International Schools in United Arab Emirates
Compare 241 international schools in United Arab Emirates. Filter by curriculum, fees (average AED 44,101), location, and more to find the right international school now.
Edited by Aziza Francienne · B2C Marketing Manager
- Schools listed
- 241
- Curricula
- 30
- Average annual fee
- AED 44,101
- Fee range
- AED 500 – 123,442
More school facts
- Most common curriculum
- British Curriculum (125 schools)
- Average school size
- 1,615 pupils
- Largest by enrolment
- The International School of Choueifat Abu Dhabi
- Oldest
- Dubai Gem Private School (1973)
- With boarding
- 1
About international schools in United Arab Emirates
International schools across the United Arab Emirates are highly diverse: the British, American, International Baccalaureate and Indian (CBSE/ICSE) curricula are widely available alongside national-language community schools. Most schools teach primarily in English, but federal rules require Arabic lessons (and Islamic education for Muslim students), and many schools also offer French, Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi, Urdu and other mother-tongue options. Fees vary sharply by emirate and by curriculum - budget and some community schools may charge in the lower tens of thousands of dirhams a year while mid-range and premium English-medium schools commonly sit in a much higher band, with published top-end annual fees exceeding AED 90,000 in recent schedules. The school year for most providers follows the UAE unified calendar and starts in late August/early September (some Indian-curriculum schools run April - March); admissions are managed by individual schools, re-registration and deposits are common and many popular schools operate waiting lists, so begin enquiries several months before your move and have residency and past school records at hand.
View by curriculum (8)
View by curriculum
142 international schools in Dubai
See all 142 →65 international schools in Abu Dhabi
See all 65 →16 international schools in Sharjah
See all 16 →
8 international schools in Ras Al Khaimah
See all 8 →5 international schools in Al Ain
See all 5 →3 international schools in Fujairah
See all 3 →1 international school in Ajman
See all 1 →1 international school in Umm Al Quwain
See all 1 →Choosing an international school in United Arab Emirates
Curricula
There are 241 international schools in United Arab Emirates covering 30 curricula. The most widely offered are British Curriculum (125), American Curriculum (83), IB (DP) (49), IB (PYP) (48), IB (MYP) (48). If your child may move countries again, an internationally-portable curriculum (IB, or Cambridge/British) keeps options open; if you're likely to settle, a curriculum matching your home or target university system can be the better fit.
Fees & what they cover
Annual tuition across United Arab Emirates runs from about AED 500 to AED 123,442, averaging roughly AED 44,101. Budget for one-off costs on top — application and enrolment fees, a refundable deposit, uniform, transport and exams.
Admissions & timing
Sought-after schools in United Arab Emirates run waiting lists, so apply early — ideally a term or two ahead. Most admissions involve an application, prior school reports and an assessment or interview, with entry points often tied to the school year. Each school's profile shows term dates, open days and how to enquire.
Boarding
1 of the 241 schools offer boarding — useful if you're relocating or want weekly or full boarding.
How doris stays impartial
doris lists every international school in United Arab Emirates we can find — not only those that pay. We take no placement fees and sell no rankings or "top school" spots, so the schools above aren't ordered by who paid most. Details come from the schools' own information and public sources, and you can compare any of them side by side.