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Dubai College

United Arab Emirates, Dubai

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees AED 97,415 - 110,305
Ages 11 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1140
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum
Typical class size 22
Introduction

Dubai College is an independent, not-for-profit, co-educational, selective secondary school in the Al Sufouh district of Dubai serving Years 7–13 (ages 11–18). It follows an adapted English National Curriculum, with students studying a broad Lower School programme, taking ten I/GCSEs in Years 10–11 and A Levels in the Sixth Form. The language of instruction is English and the school requires incoming pupils to be fluent in written and spoken English. Modern languages include French and Spanish, Latin is offered from Year 9, and Arabic is taught to all students (with an Arabic A course available for Arabic passport holders); Islamic Studies is timetabled for Muslim students. The c.19-acre campus contains extensive specialist facilities including a science block with 21 laboratories, art and design and DT workshops, a music centre with practice rooms and a recording studio, a 900‑seat auditorium, a dedicated Sixth Form centre with study and collaboration spaces, a Sports and Performing Arts Centre with a double-width sports hall and a 25m pool, and the LEED Gold Jafar Centre housing the Bridgman Library and digital studios. A timetabled Positive Education programme runs across year groups.

Al Sufouh 2, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The Essentials

Dubai College has 1,140 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.

Location
Dubai College is located in the Al Sufouh area of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, near the Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai Internet City. It sits along Al Sufouh Road with convenient access to Sheikh Zayed Road and the surrounding knowledge clusters. The school uses PO Box 837 as its postal address for correspondence. (Location details and area context are supported by the KHDA-inspected listing for Dubai College and independent locality guides.)

Stages
The school is structured in three progressive sections: Lower School for Years 7–9, Middle School for Years 10–11, and Sixth Form for Years 12–13.

Type
Dubai College is a co-educational, independent, not-for-profit school that follows the English National Curriculum.

Pupil Nationality Mix
KHDA's 2023–2024 inspection records 1,094 students on roll, including 9 Emirati students. The largest nationality group is the United Kingdom. This indicates a predominantly international student body with a local-to-international ratio of approximately 1 Emirati to 121 international students; the exact total number of nationalities represented is not specified in the report.

Additional learning support
Dubai College provides a dedicated Student Services team led by a SENCO, with school counsellors and medical support on site to support wellbeing and inclusion. The safeguarding framework and inclusion initiatives are described as part of its pastoral provision.

Country affiliation
Dubai College follows a British-style education with the English National Curriculum; it is not tied to a single country in terms of affiliation.

Religious affiliation
There is no formal religious affiliation stated. Islamic Studies is taught for Muslim students as part of the UAE curriculum.

School day structure
Normal school days start with registration at 07:45–07:50 and end at 15:35 after the seventh period. A lunch break runs from 12:20 to 13:20. Ramadan timings may be adjusted in line with local practice.

Bus service
Dubai College operates 18 morning and afternoon bus routes plus 6 late buses for activities. Buses are provided by a mix of in-house and third-party operators and are not door-to-door; stops are chosen to be close to students' homes where safe. Registration is via the Maverick Parent app, and the school provides a transport coordinator for questions. Bus fees are published for the 2025–2026 year.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Dubai College requires a neat school uniform. The regulation items are stocked at Magrudy Enterprises (Beach Road, Jumeirah) and at Stitches (Street 10, Al Quoz). Dubai College's online sports kit (Kukri) is available, including Senior Rugby shorts, Cricket top and trousers, and a Netball dress for Years 7–9. All uniform items and kit should be clearly labelled with the student's name.

Food Options
Dubai College has four food outlets: the main canteen, Charlton's Café in SPACE (open at break and lunch to all students, and all day for Sixth Form students), the kiosk for snacks and drinks, and the Quad Café in The Jafar Centre offering hot and cold food. A cashless card is used to purchase meals, and a mobile app provides information on what has been purchased. Packed lunches are allowed, and the school encourages healthy eating.

House System
Dubai College uses a four-house system: Barbarossa, Chichester, Cousteau, and Heyerdahl. Every student is assigned to a house, and houses compete across more than 70 events spanning sports, arts, and academics. The inter-house Sports Day is a key annual event.

Governance and Ownership
Dubai College is a non-profit school governed by a Board of Governors drawn from the local community under an Emiri Decree. The Board decides policy, with day-to-day implementation carried out by the Headmaster and Bursar.
Fees

Annual tuition at Dubai College ranges from AED 97,415 to AED 110,305 for 2026/27.

