Compare German Curriculum International Schools in United Arab Emirates

Instructs in German

Ages 4 - 18 years

Fees AED 37,570 - 56,600

Pupils 400

German International School Abu Dhabi (GISAD) is a German‑curriculum international day school in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, providing education from Kindergarten through the gymnasiale Oberstufe and serving ages 4–18. The school follows German curricula (including Thüringian curriculum frameworks) and, since 2018/19, offers the Deutsche Internationale Abitur (DIA); the upper school delivers a bilingual emphasis with some subjects taught in English and the possibility of up to 50% instruction in a foreign language. German is the principal language of instruction; English is taught from Grade 1 and Arabic is compulsory from Grade 1 (with additional hours for native Arabic speakers). Early language support is provided through a structured DaF programme (KIKUS) in kindergarten and school. Published facilities and services include a mediothek (library), cafeteria (partnered catering), a fully equipped nurse's station, a schoolshop, an 11‑bus transport service, school social work, after‑school care, extracurricular clubs and private tutoring. The school also publishes recent programme innovations such as a Flexklasse model for Years 1–2.

Location

GISAD is located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The official mailing address is P.O. Box 4150, Abu Dhabi. The campus is in central Abu Dhabi with bus routes serving multiple city zones, including Abu Dhabi City, Al Reem Island, Saadiyat Island, Mangrove Village, and surrounding areas.

Stages

GISAD offers education from Kindergarten through Upper Secondary. It includes Primary School and Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary levels, culminating in the German Abitur. Instruction includes a bilingual German-English program starting in kindergarten, with Abitur preparation in Upper Secondary.

Type

GISAD is a co-educational day school with an extensive afternoon program.

Pupil Nationality Mix

GISAD has a multinational student body. In 2025/2026 the school enrolled 544 students. About 80 Emirati students participate in the ADEK scholarship program, representing roughly 15% of the student body. Public reporting notes the school hosts students from around 17 nationalities.

Additional learning support

GISAD provides inclusive education with language integration for non-German-speaking students (DaF), an integration pathway, school social work, bilingual counseling, and private tutoring; there is a nurse on site.

Country affiliation

GISAD is affiliated with Germany as a German international school abroad; it is part of the German Schools Abroad network and awards the German Language Diploma (DSD) and Abitur.

Religious affiliation

No religious affiliation is indicated.

School day structure

Timetables are published via the UNTIS timetable app; schedules may vary by grade and are updated as needed.

Bus service

GISAD operates a school bus transport with 11 buses. Buses run in the morning and after school at 13:45 and 15:45. Pickups are at designated stops or at home, with routes adjusted at the start of each school year. Enrollment and changes are via an online portal; Zone-based annual fees apply (Zone 1: 5,500 AED; Zone 2: 6,000 AED; Zone 3: 7,000 AED; Zone 4: 8,000 AED).

Application / Admission Fees

- Admission deposit on enrolment: AED 1,000 per child (payable at school entry).

Annual tuition fees by year group (per child)

- Kindergarten: AED 36,610 per school year. A reduction of AED 2,000 is applied for early pickup where applicable.
- Primary School (Grundschule, Grades 1–4): AED 43,630 per school year.
- Secondary I (Sekundarstufe I, Grades 5–10): AED 49,270 per school year.
- Secondary II (Sekundarstufe II, Grades 11–12): AED 55,150 per school year.

Per-term / per half‑year indication (calculated)

- The school publishes annual tuition figures. For budgeting by semester/half‑year, divide the annual tuition by 2 to obtain an approximate half‑year amount (example: Kindergarten AED 36,610 ≈ AED 18,305 per half‑year). This is a straightforward division of the published annual fee to give a per‑half‑year figure.

Transport (school bus) fees

- Bus fees are charged annually by zone:
- Zone 1: AED 5,500 per year.
- Zone 2: AED 6,000 per year.
- Zone 3: AED 7,000 per year.
- Zone 4: AED 8,000 per year.

