Official sources: KHDA · MOE · IBO

For families relocating to the United Arab Emirates

Enroll your child in a school in the Emirates, step by step

A single resource that consolidates the enrollment process, a personalized document checklist, a curriculum comparison, current tuition costs, frequently asked questions, and a chatbot that answers your questions.

Start the process My document checklist

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01

The enrollment process, step by step

Select each step to view its tasks, estimated duration, and a practical recommendation. The complete process typically takes two to three months.

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0/6 steps completed

Step 1 / 6 · Estimated time: 2–4 weeks

Research and shortlist schools

Compare curriculum, location, fees and KHDA inspection ratings.

What to do

  • Decide on a curriculum (IB, British, American…) using the comparator on this site
  • Read KHDA inspection reports at khda.gov.ae
  • Check fee tables and the distance from your home or workplace
  • Book school tours (virtual or in person) for 3–4 schools
Recommendation: Popular schools fill up by March for a September start — start early!

02

Interactive document checklist

Answer four questions and the list adapts to your family's situation. Your progress is saved in this browser.

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Where is your child coming from?
Residency visa status
Age group
Special educational needs?

Your personalized list

0/0 documents ready

  • Why?

    Valid for at least 6 months. The visa page is also needed once residency is issued.

  • Why?

    Both parents, including the residence visa page if available.

  • Why?

    Required to generate the KHDA student number. If your visa is still pending, most schools give a 30–90 day grace period.

  • Why?

    Entry permit or sponsor's employment letter while the residence visa is processed.

  • Why?

    At least one parent or the legal sponsor.

  • Why?

    Must be in English or Arabic. Spanish certificates need a sworn translation.

  • Why?

    White background, recent.

  • Why?

    Translated into English. The school nurse checks it against the UAE schedule (DHA). Missing vaccines can be completed in Dubai.

  • Why?

    Provided by the school; includes allergies, medication and emergency contacts.

  • Why?

    Required from Year 4 / Grade 3 up. Attestation chain: Ministry of Education → Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Apostille → UAE Embassy → UAE MOFA. Must state the last grade completed and be in English or Arabic.

  • Why?

    Issued by the current school through the KHDA system once fees are settled. No attestation needed.

  • Why?

    Translated into English. Used to confirm grade placement and subject choices.

  • Why?

    Any diagnosis, IEP or therapy reports so the inclusion team can plan the right support.

  • Why?

    Non-refundable but deducted from the first term's fees if the child enrolls.

  • Why?

    Needed for school transport routing and emergency records.

03

Curriculum options in Dubai

Dubai has schools offering 17 different curriculum types. The three most common among international families are compared below.

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International Baccalaureate (IB)

Inquiry-based, globally recognized, ideal for internationally mobile families.

Origin: Switzerland (IBO, 1968)

Structure · Key characteristics · Assessment

Structure

StageAgesGradesFocus
Primary Years Program (PYP)3–12Early Years to Grade 5Six transdisciplinary themes; learning through inquiry and play.
Middle Years Program (MYP)11–16Grade 6 to Grade 10Eight subject groups, personal project in the final year.
Diploma Program (DP) / Career-related Program (CP)16–19Grade 11 to Grade 12Six subjects (3 HL + 3 SL), Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS.

Key characteristics

  • Holistic 'learner profile' developing critical thinking, research and communication
  • Strong emphasis on bilingualism: Spanish can be taken as Language A (mother tongue)
  • No single national syllabus — schools design units around IB frameworks
  • Broad subject breadth kept until age 18 (sciences + humanities + arts)
  • Highly valued by universities worldwide, including Spain (UNEDasiss) and Latin America

Assessment

PYP and MYP use continuous, criterion-referenced assessment (rubrics, portfolios, exhibitions) with no external exams until the optional MYP eAssessment at 16. The DP combines internal assessments (about 20–30%) with externally marked final exams in May; each subject is graded 1–7 for a maximum of 45 points (24 needed to pass).

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British Curriculum (National Curriculum for England)

The most common option in Dubai — structured, exam-based, with IGCSE and A-Levels.

Origin: England (Department for Education)

Structure · Key characteristics · Assessment

Structure

StageAgesGradesFocus
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)3–5FS1, FS2Play-based learning; early literacy and numeracy.
Key Stage 1 & 2 (Primary)5–11Year 1 – Year 6Core subjects: English, Math, Science + Arabic, Islamic/Moral Education (UAE requirement).
Key Stage 3 (Lower Secondary)11–14Year 7 – Year 9Broad curriculum of 10–12 subjects.
Key Stage 4 — IGCSE / GCSE14–16Year 10 – Year 11Students choose 8–10 subjects and sit external exams (Cambridge / Pearson).
Key Stage 5 — A-Levels / BTEC16–18Year 12 – Year 13 (Sixth Form)Specialisation in 3–4 subjects.

