History
The Story of Oxford International School of Tunis
Univet Inside
Building an International Educational Journey in Tunisia
Every school begins with an idea.
For Oxford International School of Tunis, that idea was born from a growing need: families in Tunisia needed greater access to an English-medium education that could prepare their children for opportunities beyond a single educational system or national border.
In 2018, OIST was founded with the ambition of creating an educational environment where students could learn in English, develop academic confidence and follow an internationally oriented educational journey.
What began as a vision for a different kind of educational opportunity has developed into a school community serving students across multiple stages of their education.
Today, OIST brings together students, families, teachers and education professionals around one shared purpose:
Building Brilliance Together.
2018: Where the Story Began
OIST was founded in 2018 by a Tunisian entrepreneur who recognised an opportunity to expand access to English-language education in Tunisia.
The vision was ambitious but simple.
Create a school where students could develop their education in English, benefit from an internationally oriented curriculum and build the confidence to imagine futures that extended beyond geographical borders.
From the beginning, OIST was designed to be more than a place where students attend lessons.
It was intended to become a learning community.
A place where students could ask questions, discover their strengths and gradually take ownership of their educational journey.
Building the Foundations
The early years of OIST were about establishing the foundations of a school community.
This meant developing academic programmes, building a team of educators and creating an environment capable of supporting students at different stages of their learning.
As the school developed, the focus remained on providing continuity.
Rather than treating each school year as an isolated experience, OIST continued to build a pathway where students could progress from one stage of education to the next.
One school. A connected journey.
Growing With Our Students
A school grows in more ways than one.
As students progress, their needs change. Younger learners need discovery and reassurance. Primary students need strong foundations. Secondary students need greater academic depth, independence and preparation for important qualifications.
OIST has continued to develop its educational journey around these changing needs.
Today, students can progress through key stages including:
Early Years
The beginning of curiosity and discovery.
Cambridge Primary
Building knowledge, confidence and essential learning skills.
Cambridge Lower Secondary
Developing deeper understanding and increasing independence.
Cambridge IGCSE
Working towards internationally recognised qualifications.
Cambridge A Levels
Advanced study and preparation for higher education.
A New Chapter: Becoming a Cambridge Examination Centre
An important milestone in the development of OIST was the establishment of its Cambridge examination centre.
The school states that its first official Cambridge examination session began during the 2022–2023 academic year.
This represented an important step in strengthening the connection between classroom learning and internationally recognised Cambridge assessments.
For students, it means that their educational journey can include structured preparation and access to Cambridge examinations within the OIST educational environment.
OIST Today
Today, OIST is a school community bringing together students, families, teachers, academic leaders and support professionals.
Our story continues to evolve, but the central question remains the same:
How can we help each student move forward?
The answer looks different for every learner.
For one child, it may mean discovering confidence in the classroom.
For another, it may mean finding a passion for science, technology, art or business.
For an older student, it may mean preparing for IGCSE examinations, A Levels or the transition to university.
Our role is not to decide every student's future.
It is to help create the knowledge, skills and confidence that allow them to build it.
The Next Chapter Is Still Being Written
The history of OIST is not a finished story.
Every new student, teacher, family, achievement and challenge becomes part of the school community.
As education continues to evolve, so will we.
Our commitment is to keep learning, adapting and building an environment where students are prepared not only for the next examination, but for the next stage of their lives.
Building Brilliance Together — Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.
[Discover Our Cambridge Curriculum →]