Language support and supplementary academic packages (annual)

- Kindergarten language support:
- Deutsch als Fremdsprache (DaF), 4 h/week: AED 5,000 per year.
- English Intensive Programme (EIP), 2 h/week: AED 3,000 per year.
- Primary (Grundschule):
- DaF (3 h/week): AED 5,000 per year.
- Deutsch Intensiv (DIP, 4 h/week): AED 5,000 per year.
- English Intensive (EIP, 3 h/week): AED 5,000 per year.
- Combined full‑day language package (school fees including DaF 3h & DIP 4h plus full‑day care & activities): AED 54,500 per year.
- Secondary (Sekundarstufe):
- DaF (3 h/week) for Grades 5 & 6: AED 5,000 per year.
- DaF + DIP package (Grades 5 & 6): AED 8,000 per year.
- DIP (4 h/week) from Grade 7 onward: AED 7,000 per year.
- French intensive (from Grade 7): AED 7,000 per year.
- DaF summer/winter course rates (by level):
- For kindergarten/primary: AED 150 per day / AED 700 per week.
- For secondary: AED 160 per day / AED 800 per week.

Full‑day and after‑school care options (charges shown per half‑year where indicated)

- Full‑day package (Ganztagespaket): AED 4,270 per half‑year.
- Supervision (Betreuung) per half‑year:
- 1 day/week: AED 990 per half‑year.
- 2 days/week: AED 1,980 per half‑year.
- 3 days/week: AED 2,970 per half‑year.
- 4 days/week: AED 3,960 per half‑year.
- Single extracurricular group (AG) price per half‑year: from AED 650 (varies by offering). Single day care: AED 70 per day. Ferienkurse and externally provided ECA are charged according to the provider's offer.

Other mandatory or one‑off fees

- Book deposit (Bücherkaution): AED 5,000 per child.
- Advance payment on school fees for the coming school year: 5% of the annual tuition per child.
- Returned (dishonoured) cheque fee: AED 150 per cheque.
- Issuance of a school certificate: AED 35 per certificate. Issuance of a certified copy of a transcript from the original: AED 60 per transcript.

Payment terms and billing schedule

- The school requires an admission deposit at enrolment and a separate advance payment corresponding to 5% of the next year's annual tuition (as noted above). The published fee information specifies surcharge rates for payment by instalments rather than a single payment:
- Instalment surcharge for 4–6 instalments: 2% of the billed amount.
- Instalment surcharge for 7–10 instalments: 3% of the billed amount.
- Where the school lists per‑half‑year charges (for some services), those amounts indicate a billing cadence that includes half‑year (semester) billing for those specific services; instalment plan options are published for tuition as noted above.

VAT / taxes

- All published fees are stated to include value‑added tax.

Uniforms, meals and school shop

- The school shop supplies required materials and embroidered uniform items (T‑shirts, polo shirts with the GISAD logo). Cash payments are not accepted at the shop; the published information indicates use of the Skiply app for shop payments. Costs for uniforms, materials and school meals vary by item/option and are charged separately.

Refunds and cancellations

- The published fee table lists deposits (admission deposit and book deposit) and other fees, but it does not include a detailed public refund schedule in the fee table document itself. Refunds, partial reimbursements and the specific handling of deposits on withdrawal or early leaving are governed by the school's fee policy and formal school fee guidelines. The fee table notes the book deposit and admission deposit amounts explicitly.

Other routine charges

- Single extracurricular activities, externally provided ECA and holiday course charges are set according to the specific offering and provider; the fee table lists baseline starting prices for school‑run AGs and daily care fees as above.

Accepted payment channels (published references)

- For school shop purchases the published material states that cash is not accepted and the Skiply app is to be used for payments. Instalment billing options for tuition are published (see instalment surcharges above). The fee table does not list an exhaustive set of tuition payment channels (bank transfer, card, etc.) in the fee table PDF; instalment plans and surcharges are explicitly published.

Notes

- The numerical amounts above are the school's published fees for the school year 2025/26 and the fee table is labelled with a publication/stand date. Where amounts are published as annual fees, a simple division by two can be used to estimate a half‑year (per term/semester) figure for budgeting; the school also publishes explicit per‑half‑year charges for several services (for example the full‑day package and supervision options).

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

GISAD offers a School Social Work service with bilingual German/English counseling, including individual and group sessions and confidential support to address personal, social, and emotional challenges; it also runs anti-bullying initiatives.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

GISAD provides School Social Work and a language integration program for diverse backgrounds, but there is no publicly listed dedicated SEN department or specialist SEN staff.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

English as an Additional Language support is provided via the English Intensive Program (EIP) for newcomers and students with limited English proficiency, and English is promoted from kindergarten within a bilingual German–English framework.

