Cardiff International School vs Doha Academy Salwa Branch

	C Cardiff International School Doha, Qatar	D Doha Academy Salwa Branch Doha, Qatar
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year QAR 19,000 - 31,630	Fees / year QAR 15,825 - 33,675
Age range	Age range 3 - 11 years	Age range 3 - 15 years
Type	Type —	Type —
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 400	Pupils 360
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 22
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service —	Bus service —
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The Cardiff International School is located at Villa 40, University Road, Al Dafna, Doha, Qatar, near Qatar University. The Dafna district sits along University Road in western Doha, close to Education City and other educational institutions. The campus is accessible from major routes and sits in a residential-educational area of Doha.	Location The Doha Academy Salwa branch is located at 691 Ibn Houd Street, Mamoura, Doha, Qatar. It sits in a peaceful, green residential area in Mamoura. The campus is spread over two buildings on the site.
Stages	Stages The school provides Early Years and Primary education. It follows the British National Curriculum, aligning with UK educational standards.	Stages The Salwa campus serves Kindergarten through Year 6, with around 380 students in total.
School type	School type Co-educational; it is a day school (no boarding provision is publicly listed).	School type The school is co-educational for Years 1–5 and gender-segregated from Year 6 onwards.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix There are pupils from over 42 nationalities represented at the school. Public sources do not provide a local vs international ratio.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Details on Additional Learning Needs (SEN) provisions are not publicly listed. No explicit SEN facilities are described in public sources.	Additional learning support The school provides additional academic, social and emotional support if required.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Located in Doha, Qatar, and follows the British National Curriculum.	Country affiliation No formal country affiliation is published; the curriculum blends elements of the National Curriculum for England and Wales, the Cambridge International curriculum, and the Qatar National Curriculum.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is publicly listed for the school.	Religious affiliation Islamic values and teachings are integrated into the school's ethos.
School day structure	School day structure Public information does not publish the daily start/end times for Cardiff International School. Third‑party listings suggest typical school days in the region run Sunday–Thursday, but these timings are not official.	School day structure Primary days begin with doors opening at 06:30 and registration at 07:00; lessons start at 07:15. Years 1–3 follow a timetable with two short breaks and finish at 13:30 (07:15–08:45; 08:45–09:10; 09:10–11:15; 11:15–11:40; 11:40–13:30). Years 4–6 follow a similar pattern but with a later first break (07:15–09:15; 09:15–09:40; 09:40–11:45; 11:45–12:10; 12:10–13:30).
Bus service details	Bus service details No in-house school bus service is publicly listed for Cardiff International School. Families should contact admissions to discuss transport options.	Bus service details Bus service information is not published; contact the school to arrange transport. Phone: +974 44509917.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and assessment fees - Assessment / application fee: QAR 200 (one-off at the time of assessment). - Registration / enrolment fee (one-off, payable on acceptance of a place): reported between QAR 625 and QAR 681 depending on the published schedule. Tuition fees by year group (annual and per-term where published) - FS1 / KG1 (age 3): Annual tuition QAR 17,750. First-year charges including registration and resources/books are published as QAR 19,625 (breakdown: tuition QAR 17,750; registration QAR 625; resources/books QAR 1,250). - FS2 / KG2 (age 4): Annual tuition QAR 17,750. - Years 1–6 (Key Stage 1 and 2): Annual tuition commonly published as QAR 29,450 with a per-term split of QAR 9,817 (Term 1), QAR 9,817 (Term 2), QAR 9,816 (Term 3). An alternative published schedule lists annual tuition for primary year groups in the low-31,000 QAR range (e.g., QAR 31,630) in other fee lists; both figures appear in current publicly available fee schedules. Per-term examples - Where a three-term instalment is shown, Years 1–6 are invoiced as approximately QAR 9,817 / QAR 9,817 / QAR 9,816 for the three terms (summing to QAR 29,450 annually). FS/KS1 term breakdowns follow the same three-term invoicing pattern when per-term figures are published. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is billed termly in three instalments (Autumn/Term 1, Spring/Term 2, Summer/Term 3). Term invoices correspond to the per-term figures above and are issued in advance of each term; termly invoices are payable at or before the start of the term. - Additional one-off first-year charges (registration, assessment, resources/books) are invoiced at enrolment and are payable when the place is accepted or at assessment/registration stages. Boarding fees - There is no boarding provision listed for Cardiff International School (the school operates as a day school for ages FS to Year 6). No boarding fees apply. Other costs and additional fees - Consumables, resources and book fees: a resources/books charge is published for early years (example: QAR 1,250 first year figure given for KG in one schedule) and higher consumables/book charges are shown for primary year groups (examples around QAR 2,180 in some published primary fee lines). These charges are invoiced in addition to tuition. - Uniform: uniform costs