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Search & filter all 4 schools Compare 4 schools in United Arab Emirates

International Curriculum International Schools in United Arab Emirates

Compare 4 International Curriculum international schools in United Arab Emirates. Filter by curriculum, fees (average AED 32,893), location, and more to find the right international school now.

Edited by · B2C Marketing Manager

Schools listed
4
Curricula
7
Average annual fee
AED 32,893
Fee range
AED 15,480 – 49,500
More school facts
Most common curriculum
IPC (International Primary Curriculum) (2 schools)
Average school size
2,717 pupils
Largest by enrolment
Diyar Private Academy
Oldest
SABIS International School Ruwais (2001)
About international schools in United Arab Emirates

International Curriculum schools in the United Arab Emirates are those that follow overseas syllabuses rather than the UAE national curriculum, most commonly British (IGCSE/A-Level), American, International Baccalaureate (PYP/MYP/DP) and a number of Indian board options; many schools offer more than one pathway at different phases. Instruction is usually in English, while Arabic and other UAE-mandated subjects (and Islamic Education for Emirati pupils) are required alongside the chosen international syllabus. Tuition varies widely by school and curriculum - you will find low-fee options and premium campuses in the same city, with many mid-range international schools charging in-between rates - so compare published fee bands carefully. Admissions are busiest in the months before the August/September school year start (though some Indian-curriculum schools use an April - March calendar) and most schools use rolling applications, entrance assessments, recent school reports and standard identity/visa documents to decide placement.

Read our parent's guide to the International Curriculum →

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Dubai international schoolsAbu dhabi international schoolsSharjah international schoolsAl ain international schoolsAll 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

Which curricula are usually meant by “International Curriculum” schools in the UAE?
That label typically covers schools that follow non-UAE national systems: British (Key Stages, IGCSE, A-Levels), American (grades and US high-school credentials, sometimes AP), the International Baccalaureate continuum and several Indian boards such as CBSE. Some schools also mix or switch curricula at particular ages (for example offering IB Diploma after IGCSE), so check the qualifications offered at the age your child will attend.
What language will my child be taught in, and are Arabic/Islamic lessons compulsory?
Most international schools use English as the primary language of instruction, but UAE regulators require private schools to teach Arabic and include national subjects; Islamic Education is compulsory for Emirati Muslim students and schools must also provide appropriate Arabic provision for non-Arab pupils. If maintaining a home language is important, ask schools about bilingual programmes or additional language classes and how they run UAE-mandated subjects.
How much should we expect to pay for an international school in the UAE?
Fees vary widely by curriculum, location and school type: some lower-fee international or community schools publish annual tuition in the low tens of thousands of dirhams, mid-range international schools commonly sit in the mid tens of thousands, and premium or specialist campuses can charge well into six figures. Look at each school’s published fee schedule (and any extras such as registration, transport and activity costs) rather than relying on averages, because median and banded figures differ markedly by curriculum and emirate.
When should we apply and what documents or tests are normally required?
Apply as early as possible, with many families starting enquiries and priority applications in the months before the new academic year; schools also commonly run rolling admissions when places are available. Typical requirements include recent school reports, a transfer certificate or attested leaving paperwork for international moves, passport and visa documentation, vaccination records, and an age-appropriate entrance or placement assessment in English and maths; waiting lists are common at popular entry points.
What ages and qualification pathways do international schools in the UAE cover?
International schools typically accept children from early years/nursery through to the end of secondary (the equivalent of Year 13 or Grade 12), and they prepare pupils for international qualifications such as IGCSE/A-Levels, the IB Diploma, APs or national board examinations depending on the school. Confirm the exact year-to-qualification mapping with any school you are considering, because some offer transitions between curricula at key stages (for example moving from a British syllabus to IB in the sixth form).
What practical things should parents compare when choosing between international schools?
Beyond curriculum label, compare inspection reports and regulator information (for example KHDA in Dubai or ADEK in Abu Dhabi), the school’s approach to language support and UAE-mandatory subjects, special-educational-needs provision, class sizes and daily routines, and the full fee package including extras. Visit where possible, ask for recent sample reports and assessment approaches, and request clarity about how international qualifications are taught and how the school supports transitions to local or overseas universities.