GEMS Cambridge International School Dubai vs MSB Private School - Primary

	G GEMS Cambridge International School Dubai Dubai, United Arab Emirates	M MSB Private School - Primary Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year AED 23,795 - 36,775	Fees / year AED 11,816 - 27,681
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 17 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, BTEC Qualification, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, BTEC Qualification
Pupils	Pupils 2,813	Pupils 850
Typical class size	Typical class size 19	Typical class size 10
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1983	Opened 2004
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Al Twar 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates	Location MSB Private School operates from two campuses in the Al Nahda area of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Junior Campus is located in Al Nahda (P.O. Box: 94550). The Secondary Campus is just 100 meters away in Al Nahda 2 (address 79RG+76P).
Stages	Stages Foundation Stage to Key Stage 5 (Foundation Stage; Key Stage 1–5)	Stages Junior Campus – Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. Secondary Campus – secondary education.
School type	School type —	School type Private day school offering a K-12 program; part of a global MSB network; affiliations with ICSE or IGCSE boards depending on location.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support An inclusive program supporting diverse learners, including Students of Determination, gifted and talented learners, and English Language Learners; uses Individual Education Plans (IEPs) with differentiation and sometimes small-group or one-to-one support; offers alternative pathways such as BTEC and ASDAN; active parental engagement.	Additional learning support Inclusion is practiced across the school. MSB welcomes students with diverse learning needs, including those with special educational needs; an Inclusion Team provides Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and tailored support within the regular curriculum; collaboration with therapists and Learning Support Assistants is available.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation United Kingdom	Country affiliation United Arab Emirates
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure School operates Monday–Friday; gates open at 07:00. FS1–FS2 run 07:40–12:10; Y1–Y13 run 07:40–15:00; Friday hours are 07:30–11:15; weekend is Saturday–Sunday.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details School Transport Services (STS Group) provides CIS Dubai with bus transport; for route availability and details, contact the school's Service Delivery Executive (SDE).	Bus service details Transport is available to several areas with annual fees by sector: Dubai 5,000; Al Nahda Dubai 3,000; Al Warqa 5,000; Al Nahda Sharjah 5,000; Sharjah 5,500; Ajman 6,000. Transport requests can be sent to transport@msbdubai.com.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fee - AED 525 payable at the time of application (includes VAT). The application fee is charged to process new student applications; it is refundable if the school does not offer the student a place and is non‑refundable if a place is offered and the family chooses not to accept it. The application fee is not deductible from the total tuition. Registration / Re‑enrolment deposit - Registration deposit (new students): 10% of the total annual tuition fee, payable when accepting an offer. This registration deposit is non‑refundable but is deducted from the total tuition payable for the academic year. Examples of registration deposit amounts shown in the published schedule: FS AED 2,380; Years 1–2 AED 2,704; Years 3–4 AED 2,812; Years 5–6 AED 2,920; Years 7–9 AED 3,245; Years 10–11 AED 3,461; Years 12–13 AED 3,678. The combined amount payable at the time of admission (application fee + registration deposit) is shown per year group in the published schedule. - Re‑enrolment deposit (existing students): 5% of the total annual tuition, payable to secure a place for the following academic year; this fee is non‑refundable and is adjusted against the first term fees for the following year. Tuition fees (2025–2026 academic year — published schedule) - Foundation Stage (FS) - Term 1 (September): AED 9,519. - Term 2 (January): AED 7,138. - Term 3 (April): AED 7,138. - Annual total: AED 23,795. - Years 1–2 - Term 1 (September): AED 10,817. - Term 2 (January): AED 8,112. - Term 3 (April): AED 8,112. - Annual total: AED 27,041. - Years 3–4 - Term 1 (September): AED 11,248. - Term 2 (January): AED 8,437. - Term 3 (April): AED 8,437. - Annual total: AED 28,122. - Years 5–6 - Term 1 (September): AED 11,682. - Term 2 (January): AED 8,761. - Term 3 (April): AED 8,761. - Annual total: AED 29,204. - Years 7–9 - Term 1 (September): AED 12,980. - Term 2 (January): AED 9,734. - Term 3 (April): AED 9,734. - Annual total: AED 32,448. - Years 10–11 - Term 1 (September): AED 13,846. - Term 2 (January): AED 10,383. - Term 3 (April): AED 10,383. - Annual total: AED 34,612. - Years 12–13 (Post‑16) - Term 1 (September): AED 14,711. - Term 2 (January): AED 11,032. - Term 3 (April): AED 11,032. - Annual total: AED 36,775. Billing schedule and payment terms - All tuition fees are payable in advance of attendance and are