"I've heard a prestigious British school opened in Tokyo, but how is it different from other international schools?"
"Isn't Kodaira City far? Can you commute from central Tokyo?"
Opened in September 2023 in Kodaira City, Tokyo, is Malvern College Tokyo (MCT).
Following the arrival of other prestigious British schools like Harrow Appi and Rugby School Japan, MCT has a major distinguishing feature. It's the fusion of 'British traditions' and the 'IB (International Baccalaureate) programme.'
This article provides a comprehensive guide for parents, covering MCT's unique curriculum, the commute from central Tokyo, and admissions preparation (including the CAT4 test) to help secure a place.
1. What is Malvern College Tokyo (MCT)?
MCT is the Tokyo campus of Malvern College, a prestigious co-educational school with over 150 years of history, whose main campus is in Worcestershire, UK.
As "Japan's first all-through British IB school," it has garnered significant attention since its opening.
Basic Information
- Location: 3-2-1 Kamisuiminami-cho, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo (Former Bunka Gakuen University Kodaira Campus)
- Ages: 3 to 18 years (Currently up to Year 10, with plans for gradual expansion)
- Curriculum: IB (PYP / MYP / DP Candidate School)
Educational Philosophy: Malvern Qualities
MCT places the utmost importance on the 11 'Malvern Qualities.' A holistic education that nurtures qualities such as Resilience, Kindness, and Independence is at the core of daily school life.
2. The Key Feature: British Pastoral Care × IB Programme
While many British international schools (like BST, Harrow) adopt the British curriculum (IGCSE / A-Level), MCT uses the IB (International Baccalaureate) for all year groups. This is MCT's unique strength.
The British School in Tokyo (BST): Features, Quality of British Education, and Student Demographics
House System
While students engage in IB inquiry-based learning, their well-being is supported by the traditional British 'House System.' Upon enrollment, all students are assigned to one of six Houses (named after notable figures like Elgar and Lewis), fostering bonds in a vertical community that spans across year groups. Meals in the dining hall are also taken by House, nurturing a 'sibling-like' relationship where older students care for the younger ones.
Unique Educational Programmes
- Entrepreneurship: This is more than just a business simulation; it's a programme where students, as part of their Unit of Inquiry (UOI), consider and implement solutions to real-world social issues.
- Forest School / Outdoor Learning: Outdoor learning utilizes the campus's 'Sakura Garden' and its rich natural surroundings. It offers a sensory-based learning experience that is not possible at urban, high-rise international schools.
3. Campus and Access | A British School "Commutable from Central Tokyo"
For parents, the location might be a primary concern. However, MCT has a support system designed for students commuting from central Tokyo.
Access Details
- By Train: Approx. 11 minutes by bus or 8 minutes by taxi from Kokubunji Station on the JR Chuo Line.
- School Bus: Buses run from the following major areas (routes are subject to change):
- Route A: Hiroo, Roppongi, Azabu-Juban
- Route B: Futako-Tamagawa, Chitose-Funabashi
- Route C: Meguro, Shibuya, Shinjuku
- Route D: Yotsuya, Yurakucho
- Free Shuttle: Kokubunji Station (Free shuttle for Pre-Prep to Prep 3)
While the school officially states it's 'about 40 minutes from the City Centre,' it's realistic to expect a total commute time of about one hour, including the bus ride.
Facility Highlights
The campus, a renovated building designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa, spans a total area of 15,577 m². The spacious environment, featuring an open, glass-walled library, a two-story gymnasium with six basketball hoops, and an all-weather artificial turf ground, is a significant advantage not found in city-center schools.
4. Admissions Information and Difficulty | Is CAT4 Prep Essential?
MCT's admissions process emphasizes an assessment that looks at a child's 'potential,' not just a review of documents.
Admissions Procedure
- Online Application: Submission of school reports (past 2 years) and letters of recommendation.
- Assessment: Age-appropriate tests are administered.
- Interview: Student and parent interviews.
Prep 4 and Above: "CAT4" is Key
For applicants to Prep 4 (equivalent to upper elementary school) and above, a cognitive abilities test called the CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test) is administered. This test measures not only English knowledge but also 'raw cognitive ability (reasoning skills),' such as the ability to identify patterns in shapes and numbers.
- Verbal: Word analogies, etc.
- Non-Verbal: Shape patterns
- Quantitative: Number series, etc.
- Spatial: Shape unfolding/rotation
Although the school states that 'no preparation is necessary,' students unfamiliar with the unique question formats (such as analogies and shape puzzles) may not be able to perform to their full potential. Therefore, prior preparation could make a difference in the outcome.
A Complete Guide to the CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test): Key to British International & Boarding School Admissions
5. Tuition and Other Fees (2026-27 Estimates)
MCT's tuition fees are in the upper range compared to other international schools in Tokyo.
Estimated First-Year Costs
Year Group | Annual Tuition | Total Entrance & One-Time Fees | Estimated First-Year Total |
Pre-Prep | ¥2,692,700 | ¥1,064,000 | ¥3,756,700 |
Prep 1–6 | ¥2,662,700 | ¥1,064,000 | ¥3,726,700 |
MYP (Middle School) | ¥2,800,600 | ¥1,064,000 | ¥3,864,600 |
*One-time fees include a Registration Fee (¥300,000) and a Capital Development Fee (¥742,000), among others. *Additional costs for school bus, lunch, uniforms, etc., are required.
Conclusion: What Kind of Family is it Recommended For?
Malvern College Tokyo is an ideal choice for families who:
- Want the best of both worlds: inquiry-based learning (IB) and the structure of a British education.
- Prefer their children to learn in a spacious, nature-rich campus rather than an urban high-rise.
- Are seeking an authentic British education but are not ready to commit to a full boarding school in a rural area (like Harrow Appi).
As it is still a new school, the enthusiasm of the teachers and staff is high, and a warm community is developing.
If you are interested, we recommend attending an open house or a private tour to experience the 'Malvern Qualities' firsthand.
Aiming for MCT? Consider "ELT"
Are you concerned about the CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test) or the parent-child interview in English required for MCT admissions?
At ELT, our native English-speaking instructors, who specialize in international school admissions, provide lessons to develop your child's logical thinking skills and offer interview preparation for parents.
