Main Types of International Schools’ Curriculum in Malaysia

by Felicia Yen . on 02/08/2025 9451

Also available in : 中文版

International schools provide a form of stability in the teaching methods and values, making it easy for children to transfer from one school to another in a different country. Check out the different international curricula offered in Malaysia.

Main Types of International Curriculum in Malaysia

International Baccalaureate (IB)

A student-centred curriculum that focuses on developing knowledgeable thinkers who know how to apply what they have learnt in real-world, complex situations.
It challenges children to excel in their studies, as well as personal growth.
Effective learning approaches help children think critically and inquire logically in order to succeed outside of school.
Students are assessed through exams and a variety of other assessment tasks to ensure they have developed a thorough understanding of each subject.
Schools with this curriculum:

IGB International School, Sierramas

British

A structured framework with formal assessments designed to give a clear overview of a child’s progress at every educational stage.
Covers a diverse scope for learning, with many co-curricular elements for a well-rounded education.
The British curriculum encourages children to question, discuss and problem-solve to develop higher order thinking skills.
Students take Standard Attainment Tests (SAT’s) when they are 7, 11 and 14, and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) exams at 16.
Schools with this curriculum:

Australian

The Australian curriculum gives children the freedom to think and challenges them to do. In addition to talking about the subject content, learning also focuses on the development of skills.
A distinguishing feature is that children are assessed by external examinations, as well as other school-based projects and assignments.
It prepares children to be well-functioning adults with the skills and behaviours to navigate tertiary study and the workplace.
Schools with this curriculum:

American

The American curriculum offers a full package that ensures children’s intellectual needs, as well as social, emotional and physical development, are met.
Teachers monitor children throughout the year using both formal and informal observations, including group projects, class discussions and quizzes. Parents can see how their children are doing at any point of the school year through an online parent portal.
The curriculum values personalised learning, acknowledging that all children are unique and do not learn in the same way.
Schools with this curriculum: