International schools in China place children by age, not by the Chinese national grade system. British curriculum schools use UK year group names Reception through Year 13, with the 31 August cut-off. American curriculum schools use Kindergarten through Grade 12. This guide gives you the exact age-to-year-group mapping used by international schools in China in 2026.
British international schools in China place students according to their age on 31 August. Match your child's age on 31 August to find their year group.
| Age on 31 Aug | UK Year Group | US Grade | Key Stage | Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Nursery | Pre-K | EYFS | Early Years |
| 4 | Reception | Pre-K | EYFS | Early Years |
| 5 | Year 1 | Kindergarten | KS1 | |
| 6 | Year 2 | Grade 1 | KS1 | |
| 7 | Year 3 | Grade 2 | KS2 | |
| 8 | Year 4 | Grade 3 | KS2 | |
| 9 | Year 5 | Grade 4 | KS2 | |
| 10 | Year 6 | Grade 5 | KS2 | |
| 11 | Year 7 | Grade 6 | KS3 | Secondary starts |
| 12 | Year 8 | Grade 7 | KS3 | |
| 13 | Year 9 | Grade 8 | KS3 | |
| 14 | Year 10 | Grade 9 | KS4 | IGCSE begins |
| 15 | Year 11 | Grade 10 | KS4 | IGCSE exams |
| 16 | Year 12 | Grade 11 | Sixth Form | A-Levels / IB begins |
| 17 | Year 13 | Grade 12 | Sixth Form | A-Levels / IB exams |
Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.
The 31 August cut-off is standard at British curriculum schools and mirrors how year groups work in England. A child arriving from a UK school enters the same year group in Shanghai or Beijing without adjustment.
The Chinese national school year runs September to July. Most international schools in China follow the same September to June or August to June calendar, so the timing is relatively close. Entry points vary by school; many offer August or September starts with mid-year entry subject to availability.
Early Years (EYFS): Nursery at age 3, Reception at age 4. The Chinese national system begins primary school at age 6, two years later than British international schools.
Primary: Year 1 at age 5. Key Stage 2 covers Years 3 to 6, ages 7 to 11.
Secondary: Year 7 at age 11. Cambridge IGCSE begins at Year 10.
IGCSE and Sixth Form: Year 10 at age 14 begins Cambridge IGCSE. Year 12 at age 16 begins A-Levels or the IB Diploma.
A child who is 10 on 31 August enters Year 6 at a British curriculum school, or Grade 5 at an American curriculum school. Year 6 is the final year of primary and Key Stage 2.
Reception is for children aged 4 turning 5. The Chinese national system begins Grade 1 at age 6. A child entering Reception at a British international school is two years ahead of a child starting the national system.
China's national system uses Grades 1 to 6 for primary (ages 6 to 12), Grades 7 to 9 for junior secondary (ages 12 to 15), and Grades 10 to 12 for senior secondary (ages 15 to 18). The national year runs September to July. Nine years of education (Grades 1 to 9) are compulsory by law.
| Chinese National Stage | Age | UK Year Group | US Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 (Primary) | 6–7 | Year 2 | Grade 1 |
| Grade 2 | 7–8 | Year 3 | Grade 2 |
| Grade 3 | 8–9 | Year 4 | Grade 3 |
| Grade 4 | 9–10 | Year 5 | Grade 4 |
| Grade 5 | 10–11 | Year 6 | Grade 5 |
| Grade 6 | 11–12 | Year 7 | Grade 6 |
| Grade 7 (Junior Secondary) | 12–13 | Year 8 | Grade 7 |
| Grade 8 | 13–14 | Year 9 | Grade 8 |
| Grade 9 | 14–15 | Year 10 | Grade 9 |
| Grade 10 (Senior Secondary) | 15–16 | Year 11 | Grade 10 |
| Grade 11 | 16–17 | Year 12 | Grade 11 |
| Grade 12 | 17–18 | Year 13 | Grade 12 |
Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.
The national system starts at Grade 1 at age 6, one year later than British international schools. Students switching from the national system at primary level adjust reasonably quickly. At secondary, the shift to English-medium instruction and a different examination style requires more preparation. Most international schools in China assess transfer students before confirming placement.
For curriculum decisions, our IB vs British curriculum comparison covers the practical differences. For raising children between cultures, our third culture kids guide is a useful reference.
| School | Location | Curriculum | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|
| The British School of Guangzhou | Guangzhou | British, Cambridge IGCSE, A-Levels | 3–18 |
| Hangzhou International School | Hangzhou | American, AP, IB DP | 4–18 |
| Shanghai American School | Shanghai | American, AP, IB DP | 2–18 |
| Concordia International School Shanghai | Shanghai | IB (PYP, MYP, DP) | 2–18 |
| British International School Shanghai | Shanghai | IB (PYP, MYP, DP) | 6–18 |
Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.
What year group is a 7 year old in at an international school in China? A child who is 7 on 31 August enters Year 3 at a British curriculum school, or Grade 2 at an American curriculum school. This is the start of Key Stage 2.
Do international schools in China use the Chinese Grade system? No. British international schools use Reception through Year 13. American schools use Kindergarten through Grade 12. The Chinese Grade 1 to 12 naming is used only in the national school system.
My child is in Grade 6 in a Chinese national school. What year group will they enter at an international school? Grade 6 is typically age 11 to 12, placing them in Year 7 or Year 8 at a British international school depending on their birthday. Age on 31 August determines placement. The school will assess before confirming, particularly for English language readiness.
What is the difference between IGCSE and the Chinese Gaokao pathway? IGCSE runs in Years 10 and 11 at ages 14 to 16, assessed by Cambridge. The Gaokao is the Chinese national university entrance exam taken at Grade 12 at age 17 to 18. IGCSE is recognised by universities worldwide; the Gaokao is primarily for entry into Chinese universities.
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This guide was written by Aziza F, part of the doris editorial team. doris sources school data from institutions worldwide and speaks directly with parents navigating the school search process. Fee data reflects published and publicly available information for the 2026 to 2027 academic year and is reviewed annually. External sources: China Education Center, overview of education in China, Education in China, Wikipedia. Schools are listed for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.