“Editor | Epsom College in Malaysia (ECM) was founded in 2014 and offers an authentic British education to students aged 3 to 19. It is the only overseas sister school of Epsom College in the UK (ECUK). Set on a 50-acre campus with advanced, comprehensive facilities, the school boasts an outstanding university application support system, along with the professional Mouratoglou Tennis Academy, the ECIM Golf Academy and the LaLiga Football Academy — long-standing highlights that keep the school in the spotlight. Beyond A-Level courses, the school also offers the flexible BTEC and IBCP programmes, giving children a diverse range of pathways to further study.
Photo: Epsom official website
01 · School Overview
Epsom College in Malaysia (ECM) was founded in 2014 and provides a British-curriculum education for students aged 3 to 18, with the aim of sharing the educational philosophy of Epsom College in the UK (ECUK) with international students and carrying it forward.
Its parent school, Epsom College in the UK (ECUK), has a history of more than 170 years; its graduates are known as "Old Epsomians". The vast alumni network built by Epsom College UK also paved the way for the later birth of Epsom College in Malaysia.
Panoramic view of the school. Photo: Epsom official website
The school offers a nurturing, supportive and close-knit community in which children develop an enterprising, can-do spirit. Students combine a love of learning and the pursuit of academic excellence with a wealth of co-curricular opportunities, growing into young people about whom the school can be confident: they will take their place in the world and make a difference.
The school encourages its learners to be "change-makers". It believes education truly is the greatest tool for changing the world — education enables everyone to rise to challenges and make the most of the opportunities of our times. It knows no borders and is universal.
While the school's long and successful traditions come from Britain, it is even more a global school — its student body is drawn from many cultures, and it is proud of the beautiful Malaysian community in which it is located.
The school's staff teach, nurture and inspire students, so that their time at school is filled with learning, care and aspiration:
Learning: Learners are curious, engaged and proactive. They relish academic challenge and make connections across subjects, identifying the bigger picture. They take part in co-curricular activities such as sport, music and drama, developing teamwork, resilience and confidence as they willingly step outside their comfort zones. Students understand that making mistakes is a necessary part of their learning journey.
Care: This is a happy school and a happy place, home to lifelong friendships and meaningful teacher-student relationships. Everything the school does seeks to build students' self-esteem and sense of self-worth. The school builds awareness and understanding of the importance of physical and mental wellbeing and their interdependence. Its community cares for others — it cultivates compassion, kindness and selflessness, for here the next generation of leaders is being educated: scientists, doctors, statespeople and humanitarians. The school therefore encourages learners to reflect on the interconnectedness of humanity and the importance of caring for themselves and others.
Aspiration: At Epsom, the school sets itself the highest standards and holds others to the same expectations. Teachers seek to inspire through engaging, stimulating and challenging teaching, fostering in students a love of lifelong learning. Through the school's academic societies and co-curricular programme, students are encouraged to pursue their interests beyond the classroom and to collaborate with like-minded peers who share those interests and seek to develop them further.
The school offers students the choice of full boarding, weekly boarding and day attendance. The traditional British boarding-school system gives children positive community interaction and a strong sense of belonging.
All of the school's resident staff — including all teachers and tutors, housemasters and housemistresses and their families — live together on the school campus, which also serves as a safeguard for students' sense of security.
Panoramic view of the school. Photo: Epsom official website
School History
Epsom College is an outstanding independent co-educational boarding school, founded in 1853 and granted the patronage of Queen Victoria in 1855. According to the latest data released by the UK Department for Education in January 2020, Epsom College ranks in the top 5% of all independent schools. As the sister school established by Epsom College in Malaysia in 2014, it upholds the College's long-standing educational philosophy, nurturing ever more international talent.
School Mission
The school's goal is to be an exceptional learning community, blending the best elements of Epsom College in the UK with the values, expectations and opportunities offered by an international setting — embodied in its ethos of "British heritage, global learning, universal success".
The school aims to provide outstanding all-round opportunities — academic, social, sporting and cultural — within a safe, stimulating and supportive community.