Mental Wellbeing

Mental wellbeing is supported through the School Social Work service and ongoing anti-bullying initiatives.

Safeguarding

The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding policies.

History

GISAD was founded in 1976 in Abu Dhabi, marking a long-standing presence in the United Arab Emirates. In the 2006/2007 academic year, GISAD was officially recognized as part of the German overseas schools network, aligning its certificates with German standards. In 2005/2006, a donation from the ruler of the UAE supported infrastructure improvements and the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Scholarship to include Emirati children from kindergarten onward. In 2007, through a Memorandum of Understanding, the first Emirati children were admitted to the kindergarten under the scholarship program, and GISAD moved to a new building. In 2019/2020, GISAD awarded its first Emirati graduates with the German International Abitur, signaling integration with UAE students and the broader German education pathway.

Community

GISAD's community is multinational, with staff and students from many nationalities, and German and English are the primary languages of instruction, with Arabic taught as a foreign language from Grade 1. The school marks UAE national holidays and other civic observances as part of its community life, and it hosts events such as a Winter Market and Franco-German exchanges to promote intercultural dialogue. German Language Day 2025 also showcases language-focused engagement with the wider community.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

GISAD describes an Engaged Community that emphasizes close collaboration between parents, students, and staff. An events team organizes activities throughout the year to foster involvement. Parents can engage through volunteering and participate in cultural and social events coordinated by the school and its partners. The extensive afternoon program and after-school care provide structured opportunities for parental involvement in student learning and wellbeing. Community events include UAE National Day celebrations, Commemoration Day observances, and seasonal events such as the Winter Market, with families often contributing to the organization. There are intercultural activities with partner schools, such as Franco-German exchanges and language-focused events like German Language Day.

Facilities Overview

The German International School Abu Dhabi operates as an all-day school with after-school care. A new outdoor schoolyard provides a running track and spaces for basketball, football, volleyball, and badminton. The campus includes a cafeteria with meals provided by Food Nation and offers two bus schedules for student transport. A fully equipped medical station supports student health and safety. An extensive afternoon program offers extracurricular activities and homework assistance.

Sports Facilities

Outdoor facilities include a new schoolyard with a running track and spaces for basketball, football, volleyball, and badminton. Kindergarten participates in sports through dedicated clubs and activities. Extracurricular activities include sports as part of the extensive after-school program.

Academic Facilities

GISAD offers bilingual instruction in German and English. The school provides pathways to the German Abitur and Realschulabschluss. The German Language Diploma (DSD) is awarded by KMK. The Lateral Entry Program enables non-German-speaking children to join from kindergarten and higher grade levels. The school regularly receives ADEK 'very good' ratings.

Extra Curricular Facilities

There is an extensive afternoon program with extracurricular activities and homework assistance until 3:20 PM. Kindergarten offers a sports club and various extracurricular activities such as arts and events. The school fosters a diverse, engaged community with activities and events organized throughout the year.

Academic & Intellectual

The school offers a high standard of education with a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for academic and personal success. It provides bilingual instruction in German and English from kindergarten onward. In the primary years, English is taught in two hours per week for grades 1–2 and four hours per week for grades 3–4, with English language support continuing in the secondary years. Students graduate with the German International Abitur, and the school supports attainment of the Realschulabschluss as well as the Abitur, with some subjects taught in English as part of the Abitur program. The school is part of the German Auslandsschulen network and is authorized to issue the German language diploma (DSD) under KMK, with Deutsch als Fremdsprache (DaF) and integration programs in place. ADEK regularly awards the school a rating of “Very Good.”

Arts & Creative

After-school activities include a broad range of clubs and programs. Options cover sports, dance, gymnastics, karate and self-defense, tutoring, and music, with instruments such as guitar, bass, drums and piano offered as private lessons. Creative offerings include Art for Creative Minds and a Band Project with guitar/drums, along with other arts and craft activities. The program also includes Lego-based Baustein-Tech, Arabic for older students, and Unihockey (floorball).

Cultural & Language

The school runs a bilingual program with instruction in German and English from the start in kindergarten. An Arabic language offering (Kinderleicht Arabisch) is available for early learners, and a structured Arabic language track exists for students in higher classes. The school provides integration support (DaF) for non-German speakers and Emirati students, and it promotes a multicultural learning environment. The German language diploma (DSD) may be issued by the KMK, and the curriculum supports multilingual development across levels.

