Beijing Dulwich International School

Campus and Facilities

Dulwich College Beijing operates across two campuses in Beijing, reflecting the school's growth and its commitment to providing outstanding learning environments.

Legend Garden Campus (Main Campus)

The main campus is located at 89 Capital Airport Road, Legend Garden Estate, Shunyi District, Beijing (101300). This is the primary campus, serving students from Early Years through Year 13 (ages 3–18).

The campus is expansive, estimated at approximately 115,000 m², and includes:

Sports Facilities

• Two air-dome sports halls (allowing year-round indoor sport)
• A multi-purpose sports ground
• Fitness centre
• Football, rugby, and cricket pitches
• Six tennis courts (including an indoor court)
• A standard 25-metre swimming pool
• An ice-skating rink

Performing Arts

• The Wodehouse Theatre (602-seat main auditorium)
• A 300-seat secondary theatre
• Two black-box theatre studios
• Spacious music teaching rooms and practice studios
• A professional broadcast recording studio

Academic Facilities

• Ten fully equipped science laboratories
• Four modern arts, crafts, and technology maker-spaces
• Two large information technology computer labs
• Two libraries holding a combined collection of approximately 70,000 volumes

Beijing Riviera Campus ('Little Riv')

The second campus, located at 1 Xiangjiang North Road, Jingshun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing (100103), is dedicated to early childhood education for children aged 1–6 years. Nicknamed 'Little Riv', it offers a more intimate, community-focused environment with outdoor play areas and age-appropriate learning spaces.

Transport and Location

The main campus is approximately 30 minutes by car from Beijing Capital International Airport. There is no direct metro connection, but the school operates a shuttle service for students. Families residing in the Shunyi and Riviera communities are well-served by the school's location within the expat residential corridor north-east of central Beijing.

Admissions at Dulwich College Beijing

Dulwich College Beijing operates as an international school for foreign nationals (外籍子女学校) in China. This has significant implications for who can apply.

Eligibility

The school accepts:

• Foreign passport holders of any nationality
• Overseas Chinese nationals (e.g. holders of Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan documents, or mainland Chinese passport holders with documented overseas residency)

Mainland Chinese citizens without overseas residency are generally not eligible to enrol under Chinese regulations governing international schools. Families are advised to confirm eligibility with the admissions team before applying.

Selectivity and Assessment

DCB is considered a highly selective school. The admissions process typically includes:

• Academic assessment: Tests in mathematics, verbal reasoning, and written English
• Student interview: Conducted in English to assess language proficiency and personal fit
• Prior school records: Previous report cards and academic transcripts are reviewed
• Parent consultation: The school may consult with parents to understand any learning support needs

English proficiency is central to the process — instruction is entirely in English at a native speaker level, and all IGCSE and IB examinations are sat as first-language English candidates.

Waiting Lists

Demand for places is high, particularly in popular year groups. When a year group reaches capacity, the school maintains a waiting list and contacts families when places become available.

Application Fees

• Application fee: RMB 2,500 (non-refundable, paid at time of application)
• Enrolment deposit: RMB 18,000 (conditionally refundable on departure)

Sibling Discount

Families with three or more children enrolled simultaneously receive a 5% tuition discount for the third and subsequent children.

Learning Support

The school can accommodate a limited number of students with special educational needs, subject to the school's capacity to provide appropriate support. Families with children requiring additional support are encouraged to discuss this with the admissions team during the application process.

Community Life at Dulwich College Beijing

Dulwich College Beijing is home to a genuinely international community, drawing students from over 30 nationalities across its two campuses. The student body predominantly comprises children of expatriate families, diplomats, and international business professionals based in Beijing.

The House System

A cornerstone of community life at DCB is its five-house system, modelled on the British independent school tradition. The five houses are:

• Alleyn — named after Edward Alleyn, founder of Dulwich College London
• Johnson — honouring a notable figure in Dulwich's history
• Owens — celebrating community and achievement
• Soong — a nod to the school's Chinese context
• Wodehouse — named after the famous alumnus of Dulwich College London, P.G. Wodehouse

Each house has its own colours (Black, Red, White among them) and competes across academic, sporting, artistic, and service activities throughout the year. The house system is deliberately designed to mix students across year groups and nationalities, fostering friendships and mentorship relationships that transcend age boundaries.