are not included in published tuition figures and are typically purchased separately by parents; uniform charges are invoiced or required separately where noted in school communications. - Examination / external assessment fees (where relevant), extra-curricular activity charges, school trips and some specialist resources are commonly invoiced separately as incidental charges and are not included in the headline tuition figures. Refund information - No publicly available, definitive Cardiff-specific refund policy was located in the fee schedules reviewed. Multiple local-school fee policies in the same regulatory environment state that registration and certain advance fees are non-refundable and that full-term fees are chargeable once placement is confirmed; however, a Cardiff-specific statement on refundable vs non-refundable items was not found in the published fee lines that were available. Fee payment options - Published practice across Doha international schools and the formats in which Cardiff publishes term figures indicate that standard payment methods accepted by peer schools include bank transfer, debit/credit card and cheque/cash at the school business office. Specific bank account details or the exact set of accepted card types for Cardiff were not found in the public fee lines reviewed. Sibling discount and other concessions - A sibling discount is reported in some public fee summaries: 2nd child 15% and 3rd child 25% discounts on tuition (applied to tuition only) are shown in summaries of the school's fee structure. Confirmed availability and application rules should be checked with admissions when arranging enrolment.	Fee details Application and admissions fees - Entry test fee (one-time, non-refundable): QAR 500. - Registration fee (one-time): QAR 1,500. - Seat reservation deposit (to secure a place): QAR 2,000. Tuition fees by year group (annual and per instalment) Note: The Salwa Branch provides places for Year 1 to Year 9. Tuition is shown below as annual amounts and as per-instalment amounts (fees are payable in two equal instalments). - Year 1 — Annual tuition: QAR 26,460. Per instalment: QAR 13,230. - Year 2 — Annual tuition: QAR 26,460. Per instalment: QAR 13,230. - Year 3 — Annual tuition: QAR 26,460. Per instalment: QAR 13,230. - Year 4 — Annual tuition: QAR 26,460. Per instalment: QAR 13,230. - Year 5 — Annual tuition: QAR 26,460. Per instalment: QAR 13,230. - Year 6 — Annual tuition: QAR 26,460. Per instalment: QAR 13,230. - Year 7 — Annual tuition: QAR 30,345. Per instalment: QAR 15,172.50. - Year 8 — Annual tuition: QAR 30,345. Per instalment: QAR 15,172.50. - Year 9 — Annual tuition: QAR 30,345. Per instalment: QAR 15,172.50. Mandatory and recurring ancillary fees (by year group where specified) - Book / textbook fee: - Year 1: QAR 2,580. - Year 2: QAR 2,580. - Year 3: QAR 2,900. - Year 4: QAR 2,900. - Year 5: QAR 2,900. - Year 6: QAR 2,900. - Year 7: QAR 3,330. - Year 8: QAR 3,330. - Year 9: QAR 3,330. - Textbook fee is payable with the first instalment. - Transport (annual rates; internal and external options): - Internal transport service: QAR 5,000 per year (where used). - External transport service: QAR 7,000 per year (where used). - Assessment / examination administrative notes: - For remarking or correction of IGCSE, AS/A Level papers, prior approval is required from the Examination Officer and remarking fees are non-refundable. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition fees for each academic year are payable in two equal instalments. The first instalment is due on or before 31 August; the second instalment is due on or before 10 January. Textbook fees are collected with the first instalment. - Fees cannot usually be transferred from one child to another, even within the same family. Boarding fees - The Salwa Branch is a day school; boarding provision is not offered at the Salwa Branch and boarding fees are not applicable. Other costs and policies - Uniform: Students are required to adhere to the school uniform policy; uniform purchase and fittings are arranged through school channels (uniform shop / fittings are operated for the Salwa campus). Uniform costs are charged separately. - Seat reservation and registration are charged as one-time payments (Seat reservation: QAR 2,000; Registration: QAR 1,500). These charges are required to secure a place and complete enrolment. Refund and non‑refund rules - The entry test fee (QAR 500) is non-refundable. - Remarking fees for public examinations are non-refundable and require prior approval from the Examination Officer. - Other specific refund conditions are governed by the school's fee and admissions policies; parents are required to complete the registration and payment steps to secure places. Payment options - Accepted payment methods include Visa and MasterCard, direct bank deposit, telegraphic bank transfer, online bank transfer, and current-dated cheques. For bank transfers, parents should include the student name and ISAMs ID as payment reference. Notes and important points - The Salwa Branch operates for Years 1–9; the fee schedule above applies to those year groups. - The published annual tuition amounts above are billed in Qatari Riyal (QAR) and instalment amounts shown are half of the annual tuition in accordance with the two-instalment payment schedule. This per-instalment calculation follows the school's stated two-equal-instalment payment structure.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership The Salwa branch is part of Doha Academy, an independent, privately owned day school. The school is supported by Al-Faleh Educational Holding Q.P.S.C. and administered by a Board of Directors chaired by Sheikha Aisha Bint Faleh Al Thani.