Istanbul · Ulus
MEF International School Istanbul teaches in English on one Ulus campus. Its pathway moves from the IB Primary Years Programme through Cambridge secondary courses to the IB Diploma. The published annual total already includes the placement payment; it must not be added twice.
MEF International School Istanbul is a co-educational day school at Ulus Mahallesi, Leylak Sokak No. 22 in Beşiktaş. It teaches in English from preschool through Grade 12.
Its curriculum is deliberately mixed: the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) in the primary years, Cambridge courses including IGCSE in secondary school, and the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) at the end. A family transferring between systems should ask for a grade-specific subject map, not rely on the general list of programme names.
The 2026/27 application form asks for valid foreign passports for the pupil, father and mother. It also asks for Turkish residence permits or diplomatic identification when available. New arrivals can provide residence-permit copies after obtaining them.
Do not use the document checklist as a substitute for an eligibility decision. Disclose every nationality, including Turkish dual nationality, and ask admissions to confirm eligibility before paying substantial charges.
A complete application includes:
The file is considered only after the application fee has been paid. The principal reviews the pupil’s academic, social and emotional development. The learning-support team is consulted where needs are disclosed.
Full and accurate disclosure matters. Discuss learning, medical and English-language support before admission, and ask whether the school has the staff and space required for the child.
The current admissions page states at least CEFR A2 English for Grades 9–12, while also expecting B1–B2 for Grades 10–12. It says decisions are case by case and that the leadership or English-language team may use a WIDA assessment. Ask how those overlapping statements apply to the intended grade.
A pupil must complete the preceding grade before progressing. Current reports are required for mid-year entry. The school has special placement rules for pupils arriving from southern-hemisphere calendars or after gaps in schooling. A family seeking the next grade may be offered a three-week trial placement, after which the principal makes the final decision.
Once admission is confirmed, the school requests the annual placement payment. It asks for up to two working days after payment before a child starts.
The current table is in US dollars and includes 10% VAT:
| Stage | Annual total including food |
|---|---|
| Preschool / Pre-Kindergarten | $23,610 |
| Kindergarten | $33,460 |
| Grades 1–5 | $41,600 |
| Grades 6–7 | $42,915 |
| Grade 8 | $43,150 |
| Grades 9–11 | $45,000 |
| Grade 12 | $46,120 |
| IB Year 1 | $45,165 |
| IB Year 2 | $46,265 |
Preschool and Pre-K half-day pupils receive 20% off the full-day programme fee.
The placement payment is part of the annual total above. It is the first instalment, not an extra amount to add to the table. Depending on stage, it ranges from $4,500 to $8,000. The remaining annual balance is split into five instalments.
Two genuinely additional one-off charges apply to new pupils:
The policy includes cooked lunch, two snacks, use of textbooks, a yearbook and one physical-education uniform. Teacher-led school clubs are included. It also covers specified Cambridge Checkpoint subjects, up to eight IGCSE examinations, and one sitting of the final IB examinations.
Extras include school transport, personal devices and stationery, external-provider clubs, standardised tests such as SAT or IELTS, examination changes or re-marks, and overnight or out-of-city trips. Grades 4–8 must bring a suitable iPad. Older pupils are strongly encouraged to have access to a laptop.
Withdrawal triggers a deduction equal to 10% of the full annual school fee. Before school starts, the balance is refunded. After starting, the same deduction applies and the remainder is prorated to the withdrawal date. Ask for a calculation before giving notice.
Confirm nationality eligibility, English placement and learning support first. Then budget from the annual total and add only true extras. Adding the placement payment to that total a second time would materially overstate the cost.
See the Istanbul guide and Turkey guide for context.
Official pages and documents we read. If a figure matters to your budget or your application, open the link and confirm it is still current.
Friendly orientation, not an application. Dates, fees, and programme details move. Confirm everything with the school.
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Start with the child’s eligibility and the qualification you want to preserve. Then check the campus for the actual year group. Istanbul’s English-medium international schools, French lycée, German school and Italian liceo have different admissions rules; they are not interchangeable options for every passport.
7 minStart with the qualification your child would actually receive. Then check its subjects, language demands, and recognition in the countries where they may study next.
7 minStart with your child and the family's likely plans. Define the non-negotiables, verify the school's claims, compare three realistic options and visit with specific questions.
7 minTuition is only one line of the budget. Separate charges from advance payments, record what each figure includes, and ask the school to confirm your calculation in writing.