The school encourages students to pursue excellence with resilience and to adapt to high-pressure environments — qualities that will set them apart at university and in the workplace.
The Epsom experience produces people with the courage to forge their own path while remaining attentive to the needs of others, following in the footsteps of the great Epsomians before them.
These values are more than words — they are practical principles that guide the daily actions of students and staff alike:
Good manners: Everyone should be courteous and treated with respect, avoiding harm to others whether emotional or physical.
Selflessness: Regularly consider what you can do for others in the school community, and always be willing to reach out to others and help them grow.
Hard work: Diligence and effort are the foundation of success. Never give up when things get tough, and always give your very best.
Protecting the environment: We must care for the environment and extend that care to the whole world.
Humility: Success in any form is no excuse for arrogance. Be modest about your own talents while recognising the talents of others.
Location
According to official Epsom figures, the campus covers 50 acres (roughly 300 Chinese mu). For the convenience of international boarders, the school is located twenty minutes' drive from the airport and one hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur city centre.
Amenities in the immediate vicinity of the school are limited, so families are advised to live near a school bus stop.
02 · Outstanding Academic Performance
Academic Results
Key Academic Results in 2025
Photo: Epsom official website
Photo: Epsom official websitePhoto: Epsom official website
2024 A-Level results
Half of all grades awarded were A* or A (the 2024 UK national average was 27.6%)
71% of grades were A* - B
45% of students achieved at least two A-Level grades at A* - A
55% of students achieved at least three A-Level grades at A* - B
65% of students achieved at least two A-Level grades at A* - B
Subjects with grades at A* - B:
Further Mathematics: 83%
Mathematics: 76%
Economics: 75%
English Literature: 75%
Geography: 75%
EPQ: 100%
2024 IGCSE results:
36% of grades were A*
55% of grades were A* - A
79% of grades were A* - B
88% of grades were A* - C
31% of students achieved seven or more grades at A* or A
55% of students achieved seven or more grades at A* - B
Subjects with grades at A* - B
Mathematics: 72%
Further Mathematics: 97%
English (First Language): 89%
Physics: 73%
Biology: 85%
Chemistry: 76%
Art and Design: 75%
English Literature: 100%
Malay: 100%
Chinese: 100%
Spanish: 100%
Key Academic Results in 2023
2023 A-Level results:
71% of students achieved at least one A* or A grade
50% of students achieved A* or A grades in two of their three subjects
75% of students achieved top grades — A*, A or B — in at least two subjects
2023 IGCSE results:
93% of students achieved at least one A* or A grade
52% of students achieved at least three A* or A grades
95% of Further Mathematics students achieved an A* or A grade
Key Academic Results in 2022
2022 A-Level results
63% of grades were A* or A
40% of students achieved at least three A*/A grades
36% of grades were A*
21% of students achieved at least three A* grades
2022 IGCSE results
70% of grades were A* or A
47% of grades were A*
55% of students achieved seven or more A/A* grades
At least three-quarters of students achieved A*/A in each of the following subjects: Mathematics, English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Chinese, French, Spanish, Drama, Music, Geography, Accounting and Malay.
Early Years
The school's Early Years programme ensures the development of the "whole child", with exploration and hands-on learning at the heart of the experience. Both indoor and outdoor environments provide a comprehensive setting for children's learning.
At this stage, the focus is on developing and building solid foundations in literacy, mathematics, expressive arts and design, personal, social and emotional development, communication and language, understanding the world, and physical development.
Photo: Epsom official website
Prep School
The school has an experienced and dedicated teaching team. To ensure high-quality teaching, most teachers have been trained in the UK.
At this stage, the school encourages the all-round, complete development of each child's character. Built on the UK's National Curriculum, its rich and varied programme lays a solid foundation for entry to the Senior School.
The broad curriculum at this stage includes English, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Computing, Art and Design, Physical Education, Music and Chinese. As part of their co-curricular learning, students also have the opportunity to study a European language.
Beyond the Prep School curriculum, students can explore and pursue their interests through co-curricular activities — taking part in sport or the creative arts using the school's world-class facilities.
