Moving to Erbil with children? Here’s everything you need to know about choosing an international school in the Kurdistan Region, written by a school that has been educating expat and local families here for over 15 years.
Relocating to a new country with children comes with one question that rises above all others: where will my child go to school? For families moving to Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the good news is that the city has developed a genuinely strong international school sector over the past two decades. The less straightforward news is that with so many options, British, American, Cambridge, and hybrid curricula, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.
This guide is written to give you an honest, thorough overview of how schooling works in Erbil, what to look for in an international school, and what questions to ask before you enrol.
Why Erbil is Different from the Rest of Iraq
Before we get to schools, it helps to understand the environment. The Kurdistan Region of Iraq operates with significant political and administrative autonomy from Baghdad. Erbil (also spelled Hawler or Arbil) is a safe, modern, and rapidly developing city that hosts a large international community, including oil and gas professionals, NGO workers, diplomats, and military contractors, as well as an ambitious local Kurdish middle class increasingly seeking international-standard education for their children.
The result is a genuinely competitive international school market. Unlike in many cities in the broader Middle East, Erbil schools must compete hard for enrolment, which means standards have risen significantly. Families arriving today have more and better options than those who arrived a decade ago.
How the Kurdistan School System Works
Kurdistan has two distinct education tracks running in parallel:
The Kurdish national system operates in Arabic and Kurdish and follows the Iraqi national curriculum. While improving, it is not designed for non-Arabic-speaking expat families and does not lead to internationally transferable qualifications.
The international school sector operates entirely in English and follows internationally recognised curricula. These schools are licensed by the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Education but operate independently of the national system. Qualifications earned at international schools in Erbil — IGCSEs, A-levels, AP courses, are recognised by universities in the UK, USA, Europe, and beyond.
For expat families, and increasingly for locally aspirational Kurdish families, the international school sector is the natural choice.
The Main Curriculum Options in Erbil
Not all international schools are created equal, and the curriculum a school follows has significant consequences for your child’s future educational pathway.
British Curriculum (Pearson Edexcel)
The British international curriculum, as delivered through Pearson Edexcel, runs from Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through Primary and into Secondary, where students sit IGCSEs and progress to A-level equivalent qualifications. It is characterised by rigorous assessment, strong emphasis on English language and literacy, and outcomes that are highly regarded by UK universities and institutions worldwide. Edexcel qualifications are also recognised for US university entry.
BISK (British International Schools in Kurdistan) is the only school in Erbil offering the full Pearson Edexcel British International Curriculum from Early Years through to Secondary, alongside an American Curriculum pathway. This dual offer is unique in the Kurdistan Region.
Cambridge Curriculum
The Cambridge curriculum, offered by schools operating under the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) framework, leads to Cambridge IGCSEs and A Levels. Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel are broadly comparable in rigour and recognition; the main differences lie in examination structure and the specific weighting of coursework vs. terminal exams. Cambridge International Schools in Kurdistan (CESK) is the primary provider of this curriculum in Erbil.
American Curriculum
Several schools in Erbil offer elements of the American curriculum, with assessment through SAT and AP examinations. American curriculum qualifications are optimised for US university entry. BISK is one of the few schools offering the American pathway alongside the British curriculum.
“BISK is the only school in Erbil offering both the British and American curriculum under one roof“
What to Look for When Choosing an International School in Erbil
Based on 15 years of supporting expat and local families in Kurdistan, these are the questions that matter most when evaluating a school:
1. Does the curriculum lead where your child needs to go?
If you plan to return to the UK, a British curriculum school is the most natural pathway, your child’s qualifications, year group, and learning style will be aligned with what UK secondary schools and universities expect. If your destination is the United States, ensure the school offers AP or SAT preparation. If you’re unsure of your eventual destination, a school offering dual pathways (like BISK) offers the most flexibility.
2. How long has the school been operating?
Longevity matters in international schooling. A school that has been operating for 15 years in Erbil has navigated political uncertainty, curriculum reforms, and the challenges of building a qualified teaching workforce in a remote market. It has also produced graduates, and you can ask about university destinations and outcomes. Be cautious of newer schools that promise a lot but have no track record.
