Curricula and annual fees
| Curriculum | Annual fee |
|---|---|
| Indian (CBSE/ICSE) | AED 8,000 – 25,000 |
| French / German | AED 25,000 – 55,000 |
| British | AED 30,000 – 70,000 |
| American | AED 40,000 – 80,000 |
| IB (International Baccalaureate) | AED 50,000 – 100,000 |
Fees usually exclude transport, uniforms, books and activities. Fee increases are regulated by the government; schools can't raise fees at will.
KHDA ratings: judging school quality
Dubai's private schools are inspected regularly by KHDA, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority. The scale from top to bottom is Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable, Weak. Every school's latest inspection report is public on KHDA's website.
The rating matters, but it isn't everything: distance from home, curriculum, class sizes and your child's needs also count. Because of traffic, a school close to home makes daily life much easier.
Admissions step by step
- Start early. Popular schools take applications 12–18 months ahead; waiting lists are common.
- Application and registration fee. Apply on the school's website and pay a non-refundable registration fee.
- Assessment. From Grade 2 there's usually an English and maths assessment. It's for placement, not a pass-or-fail exam.
- Offer and deposit. An offer usually follows within 5–10 working days. A seat deposit of about 5–10% of annual tuition secures the place.
Documents you'll need
- Child's passport and UAE residence visa, then Emirates ID once issued
- Parents' passport and visa copies
- The last two school reports
- An attested transfer certificate from the previous school
- Photo and vaccination record
The transfer certificate must be attested in your home country, then by the UAE embassy and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This can take 6–8 weeks, so for a September start, begin in June.
School calendar
Most schools start the year in late August or September, with a second intake in January. Indian-curriculum schools usually start in April.
Frequently asked questions
How much are school fees in Dubai?
From about AED 8,000 to over AED 100,000 a year depending on the curriculum and school. British-curriculum schools are usually AED 30,000–70,000; IB schools AED 50,000–100,000.
What is a KHDA rating?
The quality rating KHDA, Dubai's education authority, gives private schools: Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable and Weak. Inspection reports are public on KHDA's website.
When should I apply?
12–18 months ahead for popular schools. Document attestation takes 6–8 weeks, so start preparing by June for a September start.
Do school fees go up every year?
Schools can't raise fees freely; increases are limited by a government framework and the school's inspection rating.