Tuition fees (2025–2026)

- Years 7–11: AED 97,415 per annum. Term breakdown: Term 1 AED 38,966.00; Term 2 AED 29,224.50; Term 3 AED 29,224.50. Fees are payable in advance.

- Years 12–13 (Sixth Form): AED 110,305 per annum. Term breakdown: Term 1 AED 44,122.00; Term 2 AED 33,091.50; Term 3 AED 33,091.50. Fees are payable in advance.

Application fees

- Year 7 entry: A total application/assessment fee of AED 525 (AED100 application fee + AED400 assessment fee, inclusive of VAT) is payable at the time of submitting the Year 7 online application. Payment instructions are provided as part of the online application process.

- Year 12 entry: There is no application fee required at initial submission; an application/assessment fee of AED 525 is payable only for short-listed Year 12 applicants invited to interview.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The academic year is split into three terms (Autumn: Sept–Dec; Spring: Jan–Mar; Summer: Apr–Jul). Term invoices show the due date as the first day of the school term; fees are payable promptly on that due date.

- Parents wishing to pay via monthly instalments must contact the Bursar to agree a payment plan.

- The Governors reserve the right not to admit a student if Term 1 fees are not paid on time and may suspend a student for up to three days if fees for other terms are not paid.

Re-registration fee and Personal Debenture

- An annual re-registration fee equal to 5% of the annual tuition fee is payable at the start of Term 3.

- A Personal Debenture is required for all new students joining in 2025–2026. The required debenture amount for 2025–2026 is AED 30,000; the debenture is intended to be returned to the purchaser (less any outstanding sums owing to the school) when the student leaves. The Debenture is due upon accepting a place and a place is not confirmed until the Debenture has been bought unless an agreement has been made with the Bursar.

Optional extras and other recurring charges

- School transport: AED 2,377 per term for a return journey, or AED 1,254 per term for a one-way service. Sibling discounts for the bus service apply: 10% discount for the second child and 25% for the third and subsequent children (applies to both one-way and return).

- Private music tuition: AED 2,612 per term (including VAT). This covers a minimum of 400 minutes of private teaching in ten 40‑minute lessons per term; the music fee is payable in advance with tuition and transport charges. A term's written notice is required to withdraw from transport or private music lessons.

Other costs (uniform, equipment, kit)

- Uniform and regulated kit are required. Regulation items (uniform, school bags, specific art and mathematical equipment, optional locker padlocks) are stocked at the designated supplier (Stitches, Al Quoz). Prices for uniform and kit items are set by the supplier and are not listed as fixed school charges. Students' uniform items should be clearly labelled.

Boarding (where applicable)

- Dubai College operates as a day school and does not provide boarding accommodation; therefore boarding fees do not apply.

Refund information

- Personal Debenture refund: To obtain a refund of the Personal Debenture, the purchaser must complete the school's Redemption Information Form. Refunds of the debenture are made by online bank transfer to the person or company that paid for the debenture, less any sums owed to the school; refunds are not made in cash or by cheques made payable to cash.

- Transport and music lessons: A term's written notice is required if a student is withdrawn from transport or private music lessons; fees and notice obligations for these services are set out in the school's fee arrangements.

Fee payment options and responsibilities

- Fees and fee-related arrangements are handled by the school's Finance Office / Bursar; parents must contact the Bursar to arrange monthly instalments or to discuss exceptional payment arrangements. Application payments are taken through the school's online application process where specified (for example Year 7 applications). The Personal Debenture is payable on acceptance of a place unless an alternative arrangement has been agreed with the Bursar. The school specifies that debenture refunds are paid by online bank transfer.

Notes on discounts and variability

- Sibling discounts are applied to the bus service as specified above; other fee discounts (if any) and annual fee reviews are a matter for school policy and KHDA allowances. Fee levels shown above apply to the 2025–2026 academic year as stated in the school's published fee schedule.
Academics

Dubai College teaches British Curriculum for students aged 11 to 18.