normally invoiced from the time of admission so payments can be processed before the start of term. - Standard KHDA payment schedule (published for the 2025–2026 cycle): - First term due: 31 August 2025. - Second term due: 31 December 2025. - Third term due: 31 March 2026. - Formal term installment structure (schools may invoice on this basis): First term = 40% of annual tuition; Second term = 30%; Third term = 30%. Schools may also require full annual fees to be paid in advance if parents choose that option. - If a student enrols during the academic year, tuition charged may start from the beginning of the month of enrolment. Non‑payment may result in withholding of reports, references or examination results and possible temporary or permanent exclusion. Boarding - Boarding is not offered and no boarding fees are published for this school. Transport (school bus) fees - School bus annual and per‑term fees are published by route/area. Example published values: - Route group 1 (Al Mamzar, Al Nahda 1 & 2, Al Qusais, Al Twar, Deira, Hor Al Anz, Muhaisnah, Rashidiya): Annual AED 5,480; Term 1 AED 2,192; Term 2 AED 1,644; Term 3 AED 1,644. - Route group 2 (Al Garhoud, Al Jaddaf, Bur Dubai, Downtown, International City, Karama, Mirdif, Oud Metha, Ras Al Khor, Satwa, Zabeel, etc.): Annual AED 5,790; Term 1 AED 2,316; Term 2 AED 1,737; Term 3 AED 1,737. - Route group 3 (Al Quoz, Business Bay, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Jumeirah 1, Sharjah, etc.): Annual AED 6,310; Term 1 AED 2,524; Term 2 AED 1,893; Term 3 AED 1,893. - Route group 4 (Al Barsha 1, The Meadows, Motor City, Tecom, The Greens, The Villa, etc.): Annual AED 6,520; Term 1 AED 2,608; Term 2 AED 1,956; Term 3 AED 1,956. - Route group 5 (Ajman, Arabian Ranches, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Mira Oasis, Mudon, Sports City, Town Square, etc.): Annual AED 6,930; Term 1 AED 2,772; Term 2 AED 2,079; Term 3 AED 2,079. - Route group 6 (Akoya): Annual AED 7,300; Term 1 AED 2,920; Term 2 AED 2,190; Term 3 AED 2,190. Uniforms and other school supplies - Uniform items are specified by year group and are required to be purchased through the school's approved supplier (Threads). Specific item lists are published by phase (FS – Year 2; Year 3 – Year 6; Year 7 – Year 13) and include PE and winter uniform items. Uniform prices are not published on the school fee pages. External examination and other incidental fees - External examination entry fees (IGCSE, AS, A Level, BTEC, etc.) are charged separately to tuition and are invoiced as applicable; exam entry charges are set by the examination boards and by the school's exam administration; parents are advised that these fees are additional to tuition. Specific exam entry fees are not published in the general tuition schedule. Refunds and withdrawal charges - Registration and admission/application fees are non‑refundable in most cases. Refund rules for paid tuition follow Ministry/KHDA bylaws and the published policy: - If a student withdraws prior to the start of the academic year, the balance of the first semester fees paid will be refunded, except registration and admission fees. - If a student withdraws during the school year, the registration and admission fees remain non‑refundable; refunds of tuition are calculated according to Ministry/KHDA bylaws: attendance for two weeks or less = one full month's fee charged; attendance of more than two weeks but less than one month = two full months' fees charged; attendance of more than one month = entire semester fees charged. Refunds are returned to the original payee. Written notice (one month in advance) is required for withdrawal. Payment methods and options - Accepted payment methods: Online payment via the parent portal for existing families; bank transfer (bank details provided on request); in‑person payment at the Accounts Department by debit card, credit card, cheque or cash. Transport fees can be paid online via the transport payment portal. - Promotional/payment options: Use of the GEMS FAB / GEMS World co‑branded credit card and related offers may provide discounts or instalment plans (subject to bank terms and conditions). 0% EPP promotions and cashback offers have been publicised as payment options.	Fee details Application & Registration Fees - Application fee: Up to AED 500 may be charged to process a new student application; this fee is not deductible from tuition and is refundable only if the school does not offer a place. - Registration (enrolment) deposit: For new students a registration deposit may be charged of up to 10% of the annual tuition; this deposit is payable after an offer is accepted and is deductible from the first term's tuition. Re-registration (returning students) deposits may be requested up to 5% of annual tuition or AED 500 (whichever is higher). Tuition fees by Year Group (A.Y. 2025–26, AED per year) - FS1: AED 11,816. - FS2: AED 11,816. - Year 1: AED 12,603. - Year 2: AED 12,603. - Year 3: AED 12,603. - Year 4: AED 12,603. - Year 5: AED 12,603. - Year 6: AED 12,603. - Year 7: AED 13,396. - Year 8: AED 13,396. - Year 9: AED 13,396. - Year 10: AED 13,396. - Year 11: AED 13,396. - Year 12: AED 23,990. - Year 13: AED 27,681. Per-term and instalment breakdown (standard KHDA payment options; per-term numbers shown as calculated examples) - Permitted billing