doris
Ask doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Ask doris
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
Search & filter all 3 schools Compare 3 schools in Abu Dhabi

Premium International Schools in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Edited by · B2C Marketing Manager

About international schools in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Premium international schools in Abu Dhabi are concentrated in newer residential and cultural districts such as Saadiyat, Yas and Al Reem and operate under close oversight from the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK). They commonly offer British, American and International Baccalaureate pathways - many premium campuses provide dual options at sixth form - with English as the main medium of instruction while Arabic (and Islamic Education for Muslim students) are required under national curriculum rules. Tuition at premium campuses typically sits in the AED 50,000 - 100,000 per year band, with some senior-year places and island campuses exceeding AED 100,000, and ADEK publishes and approves school fee bands and annual increases. The main intake follows the UAE school year (late August/early September) though some systems (notably many Indian-board schools) run an April-to-March cycle; popular premium schools often have waiting lists, require a non-refundable registration deposit and completion of ADEK eSIS registration after enrolment.

Compare 3 Premium international schools in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Filter by curriculum, fees (average AED 79,540), location, and more to find the right international school now.

At a glance 3 schools · avg fee AED 79,540
Schools listed
3
Curricula
1
Average annual fee
AED 79,540
Fee range
AED 63,351 – 103,260
Most common curriculum
British Curriculum (3 schools)
Average school size
2,101 pupils
Largest by enrolment
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi
Explore more — related searches, map view, upcoming events
Open Abu Dhabi in map view

Related searches

All international schools in United Arab EmiratesBritish schools in United Arab EmiratesIB schools in United Arab EmiratesAmerican schools in United Arab Emirates

FAQs for United Arab Emirates

What curriculum options will we find at premium international schools in Abu Dhabi and how do they differ?
Premium campuses typically offer the English National Curriculum (IGCSE → A-Level), American programmes (including AP), and the International Baccalaureate (PYP/MYP/DP), and some schools combine routes so students can choose at sixth form. British pathways tend to be subject-specialist from Year 10 - 13, American routes emphasise a broader credit and flexible course selection, and the IB Diploma is a two-year, internationally recognised programme focused on breadth and independent research. Which suits your child depends on their learning style, university intentions and whether you prefer subject depth (A-Levels), curricular breadth (IB) or the US credit/AP model.
How much should we budget beyond published tuition fees?
On top of annual tuition expect one-off registration or capital levies and recurring extras such as school transport, uniforms, meals, textbooks, exam registration and co-curricular activities. These add commonly 10 - 25% to the headline fee at premium schools; dedicated services such as private buses, specialist music tuition or externally hosted trips increase that further. Check each school’s full fee policy (payment schedules, refund rules and any sibling discounts) before accepting a place.
When should we apply if we are relocating to Abu Dhabi?
Apply as early as possible - for many premium schools the competitive September intake requires applications and assessments 6 - 12 months beforehand and popular campuses may close waiting lists before spring. If you arrive mid-year, ask schools about mid-year places and look also at Indian-curriculum schools, which commonly run an April intake and may have seats available out of the September cycle. Expect assessment steps (online or in-person), an offer with a deposit to secure a place and an ADEK registration step to follow.
What documents and steps are needed to confirm admission in Abu Dhabi?
Schools usually require copies of passports, UAE residence visa or visa file number, Emirates ID (when issued), recent school reports, an attested Transfer Certificate for transfers into Grade 2 and above, and an up-to-date vaccination record. Once the school issues an offer and you complete payment steps, the child must be registered with ADEK (eSIS) within the school’s allowed window so the regulator issues the student record and unique identifier - the school’s admissions team will guide you through this.
What languages are taught and are Arabic and Islamic studies compulsory?
English is the primary language of instruction at most international schools, but UAE regulations require Arabic for all students (delivered as first-language for Arabic speakers and as an additional language for others) and Islamic Education for Muslim students. Non-Muslim students typically follow Moral Education in place of Islamic studies and schools will outline the exact language streams they offer, including additional modern languages such as French or Spanish.