About Us

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The British International College offers its pupils a vibrant and challenging learning environment, and a distinctive British independent school ethos which reflects both the Islamic values and dynamic culture of Hargeisa and Somaliland. It is a leading British-curriculum school in Somaliland, and currently educates children that are 3.5 to 18 years old. The School has exceptional academic results, wide-ranging co-curricular activities and outstanding pastoral care with a strong sense of community at its heart. BIC is a family of four schools across Hargeisa: Jigjiga Yar Primary School, Star School, New Hargeisa School and Thamesbridge School, home of our Sixth Form. For the BEST, look no further.
 

BIC is the only school in Hargeisa run by UK-qualified educators, whose qualifications include Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (NASENCO) and the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL). The same standard of teaching runs through all four of our schools. Years 11 to 13 are taught at Thamesbridge School, which runs a variety of GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and other Level 3 courses, with a fast-track option that allows GCSEs, IGCSEs and A Levels to be completed in one year. Thamesbridge School has a history of success: in 2025-2026, 100% of students achieved grades 9 to 4 in their GCSEs and IGCSEs, up from 94% in 2024-2025. We know that learning is easier when you have an excellent teacher, which is why most of our educators hold an advanced degree in their field. Our faculty are passionate about the subjects they teach and bring this enthusiasm into their lessons. All our lessons are high-quality and planned in advance, tailored to meet each child's individual needs.

Our Sixth Form is based at Thamesbridge School, the only BIC school teaching Years 12 and 13. Our Sixth Formers enjoy the best of all worlds: a supportive and dynamic academic environment, a friendly and caring school community, and highly experienced A Level educators. Students choose from a variety of A Level and other Level 3 courses. Most students complete three or four A Levels over two years, attending the standard school day from 7:00am to 12:30pm. We also offer a fast-track option that allows A Levels to be completed in one year. Fast-track courses run from 1st September to the end of April. Fast-track students attend four days a week on an extended school day, from 7:00am to 3:00pm, and receive 42 guided learning hours each week: 26 hours of direct teaching and 16 hours of supervised guided learning. This provides more than 1,300 guided learning hours across the course.

 We focus on creating an environment of kindness and inclusivity, where everyone looks out for one another, to enable pupils to flourish personally, academically and islamically.