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Cardiff International School Doha teaches in English and follows the English National Curriculum, applying the Early Years Foundation Stage framework for its youngest learners. The Primary phase (Years 1–4) uses discrete lessons for English and mathematics and a themed topic approach for other subjects, with regular assessments to monitor progress. The school operates on two campuses—a dedicated Early Years Campus and a Primary Campus for Grades 1–4—and is affiliated with the Round Square Foundation. Public sources indicate a British-style program centered on English-language learning across the curriculum. Details about senior secondary qualifications (such as IGCSE or A-Levels) are not clearly documented in public sources.	Curriculum details Doha Academy Salwa Branch offers a blended curriculum that combines the English National Curriculum (NCfE), the Cambridge International framework, and the Qatar National Curriculum for students aged 5–14 (Year 1–9). English is the main medium of instruction, with Arabic, Qatar History, and Religion taught under the Qatar National Curriculum. The academic program comprises twelve subject disciplines, with an emphasis on Language & Literacy and Mathematics & Numeracy across the core. In Primary, English is delivered via the Cambridge Primary Framework; RWI Phonics is used in Early Years to Year 3; guided reading in Years 4–6; Power Maths for Mathematics; and French, ICT, and PE are taught by specialist teachers. For upper secondary, the school prepares students for Cambridge International examinations (IGCSE in Year 11) and Edexcel AS Level in Year 12; Year 13 is referenced in some materials but specific qualifications beyond AS Level are not detailed. Co-curricular activities and a reading-focused environment supplement the curriculum.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio No student–teacher ratio is published on the site.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression The school indicates preparation for Cambridge International and Edexcel examinations, including IGCSE (Year 11) and AS Level (Year 12).
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented No specific gifted and talented programs are detailed on the site.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) provision, including any formal programs, staff roles, or initiatives.	Social & emotional learning Doha Academy Salwa does not publicly disclose information regarding Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) provision; policies are available on request.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision, the types of needs supported, or whether it operates as a specialist SEN institution.	Special educational needs (SEN) Doha Academy Salwa does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision or whether it is a specialist SEN institution; policies are available on request.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The school does not publicly disclose information regarding English as an Additional Language (EAL) provision.	English as an additional language Doha Academy Salwa does not publicly disclose information regarding English as an Additional Language (EAL) provision; policies are available on request.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school does not publicly disclose information regarding mental wellbeing support, programs, or staff.	Mental wellbeing Doha Academy Salwa does not publicly disclose information regarding mental wellbeing provision; policies are available on request.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding and child protection policies.	Safeguarding Doha Academy Salwa does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding and child protection; policies are available on request.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview Doha Academy Salwa Branch operates across four buildings with separate spaces for boys and girls from Year 6 onwards. The academic facilities include two science laboratories, two well-stocked libraries, and two computer labs. WiFi is available throughout the campus, and every teaching room features interactive smart screens or promethium interactive projectors. There are ample outside shaded play and recreation areas for breaks and outdoor learning. The campus supports a technology-enabled learning environment and offers co-curricular activities and after-school clubs.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities Two science laboratories; two well-stocked libraries; two computer labs; WiFi throughout the campus; interactive smart screens in every teaching room; promethium interactive projectors in classrooms.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities The school offers a range of co-curricular activities and after-school clubs.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Cardiff International School Doha was founded in 2013 as a privately held institution. It began by offering Early Years and Primary education within a British-inspired framework. The school is described as following the Cambridge International Curriculum, adapting the British National Curriculum for an international context. The campus is located in Al Dafna near Qatar University, and the school has grown to serve a diverse student community.	History Doha Academy opened in September 2000 on the site that is now Doha Academy Salwa. The school is privately owned and administered by a Board of Directors chaired by Sheikha Aisha Bint Faleh Al Thani, who is the founder. In 2014, expanding numbers led to the opening of a purpose-built campus in Al-Waab for EYFS, primary, and secondary education. Doha Academy Salwa forms part of a group that offers a blended curriculum combining the National Curriculum for England, the Cambridge International curriculum, and the Qatar National curriculum. Salwa and Waab campuses have earned Qatar National Schools Accreditation (QNSA) since 2022, and NEASC full accreditation was achieved in November 2022.
