In China, pure international schools primarily focus on teaching international curricula, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge programs. Their main objective is to prepare students for admission to foreign universities. Typically, these schools do not accept Chinese passport holders due to regulatory restrictions, although many Chinese students with foreign passports can attend.

International schools in China are highly selective when it comes to hiring teachers, emphasizing experience, qualifications, and certification. Notable international school groups in China include Boston International, BASIS, and Dulwich, among others.

Bilingual schools are private institutions that offer a combination of the national curriculum and foreign curricula, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) and IGCSE. Instruction is provided in two languages, typically English and a form of Chinese. While these schools also aim to prepare students for admission to foreign universities, they tend to have a stronger emphasis on Chinese culture and education compared to pure international schools. Less selective when talking about hiring teachers but in general a degree and some sort of a teaching qualification is needed.

Public schools in China are managed by the state-run education system under the Ministry of Education. These schools provide nine years of compulsory education funded by the government. Public schools typically offer basic English courses or ESL programs, and some have international departments that provide access to more international content. Class sizes in public schools are generally larger compared to those in private and international schools. Much less selective when it comes to hiring teachers. a Degree and a TEFL certification is normally enough to get you into a public school as a teacher.