Every student is assigned to a day house, which helps them integrate into school life and the community and transition smoothly into the Senior School.
The school's English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme rapidly improves students' English, with small-class teaching that fully meets the needs of individual students.
Photo: Epsom official website
Key Stage 1: Years 1-2
The broad curriculum at this stage is based on the UK's National Curriculum, with a strong emphasis on foundational literacy and numeracy. In addition, there are humanities and language courses (French, Spanish, Chinese and Malay).
Children's learning progress and attainment are in line with the expected standards of the British curriculum. There are three scheduled parent-teacher meetings each year, and at each meeting parents receive a report on their child's attainment and progress.
Key Stage 2: Years 3-6
At this stage, the school continues to follow the UK's National Curriculum, ensuring children's learning progress and attainment remain in line with the expected standards of the British curriculum.
With small class sizes, teaching and learning can be tailored to each individual.
Children continue to strengthen their foundational literacy and numeracy, alongside courses in the humanities, science and languages (French, Spanish, Chinese and Malay).
There are three scheduled parent-teacher meetings each year, and at each meeting parents receive a report on their child's attainment and progress.
Senior School
Many students progress directly from the Prep School to the Senior School, while others come from across Malaysia and throughout Asia. Students may choose to attend as day students or boarders.
Key Stage 3: Years 7-9
At this stage, the school focuses on nurturing children's talents and encourages them to explore the broad range of academic courses and co-curricular activities on offer.
Classes are kept small so that the school can focus on the needs of every child.
Photo: Epsom official website
In January of Year 9, children take part in an induction programme to ensure that by the end of this stage they clearly understand the IGCSE courses and can make informed choices.
The aim of Key Stage 3 is to build a strong foundation for IGCSE study, grounded in a broad and balanced curriculum, for students from a wide range of educational and cultural backgrounds. Subjects include English, Mathematics, Science, Design and Technology, Physical Education, Computer Science, Art, Speech and Drama, Spanish, French, Chinese, History, Information Skills and Sport.
Key Stage 3 lays a solid foundation for Key Stage 4 (IGCSE). The curriculum develops students' ability to absorb, discern and integrate what they learn, connecting individual subjects with the broad curriculum the school offers.
For students whose second language is English, the school's experienced and dedicated teaching team provides a specially designed intensive English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme, ensuring students progress quickly and can participate fully in the community both in and beyond school.
Students learn how to study effectively, challenged in groups and small sets by dedicated, highly qualified staff.
Key Stage 3 students have the opportunity to explore a wide variety of co-curricular activities to broaden their horizons — from martial arts to debating, from the rugby pitch to the swimming pool, students receive expert coaching from highly skilled professionals within and beyond the Epsom community.
Key Stage 4: Years 10-11
This is the most critical stage for students. Every student is assigned a personal tutor, whom they meet regularly to discuss any issues they encounter, while the tutor also monitors their academic progress.
The centrepiece of Key Stage 4 is the IGCSE programme. Courses are taught in small classes, with leading subject specialists working closely with each child to ensure excellent results.
Photo: Epsom official website
The attentive pastoral care and co-curricular activities continue throughout Key Stage 4. Students go on benefiting from co-curricular pursuits and taking on challenges beyond the classroom. Completing this stage helps students round out their academic, personal and social development, preparing them to step into the next phase of their educational journey.
Students entering Year 10 must study 10 to 12 IGCSE subjects, of which six are compulsory and the remaining four to six are electives. Students may also choose to sit examinations in additional subjects, such as Chinese or Malay.
All students must study English (as a first or second language) and have the opportunity to study English Literature.
IGCSE Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics are compulsory. The Science department regularly reviews course content to ensure it matches students' learning abilities.
Form 6 (A-Level Stage)
Form 6 offers broad opportunities for study, enabling students to flourish and preparing them to be global citizens in the wider world.
The school offers the following A-Level courses: Accounting, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, Drama Studies, Economics, English Literature, Art and Design, Further Mathematics, Geography, History, Chinese, Mathematics, Physics and Politics.
Photo: Epsom official website
Students choose three subjects to study, supplemented by the Extended Project Qualification to further develop their academic skills and pave the way for future undergraduate study.
