Tanglin Trust School and Dulwich College Singapore are widely considered two of the premier British international schools in Southeast Asia. The core academic distinction between them lies in Sixth Form choice: Tanglin Trust is the only school in Singapore offering a dual-pathway option where students choose between A-Levels or the IB Diploma, whereas Dulwich College Singapore provides a dedicated IGCSE-to-IB Diploma (and IBCP) route. Choosing between them depends on whether your child benefits from deep subject specialisation (A-Levels) or multi-disciplinary academic breadth (IBDP).
Tanglin Trust School vs Dulwich College Singapore at a Glance
Factor | Tanglin Trust School | Dulwich College Singapore |
Sixth Form Qualification | Dual Track: Choice of A-Levels OR IB Diploma | IB Track: IB Diploma (IBDP) OR IB Career-Related (IBCP) |
Established / Heritage | 1925 (100+ years in Singapore) | 2014 (backed by 400-year UK college heritage) |
Campus Location | Portsdown Road (One-North education district) | Bukit Batok West |
School Structure | Infant, Junior, and Senior Schools on 1 site | DUCKS (Early Years), Junior, and Senior Colleges |
Total Enrolment | ~2,800 students | ~2,600 students |
Annual Tuition (2026/2027) | S$36,300 (K1) – S$58,080 (Years 12–13) | S$37,520 (Early Years) – S$56,700 (Year 12–13) |
Capital / Enrolment Fees | S$4,500 Enrolment Fee + S$4,500 Capital Levy | S$4,000 Enrolment Fee + S$1,000–S$1,500 Application Fee |
Academic Results (Recent) | IB Diploma Average: 39.1 | A-Levels: 63% A*/A grades | IB Diploma Average: 37.5 (2026) / 37.1 (2025) |
Distinct Feature | Only Singapore school offering A-Level / IB choice | Dual-language Mandarin early years, strong IBDP/IBCP focus |
Curriculum Differences
What Tanglin Trust School Offers: Tanglin allows Sixth Form students to choose between A-Levels (3–4 specialised subjects without compulsory second languages) or the full IB Diploma. Tanglin achieves outstanding results across both: an IB average score of 39.1 points and 63% A*/A grades in A-Levels.
Verdict: Ideal for students who want to defer the choice between deep subject specialisation (A-Levels) and multi-disciplinary study (IB) until age 16.What Dulwich College Singapore Offers: IGCSEs in Years 10–11 leading directly into the IB Diploma Programme or IB Career-related Programme (IBCP) in Years 12–13. Dulwich students have consistently produced top-notch academic results year after year, with average IB scores of 37.5 in recent May 2026 exams.
Verdict: Ideal for students committed to the IB framework who want structured IGCSE preparation.
Campus, Facilities & Community
Tanglin Trust Campus: Located on Portsdown Road, Tanglin features the Centenary Building, an 50m aquatic centre, climbing facilities, and a 100-year alumni network deeply rooted in Singapore.
Dulwich College Campus: 5-hectare campus in Bukit Batok featuring dual FIFA pitches, three pools, a 740-seat theatre, and a strong modern British college identity.
Fees & Financial Planning
Tanglin Trust: Senior Sixth Form tuition is S$58,080 per year. Initial one-time fees total S$10,000 (S$1,000 Application, S$4,500 Enrolment, S$4,500 Capital Levy).
Dulwich College: Years 12–13 tuition is S$56,700 per year. Initial entry fees total S$5,000–S$5,500.
Student Fit
Choose Tanglin Trust School if: You want the choice between international A-Levels and the IB Diploma at age 16 or seek an established British school network in One-North.
Choose Dulwich College Singapore if: You are committed to an IBDP/IBCP pathway and prefer early childhood dual-language Mandarin immersion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tanglin Trust School and Dulwich College Singapore
Can a student choose between A-Levels and IB at Tanglin Trust School?
Yes. During Year 11, students choose between A-Levels (~50–60%) or the IB Diploma (~40–50%).
Is A-Level or IB better for UK universities?
UK universities evaluate both equally. A-Levels allow focused mastery in 3–4 subjects, whereas IB shows multi-disciplinary breadth.
Which school has been in Singapore longer?
Tanglin Trust School was established in 1925 (100+ years); Dulwich opened in 2014.
Does Dulwich offer A-Levels?
No, Dulwich College Singapore offers IGCSEs leading into IBDP/IBCP.
Which is more flexible?
Tanglin Trust School offers qualification choice (A-Levels vs IB); Dulwich College Singapore offers track flexibility within IB (IBDP vs IBCP).
Why Choose CSI to Help You Decide
Whether your child is better suited to Tanglin Trust School's dual A-Level/IB pathway or Dulwich College Singapore's dedicated IB route is a genuinely individual question; and one CSI's education consultants are well placed to help answer, having guided families through both schools' admissions processes.
Beyond the school choice itself, CSI supports your family through application preparation, entrance assessments, and through our specialist divisions 7+ Academy (academic coaching) and CSI Immigration (visa and Student Pass support): everything that follows once your child is enrolled.
Contact CSI today for a personalised consultation and a clear, honest recommendation based on your child's actual profile… not just the numbers!
Final Words on Choosing International Schools in Singapore
Still weighing your options? Finding the perfect fit comes down to looking at the full picture—from campus culture and curriculum pathways to fee structures. To help you make an informed choice, explore our side-by-side comparison guides: check out our other one vs one comparison:
Duwich College Singapore vs United World College Southeast Asia
Singapore American School vs United World College Southeast Asia
Singapore American School vs Dulwich College Singapore
NLCS Singapore vs Dulwich College Singapore