuine passion for art, with plans to continue studying it at university after completing the IB Visual Arts Course.

Marlborough College Malaysia’s scholarship assessment process is deliberately rigorous and aims to allow pupils to demonstrate exactly what they are able to offer to the College. Source: Marlborough College Malaysia

Marlborough College Malaysia

Guided by compassion, companionship, and conversation, Marlborough College Malaysia (MCM) creates an environment where every student can develop their talents. Its scholarships take that support a step further. Medawar Scholars get a place on the honours board, access to an enrichment programme, and receive RM500 (US$122.50 at the time of writing) in credit to spend on books, workshops, or other activities that stretch their learning beyond the classroom. For older students, there’s the Sixth Form Academic Scholarship that offers up to a 100% fee reduction.

MCM’s support for talent doesn’t stop at academics. Art Scholars, for example, can explore Art History, experiment with ceramics and digital media, and even lead art competitions. Drama Scholars benefit from theatre trips and workshops with professional practitioners, while Music Scholars get regular performance opportunities and complimentary tuition in an instrument of their choice or vocal studies.

Sports Scholars receive expert coaching, fitness testing, personalised mentoring, and technical, physiological, and psychological support. In return, scholars are expected to share their passion, represent their chosen field, and inspire others to get involved.

Scholarship winners at the European International School Ho Chi Minh City can receive up to a 100% reduction in all tuition fees. Source: European International School Ho Chi Minh City (EIS)

European International School Ho Chi Minh City (EIS)

EIS is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School — and one of just five schools in Vietnam to offer the full IB Continuum. Its goal is to give your child an education that prepares them to succeed in school and beyond. The school has been awarding EIS Merit Scholarships since 2015 — tuition fee discounts start from 15% and may continue from enrolment until graduation. A limited number of scholarships provide full tuition coverage, although field trips, examination fees, and other direct expenses are excluded. And once they’re at EIS, scholarship recipients are expected to get involved in Model United Nations, fundraisers, tutoring, and more. The expectation is that scholars use their abilities to benefit the people around them.

There’s another route to a fully funded education at EIS. As part of the Inspired Education Group, the school is connected to the Nsouli Scholars Programme, which gives 50 students full scholarships to study at an Inspired school. Once there, they can make the most of the school’s opportunities in academics, sport, and the arts.

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