doris
Ask doris
Currency
Search & filter all 63 schools Compare 63 schools in United Arab Emirates

IB Curriculum International Schools in United Arab Emirates

Compare 63 IB Curriculum international schools in United Arab Emirates. Filter by curriculum, fees (average AED 58,467), location, and more to find the right international school now.

Edited by · B2C Marketing Manager

Schools listed
63
Curricula
21
Average annual fee
AED 58,467
Fee range
AED 8,960 – 132,905
More school facts
Most common curriculum
IB (DP) (61 schools)
Average school size
1,656 pupils
Largest by enrolment
GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis
Oldest
Iranian Towheed Boys School (1957)
About international schools in United Arab Emirates

IB Curriculum international schools in the United Arab Emirates are typically private, English-medium schools that offer one or more IB programmes (PYP, MYP, DP and, in some schools, CP) alongside the regulatory requirements set by each emirate. Families will commonly find inquiry-based, internationally recognised IB programmes delivered with additional national requirements - Arabic for all pupils and Islamic education for Muslim students - built into the timetable. Fees vary widely by emirate, neighbourhood and whether a school is a full IB continuum; in Dubai IB school tuition commonly sits in the mid-four-figure to low-five-figure range in dirhams per year and Abu Dhabi averages tend to be slightly lower, with additional costs for transport, devices, uniforms and trips. The main intake follows the UAE school calendar with September/August starts for most international schools, applications and assessments usually open many months earlier, and admissions require standard documents such as passports, residence visa/Emirates ID and a transfer certificate where relevant.

Read our parent's guide to the IB Curriculum →

43 international schools in Dubai

See all 43 →

16 international schools in Abu Dhabi

See all 16 →

2 international schools in Sharjah

See all 2 →

2 international schools in Ras Al Khaimah

See all 2 →
Explore more — related searches, map view, upcoming events

FAQs for United Arab Emirates

Which IB programmes are commonly available in UAE international schools and what ages do they serve?
Most IB schools in the UAE offer one or more of the IB programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for early years and primary, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for lower secondary, the Diploma Programme (DP) for the typical two-year pre-university stage, and increasingly the Career-related Programme (CP) in some schools. Exact age ranges and which programmes a school offers vary by provider, so check each school’s authorisation on the IB World Schools list.
How does the IB curriculum differ from British or American curricula offered in the UAE?
The IB emphasises inquiry-based learning, a broad, balanced subject pattern and a defined learner profile across its programme continuum, while national or other international curricula (British, American, etc.) have different structures and assessment models. The DP includes externally assessed examinations and core elements such as the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge, which differ from A-levels or typical US high-school diplomas; parents should compare programme aims, assessment styles and university recognition when choosing.
What language instruction and national subject obligations should parents expect at IB schools in the UAE?
Most IB international schools in the UAE use English as the main language of instruction, but national regulations require Arabic provision for all students and Islamic education for Muslim pupils, which schools must timetable and assess in line with Ministry and emirate guidance. Expect Arabic classes and UAE social-studies content to be part of the curriculum alongside IB subjects; some schools offer additional language options and mother-tongue support.
What do IB school fees typically look like and what extra costs should I budget for?
Tuition fees for IB schools vary widely by emirate and school type; market surveys show IB tuition in Dubai commonly ranges across mid to high fee bands and Abu Dhabi averages are often somewhat lower, but each school publishes its own laddered fee schedule. Beyond tuition, budget for one-off registration or seat-reservation deposits, transport, uniforms, devices (tablets/laptops), external exam entries and overseas trips or enrichment that are often charged separately.
When should I apply and what documents will I need for admission?
Most families apply several months before the school year that begins in August/September; schools run assessments or interviews and many keep waiting lists, so start early for popular year groups. Admissions typically require passports, evidence of UAE residency (residence visa and Emirates ID), recent school reports and, for transfers into Grade 2/Year 3 and above, an official transfer certificate; regulators allow some documents (such as Emirates ID) to be submitted within a short period after enrolment but confirm timing with the school.