schedules: Annual tuition may be collected in three instalments at the start of each term (first instalment not to exceed 40% of the annual tuition; second and third not more than 30% each), or as 10 equal monthly instalments (annual tuition ÷ 10). These payment schedules are KHDA/parent-school contract provisions used for billing arrangements. - Example per-term amounts using the standard 3-term split (40% / 30% / 30%). These per-term amounts are calculated from the published annual tuition figures and are shown in AED as illustrative instalment values (the school may apply a specific instalment schedule within the permitted KHDA limits). (This per-term breakdown is an inferred calculation based on the KHDA/contract instalment percentages and the published annual tuition figures.) - FS1 / FS2 (AED 11,816): Term 1 = AED 4,726.40; Term 2 = AED 3,544.80; Term 3 = AED 3,544.80. - Years 1–6 (AED 12,603): Term 1 = AED 5,041.20; Term 2 = AED 3,780.90; Term 3 = AED 3,780.90. - Years 7–11 (AED 13,396): Term 1 = AED 5,358.40; Term 2 = AED 4,018.80; Term 3 = AED 4,018.80. - Year 12 (AED 23,990): Term 1 = AED 9,596.00; Term 2 = AED 7,197.00; Term 3 = AED 7,197.00. - Year 13 (AED 27,681): Term 1 = AED 11,072.40; Term 2 = AED 8,304.30; Term 3 = AED 8,304.30. - Example monthly instalments (10 equal monthly payments = annual tuition ÷ 10): - FS1 / FS2: AED 1,181.60 per month. - Years 1–6: AED 1,260.30 per month. - Years 7–11: AED 1,339.60 per month. - Year 12: AED 2,399.00 per month. - Year 13: AED 2,768.10 per month. Transport (school bus) fees (annual) - Dubai sector: AED 5,000 per year. - Al Nahda (Dubai) sector: AED 3,000 per year. - Al Warqa sector: AED 5,000 per year. - Al Nahda (Sharjah) sector: AED 5,000 per year. - Sharjah sector: AED 5,500 per year. - Ajman sector: AED 6,000 per year. Other mandatory or likely additional costs - Uniforms: School uniform is compulsory and may be purchased from the school's uniform store; itemised uniform prices are not published on the public uniform information page. - International/examination fees: Board/examination fees (IGCSE/A-level/BTEC) are charged on a cost-recovery basis and appear as additional mandatory items on the school's contract; parents pay examination fees as required. - Other mandatory items (for example book fees, activity fees, exam charges): These can be listed in the Parent–School Contract as mandatory items with specified due dates and may be added to instalment schedules when applicable. Boarding - No boarding provision or boarding fees are published for MSB Private School (no boarding facility is listed on the school's public information or in the Parent–School Contract). Refunds and withdrawal (summary of contract provisions) - Registration/re-registration deposits are generally non-refundable except in extenuating circumstances such as family relocation; such exceptions may be submitted for KHDA review. - Tuition paid prior to the start of the academic year is refundable minus the registration/re-registration deposit. - If a student attended for two weeks or less, one month's fees will be deducted; if attendance was between two weeks and one month, two months' fees will be deducted; if enrolled for more than a month, a full term's fees will be deducted when calculating refunds. Refunds are calculated from the start of the term to the official withdrawal request date. Billing schedule, payment terms and consequences for non-payment - Permitted billing schedules: three instalments at the start of each term (first instalment up to 40% of annual tuition; second and third up to 30% each) or 10 equal monthly instalments (annual tuition ÷ 10). Schools may add mandatory fees/exam charges to instalment schedules. - Consequences of non-payment: When fees are not paid the school may suspend students from learning for up to three days per term (excluding exam days), withhold reports, refuse re-enrolment, and withhold the transfer certificate until fees are settled, as provided in the Parent–School Contract. Fee payment options and practical note - The school's public pages and the Parent–School Contract do not publish a specific list of accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer details, credit-card acceptance, or in-person card payments are not listed on the public contact, fees or contract pages). For account-specific payment methods and the school's accounts office instructions, contact the school's accounts or admissions office directly. Summary of what is published and outstanding items - Published and actionable: Annual tuition for each year group (A.Y. 2025–26), transport annual fees, uniform policy (store purchase), and the Parent–School Contract rules on application fees, registration deposits, permitted instalment schedules, refund calculation rules, and examination fee treatment. - Not published / not available in public documents: A school-specific stated application fee amount (the contract gives the KHDA maximum of AED 500 but the school's own exact application charge is not listed), itemised uniform prices, explicit bank account or payment portal details and the school's preferred accepted payment methods, and any school-specific prepayment amounts or exact due dates for instalments. These items are not listed in the publicly available admissions/fees pages or the published Parent–School Contract.