Every student benefits from a well-structured educational environment and outstanding pastoral care.
During their time at Epsom, students acquire the study skills and time-management skills that are vital for university life.
Like-minded students also have many opportunities to work together — in sports, drama productions, orchestras, choirs, societies, overseas trips and more. Form 6 has its own dedicated study and discussion centre, first-class ICT facilities, and a social and educational programme.
The school also provides all Form 6 students with comprehensive higher education and university guidance, including specialist support for students interested in Oxbridge or careers in medicine.
The school's experienced Director of University Guidance and Higher Education is on hand to help students and their parents look ahead and consider life after graduating from Epsom.
The school regularly hosts higher education seminars featuring a range of guest speakers, as well as specialist events on applying to medical schools and Oxbridge.
EAL Programme
The EAL programme provides specialist English teaching in small groups alongside study in other subjects such as Science and Mathematics, closing the gap with students of higher English proficiency and enabling rapid progress. Through this approach at Epsom, students grow more confident and more proficient in using English. English classes typically have between 5 and 10 students, depending on proficiency level. Teaching groups are kept small to provide individual support, but as students progress they are encouraged to discuss and learn from one another in larger groups, which also benefits them greatly.
Progress is tracked through internal assessments, including phonics assessments, reading comprehension, and high-frequency reading and spelling scores. The resulting data enables EAL teachers to create tailored lessons focused on what each child needs to learn next to raise their English level. This strategy has been highly successful, with students making excellent progress in a relatively short time. Students receive reports twice a term, informing parents of their child's progress in other subjects. These reports focus on three areas: attainment, effort and homework.
03 · Rich Co-curricular Activities
Co-curricular Activities
Epsom offers a wide variety of co-curricular activities to develop students' talents and interests beyond the classroom. Students benefit both personally and socially — making new friends while learning the importance of tact, decisiveness, time management and teamwork.
From golf to chess, from debating to public speaking — every student is sure to find a co-curricular activity of their own, including:
Academic clubs, societies, games, activities, service, community and leadership.
Creative arts include: dance, design and technology, drama, music, photography and art.
Sports include: badminton, squash, hockey, tennis, swimming and volleyball.
Recreational sports include: golf, ultimate frisbee, yoga, table tennis, Zumba, rock climbing, softball, rounders, boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and cycling.
Senior School students can also take part in: athletics, cross country, badminton, basketball, cricket, fencing, football, golf, hockey, martial arts, table tennis, rock climbing, rounders, softball, rugby, touch rugby, squash, swimming and tennis.
04 · Everything About the School
Dining
Menus are carefully designed — varied, nutritious and delicious — ensuring a wide range of healthy options is always available.
Dietary requirements are also taken into account in menu planning; lunch and dinner include vegetarian, meat and fish dishes, salads and fresh fruit.
Boarders enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus two snacks during the day. Day students enjoy lunch and two snacks.
Boarding
All Senior School students, whether day students or boarders, are assigned to a house.
Each house is led by a Housemaster or Housemistress (HMM), supported by an assistant, pastoral tutors, a house matron and several resident tutors. Working as a team, they provide students with academic and pastoral support, guiding them through adolescence.
Photo: Epsom official website
House staff also oversee students' activity schedules, lead them in house family activities, take on evening supervision duties, and help foster pride and belonging through involvement in Prefect training and the student council.
While most boarders begin boarding in Year 7, Prep School students from Year 5 upwards may also choose to board.
Campus Environment
The campus features advanced, comprehensive facilities. All teaching and learning takes place in high-tech green buildings that comply with international safety regulations, ensuring students grow up healthy in body and mind and learn with joy. Beyond that, the school also boasts numerous high-quality professional sports facilities.
School Bus
The school bus service supports students' transport needs, and the service is free of charge, catering to day students' commutes.
Free bus routes currently run to and from Sendayan in Negeri Sembilan, Cyberjaya, Kota Warisan and Mont Kiara.
Note: School bus routes and policies may change from term to term; please refer to the latest announcements from the official website or the admissions office.