Community	Community The school community is described as active, with regular school-wide gatherings and cultural activities. There is a weekly assembly program, and the school hosts an annual production for the school community in the summer term as well as an annual talent show. Arts and sports are emphasized as part of the community experience.	Community Doha Academy Salwa is a small, welcoming school in Mamoura with a positive, vibrant atmosphere. The campus is organized into four blocks with administrative, primary and secondary sections, and from Year 6 upward girls and boys are in separate classrooms and spaces; the school uses a blended curriculum with English as the main medium of instruction. It offers co-curricular activities and after-school clubs to broaden learning opportunities. Community events have included Garangao celebrations as CSR initiatives and World Autism Awareness Day in 2023, along with National Identity-focused events and student achievement ceremonies in recent years.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association Cardiff International School Doha's PTA details are not publicly documented in the sources consulted. However, in international schools generally, PTAs operate as volunteer groups with an executive committee and meet regularly. Common activities include fundraising events, school fairs, and volunteer support for school events. PTAs often coordinate cultural activities, teacher appreciation initiatives, and support for co-curricular programs. Membership usually includes all parents and teachers, with officers such as chair, treasurer and secretary in many schools.	Parent teacher association A formal PTA is not publicly documented on the Doha Academy Salwa site. A Parents – Portal exists for parent–teacher communication via the iSAMS system. No public list of PTA committees, meetings, or PTA-led activities is visible on the site. The school publishes calendars and news about events and student achievements that sometimes involve parent participation. Community initiatives and cultural events organized by the Al-Faleh Educational Holding group—such as Quran competitions and national identity shows—also shape family engagement. For definitive details about PTA opportunities, contact Doha Academy Salwa directly via the campus contact details.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual The school offers a blended curriculum combining the National Curriculum for England, the Cambridge International curriculum, and the Qatar National curriculum. English is the main language of instruction, with Arabic, Qatar History, and Religion taught as part of the Qatar National curriculum. The Salwa campus serves Year 1 through Year 9 (ages 5–14). The school prepares students for Cambridge International Examinations (IGCSE at Year 11) and AS Level at Year 12.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language English is the main medium of instruction, and Arabic, Qatar History, and Religion are taught as Qatar National Curriculum subjects. The campus supports reading and language development with enhanced libraries and e-reading resources.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies Co-curricular activities and after-school clubs are offered to broaden learning opportunities.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing Facilities include two science laboratories, two well-stocked libraries, two computer labs, and ample outdoor shaded play and recreation areas, with technology-enhanced classrooms.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision The school uses English as the main medium of instruction, with Arabic, Qatar History, and Religion taught under the Qatar National Curriculum. The school recognises the needs of English as a second language learners and provides support for Arabic as a second language. The curriculum is a blended program combining the National Curriculum for England, Cambridge International curriculum, and the Qatar National curriculum.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions 1. Determine eligibility and program fit: Doha Academy Salwa offers education from Year 1 to Year 9. The school follows the National Curriculum of England and Wales. From Year 1 to Year 5 the school is co-educational; from Year 6 onwards, classes are gender segregated. 2. Contact the admissions team to obtain information or arrange a tour: the admissions team aims to assist at every stage of the Admissions process, and you can call +974 44143704 or schedule a tour. Unplanned visits are not accommodated. 3. Initiate the visit or submit applications: book an appointment to visit; an "Enroll Now" option is available to begin the enrollment process. 4. Transfer documents: if you are transferring from another local school, ensure all documents are signed and stamped. 5. Finalize enrollment: follow the instructions provided by the Admissions team to complete enrollment; the team is available to answer questions at any stage.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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