-1.png?width=50&name=Team%20pics%20(2)-1.png)
By
·
4 minute read
International schools in Thailand place children by age, not by the Thai national school year name. 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 Thailand in 2026.
What year group is my child in at an international school in Thailand?
British international schools in Thailand 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.
How international schools in Thailand assign year groups
International schools in Thailand use strict age cut-off dates, with most British curriculum schools using 31 August. A child arriving from a UK school enters the same year group in Bangkok or Phuket without adjustment.
The academic year runs August to June. The main intake is August, with a January intake at some schools. The most competitive year groups are Year 1 and Year 7 at British schools, and Pre-K and Grade 9 at American schools. Applying six to twelve months ahead is advised.
All international schools in Thailand operate under a Thai Ministry of Education licence. Foreign students are required to spend at least one hour per week learning about Thai culture, regardless of curriculum.
What age does my child start each school stage at an international school in Thailand?
Early Years (EYFS): Nursery at age 3, Reception at age 4. The Thai national system begins Prathom 1 at age 6, one year later than British international schools.
Primary: Year 1 at age 5. Key Stage 2 runs Years 3 to 6, ages 7 to 11, delivered through the English National Curriculum with Thai language alongside.
Secondary: Year 7 at age 11. IGCSE begins at Year 10. Many schools in Bangkok offer the IB Diploma or IB Career-Related Programme alongside or instead of A-Levels.
IGCSE and Sixth Form: Year 10 at age 14 marks the start of Cambridge IGCSE. Year 12 at age 16 begins A-Levels or the IB Diploma.
What year group is a 10 year old in at an international school in Thailand?
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 Key Stage 2.
What is Reception class equivalent to in Thailand?
Reception is for children aged 4 turning 5. The Thai national system begins Prathom 1 at age 6. A child entering Reception at a British international school is one year ahead of a child starting the national system.
Understanding the Thai national system: a quick reference for international families
Thailand's national system uses Prathom 1 to 6 for primary (ages 6 to 11) and Mattayom 1 to 6 for secondary (ages 12 to 17). The national academic year runs May to March, significantly different from the August to June calendar at international schools. Around 46 per cent of students at international schools in Thailand are Thai nationals.
| Thai National Stage | Age | UK Year Group | US Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prathom 1 | 6–7 | Year 2 | Grade 1 |
| Prathom 2 | 7–8 | Year 3 | Grade 2 |
| Prathom 3 | 8–9 | Year 4 | Grade 3 |
| Prathom 4 | 9–10 | Year 5 | Grade 4 |
| Prathom 5 | 10–11 | Year 6 | Grade 5 |
| Prathom 6 | 11–12 | Year 7 | Grade 6 |
| Mattayom 1 | 12–13 | Year 8 | Grade 7 |
| Mattayom 2 | 13–14 | Year 9 | Grade 8 |
| Mattayom 3 | 14–15 | Year 10 | Grade 9 |
| Mattayom 4 | 15–16 | Year 11 | Grade 10 |
| Mattayom 5 | 16–17 | Year 12 | Grade 11 |
| Mattayom 6 | 17–18 | Year 13 | Grade 12 |
Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.
Schools assess transfer students individually before confirming placement. For broader context on schooling costs across the region, see our affordable international schools in Southeast Asia guide. For curriculum decisions, our IB vs British curriculum comparison covers the key differences.
International schools in Thailand: British, American and IB curricula
| School | Location | Curriculum | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok Patana School | Bangkok | British, IGCSE, IB DP | 2–18 |
| Dulwich College International School Bangkok | Bangkok | British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), IB (DP) | 2–18 |
| St Andrews International School Bangkok | Bangkok | British, IGCSE, IB DP | 2–18 |
| VERSO International School | Bangkok | American, AP | 2–18 |
| Kajonkiet International School Phuket | Phuket | British, IGCSE, A-Levels | 2–18 |
Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.
Frequently asked questions
What year group is a 7 year old in at an international school in Thailand? 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 Thailand use the Thai Prathom and Mattayom naming system? No. British international schools use Reception through Year 13. American schools use Kindergarten through Grade 12. Prathom and Mattayom are used only in Thai national schools.
My child is in Prathom 6. What year group will they enter at an international school? Prathom 6 is typically age 11 to 12, placing them in Year 7 or Year 8 at a British international school depending on their birthday and the 31 August cut-off. The school will assess before confirming placement.
What is the difference between IGCSE and the Thai Mattayom leaving certificate? IGCSE runs in Years 10 and 11 at ages 14 to 16, assessed by Cambridge. The Mattayom 6 certificate is awarded at age 17 to 18, the national school leaving qualification. IGCSE is recognised by universities worldwide; the Mattayom certificate is primarily for entry into Thai universities.
doris is a free, impartial international school discovery platform designed to help parents find the right international school for their children worldwide. Every school profile includes fees, curriculum, admissions, pupil numbers and more. Parents can compare schools, contact schools directly, access expert parent guides, and connect with a community of parents around the world. Start your search at doris.school.
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: Thailand Ministry of Education, National Education Act, Education in Thailand, Wikipedia. Schools are listed for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.