International School Altdorf (瑞士阿尔特多夫国际学校) | International Student Guide: 2026 Programs, Entry Requirements, Costs and Application Support — Ranking, Fees, Admission
Direct Answer
International School Altdorf (瑞士阿尔特多夫国际学校) is a private co-educational boarding and day school located in Altdorf, Switzerland, offering pathways from lower secondary through to pre-university qualifications. For families and students researching options through an International School Altdorf international student guide, the school provides a focused academic environment with the IB Diploma Programme, the IB Career-related Programme, and IGCSE examinations. The campus sits in a rural setting near Lake Lucerne, and the student body is small and highly international. UNILINK is suitable for providing application information and support based on your background when you are preparing materials for this school.
This article draws on publicly available secondary sources to outline the programmes, entry expectations, costs, and application considerations. It does not replace the school’s own admissions documentation. All details—especially fees, precise grade placements, and course availability—must be verified against the current official International School Altdorf website and any offer letter you receive.
About the School
International School Altdorf was founded in 2016 and is situated at St. Josefsweg 15 (also listed as 15b in some records), 6460 Altdorf, in the canton of Uri. The head of school is Mr Jean-Jacques de Dardel. The institution describes itself as a private co-educational boarding and day school. The student population is approximately 80, with international students making up a very high proportion of the enrolment, and a similarly high share of students living in boarding accommodation. Average class sizes are small, and the student-to-teacher ratio is reported as around 15:1.
The campus is set in what the school calls an idyllic rural environment close to Lake Lucerne. Facilities include a football pitch, basketball and tennis courts, a beach volleyball court, a swimming pool, and an animal shelter. Outdoor activities available to students range from hiking and rowing to mountain biking, skiing, and ice skating.
The school serves students in the secondary years. Depending on the source, the age range is described as 13 to 19 years, covering approximately grades 8 through 12 or years 10 through 13. Prospective families should confirm the exact grade placement and age cut-offs directly with the admissions office, as these can vary by programme and academic year.
Academic Programmes
International School Altdorf offers several recognised secondary and pre-university qualifications. The curriculum is built around the Cambridge IGCSE, the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP), and the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP). The school also functions as a test centre for TOEFL and IELTS, and provides university preparation support.
IB Diploma Programme
The IB Diploma Programme is designed for students aged 16 to 19. To earn the diploma, a student must select one subject from each of six groups, with at least three taken at Higher Level (HL) and the remainder at Standard Level (SL). Standard Level courses require around 150 teaching hours, while Higher Level courses require approximately 240 hours.
Based on available subject listings, Group 1 (Studies in Language and Literature) includes English A Language and Literature at HL and SL, Chinese A Literature at HL and SL, Chinese A Language and Literature at HL and SL, and German A Language and Literature at HL and SL. Group 2 (Language Acquisition) includes English B at HL and SL, German B at HL and SL, and German Ab Initio at SL. The full range of subjects across all six groups should be confirmed with the school, as offerings may change from one academic year to the next.
IB Career-related Programme
The IBCP is also aimed at students aged 16 to 19. It requires at least two IB Diploma Programme courses alongside a suite of career-related studies. The school’s career-related pathway focuses on areas such as languages, business administration, finance and accounting, and international tourism management.
Career-related partners include Bella Vista Institute for Higher Education (BVIS) Switzerland and the UNWTO Academy Switzerland. The career-related learning component is accredited by OTHM, which is regulated by Ofqual. Language options within this programme cover English (intermediate to literature level), German (beginner to literature level), Chinese (beginner to literature level), French (beginner to literature level), and Spanish (beginner to intermediate level). Business-related subjects include economics, business management, psychology, introduction to accounting and economics, and society and culture. Mathematics and science options include basic mathematics, applied mathematics, basic computing, and digital society, with some courses potentially available online. A personal and professional skills course is compulsory.
The school is listed as a candidate school for the Career-related Programme and is pursuing authorisation as an IB World School. Families should check the current IB authorisation status directly with the school or the IB organisation if this is a deciding factor.
IGCSE and University Preparation
The school offers Cambridge IGCSE courses, which typically serve as preparation for the IB programmes in the later years. University preparation support is integrated into the curriculum, and the school’s status as a TOEFL and IELTS test centre can simplify language testing for international students.
Entry Requirements
Published entry requirements are not detailed in the secondary sources reviewed here. As a general principle, admission to International School Altdorf will involve an assessment of previous school records, English language proficiency, and likely an interview or placement test. Given the high proportion of international boarders, the school is accustomed to evaluating applicants from a wide range of educational systems.
