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UCSI International School runs three campuses in Malaysia, and each follows its own curriculum. The Kuala Lumpur and Subang Jaya campuses teach the British-style Cambridge pathway, from Early Years to Cambridge IGCSE in Year 11. The Springhill campus is an IB World School offering the IB Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme. All three schools follow an academic year that starts in September.
This guide explains the grades, curricula and subjects at each UCSI International School campus for the 2026-2027 school year, based on the school’s official curriculum pages.
UCSI International School Campuses at a Glance
| Campus | Curriculum | Grades | Boarding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuala Lumpur (Cheras) | IEYC with Cambridge, Cambridge Primary with IPC, Cambridge Lower Secondary, Cambridge IGCSE | Early Years, Year 1-6, Year 7-11 | Yes |
| Subang Jaya (Selangor) | IEYC, Cambridge Primary with IPC, Cambridge Lower Secondary, Cambridge IGCSE | Early Years 1-2, Year 1-6, Year 7-11 | No |
| Springhill (Negeri Sembilan) | International Baccalaureate (PYP, MYP, DP) | Grade 1-5 (PYP), Grade 6 onwards (MYP), Grade 11-12 (DP) | Yes |
For tuition and other costs at each campus, see UCSI International School fees for 2026.
Kuala Lumpur Campus
Early Years Centre
The Early Years Centre by UCSI International School KL follows the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC), complemented by the Cambridge framework for English, Mathematics and Science. Children learn through play, exploration and hands-on projects, with a focus on the 5Cs of 21st-century learning: curiosity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity.
- Daily English lessons, with Malay twice a week and Mandarin three times a week.
- Swimming and ICT built into the weekly timetable.
- Small classes with a 1:8 teacher-to-child ratio.
- School hours: Monday to Friday, 7:45 am to 4:00 pm, with co-curricular activities on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
- An optional after-school programme runs from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Primary School (Year 1-6)
Primary students follow the Cambridge Primary Curriculum for English, Mathematics and Science, together with the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). The IPC is a thematic, creative curriculum with three kinds of learning goals:
- Subject goals: ICT, history, geography, music, physical education and art, covering knowledge, skills and understanding.
- International goals: every unit includes an international angle to build international-mindedness.
- Personal goals: enquiry, resilience, morality, communication, thoughtfulness, cooperation, respect and adaptability.
Stand-alone IT, Mandarin and Bahasa Malaysia classes are taught alongside Cambridge and the IPC. School hours are Monday to Friday, 7:45 am to 2:50 pm, with co-curricular activities from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Secondary School (Year 7-11)
Secondary school has two stages: Cambridge Lower Secondary (Year 7-9) and Cambridge IGCSE (Year 10-11).
Year 7-9 follows a broad curriculum of:
- English (first language) and Mandarin or Spanish (second language)
- Mathematics and Science
- ICT (coding and design)
- Humanities
- Art, Drama and Music
- Physical Education
- Bahasa Malaysia
Year 10-11 is the two-year Cambridge IGCSE exam course. Subject options include:
- English (first language) and Mandarin or Spanish (second language)
- International Mathematics and Additional Mathematics
- Coordinated Science (a double award), or Biology, Physics and Chemistry
- Computer Science and Information and Communication Technology
- History, Geography and Business Studies
- Art and Design, Drama, Music and Physical Education
School hours are Monday to Friday, 7:45 am to 3:20 pm, with co-curricular activities from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The academic year runs in three terms: September to December, January to March, and April to July.
English Immersion Programme (EIP)
The English Immersion Programme helps international students whose English is not yet strong enough for mainstream classes. Specialist English immersion teachers build speaking, reading, writing and listening skills, using language linked to the IPC and Cambridge subjects. The weekly timetable also includes PE, swimming, music, design technology and ICT, so students stay part of school life while they improve their English.
The EIP is open to upper primary students aged 8 to 10 and lower secondary students aged 11 to 14. It is a good option for families who are moving to Malaysia and want their children to study in Malaysia in an English-medium school.
Boarding at the KL Campus
UCSI International School Kuala Lumpur offers a boarding programme for students who live away from home. Boarding rooms, houseparents and daily routines are covered in our guide to UCSI International School facilities and boarding.
Subang Jaya Campus
Early Years (IEYC 1-2)
The Subang Jaya campus follows the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) for children aged 4 to 6. The IEYC units are written by early years specialists and introduce children to the learning process of the International Primary Curriculum, preparing them for Year 1. School hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 2:30 pm.
Primary Curriculum (Year 1-6)
Primary students follow the Cambridge Primary Curriculum for English, Mathematics and Science, together with the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), with the same subject, international and personal learning goals as at the KL campus.
