In the current wave of globalization, the boundaries of education are continually being expanded. International education, in particular, serves as a window through which children can gaze upon the vastness of the world; it is also like a bridge, constructing a passage for the exchange and mutual learning among different cultures.
Over the past four decades, international schools with diverse systems and philosophies have added a splendid chapter to Shenzhen's internationalization. As the first international school in Shenzhen to offer authentic British education and a boarding management system, Shenzhen Merchiston International School has now completed seven yearsof its journey.
This year, the international school has officially launched aThree-year Action Planfor quality improvement, striving towards the first decade of high-quality development. Recently, the "Exploring Schools" series by South Plus visited Shenzhen Merchiston Longhua Campus, engaging in dialogues with several leaders from Shenzhen Lighthouse International Education Group and Shenzhen Merchiston International School to gain a deeper understanding of the school's internal driving force for development.
"When I actually received the long-awaited admission offer from the University of Hong Kong, I felt surprisingly calm." Not long ago, Tina Huang, a student at Merchiston International School (MIS) in Shenzhen, received an offer from the University of Hong Kong, the top 1 university in Hong Kong. She said she has worked hard for this for a long time and has been confident she would secure the offer.
If you were to look for a student at MIS who can reflect the school's teaching strength and unique qualities, Tina would undoubtedly be one of the most representative examples.
As one of the first cohort of students of MIS, this year marks Tina’s sixth year studying here. She now holds five offers from prestigious universities in the UK, Australia, and Hong Kong. However, Tina’s excellence goes beyond academics. During her time at school, she has not only achieved outstanding academic results but has also demonstrated well-rounded abilities. She serves as the lead violinist in the school orchestra and is a member of the School’s swimming, volleyball, and football teams.
Looking at MIS’s recent admission results, you’ll find many all-round students like Tina. This year, the school has set a new record for admissions to world-renowned universities since its establishment.
Why are top universities so eager to hand out offers to this school? Today, let’s uncover the secret behind its "pouring offers" from prestigious universities.
Outstanding UK & US Admissions:
Achieving Dreams in the Russell Group &
Public "Ivy League" Universities
In February of this year, the University of Cambridge released its offers, and Hyde from Merchiston International School’s (MIS) Royal Mile Academy successfully secured an offer—marking the school’s first Cambridge offer in its seven-year history.
"One of the founding goals of the Royal Mile Academy is to take a results-driven approach during the four high school years, empowering students to sprint the 'final mile' to world-renowned universities and helping them secure admission to their dream universities," explained Gao Xu, Dean of MIS’s Royal Mile Academy. Three years ago, the school opened the Royal Mile Academy, setting the ambitious goal of accelerating students’ paths to top global universities—specifically targeting Oxbridge and G5 institutions. Today, three years later, students enrolled in the program have achieved remarkable outcomes.
Beyond the Cambridge offer, MIS’s Class of 2025 has received over 100 offers from prestigious universities, including Imperial College London, University College London, the University of Manchester, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Warwick.
Gao Xu noted that such impressive admissions results stem from the comprehensive planning and execution by MIS’s teaching and university guidance teams. The faculty, who combine local expertise with a global perspective, tailor learning goals and methods to each student’s need, preparing them for overseas study while fostering a blend of Eastern and Western educational strengths. This approach allows students to absorb knowledge flexibly and joyfully.
In addition to outstanding achievements in UK university admissions, MIS graduates have also shone in the US, securing offers from top public universities such as the University of California, Davis; the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; the University of Washington; and The Ohio State University.
A school renowned for its British-style education achieving equal success in American admissions further underscores the effectiveness of MIS’s nurturing philosophy: "Academic Excellence with a Warmth of Spirit."
"Excel in studies, enjoy in play."
Multidimensional Scholarship
Forging All-Round Excellence
The admission results reveal that MIS students only excel academically but also secure offers across a diverse range of disciplines, spanning both arts and sciences.
The Class of 2025 has been admitted to diverse majors spanning mathematics, international relations, biochemistry, education, and electrical and electronic engineering. Beyond these traditional disciplines, MIS students have also received offers from prestigious global art institutions, including the University of Manchester’s Fashion Management program and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Design program.
These students are true all-rounders: one PGA junior golf champion & skilled saxophonist, scoring an IELTS 8.0; another have competed in sailing for Shenzhen, winning awards, while simultaneously earning gold prize in the UKMT-SMC and Physics Bowl competitions. Parents often marvel at how MIS students master both academics and extracurricular passions.
Behind this lies MIS’s commitment to academic excellence across a broad curriculum. The school’s academic offerings extend beyond core subjects like Chinese, mathematics, physics, and chemistry to include sports, music, arts, and STEM disciplines, fostering well-rounded growth in every student.
Mr. Lyu Jianjun, Chairman of Shenzhen Lighthouse International Education Group and founder of MIS, explained that some MIS golfer students rank among China's top 30 junior golfers. By leveraging their professional strengths and outstanding academic abilities, the school helps them gain admission to world-class universities through sports-focused development. Located in Shenzhen's Dalang Fashion Town, MIS benefits from a unique geographical advantage, with access to renowned artists and guest professors who provide diverse art courses, supporting students in gaining admission to top art institutions like the University of the Arts London.
MIS's scholarship programs play a vital role in empowering students. For example, the "Royal Mile" Scholarship, tailored for students with the potential to aim for Oxbridge and other elite universities, offers full and half tuition scholarship. Recipients not only receive financial support but also benefit from personalized mentorship in academic planning and research projects.
For students entering Year 10 (Y10), generous scholarships are also available, with the highest-level full scholarship covering all tuition fees for four years of high school.
As an authentic British international school with seven years of deep roots in the Greater Bay Area, MIS's Class of 2025 has achieved remarkable results—each graduate holding an average of 5 offers, a 50% admission rate to UK G5 universities and Hong Kong's top three institutions, and diverse acceptances spanning the UK, US, Asia, and Australia. These accomplishments highlight the academic excellence and comprehensive development of MIS students, embodying the school's ethos of "Academic Excellence with Warmth."
"Providing diverse pathways and development opportunities for more children was my founding vision for the school," said Lyu Jianjun. "Merchiston International School is just the first step in realizing their dreams. Through our whole-person education model, we aim to empower every MIS student to become globally competent leaders with both a deep sense of national identity and an international perspective."