Curriculum
Dubai College follows the English National Curriculum, organized into Lower School (Years 7–9), Middle School (Years 10–11) and Sixth Form (Years 12–13). Lower School offers broad exposure to subjects including Mathematics, English, Science, Arabic, French or Spanish, Geography, History, UAE Social Studies, Islamic Studies for Muslim students, plus Music, PE, Drama, Art, Design and Technology, Computer Science and Digital Skills; in Year 9 Latin is optional and all students begin GCSE study in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. In Middle School, every student takes 10 GCSEs (Mathematics, English Literature, English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Arabic or Arabic A, UAE Social Studies in Year 10, Games, and Islamic Studies for Muslim Students) and selects three options including one from Computer Science, Economics, Geography or History and one from Art/Design/Technology, Drama, Latin, Music or Physical Education; French or Spanish may also be studied. In Sixth Form, almost all students study four A Levels at the start of Year 12, typically reducing to three by Year 13, with subjects including Art and Design, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design and Technology, Drama & Theatre Studies, Economics, English Literature, the Extended Project, French, Further Mathematics, Geography, History, Latin, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Politics, Psychology and Spanish; Games are compulsory and TopUP university preparation is provided, with Islamic Studies and Arabic as appropriate for Muslim students. A Dubai College Careers Programme supports 14–19 pathways and there are IGCSE and A Level options materials to guide subject choices.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Dubai College supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through a Rolling Positive Education Programme grounded in PERMA, a Character Development Programme, a DEI and Belonging Society, Wellbeing Action Groups, data-led weekly student check-ins via YouHQ, and access to The Wellbeing Hub for resources.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
SEN provision is delivered by an Inclusion and SEND team, led by the Head of Student Services/SENCO (Cindy Penney); the school has three school-based counsellors, a medical clinic, and SEND staff including HLTA Kate McIlveen, Faryal Saeed, and Lorna Silverlock, with a strong commitment to inclusive education for Students of Determination.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding English as an Additional Language (EAL) provision in its public materials.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through the Wellbeing Programme, including Mental Health Support delivered by pastoral teams and dedicated counsellors, plus data-led weekly wellbeing check-ins via YouHQ and access to the Wellbeing Hub.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is embedded in Dubai College's culture and policies, with a safeguarding team including a DSL, two DDSLs, Heads of Year, and a safeguarding governor; three school-based counsellors and a medical support team; annual safeguarding training and online safety training; and safeguarding integrated into the Rolling Positive Education Programme.
Parent Experience

History
Dubai College was formally constituted on 4 May 1978 by the consent of His Highness Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai, to provide modern British-style secondary education in the Emirate of Dubai. Tim Charlton, the founder, had previously taught in Choueifat, Sharjah, and returned to Dubai to establish the college. Ahmed Baker provided instrumental early support, and Tim Charlton arranged meetings with banks, architects and parents to secure backing for the project. The plan for the school culminated in a signed directive to build a school, here, marking the establishment of Dubai College.

Community
Dubai College's community is organized around the Friends of Dubai College (FDC), a volunteer group open to all parents, staff and alumni. The FDC aims to enrich and complement the educational experience through a variety of school social events, from Fun Days for the Lower School to farewell events for our departing Year 13 students. It also organises events to support the school's wellbeing and philanthropic initiatives and to bring parents, teachers, staff and friends together for social occasions. The group provides support for key academic events held at the school, including parents' evenings, and leads and coordinates the Class Representative communication system to cascade information through volunteer Parent Reps.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Dubai College's PTA-equivalent is the Friends of Dubai College (FDC). It is a volunteer group open to all parents, staff and alumni. FDC aims to enrich and complement the educational experience through a range of school social events, from Lower School ‘Fun Days' to milestone Year 13 farewells. It also organises activities to support the school's wellbeing and philanthropic initiatives and to bring together parents, teachers, staff and friends for social events. FDC provides support to key academic events, including parents evenings, and leads the Class Representative communication system to disseminate information via volunteer Parent Reps. The Executive Committee is elected and actively plans and coordinates these activities.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Dubai College sits on a 19-acre campus in Al Sufouh. The SPACE facility provides a double-width sports hall, a full-size gym, a swimming pool and two fitness studios. The Jafar Centre, opened in 2023, adds flexible learning spaces including interactive classrooms and a maker space, and houses the Bridgman Library and the Quad cafe. The C Hub hosts the library, studios and galleries, while the Science Block contains 21 laboratories. The campus includes a 900-seat auditorium, Black Box Theatre, Art Studios, Music Centre with 12 practice rooms and a recording studio, plus extensive outdoor pitches and floodlit courts.

Sports Facilities
SPACE houses a double-width sports hall, a full-size gym/fitness area, a swimming pool and two fitness studios. An outdoor MUGA, floodlit netball/tennis courts, and first-class rugby, football and cricket pitches with spectator seating complete the facilities. The Sports Pavilion provides changing rooms and medical facilities.

