Dulwich College Seoul
Seocho-gu, Seoul
Curriculum
British / IGCSE / IB Diploma
Grades
Nursery to Year 13 (ages 3-18)
Annual Tuition
~38-48M KRW/year
Enrollment
~700 students, 40+ nationalities
Korean Student Admission
As a 외국인학교, Korean nationals must have lived abroad for 3+ years to qualify. Korean students are capped at 30% of total enrollment. Most students are expat children from diplomatic, corporate, and international families.
Overview
Dulwich College Seoul is part of the Dulwich College International network, which traces its roots to the original Dulwich College founded in London in 1619. The Seoul campus opened in 2010 in Seocho-gu and has built a strong reputation as one of the most genuinely international schools in Korea. With around 700 students from 40+ nationalities, it feels noticeably less Korean-dominated than some other schools in the city. The student body skews heavily expat, which creates a truly multicultural environment but also means higher turnover as families rotate in and out of Korea on corporate assignments. The school follows the British National Curriculum through Year 9, transitions to IGCSE in Years 10-11, and offers the IB Diploma Programme in Years 12-13. This combination gives students strong academic foundations with the globally recognized IB qualification for university applications.
What parents like
- +Genuinely diverse student body (40+ nationalities, not dominated by one group)
- +Strong British academic tradition with IB Diploma for university preparation
- +Part of a global school network (London, Shanghai, Singapore, Beijing) with transfer pathways
- +Excellent track record for UK university placements (Oxford, Cambridge, Russell Group)
- +Relatively small school size means teachers know students individually
- +Central Seoul location in Seocho-gu, accessible from most expat neighborhoods
Things to consider
- -Higher turnover rate since most families are on 2-3 year corporate postings
- -Smaller school means fewer extracurricular options compared to larger campuses like SIS or Chadwick
- -Tuition is at the higher end for Seoul foreign schools
- -The campus is compact compared to suburban schools like SIS or Chadwick with larger campuses
- -Limited availability for mid-year admissions in popular year groups
- -Not the best fit if you plan to enter the Korean university system (외국인학교 graduates receive no Korean diploma)
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Academics
The academic structure follows the British model through Year 9 with a broad curriculum, narrows to IGCSE subject choices in Years 10-11, and culminates in the IB Diploma in Years 12-13. The school consistently produces strong IB results, with graduates placing into top UK universities including Oxbridge as well as competitive US and European programs. Class sizes are relatively small, typically 18-22 students, which allows for more individualized attention. The school has invested in STEAM facilities and performing arts programs. Students benefit from Dulwich College International's shared resources, including inter-school competitions, exchange programs, and professional development networks across the DCI family.
Admissions
Admissions are rolling but competitive, especially for entry years (Nursery, Year 1, Year 7, Year 12). The application process includes a review of school records, a student interview or assessment day, and references from the current school. Families should apply as early as possible since popular year groups often have waitlists. The initial registration fee is included in the first year tuition of approximately 48.1M KRW. Recurring annual tuition for subsequent years is in the 38-45M KRW range depending on year group. There is no entrance exam per se, but the school assesses English language proficiency and academic readiness.
Campus and Facilities
The Seocho campus is well-maintained with modern facilities including science labs, art studios, a performing arts theater, a library, indoor sports facilities, and outdoor play areas. However, the campus footprint is smaller than suburban schools. Families coming from schools with extensive outdoor sports fields (like SIS or Chadwick) may notice the space constraints. The school compensates with partnerships at nearby sports facilities for activities like swimming and athletics.
Community and Culture
The parent community is international and engaged. The school runs regular social events, cultural celebrations, and parent information sessions. Because the student body is genuinely multinational, the social dynamics tend to be more inclusive than schools where one nationality dominates. The PTA is active. One thing to be aware of: the high turnover rate means your child's friend group will shift as families move in and out. This is normal for international schools but can be harder for younger children.
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