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The City School International Dubai

United Arab Emirates, Dubai

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees AED 13,670 - 33,000
Ages 3 - 18 years
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum
Introduction

The City School International — Dubai is a private international school located in the Nad Al Hamar area of Dubai that follows the British National Curriculum and operates as an approved Cambridge Assessment (CAIE) centre. It provides education from Foundation stage through Sixth Form (Years 12–13), serving children and young people aged approximately 3 to 18, and offers IGCSE, BTEC and AS/A‑Level pathways (A‑Levels introduced in 2021). The school's documentation and prospectus are in English and courses are delivered through Cambridge programmes; Arabic is taught as Arabic A for Arab students and Arabic B for non‑Arabs, Islamic education is compulsory for Muslim students and Moral Education is included in the senior programme. Notable programme features set out by the school include a Sixth Form Future Leaders Enrichment Programme, careers education with an annual careers fair, and use of dedicated study areas (common room/library) for Sixth Form independent study. The school is part of the City School Holdings international group.

Plot 416, 1297, 410th St, Nadd Al Hamar, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The Essentials

The City School International Dubai has instruction in English.

Location
Plot # 416-1297, Nad Al Hamar, Dubai, UAE (P.O. Box 5760). The campus is in Nad Al Hamar, a residential district in eastern Dubai, with straightforward access to major roads and local amenities. The school serves both local and international families in the UAE. It is part of City School Holdings International.

Stages
Foundation Stage to Sixth Form (A-Levels). The school offers Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, and Sixth Form, with admissions forms published for Foundation Stage to Year 11 and a separate Sixth Form application. Timings and curriculum support the full range from early years through to post-16 study.

Type
Co-educational. The Dubai campus operates as a mixed-gender school; no boarding facilities are indicated.

Pupil Nationality Mix
The student body comprises 665 pupils. The most common nationality is Pakistani. Local students make up about 2% of the school population, with approximately 98% international students.

Additional learning support
The Inclusion Department provides support for Students of Determination, English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners, and other needs, with an Achievement Center as a dedicated support space and UAE-aligned inclusion practices.

Country affiliation
The City School Holdings International originated in Pakistan; the group opened its first international school outside Pakistan in Dubai in 2006 and now operates across multiple countries.

Religious affiliation
No formal religious affiliation is listed. The curriculum includes Islamic Education and Moral Studies, with non-Muslim students receiving Moral Studies as appropriate.

School day structure
Foundation Stage timings: 7:45am–12:30pm (Mon–Thu) and 7:45am–11:50am (Fri). Years 1–13 timings: 7:45am–2:05pm (Mon–Thu) and 7:45am–11:50am (Fri). School gates open at 7:15am. A morning break of 15 minutes and a 20-minute lunch break are provided.

Bus service
The school operates a fleet of buses compliant with Dubai's Road Transport Authority (RTA) regulations. Buses are equipped with video surveillance and GPS for attendance and safety. Routes are assigned after the Transport Registration Form is submitted, with pick-up/drop-off details shared in advance; zone-based fees apply for AY 2025–2026 (two-way and one-way options). The Transport Manager is the primary point of contact for families.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniform is required; ThreadsMe is the official uniform provider.

Governance and Ownership
The City School Dubai is a project of City School Holdings International. The City School is governed by the Executive Board of Head Office. An Executive Committee includes parents, staff and Head Office Advisory Board members to facilitate involvement. The City School Board is the central policy-making group, advised by the Advisory Board and by standing committees for Philosophy, Education, HR and Finance.
Fees

Annual tuition at The City School International Dubai ranges from AED 13,670 to AED 33,000 for 2026/27.

Application and one‑time admission fees

- Registration (one‑time, non‑refundable): AED 500.
- Admission (one‑time, non‑refundable): AED 1,000.
- Combined admission package (registration + admission): AED 1,500 charged on initial enrolment.

Tuition fees by year group (annual and per academic term)

Notes: the figures below are the published annual tuition amounts for each year group and a per‑term figure calculated on the basis of a three‑term academic year (annual ÷ 3). The school's calendar uses a three‑term structure; the per‑term amounts shown are a calculated division of the annual tuition.

- FS1 (Kindergarten 1): Annual tuition AED 13,670 — Per term (calculated) AED 4,556.67.
- FS2 (Kindergarten 2): Annual tuition AED 13,950 — Per term (calculated) AED 4,650.00.
- Year 1: Annual tuition AED 15,220 — Per term (calculated) AED 5,073.33.
- Year 2: Annual tuition AED 15,220 — Per term (calculated) AED 5,073.33.
- Year 3: Annual tuition AED 15,220 — Per term (calculated) AED 5,073.33.
- Year 4: Annual tuition AED 15,220 — Per term (calculated) AED 5,073.33.
- Year 5: Annual tuition AED 16,490 — Per term (calculated) AED 5,496.67.
- Year 6: Annual tuition AED 16,490 — Per term (calculated) AED 5,496.67.
- Year 7: Annual tuition AED 16,490 — Per term (calculated) AED 5,496.67.
- Year 8: Annual tuition AED 16,490 — Per term (calculated) AED 5,496.67.
- Year 9: Annual tuition AED 16,490 — Per term (calculated) AED 5,496.67.
- Year 10: Annual tuition AED 20,550 — Per term (calculated) AED 6,850.00.
- Year 11: Annual tuition AED 24,730 — Per term (calculated) AED 8,243.33.
- Year 12: Annual tuition AED 29,500 — Per term (calculated) AED 9,833.33.

Other fees and annual charges

- "Other fee" (covers medical expenses, library, lab, student ID, printing material, AIMS login, class photograph, yearbook, digital educational resources etc.): ranges by year group (typical published range AED 1,650 to AED 2,390 depending on the year). This other fee is normally collected with the first instalment.
- Re‑registration fee for returning students to confirm a place for the next academic year: AED 1,000 (non‑refundable; adjusted against the first payment in the new year).
- Uniform: the school requires a uniform; official supplier and ordering information are published for parents (uniform purchase is additional to tuition and other fees). Specific uniform prices are variable and charged separately.
- Transport: school transport is available and priced by area; sample published annual transport fees include (examples):
- Nad Al Hamar: AED 2,500 per year.
- International City, Trade Centre, Mirdif and other areas: typical annual ranges shown approximately AED 4,900 to AED 6,400 depending on pickup area.
Transport is often invoiced across terms (the transport schedule shows per‑term breakdown for the service).

Billing schedule and payment terms (how fees are collected and when)

- The school accepts payment by a current‑dated cheque or payment at the start of the year and then a series of post‑dated cheques on standard dates across the academic year. Typical published deposit schedule: 1st instalment (current dated) before 23 August, then post‑dated cheques for 1 October, 1 December, 1 February and 1 April.
- Tuition is shown as an annual amount but is collected through instalments; the school accepts post‑dated cheques in favour of the school as a standard payment method.
- Cheque and account policies published include: returned‑cheque charges (example published amount AED 500 for a returned cheque) and administrative charges (for example, AED 50 service charge for retrieval of a cheque). The school reserves the right to take action, including suspension, where cheques are not provided or are returned.

Payment methods accepted

- Post‑dated cheques (standard method).
- Current dated cheque, cash, debit card or bank transfer for initial payment.
- Online payment methods and card payments via the school's accepted gateways / partners have been published (examples include third‑party online payment options noted in published guidance). Auto‑debit and credit/debit card payments are accepted through the school's payment provider arrangements in some cases. Bank fees for card processing (small fixed charges) may be invoiced to parents.

Boarding

- The City School International Dubai operates as a day school; no boarding fees are published and there is no boarding provision in the standard fee schedule.

Refunds and cancellation

- The re‑registration fee (AED 1,000) is non‑refundable but is adjusted against the first payment for the following academic year.
- If a student withdraws before the start of the academic year, published practice is to refund the first‑term fee (subject to the school's published terms and timing).

Notes on instalments vs. terms

- The school's academic calendar uses three terms; published transport and term calendars use a three‑term terminology. Tuition is shown as an annual figure and the school publishes a five‑cheque instalment collection schedule across the academic year. The per‑term amounts above are calculated by dividing the published annual tuition by three to show a standard per‑term equivalent; instalment amounts actually debited by date may follow the five‑cheque schedule rather than equal three‑term payments.

Key published references used for these figures

- Public fee schedules and school listings used to compile the above figures and payment rules.
Academics

The City School International Dubai teaches British Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The City School International Dubai offers a UK-aligned curriculum from Early Years through Sixth Form, underpinned by the British National Curriculum and UAE MOE guidelines; Cambridge International Examinations results are used for benchmarking, and Sixth Form details are not listed on the Curriculum page. The EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) focuses on seven areas of learning and includes Arabic and Physical Education as Additional Subjects. Primary (Year 1–2) follows the National Curriculum UK and MOE guidelines, with core subjects English, Mathematics, Science, Arabic and Islamic Education and non-core subjects such as Music, Computing, PE, Art, Moral Education and Moral Studies for Non-Muslims. Year 3–6 continues with the UK National Curriculum and MOE guidelines, with core subjects English, Mathematics, Science, Arabic and Islamic Education, and non-core subjects including History, Geography, Music, Computing, PE, Art, Moral Education and Moral Studies for Non-Muslims; French is taught as a foreign language. Secondary (Years 7–8) maintains the same framework, with core English, Mathematics, Science, Arabic and Islamic Education, and non-core subjects such as History, Geography, Computing, PE and Art, with French as a foreign language. IGCSE is offered for Years 9–11 under the Cambridge International Examinations framework, with compulsory subjects English, Mathematics, Arabic, Islamic Education, Moral Education and PE; tracks in Science/Commerce/Humanities and electives including Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Business Studies, Economics, Accounting, Sociology, Travel & Tourism, ICT and Computer Science.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The City School International Dubai prioritises student wellbeing through a wellbeing curriculum that is integrated across subjects and co‑curricular activities to support social and emotional development. The Inclusion Department serves Students of Determination, English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners, students with social, behavioural and psychological needs, and gifted and talented students, operating the TCSI Achievement Center to facilitate learning and wellbeing. The school uses multiple data sources, including KHDA well-being survey results, PASS data, and CAT4 data, to identify students who may require additional support and involves parents in collaborative planning when needed. KHDA's 2023‑2024 inspection notes that students display positive attitudes and behaviour and that wellbeing provision exists, with recommendations to broaden student involvement in wellbeing initiatives. Overall, wellbeing is a central priority with ongoing work to enhance engagement and opportunities for wellbeing across the school community.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Inclusion Department explicitly covers Students of Determination, English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners, students with social, behavioural and psychological needs, and gifted and talented students, supported by the TCSI Achievement Center and a formal inclusion policy, plus a separate policy for gifted and talented learners. There is a dedicated space (the Achievement Center) to facilitate learning and wellbeing for these groups. KHDA DSIB 2023‑2024 records 83 students as Students of Determination and notes two guidance counsellors to support learners, with a key recommendation to enhance wellbeing and support for Students of Determination, indicating ongoing development of SEN provision. The school presents its inclusion as part of the mainstream structure rather than as a separate specialist SEN institution.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
EAL learners are explicitly included within the Inclusion Department's scope, which lists English as an Additional Language learners as a group requiring support. The department emphasizes ensuring equal access to the curriculum for EAL students. The language of instruction is English. KHDA DSIB 2023‑2024 confirms English as the language of instruction, with English attainment described as Good to Very Good across phases, reflecting both language acquisition and curriculum access within an inclusive framework.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is embedded in the school's approach, with the wellbeing curriculum woven into subject teaching and co‑curricular activities. The school uses multiple data sources—KHDA wellbeing survey results, PASS, and CAT4—to identify students who may need extra support and involves parents in collaborative interventions when appropriate. The Wellbeing policy and related resources provide a framework for supporting students' mental health, and KHDA notes that wellbeing is central to the school community, though provision and outcomes are described as Acceptable with ongoing development. The KHDA inspection additionally highlights opportunities to expand wellbeing engagement and student involvement in wellbeing initiatives.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is integrated into the school's safeguarding framework, with health and safety and safeguarding arrangements rated Good across Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, and Post‑16 levels in the DSIB 2023‑2024 report. The school operates a proactive protection, care, guidance and support system for students, including an active medical team and safeguarded, secure premises. The Wellbeing and Child Protection page confirms a UAE-aligned safeguarding policy and directs staff to the designated safeguarding lead (email erum.ali@tcsidxb.ae) for safeguarding concerns; it also points to the school's Child Protection and Safeguarding policy documents. Overall, the school adheres to KHDA expectations for safeguarding, with explicit policies and designated safeguarding contacts.
Parent Experience

History
The City School was founded in 1978 in Karachi, Pakistan as part of The City School Group. Its Nad Al Hamar Dubai campus, The City School International, opened in 2006 as the group's first international school outside Pakistan. City School Holdings International (CSHI) was established in Dubai in 2017 to oversee the group's international portfolio. The City School Group operates more than 20 schools across five countries in the GCC and East Asia and educates over 100,000 students. In Dubai, The City School International follows a British National Curriculum with Cambridge Examinations, reflecting the group's long standing emphasis on English-medium, standards-based education.

Community
The City School International Dubai has a diverse student body representing about 35 nationalities. National Day celebrations are part of the school's cultural programming. Enrichment programmes support academic progress and personal development. KHDA notes comprehensive communication with parents as a strength, highlighting active parent involvement through school channels.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Public documentation does not specify a formal PTA for The City School International Dubai. KHDA notes comprehensive communication with parents as a strength, indicating active parent involvement through school channels. The school participates in cultural events such as National Day celebrations, reflecting engagement with the broader community. Career and student counselling services were introduced for the 2021-2022 academic year, showing enhanced family and student support. The EduPage portal provides parent access to timetables and substitutions, supporting parent participation. These elements illustrate a family-centered approach, even in the absence of publicly documented PTA formal structures.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The City School International Dubai is located in Nad Al Hamar, Dubai. The school implements the British National Curriculum and Cambridge International Examinations, and the Cambridge International Examinations annual results analysis shows students are among the high achievers in UAE and in some cases in the world. The curriculum fosters curiosity, critical thinking and creativity and ensures students meet the challenges of tomorrow. The City School emphasizes educating the whole child.

Academic Facilities
The school follows the UK National Curriculum. The site's academic navigation shows provisions for Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, and Sixth Form, reflecting a through-line from early years to secondary education.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The Extra Curricular Activities program runs within the timetable, with a designated ECA time for each class from Year 3 to Year 6 and SALT-based activities for higher grades. Activities include craftwork, drawing, yoga, papercraft, painting and theatre. The program aims to develop students' talents through DIY projects and opportunities for student sharing.
Admissions

Admissions
Step 1 – Applying online. TCSI welcomes applications throughout the year, but seat availability is limited. Check the correct year group for your child based on their date of birth, and familiarise yourself with the relevant fees. After completing the online application form, you will receive an email with further instructions, and you must pay a non-refundable registration fee of AED 500 before the admission test or interview.
Step 2 – Finalising the application. After submitting the online application and payment, the date and time of the assessment will be communicated via email or SMS. All required documents can be uploaded in reply to the email. You must pay the AED 500 registration fee before the admission test/interview. The admission test or interview will be scheduled based on space availability.
Step 3 – Securing a Place. If a place is offered, you will receive a formal offer email valid for 1 week from receipt. If no places are available at the time, you will be placed on a waiting list and notified when a space becomes available. To secure the seat, pay the non-refundable admission fee of AED 1,000. Admission is subject to KHDA approval.
Step 4 – Documents and assessments. The required documents include copies of the student and parents' passports, residence visas, Emirates IDs, birth certificate, vaccination card, recent school reports, and transfer certificate. For overseas transfers, the original school leaving certificate should be attested by the relevant authorities; attestation is not required for the UK, US, Canada, Australia, or Europe. Assessments vary by age: FS1/FS2 use informal observations; Years 1-2 use a written assessment; Years 3-10 use a written admission test; Years 11-13 use prior results, an admission test, and an interview.

Waitlist
Admissions depend on vacancies and use a waiting list. Siblings have preference on the waiting list. The child's name is placed on the waiting list upon payment of a non-refundable registration fee of AED 500. If a space becomes available, offers are made based on space and KHDA approval, and the applicant's position on the list.
School Events
The school has not added events
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