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 —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The school offers a British education based on the National Curriculum for England (NCfE). Foundation Stage covers ages 3–4 (FS1–FS2). Key Stages 1–5 cover ages 5–18 (Years 1–13). EYFS, Primary, Secondary and Post-16 are included, with Digital Citizenship and Student Care and Support. The curriculum aims to develop higher learners who become employable citizens.	Curriculum details MSB Private School is licensed by KHDA to offer education up to Year 13. The Cambridge Curriculum forms the core: Foundation Stage (EYFS) for early years; Years 1–9 follow the Cambridge Curriculum; Years 10–11 prepare for Cambridge IGCSE; Years 12–13 offer Cambridge Advanced Level (A Levels). The school is affiliated with Cambridge International Examinations to deliver the IGCSE, AS Levels, and A Levels, with KHDA approvals for the Pearson BTEC International Level 3 Diploma in Business as an additional program. Learning Beyond Walls, Micro:bit, and LEGO Education enrich the curriculum, alongside a broad range of co-curricular activities. The curriculum emphasizes a values-driven, global-ready education under the Cambridge framework.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio 1:10
Exam results	Exam results DSIB inspection 2023-2024 rated Cambridge International School - Dubai as Good. Foundation Stage shows a very good start to school life. Achievement levels in Mathematics and English remain consistently high in Secondary and Post-16 with continued improvement in Islamic Education. Inclusion supports strong wellbeing and progress for a range of learners.	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression GEMS students have been accepted into 1,050 universities across 53 countries, including 66 of the world's top 100 universities. The university destinations emphasize employability skills, confidence, communication, initiative and teamwork, and provide guidance on study pathways and careers.	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented The Inclusion policy states CIS welcomes students who are gifted and talented. There are alternative curriculum pathways available through BTEC qualifications and ASDAN.	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Step 1: Fill the online enquiry form to generate a student enquiry ID number. The 2026-2027 admission cycle is open for all Year Groups (FS1–Year 13). Please contact the Admissions team for further information. Step 2: An application fee of AED 525 is due at the time of application. The fee is refundable if the school does not offer a place. It is non-refundable if the school offers a place but the student chooses not to take it. The fee is not deductible from the total tuition fees and is not applicable to students currently enrolled at a GEMS School. Step 3: Visit the school with the documents and the student enquiry ID. Minimum age: FS1 must be 3 by December 31 and FS2 must be 4 by December 31. For Year 1–11 admissions, a final/term report and a recommendation letter are required. Step 4: Once registered the applicant will be placed on the waiting list and called for an assessment, depending on space availability. The KHDA guidelines govern admission and re-enrolment processes. Entrance tests are scheduled after registration according to year group: FS1/FS2 have no tests; Year 1–2 English and Mathematics; Year 3–11 CAT4; Year 12–13 board results. Step 5: All admissions are confirmed subject to the child's assessment results. Students receive an offer after successfully completing the admissions process. Year 12–13 admissions are confirmed based on board results. The entrance test details vary by year group: FS1/FS2 none; Year 1–2 English and Maths; Year 3–11 CAT4; Year 12–13 board results.	Admissions 1. Admissions & