British schools in Italy: Rome, Milan, Turin and beyond
A guide to British international schools in Italy: where they are, how they fit Italian compulsory schooling rules, and what families moving to Italy should know.
Italy’s British schools are spread across the major cities, with the largest concentrations in Rome and Milan. They serve diplomats, multinational employees and a growing number of Italian families who want an English-language education with a route to universities worldwide.
Where the schools are
- Rome: home to embassies, UN agencies (including the FAO) and international organisations, with British and international schools in the city and its northern and western suburbs.
- Milan: Italy’s business capital, with the widest choice of international schools, including several following the English curriculum.
- Turin, Genoa and Bologna: smaller international communities linked to industry, with British-curriculum options.
- Florence and Tuscany: schools serving long-term expatriate residents and families.
- Naples and the south: fewer options, often linked to international organisations and bases.
How British schools fit the Italian system
International schools in Italy operate as private foreign schools under Italian law. Their status affects how attendance counts for Italian compulsory schooling, which matters most for Italian nationals and long-term residents. Ask each school:
- What is the school’s legal status in Italy?
- Do Italian nationals need additional exams to stay in line with Italian requirements?
- How does the school support students who may later move into the Italian system or apply to Italian universities?
Italian universities
Italian universities accept A-Levels and the IB Diploma for entry, subject to recognition rules and course-specific requirements, including entrance tests for some programmes such as medicine. Many universities also offer degrees taught in English.
Practical points
- The Italian school year runs from mid-September to June. British schools usually start earlier, in late August or early September.
- Traffic and distances in Rome and Milan make the school run a major factor in choosing housing.
- Italian language learning makes daily life much easier for the whole family.
Next steps: how to choose a British international school and international school fees.
Directory: British schools in Italy
| School | City | Ages | Curricula |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis School | Milan | 2–18 | British curriculum, Italian curriculum, IGCSE, IB Diploma |
| The British School of Milan (Sir James Henderson) | Milan | 3–18 | English National Curriculum, IGCSE, IB Diploma |
| St George's British International School | Rome | — | English National Curriculum, IGCSE, A-Level, IB Diploma |
| The New School Rome | Rome | 3–18 | English National Curriculum, GCSE, A-Level |
Frequently asked questions
Is school compulsory in Italy?
Yes. Education in Italy is compulsory for ten years, from age 6 to 16, with a duty to stay in education or training until 18 or until a qualification is obtained.
Can Italian children attend a British school in Italy?
Yes, and many do. Italian nationals at foreign or international schools may face specific requirements to show that compulsory schooling is being met, depending on the school's legal status. Italian families should ask each school how this is handled.
Do British schools in Italy teach Italian?
Yes. Italian is taught as a subject, usually at native-speaker and learner levels, and some schools offer bilingual programmes.