Co-Curricular Community

Beyond the houses, community is built through a rich co-curricular programme. Students participate in:

• Robotics clubs and Model United Nations
• Student journalism and film production
• Culinary arts and creative writing
• Jazz band, choir, and orchestral ensembles
• Orienteering, ballet, and competitive sports teams

This breadth ensures that every student — regardless of academic strengths or cultural background — can find a community within the school.

The Expat Context

DCB occupies a central role in the Shunyi expat community. Located within the Legend Garden residential estate, the school is embedded within one of Beijing's main international residential corridors. Many families live nearby, facilitating a strong parent community and active Parent Teacher Association.

The school's international character is reinforced by its connections to the broader Dulwich College International network, which operates schools across Asia and beyond, enabling student transfers and a shared educational culture across cities.

Academic Excellence at Dulwich College Beijing

Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) follows an enhanced British National Curriculum, designed specifically to meet the needs of its international student body. This progression takes students through a structured academic journey:

• Early Years and Primary: A British-aligned programme nurturing curiosity and foundational skills.
• Secondary (Years 7–11): Students study the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), widely regarded as one of the most rigorous pre-university qualifications.
• Sixth Form (Years 12–13): Students complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), assessed on the global 45-point scale.

IB Results

DCB's IB results consistently place it among the top international schools in China and globally:

• In the most recent published cycle, 75+ candidates sat the IB Diploma, achieving an average score of 37.5 out of 45 — well above the global average of approximately 30.
• Seven students achieved the maximum score of 45.
• The school's IB pass rate is effectively 99–100%, meaning almost every candidate who sits the diploma earns it.

All IGCSE and IB examinations are sat in English at native-speaker level, reflecting the high linguistic standard expected of all DCB students.

University Destinations

The school's academic programme is explicitly designed to open doors to the world's leading universities. Graduates from the Class of 2023 gained places at institutions including:

• Columbia University and UCLA (United States)
• Imperial College London and Cambridge University (United Kingdom)
• University of British Columbia (Canada)
• National University of Singapore
• Parsons School of Design and Berklee College of Music (United States)
• University of the Arts London

The school also has a track record of sending students to Oxbridge and Ivy League institutions, and virtually 100% of graduates proceed to university.

Co-Curricular Enrichment

Strong academic results are supported by a rich co-curricular programme. DCB offers activities ranging from Model United Nations and student journalism to robotics, film-making, culinary arts, and competitive sports. This breadth reinforces the school's commitment to developing the whole person, not just exam performance.

The 'Live Worldwise' Philosophy

At the heart of Dulwich College Beijing is a clear and compelling educational philosophy: Live Worldwise. This guiding ethos shapes every aspect of school life, from classroom teaching to co-curricular activities and pastoral care.

What 'Live Worldwise' Means

The school's official vision is:

"To nurture students to Live Worldwise — to become confident, compassionate, and future-ready global citizens who make a positive difference in the world."

This is not merely a marketing slogan; it reflects the school's commitment to developing students who are:

• Intellectually curious and academically rigorous
• Culturally aware and empathetic to diverse perspectives
• Morally grounded with strong character and integrity
• Aspirational and motivated to contribute positively to society

Holistic Development

DCB explicitly promotes holistic development, expressed through three pillars:

• LIVE with strength of character: Building resilience, integrity, and compassion.
• THINK with an open mind: Encouraging intellectual curiosity and critical thinking.
• THRIVE holistically: Nurturing physical, emotional, and social wellbeing alongside academic growth.

Heritage and Innovation

The school draws on the 400-year tradition of Dulwich College London (founded 1619), bringing that heritage of academic excellence and character formation to Beijing while adapting it for an international, multicultural community. The result is an environment that feels both rooted in tradition and genuinely forward-looking.

The Dulwich Difference

What distinguishes DCB from other international schools in Beijing is this consistent integration of values into daily school life. The five-house system (Alleyn, Johnson, Owens, Soong, Wodehouse), the emphasis on service, and the breadth of co-curricular opportunity all serve the same overarching goal: producing graduates who are ready — academically, personally, and globally — for the world beyond school.