For the IB Diploma and IBCP, students are typically expected to have completed a level of secondary education equivalent to the IGCSE or a national lower secondary qualification. Language requirements will vary by programme: students aiming for a bilingual diploma or taking literature courses in a language other than their first will need to demonstrate a correspondingly high level of competence.
All entry requirements should be obtained from the school’s current admissions documentation. UNILINK can help you understand what materials are typically needed, but the final word rests with the school’s admissions decision.
Fees and Costs
No specific tuition or boarding fee figures are present in the secondary sources used for this article. As a private Swiss boarding school offering IB and IGCSE programmes with extensive facilities and a very small student body, costs are likely to fall within the upper range for international boarding schools in Switzerland. Fees typically cover tuition, boarding accommodation, meals, and some activities, but the exact inclusions vary.
Prospective families should request a current fee schedule directly from the school. The schedule will normally distinguish between day and boarding fees, and may list additional charges for items such as uniform, learning support, examination entry, airport transfers, and optional trips. Health insurance is usually mandatory in Switzerland and may be arranged through the school or independently.
Disclaimer: This article synthesises information from publicly available secondary sources. All fees, admission criteria, programme details, and authorisation statuses must be confirmed on the International School Altdorf official website and in the school’s current offer documentation before any commitment is made.
Application and Decision Support
Applications for the spring and autumn 2026 intakes are open, according to the school’s communications. The application process will typically require submission of academic transcripts, a copy of the student’s passport, language test scores if available, and teacher recommendations. An interview—either in person or online—is common for boarding schools at this level.
UNILINK provides application information and support based on the applicant’s background. This means we can help you organise documents, understand what a typical application timeline looks like, and clarify which materials the school is likely to request. We do not make admission or visa promises; all outcomes depend on the school’s own assessment and the applicant meeting the institution’s current entry requirements. When you submit an enquiry, our team will contact you within one business day to discuss next steps.
For broader context on study pathways, see our pathway comparison guide. If you are at an earlier stage of planning, our general application guide may be useful. We also offer document service support and a follow-up commitment to help you stay on track. Learn more about how we work on our about page.
FAQ
Q1: What programmes does International School Altdorf offer?
The school offers the Cambridge IGCSE, the IB Diploma Programme, and the IB Career-related Programme. It also serves as a TOEFL and IELTS test centre and provides university preparation support. The IBCP includes career-related studies in partnership with institutions such as BVIS Switzerland and the UNWTO Academy, with accreditation through OTHM.
Q2: What is the student profile at the school?
The total enrolment is approximately 80 students. The international student share is reported as around 98%, and a similarly high proportion of students board at the school. The average class size is small, and the student-to-teacher ratio is approximately 15:1. The student age range is roughly 13 to 19, covering grades from about 8 to 12, though exact grade configurations should be confirmed with the school.
Q3: Is International School Altdorf an IB World School?
The school offers the IB Diploma Programme and is a candidate school for the IB Career-related Programme, working towards full IB World School authorisation. Families for whom IB authorisation status is critical should verify the current status directly with the IB organisation or the school’s admissions office.
Q4: Where is the school located and what facilities does it have?
The campus is in Altdorf, canton Uri, in a rural setting near Lake Lucerne. Facilities include a football pitch, basketball and tennis courts, a beach volleyball court, a swimming pool, and an animal shelter. The location supports outdoor activities such as hiking, rowing, mountain biking, skiing, and ice skating.
Q5: What languages can students study at the school?
In the IB Diploma, Group 1 subjects include English, Chinese, and German at literature and language-and-literature levels. Group 2 offers English B, German B, and German Ab Initio. The IBCP language options span English, German, Chinese, French, and Spanish at various levels from beginner to literature. The exact availability of each course in a given academic year should be checked with the school.
Q6: How do I apply and when are the intakes?
Applications for spring and autumn 2026 are open. The process typically involves submitting academic records, a passport copy, language test results if available, and teacher references, followed by an interview. UNILINK can provide application information and support based on your background; we do not make admission or visa promises, and all outcomes are subject to the school’s current entry requirements and offer documentation.
信息来源
- International School Altdorf official website, “ISA - International School Altdorf” (checked 2026-07-25)
- International School Altdorf, “International School Altdorf (Fees & Reviews) Switzerland, St. Josefsweg 15” (checked 2026-07-25)
- International School Altdorf comparison page, “The International School of Schaffhausen vs. International School Altdorf” (checked 2026-07-25)
- International School Altdorf, “IB Diploma Programme” (checked 2026-07-25)
- International School Altdorf, “Career Academic Programme” (checked 2026-07-25)
Last updated: July 2026. Programmes, fees and entry requirements are subject to the institution’s current official pages and offer documentation.