NIST International School Bangkok
NIST International School Bangkok is a non-profit IB World School providing the International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP, MYP, Diploma Programme) to the international and Thai expatriate community in Bangkok. Founded in 1992 and governed by a parent-community board, NIST is one of the leading IB-only international schools in Southeast Asia. The school has expanded its campus on Sukhumvit Soi 15 and maintains strong university placement results internationally. NIST competes with Harrow, Shrewsbury, Bangkok Patana, and Ruamrudee International for the Bangkok international-school market. Relevant to international education, expatriate services, and the premium international-school real-estate catchment.
Snapshot
Headline numbers a buyer checks first.
Founded
1992
1992
Enrolment
~1,700 students
2024
Curriculum
IB (PYP, MYP, DP)
2024
Annual tuition (Diploma)
THB 800,000–950,000
2024-25
Profile overview
NIST International School Bangkok is a non-profit IB World School providing the International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP, MYP, Diploma Programme) to the international and Thai expatriate community in Bangkok. Founded in 1992 and governed by a parent-community board, NIST is one of the leading IB-only international schools in Southeast Asia. The school has expanded its campus on Sukhumvit Soi 15 and maintains strong university placement results internationally. NIST competes with Harrow, Shrewsbury, Bangkok Patana, and Ruamrudee International for the Bangkok international-school market. Relevant to international education, expatriate services, and the premium international-school real-estate catchment.
School profile
IB continuum
PYP, MYP, and Diploma Programme at Sukhumvit Soi 15
NIST International School Bangkok offers the full International Baccalaureate continuum — Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP) — at its Sukhumvit Soi 15 campus. The full IB-only model differentiates from schools offering mixed curricula alongside national programmes.
Non-profit governance
Community board and parent-governance model
NIST operates as a non-profit foundation governed by a parent-community board, distinguishing it from for-profit international school operators such as Harrow Bangkok and VERSO International. Non-profit governance means surpluses are reinvested into campus facilities, teacher compensation, and bursary programmes rather than returned to investors.
Enrolment
1,700-plus students, 65-plus nationalities
NIST enrols approximately 1,700-plus students from over 65 nationalities, serving the international diplomatic, UN-system, expat corporate, and Thai premium-family communities in Bangkok. The school operates near full capacity with a waiting list for popular grade levels, reflecting strong brand positioning among international-school buyers.
Fees
Annual fees in the THB 500,000-900,000 range
Annual tuition fees at NIST range from approximately $14,493for PYP to $26,087for the IB Diploma Programme (2024-2025 academic year). Fee levels are competitive with Bangkok Patana and NIST's other non-profit peers, lower than top-tier for-profit schools like Harrow ($26,087-1,200,000).
Bangkok IB international school comparison
Major IB-curriculum international schools in Bangkok, approximate 2024-2025
Governance
Non-profit foundation
Curriculum
Full IB (PYP, MYP, DP)
Annual fee range
$14,493-900K
Governance
Non-profit foundation
Curriculum
British (IB DP option)
Annual fee range
$14,493-900K
Governance
For-profit (Inspired Education)
Curriculum
British A-Level (IB option)
Annual fee range
$26,087-1.2M
Shrewsbury International School
Governance
For-profit
Curriculum
British IGCSE, A-Level
Annual fee range
$23,188-1.1M
| School | Governance | Curriculum | Annual fee range |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIST International School | Non-profit foundation | Full IB (PYP, MYP, DP) | $14,493-900K |
| Bangkok Patana School | Non-profit foundation | British (IB DP option) | $14,493-900K |
| Harrow Bangkok | For-profit (Inspired Education) | British A-Level (IB option) | $26,087-1.2M |
| Shrewsbury International School | For-profit | British IGCSE, A-Level | $23,188-1.1M |
Key drivers 2025-2026
Expat demand
International corporate relocations to Bangkok
Bangkok's international-school market is driven by corporate expat relocation, UN and diplomat community, and affluent Thai families seeking international curricula. Tech-company regional HQ relocations to Bangkok, driven by LTR visa and BOI incentives, are expanding the expat community and driving school-demand growth.
IB positioning
IB Diploma university-placement outcomes
NIST's IB Diploma university-placement record to top universities in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia is its primary marketing differentiator. As Thai families increasingly seek overseas university places, the IB-qualified advantage in US/UK university applications drives demand from Thai-national families for IB-curriculum schools.
Capacity
Campus expansion and waiting-list management
NIST's near-full enrolment and waiting list create both revenue stability and a strategic decision point on campus-capacity expansion. Sukhumvit Soi 15 campus land constraints limit on-site expansion; alternative campus facilities or secondary campus models are long-term strategic considerations.
Where this profile is featured
Reports that reference this entity in their operator concentration or analysis.
Featured in
International-School Curriculum Tiers: IB Continuum, A-Level/IGCSE,...
IB Continuum tier; major Bangkok IB programme.
Featured in
Thai International School Market: Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya Foreign-...
IB Continuum tier; major Bangkok IB programme.
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Competitor
Ruamrudee International School (RIS)
Competes in Bangkok international-school market for expatriate and Thai premium families.
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Sector peer
Assumption University (ABAC)
Thailand's largest private university; Catholic Brothers of St. Gabriel foundation; business, liberal-arts, IT.
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Sector peer
Bangkok Modern International School
Mid-tier international school in Bangkok offering the International Baccalaureate or Cambridge curriculum to expatriate and Thai bilingual families.
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Sector peer
Bangkok Patana School
Largest Thai international school by enrolment (~2200 students); non-profit foundation; British, IB curriculum.
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IB Continuum tier; major Bangkok IB programme.
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IB Continuum tier; major Bangkok IB programme.
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