Key characteristics

  • Largest number of schools in Dubai (over 80), at every price point
  • Clear year-by-year progression with national standards and Ofsted-style inspections
  • Early specialisation: students narrow down to 3–4 A-Level subjects at 16
  • Spanish is commonly offered as a Modern Foreign Language (IGCSE / A-Level Spanish)
  • Well understood by Spanish universities: A-Levels are convertible via UNEDasiss

Assessment

Teacher assessment plus standardised tests through primary (schools in Dubai use GL Progress Tests or CAT4 each year). Externally set and marked exams at 16 (IGCSE, graded 9–1 or A*–G) and at 18 (A-Levels, graded A*–E). Results are published in August.

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American Curriculum (US Common Core / State Standards)

Flexible and credit-based, with continuous assessment and the High School Diploma.

Origin: United States (state standards, Common Core, NGSS)

Structure · Key characteristics · Assessment

Structure

StageAgesGradesFocus
Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten3–6Pre-K, KG1, KG2Social skills, phonics and number sense.
Elementary School6–11Grade 1 – Grade 5Common Core ELA and Math, NGSS Science, Social Studies.
Middle School11–14Grade 6 – Grade 8Transition to subject teachers and electives.
High School14–18Grade 9 – Grade 12Credit system (usually 22–26 credits to graduate), GPA, Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

Key characteristics

  • Wide breadth until 18: students keep Math, English, Science, Social Studies plus electives
  • Continuous assessment culture — homework, projects and participation count towards the GPA
  • Strong sports, arts and extracurricular programs
  • AP courses and SAT/ACT allow direct entry to US universities
  • Accredited in Dubai by US agencies (NEASC, CIS, Cognia) — check the accreditation!

Assessment

Mostly internal and continuous: quizzes, unit tests, projects and participation are combined into a letter grade (A–F) and a GPA on a 4.0 scale each semester. External benchmarks used in Dubai are MAP (NWEA) tests up to three times a year, plus the optional PSAT/SAT and AP exams in Grades 11–12. There is no single final national exam; the High School Diploma is awarded on accumulated credits.

Curriculum comparison

The three curriculum options compared across eight criteria.

CriterionInternational Baccalaureate (IB)British Curriculum (National Curriculum for England)American Curriculum (US Common Core / State Standards)
Typical annual feesAED 50,000 – 95,000 / yearAED 15,000 – 100,000 / yearAED 12,000 – 90,000 / year
Teaching styleInquiry-led, student-centeredStructured, teacher-led with clear objectivesFlexible, project-based, continuous feedback
Assessment / examsContinuous + DP external exams at 18External exams at 16 (IGCSE) and 18 (A-Level)Internal grades + MAP; optional SAT/AP
Final qualificationIB Diploma (max 45 points)A-Levels (3–4 subjects)High School Diploma + GPA (optional AP)
Subject breadthBroad: 6 subjects to age 18Narrow: 3–4 subjects from age 16Very broad: credits + electives to 18
Spanish language supportExcellent — Spanish as Language AGood — Spanish as foreign languageVariable — depends on the school
University accessDirect access in Spain, Latin America, UK, USDirect in UK; Spain via UNEDasiss conversionDirect in US; Spain requires homologación + PCE/SAT
Schools in Dubai~ 20~ 80+~ 35

Grade-placement calculator

KHDA places students according to their age on August 31 of the academic year. Enter the date of birth to see the expected grade in each curriculum.

04

Interactive map of Dubai schools

28 private schools with real 2026-27 tuition (KHDA-approved), inspection ratings, faith or ethos, and Spanish-language provision. Filter, select a marker or a card to open the full profile, and from there contact the school or ask Linda.

28 schools

Marker color = curriculumIBBritishAmericanCBSEFR/DE

05

The cost of schooling in Dubai

Every private-school fee in Dubai is approved and published by KHDA, which froze tuition for 2026-27. The table below is computed by the Python server from the 28 schools in our directory; the extras come from KHDA fee fact sheets.

Real annual tuition 2026-27 by curriculum

CurriculumSchoolsLowest feeTypical school (median)Highest feeReal examples
British16AED 9,895AED 54,437 – AED 89,440AED 110,305St. Mary's Catholic High School AED 9,895 – AED 19,221Safa Community School AED 54,437 – AED 89,440Dubai College AED 97,415 – AED 110,305
American3AED 23,184AED 60,571 – AED 89,319AED 93,300Al Ittihad Private School – Jumeirah AED 23,184 – AED 47,633American School of Dubai AED 60,571 – AED 89,319GEMS Dubai American Academy AED 66,185 – AED 93,300
IB13AED 30,983AED 52,863 – AED 95,000AED 123,442GEMS Modern Academy AED 30,983 – AED 73,876Repton School Dubai AED 52,863 – AED 95,000GEMS World Academy Dubai AED 71,113 – AED 123,442
Indian (CBSE)2AED 7,828AED 7,828 – AED 16,299AED 73,876GEMS Our Own English High School AED 7,828 – AED 16,299GEMS Modern Academy AED 30,983 – AED 73,876
French1AED 31,276AED 31,276 – AED 50,700AED 50,700Lycée Français International Georges Pompidou AED 31,276 – AED 50,700
German1AED 38,760AED 38,760 – AED 73,227AED 73,227Deutsche Internationale Schule Dubai AED 38,760 – AED 73,227
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Additional costs to budget for