Academic Facilities
The Science Block contains 21 laboratories. Bridgman Library is located in the C Hub and there is a dedicated school library; a 320-study-bay Sixth Form Centre with collaboration rooms and a common room. The English Block houses specialists and a Harkness Room.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The 900-seat Auditorium is used for assemblies and performances, and the Black Box Theatre seats 150 and is complemented by three drama studios. The Music Centre offers 12 practice rooms and a recording studio, and four Art Studios support visual arts. The Jafar Centre opened in 2023 and includes a maker space, the Bridgman Library, Quad cafe and Digital Studios.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Dubai College follows an adapted English National Curriculum within a selective school. The aim is to develop understanding, knowledge and skills to meet global challenges and to place students at highly selective universities worldwide. The curriculum is organized into Lower School (Years 7–9), Middle School (Years 10–11) and Sixth Form (Years 12–13), with 10 GCSEs taken in Years 10–11 and four A Levels commonly studied in Year 12. A Careers Programme supports 14–19 pathways and university preparation.

Arts & Creative
Dubai College offers Music, Drama, Art and Design and Technology as part of the curriculum. In Sixth Form, students can study A Level subjects including Art and Design, Drama and Theatre Studies, and Music. Creative subjects are integrated across the lower and senior years and supported by a broader program of school life.

Cultural & Language
Arabic is studied from Year 7 with Arabic A available for students who hold Arabic passports. French or Spanish is offered in the Lower School, and Year 9 includes Latin as an option. In Sixth Form, languages include French, Latin and Spanish, and Arabic (as a first language) remains required for Arabic passport holders. UAE Social Studies and Islamic Studies are part of the curriculum.

Social & Hobbies
Games and physical education form a core part of the Middle School curriculum. The school operates a House Programme to promote student life and competition. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is available to students. Dubai College also integrates wellbeing into school life through a Positive Education Programme.

Community & Service
Dubai College has community structures including the Dubai College Foundation, Alumni network and Friends of Dubai College.

Leadership & Professional
A Careers Programme provides a planned, progressive pathway for 14–19 learners, supporting university and career planning. TopUP lessons support university preparation in Year 12 and 13. The A Level Options Process and A Level Options Booklet help with subject choices.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Dubai College runs a Rolling Positive Education Programme and Wellbeing initiatives. A weekly Positive Education Programme is delivered in Year 9, and Form Tutors provide personal support for wellbeing. Wellbeing resources are accessible through the school's wellbeing offerings.
Languages

Language Provision
The school uses English as the language of instruction. Arabic is studied as a subject across the lower years. French or Spanish are offered as optional language subjects in the lower years, and Latin is available in Year 9. In the Sixth Form, Arabic A is available; Arab-nationality students must study Arabic A, and non-Arab students who have studied Arabic A may continue it alongside A Level subjects.
Admissions

Admissions
Dubai College is a selective, not-for-profit, fee-charging day school in Dubai. Year 7 entry has 176 places and is selective; applications for August 2026 closed, with eligible applicants invited to sit an entrance assessment in November if applied by the deadline. The majority of new Year 7 students come from Dubai primary schools, with joiners from other Emirates and overseas, representing about 35–40 different primary schools. Applicants should be in the school year corresponding to their age; for Year 7 in 2026, the candidate should be 11 by 31 August 2026 and have completed Year 6 in 2025–26. Applications for overseas moves can be completed without visiting Dubai, with assessments conducted under examination conditions at the student's current school and remote interviews where applicable; the deadline for year-group admissions is the same for UAE and overseas applicants, and late overseas applications are not accepted. The school requires fluency in written and spoken English and does not teach English as a Second/Foreign Language. Emirati families are given priority through the Emirati Scholars Programme, which admits Year 7 Emirati scholars; admissions involve contextual data, a dedicated Tutor for Emirati Scholars, and final decisions made by the Head. The Emirati Scholars Programme operates within the school's admissions framework with specific dates for application through Year 7 entry.

Scholarships
The Emirati Scholars Programme prioritizes Emirati students for Year 7 admission, using contextual admissions criteria and assigning a Tutor for Emirati Scholars to monitor progress and provide targeted support. Applications are processed through the Year 7 entry pathway with defined dates; the programme reflects Dubai College's commitment to Emirati education within its selective admissions framework.
School Events
The school has not added events
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