The Subang Jaya campus has moved from a five-year to a six-year primary programme. Students who joined Early Years or Year 1-2 from the 2022/2023 school year onwards follow the six-year programme, so the full primary stage is now Year 1-6.
School hours are Monday to Friday, 7:45 am to 3:00 pm, with co-curricular activities from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Secondary Curriculum (Year 7-11)
Year 7-9 covers English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Physical Education, Music, Art, Drama, Mandarin, Malay Language and ICT.
In Year 10-11, students take the two-year Cambridge IGCSE course and sit at least seven IGCSE subjects, including two different languages:
| IGCSE group | Subjects |
|---|---|
| Group I: English | English, English as a Second Language |
| Group II: Mathematics | Extended Mathematics, Additional Mathematics |
| Group III: Sciences | Triple Science (Physics, Biology, Chemistry), Coordinated Science (double award) |
| Group IV: Business | Business Studies, Economics, Accounting |
| Group V: ICT | Information Technology, Computer Science |
| Group VI: Other languages | Mandarin (second or foreign language), Bahasa Melayu |
| Group VII: Electives | Global Perspectives, World Literature, Art and Design, Food and Nutrition, Drama, Physical Education, Design and Technology, Music |
School hours for both lower and upper secondary are Monday to Friday, 7:45 am to 3:30 pm, with co-curricular activities from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Springhill Campus (IB World School)
The Springhill campus is set on a 20-acre site in Bandar Springhill, Port Dickson (Negeri Sembilan), and follows the International Baccalaureate continuum. Class sizes are limited to 25 students, and boarding is available for students from Malaysia and abroad.
IB Primary Years Programme (Grade 1-5)
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) at Springhill is for students aged about 6 to 12. Admission starts at PYP1, usually at age 6, although children who are 5 and turning 6 may be considered depending on their readiness.
The PYP develops the whole child through inquiry. Learning is organised around six transdisciplinary themes: Who we are, Where we are in place and time, How we express ourselves, How the world works, How we organise ourselves, and Sharing the planet. These themes are explored through six subject areas:
- Language
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social studies
- Arts
- Personal, social and physical education (PSPE)
Students are encouraged to ask questions, make choices about their learning and take responsible action, building critical thinking, communication, collaboration and reflection skills.
IB Middle Years Programme (from Grade 6)
The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is designed for students aged 11 to 16 and starts at Grade 6. It is built around eight subject groups:
- Language and Literature: English
- Language Acquisition: a second language such as Mandarin, French or Malay
- Individuals and Societies: history, geography and economics
- Sciences: biology, chemistry and physics
- Mathematics
- Arts: visual arts, music and drama
- Physical and Health Education
- Design: technology and design
Students are assessed against the MYP criteria for each subject through projects, presentations and reflections as well as tests and exams. In their final MYP year, students complete a personal project on a topic of their choice.
School hours for the MYP are Monday to Thursday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (with co-curricular activities from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm), and Friday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
IB Diploma Programme (Grade 11-12)
The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is a two-year pre-university programme for students aged 16 to 19, recognised by leading universities around the world. Students choose one subject from each of groups 1 to 5 (their best language, an additional language, individuals and societies, sciences and mathematics), plus an arts subject from group 6 or a second subject from groups 1 to 5. Three or four subjects are taken at higher level and the rest at standard level.
Every DP student also completes the DP core:
- Extended Essay (EE): an independent research essay on a question related to one of their subjects.
- Theory of Knowledge (TOK): a critical thinking course on the nature of knowledge.
- Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): creative, physical and community service activities alongside academic study.
After UCSI International School: Pathways to University
Students who finish Cambridge IGCSE can continue to A-Levels, AUSMAT or a foundation programme, and IB students can apply directly to universities with the IB Diploma. Within the UCSI Group, UCSI College offers A-Level and AUSMAT programmes, and strong IGCSE results can qualify international students for a UCSI College Pre-U Scholarship; see our guide to UCSI scholarships for international students. Many students then progress to a degree at UCSI University or to universities abroad.
To compare UCSI with other schools, see our list of the best international schools in Malaysia.
FAQs
1. What curriculum does UCSI International School follow?
2. What grades does UCSI International School offer?
3. Which UCSI International School campus offers the IB Diploma?
4. Does UCSI International School offer boarding?
5. Can students who are not fluent in English join UCSI International School?
6. When does the school year start at UCSI International School?
Source: UCSI International School official campus curriculum pages for Kuala Lumpur, Subang Jaya and Springhill.
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