  • Application feeAED 500 + 5% VAT = AED 525 (KHDA cap) · non-refundable · not deducted from tuition
  • Enrollment depositNew students: up to 10% of annual tuition (e.g., AED 4,000 flat at Taaleem/Safa) · deducted from Term 1 · re-enrollment 5% or AED 500
  • Uniform and PE kitAED 500 – 2,500 per year (e.g., DBS 500–2,000 · DAA 500–2,500)
  • School busAED 5,000 – 10,700 per year (DBS 5,000–10,000 · DAA 6,670–10,600 · Regent 6,770–10,690)
  • Books and devicesBooks AED 50 – 2,000 · laptop or iPad AED 1,600 – 4,000 (bring-your-own-device from Grade 6 at most schools)
  • Trips and activitiesLocal trips AED 30 – 1,500 · clubs AED 0 – 10,000 · optional international trips AED 5,000 – 15,000
  • Medical and examination feesMedical fee AED 1,200 – 1,500 per year at some schools · external examinations billed at cost (≈ AED 3,000 – 6,000 in examination years)
  • Debentures and capital fees (nonprofit schools)Dubai College: AED 30,000 refundable debenture · ASD: AED 22,000 capital fee + AED 12,984 per year facility fee · DESC: AED 5,000 – 7,500 acceptance fee

Annual budget estimator

Estimated annual totalAED 0Tuition tiers are the least expensive, median, and most expensive school of each curriculum in our directory (midpoint of each school's 2026-27 range), plus typical extras: uniform 1,200 · books and device 3,000 · activities 2,500 · bus 8,500 AED. A 5% sibling discount is applied from the second child.

06

Frequently asked questions

The eight questions most frequently asked by families enrolling a child in Dubai.

My child does not speak English yet. Can they still enroll in a school in Dubai?

Yes. Most private schools in Dubai offer EAL (English as an Additional Language) support programs for new arrivals. Younger children (Foundation / KG / Primary) are admitted almost without restrictions. For older students (Year 7+ / Grade 6+), the school may run a short English assessment and might recommend additional support classes. Some schools (e.g. those with a Spanish or Latin American community) also offer Spanish as a mother-tongue subject.

Do I need to legalise (attest) my child's documents from my home country?

Yes, for students joining from Year 4 / Grade 3 upwards, the Transfer Certificate (TC) and the last report card must be attested. The usual chain is: 1) Ministry of Education of your country, 2) Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or Apostille), 3) UAE Embassy in your country, and finally 4) the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) once in the UAE. Documents in Spanish must be translated into English or Arabic by a legal translator.

How much does a private school in Dubai cost per year?

Fees vary widely: from around AED 12,000 per year in budget schools to over AED 100,000 in premium schools. A mid-range British or American curriculum school usually charges AED 30,000–60,000 per year; IB schools tend to be AED 50,000–95,000. Fees rise with the grade level. In addition, expect a registration fee (AED 500, deductible from tuition), a refundable deposit (typically 5–10% of the annual fee), plus uniforms, transport, books and extracurricular activities. All fees are regulated and published by the KHDA.

In which grade/year will my child be placed? It is different from my country.

Placement in the UAE is based on the child's age on 31 August of the school year (KHDA rule). For example, a child who turns 6 by 31 August enters Year 2 (British), Grade 1 (American) or PYP 1 (IB). Schools may not place children outside the age band, so a child cannot be 'held back' or 'skipped ahead' just because of the previous system. Use the age calculator in the Curriculum section of this site to check the equivalent grade.

When does the school year start and when should I apply?

Most schools in Dubai follow a September–June/July calendar with three terms (holidays in December and March/April). Some American and Indian curriculum schools start in August or April. Applications for the next September usually open in October–November of the previous year, and popular schools fill up by March. Mid-year admissions are possible if seats are available, especially in January.

Can I apply before we have our UAE residence visa?

Yes. You can apply and even receive an offer with just the child's passport. However, to complete the registration and obtain the KHDA student ID, the school will eventually need a copy of the child's UAE residence visa and Emirates ID. Schools normally allow a grace period (often 30–90 days after joining) to submit these.

Which curriculum is best if we might return to Spain or Latin America later?

The IB is the most internationally portable and its Diploma is recognized for university entry in Spain (via UNEDasiss) and across Latin America. The British curriculum (IGCSE / A-Levels) is also widely recognized, and A-Levels can be validated for Spanish university access. The American curriculum (High School Diploma) may require additional validation (homologación) and often SAT/AP scores for Spanish universities. Compare the three options in the Curriculum section.

What is the KHDA and what do the school ratings mean?

The KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority) is the Dubai government body that regulates private schools. Every year it inspects schools and publishes a rating: Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable or Weak. Schools rated Good or above may increase fees according to the Education Cost Index. You can read every inspection report for free on khda.gov.ae — this is a great tool to shortlist schools.

07

Ask Linda

Linda is a rule-based virtual assistant written in Python. She identifies the type of question and the details you provide (age, budget, curriculum, area, rating), searches the 28 schools using all your criteria at once, compares two schools, and remembers the school you are discussing.

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Linda · Enrollment Assistant Online · Python engine