Social & Hobbies

Extracurriculars foster social interaction and teamwork, including clubs such as Games Club, Colourful & Strong (a mixed creative, movement and relaxation program), and various performance-based activities. Students can join Kunst für kreative Köpfe (art for creative minds) and Bandprojekt / Gitarre / Drums, with opportunities for group learning and performance. Students also engage in private tutoring for music and other subjects as available.

Community & Service

The school supports Emirati inclusion through scholarships, including H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Scholarship for GISAD's Kindergarten, with applications open for the 2026/2027 school year and a deadline of March 15, 2026. The program emphasizes international quality, intercultural awareness and strong ties between the UAE and Germany. Information and contact details are provided for applicants and families.

Leadership & Professional

The school provides career information and internship days as part of its preparation for study and future professions, supporting student transition to higher education and the workforce.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

The Kindergarten offers a comprehensive after-school program with activities including Kinderleicht Arabisch, Sportspiele with Ines, and Tanz mit Olga, with a semester-based fee and options for additional enrichment. An English Intensiv Programm (EIP) offers courses tailored to Preschool and Grades 1–4. In addition to the full after-school plan, a Ganzheitliche Betreuung (care package) provides four days of afternoon supervision per week, and the program includes a range of wellness-oriented and development-focused activities.

Language Provision

German is the core language of instruction and English is taught from the very beginning. French and Arabic are offered as foreign languages. DaF (German as a Foreign Language) is provided to support non‑German-speaking students, coordinated with ADEK. The school awards German credentials such as Abitur and Realschulabschluss.

Bilingual Teaching

The school provides bilingual instruction in German and English. The bilingual programs are evident in early years and primary levels, supported by teachers fluent in both languages.

Immersion Programs

The English Intensive Program (EIP) offers immersive English instruction for preschool through grade 4. It comprises three courses designed for different English proficiency levels, and participation in the newcomer course is mandatory for new students with limited English proficiency.

Admissions

1. Determine the entry level and submit the appropriate admission application. Kindergarten Admission Application is used for the Kindergarten track, while School Admission Application is used for primary and secondary levels. The admission forms are available in the Downloads section under Registrations. A Kindergarten Tour can be booked as part of the admissions process to visit GISAD. 2. Prepare and submit the required documents and pay related fees. The Downloads include documents such as Medical Record and School Regulations; the admissions process requires the Registration Fee (AED 1,000) and a Deposit for books (AED 5,000), with a Re-registration fee of 5% of the yearly school fee. Fees for tuition and transport are published in the GISAD Fees Table. 3. Review tuition, transport, and language supports and plan accordingly. Tuition is published per year by level (Kindergarten, Primary, Secondary) and bus transport fees vary by zone (AED 5,500–AED 8,000 per year). Language support options are available (e.g., German as a foreign language, English intensive) as part of the overall language packages. A Kindergarten Tour can assist families in assessing fit before finalizing enrollment. 4. Explore scholarships if eligible. The H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Scholarship for the GISAD Kindergarten is available for Emirati children born in 2023, with an application deadline of March 15, 2026. There is also a Scholarship for Emirati Students offered by GISAD. These scholarships reflect GISAD's participation in the German Schools Abroad network and its commitment to Emirati eligibility programs.

Scholarships

GISAD offers scholarships including the H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Scholarship for GISAD Kindergarten, available to Emirati children born in 2023 with the application deadline of March 15, 2026. There is also a Scholarship for Emirati Students at GISAD. These programs illustrate GISAD's support for Emirati families and its participation in international education programs. The school is part of the German Schools Abroad network and maintains strong ties with Emirati education initiatives.

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German International School Dubai

Instructs in German

Ages 3 - 18 years

Pupils 1000

Type Co-educational

German International School Dubai is a co-educational school founded in 2012, serving over 1,000 students from 30+ nationalities. The school follows the Thuringia state curriculum and offers the internationally recognised German Abitur. German is the primary language of instruction from kindergarten, with a comprehensive language support programme. The school has over 100 teachers and offers 50+ co-curricular activities and 20+ competitions per year. It has a KHDA rating of Very Good (2024) and is part of the German International Schools Network (DAS). Facilities include a school clinic, cafeteria, and modern campus with specialist learning spaces.

