Primary and secondary schools in Marbella, Spain

Marbella, on the Costa del Sol in the province of Málaga, had 160,478 inhabitants in 2025, and 49,813 of them were foreign residents, according to the Andalusian Institute of Statistics and Cartography (IECA). That international population is reflected in the city's schools: families who move to the coast can choose between British, French and Swedish schools as well as the Spanish public and private system.

Our directory lists 6 international primary and secondary schools in Marbella. For context, the IECA counted 41 primary schools, 28 lower-secondary (ESO) schools and 19 Bachillerato centres in the municipality in the 2023-24 school year, most of them following the Spanish curriculum.

What the schools offer

Most international schools in Marbella follow the British curriculum and teach in English, from early years to the Sixth Form:

• Aloha College Marbella, a not-for-profit school in Nueva Andalucía, prepares students for IGCSE, A-Level and IB exams and has students of more than 50 nationalities
• Swans International School, which has taught for more than 50 years, takes children from age 3 and offers GCSEs and the International Baccalaureate in the Sixth Form
• The English International College (EIC) offers IGCSEs and International A-Levels
• The British International School of Marbella (BISM) covers early years, primary, secondary and Sixth Form

Two schools serve other language communities. The École Française Internationale de Marbella (EFIM) teaches in French, English and Spanish with native teachers, and is homologated by the French Ministry of Education for all classes from Petite Section to CM2 (nursery and primary). Svenska Skolan Marbella is a Swedish school for Swedish-speaking children on the Costa del Sol.

Admission and costs

Admission usually involves an application, a family interview and an assessment of the pupil. BISM accepts applications at any time and can run interviews and assessments online for families who are not yet in Marbella; once a place is offered, an enrolment fee is due within seven days. At EIC, most applications are submitted in the spring term (January to March), although the school tries to accept applications throughout the year.

International schools are private and set their own fees, and several give them only on request. Ask what is included: at Aloha College, for example, fees include accident insurance, textbooks, subject materials and compulsory curricular day trips.

Practical tips

• Apply early, especially for entry at the start of the school year
• Compare exam routes: A-Levels and the IB Diploma lead to different university applications
• Students who want to go on to a Spanish university with a foreign school qualification can apply through UNEDasiss, which assesses international students' records
• Ask about school transport: Nueva Andalucía, San Pedro and central Marbella are spread along the coast

Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, the nearest airport, is linked by Avanza buses to Marbella bus station, according to Aena; Marbella is 57 km from the city of Málaga.

Frequently asked questions

Which curricula do international schools in Marbella follow?

Most follow the British curriculum, with IGCSE or GCSE exams, A-Levels or the International Baccalaureate. There is also a French school, EFIM, and a Swedish school, Svenska Skolan Marbella.

When should I apply to an international school in Marbella?

As early as possible. EIC receives most applications from January to March, while BISM accepts applications at any time, subject to available places.

Can my child go to a Spanish university after an international school?

Yes. Students with foreign school qualifications usually apply through UNEDasiss, which assesses their records and runs the exams needed for admission to Spanish degrees.