3. What is the teacher profile?
Truly international schools should have a significant proportion of qualified British or internationally trained teachers, not just locally hired staff following an international syllabus. Ask about teacher nationality, qualifications, and turnover. High turnover is a warning sign.
4. What are the facilities like?
Visit in person if possible. In Erbil, school quality varies enormously. What matters: library resources, science labs, sports facilities, art rooms, and (for younger children) outdoor play space. A school’s physical environment reflects its investment in education.
5. What is the pastoral care like?
For expat children especially, settling into a new school in a new country is a significant emotional challenge. Ask schools how they support new joiners, how they handle bullying, what counselling support is available, and what the student-to-teacher ratio is. A school that takes pastoral care seriously will be able to answer these questions in detail.
6. What is the community like?
Your child won’t just be attending a school, they’ll be building friendships within that community. Ask about the nationality mix of students. A genuinely international school will have children from many backgrounds. This is also important for you as a parent: the parent community is often the first support network for newly arrived expat families.
A Note on Fees
International school fees in Erbil are significantly lower than comparable schools in Dubai, Doha, or Riyadh. Fees across Erbil’s international schools range from approximately $3,000 to $15,000 per year depending on the school and year group, a fraction of the cost of similar provision in the Gulf.
At BISK, fees range from 3,925,000 IQD per year for Early Years students to 7,300,000 IQD per year for Secondary students. A full breakdown is available from our Admissions Team at [email protected].
Practical Considerations for Newly Arrived Families
Timing: Most Erbil international schools operate on a September-to-June academic year, aligned with the UK calendar. However, schools generally accept mid-year enrolments and the Admissions Team will advise on availability.
Language support: If your child’s English is not yet strong, ask schools about their EAL (English as an Additional Language) support. Some schools provide this as standard; others charge additionally or do not offer it at all. At BISK, ESL (English as a Second Language) support is provided as standard, with dedicated ESL classes and extra support sessions available for students who need them.
Transport: Many schools offer bus services covering the main expat residential areas of Erbil. Confirm routes and costs at the time of application.
Uniform: Most international schools in Erbil require uniform. At BISK, the uniform is included in the Resource Fee alongside textbooks, notebooks, and other essential materials.
The community: The Erbil expat parent community is active and welcoming, and BISK’s diverse school community, with students from over 35 nationalities, is one of the best support networks a newly arrived family can have.
Why Families Choose BISK
BISK has been welcoming families to Erbil since 2011. In that time, we’ve educated children from over 35 nationalities, supported countless families through the transition of moving to Kurdistan, and sent graduates to universities in the UK, USA, and across the world.
What sets BISK apart:
Dual curriculum. We are the only school in Erbil offering both the Pearson Edexcel British International Curriculum and the American Curriculum under one roof. This means families aren’t locked into a single educational pathway.
Continuity. Children can start with us in Early Years at [18 months] and stay through to the end of Secondary, no need to change schools as they grow.
Community. BISK is large enough to offer breadth of opportunity but small enough that every child is known by name. Our diverse, multilingual community, with students from over 35 nationalities, reflects the Erbil that our students grow up in.
Outcomes. Our graduates have gone on to study at universities including Lancaster University, Nottingham Trent University, LUT University (Finland), Technische Universität Clausthal (Germany), and the University of Economics and Human Sciences in Warsaw, Poland. We are proud of what they go on to achieve — and we believe it begins in the values, habits, and skills developed at BISK.
Ready to Find Out More?
If you’re considering BISK for your child, we’d love to meet you. Our Admissions Team is available to answer questions, arrange a school visit, and guide you through the application process.
- Visit: bisk.edu.krd/admissions
- Email: [email protected]
- Call: +964 750 261 9141
We look forward to welcoming your family to BISK.
British International Schools in Kurdistan (BISK) has been educating children in Erbil since 2011. We offer the Pearson Edexcel British International Curriculum and the American Curriculum for students aged 18 months to 18 years. To find out more, visit bisk.edu.krd.