Location

The school is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Stages

The school operates across Kindergarten, Primary School, Secondary School, and the Abitur stage. Students progress through to the German International Abitur, which is recognised globally for university admission.

Type

German International School Dubai is a private co-educational day school offering the German curriculum. It is part of the German International Schools Network (DAS).

Pupil Nationality Mix

Over 30 nationalities are represented across the student body of 1,000+ students.

Additional learning support

A dedicated inclusion programme supports students with additional needs. Comprehensive language support is available from kindergarten through secondary school.

Country affiliation

The school follows the Thuringia state curriculum from Germany and is part of the German International Schools Network (DAS), connecting it to German education standards worldwide.

Bus service

School bus transportation service is available.

Curriculum

The school follows the Thuringia state curriculum from Germany. Students work towards the German International Abitur, a qualification recognised internationally for university admission. STEM (MINT) excellence programmes run from kindergarten through secondary school, with research facilities and partnerships with German industry.

Higher Education Progression

The German Abitur is recognised internationally and provides access to universities in Germany, Europe, and worldwide.

Gifted and Talented

STEM (MINT) excellence programmes support students with strong aptitude in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These programmes include research facilities and partnerships with German industry.

Facilities Overview

The campus features modern, state-of-the-art facilities with specialised learning spaces. A school clinic, cafeteria, and school shop are on site.

Academic Facilities

Specialist learning spaces and research facilities support the STEM (MINT) programme and broader academic curriculum.

Extra Curricular Facilities

Over 50 co-curricular activities are available, including sports, music, and cultural programmes. More than 20 competitions are organised per school year.

Academic & Intellectual

STEM (MINT) excellence programmes from kindergarten, research facilities, German industry partnerships, and 20+ academic competitions per year.

Arts & Creative

Music and cultural programmes are part of the 50+ co-curricular activities.

Cultural & Language

A multilingual environment with German as the primary language, plus English and Arabic. The school connects students to German culture and language through curriculum and activities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Wellbeing initiatives and sports programmes are included in the co-curricular offering. An on-site school clinic supports student health.

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German International School Sharjah

Instructs in English, German

Ages 3 - 18 years

Pupils 251

The German International School Sharjah (Deutsche Internationale Schule Sharjah) is a German international day school in the Al Abar / Halwan area of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It delivers a German curriculum informed by the Thuringian state syllabi and offers the International Baccalaureate, including the bilingual (German–English) Gemischtsprachiges IB Diploma Programme at upper secondary level. The school serves children from kindergarten (three homogenous groups for ages c.3–6) through primary and Sekundarstufe I to the IB Diploma (up to grade 12, typically age 18). Most subjects are taught in German; English and Arabic are taught in their respective languages, German-as-a-foreign-language (DaF/DaZ) support is provided, and French is introduced in secondary. Notable published facilities and arrangements include a generous outdoor garden for kindergarten, a school library used across age groups, a school cafeteria service, and a BYOD iPad programme from grade 3. The school also publishes partnerships, exchange projects and international service projects, and states it holds the “Exzellente Deutsche Auslandsschule” quality seal.

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Compare German Curriculum International Schools in United Arab Emirates

Location

Stages

Type

Pupil Nationality Mix

Additional learning support

Country affiliation

Religious affiliation

School day structure

Bus service

Food Options

Governance and Ownership

Curriculum

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Mental Wellbeing

Safeguarding

History

Community

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

Facilities Overview

Sports Facilities

Academic Facilities

Extra Curricular Facilities

Academic & Intellectual

Arts & Creative

Cultural & Language

Social & Hobbies

Community & Service

Leadership & Professional

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Language Provision

Bilingual Teaching

Immersion Programs

Admissions

Scholarships

Location

Stages

Type

Pupil Nationality Mix

Additional learning support

Country affiliation

Bus service

Uniform Requirement

Food Options

Governance and Ownership

Curriculum

Higher Education Progression

Gifted and Talented

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Mental Wellbeing

History

Community

Facilities Overview

Academic Facilities

Extra Curricular Facilities

Academic & Intellectual

Arts & Creative

Cultural & Language

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Language Provision

Immersion Programs

Accreditations

Admissions

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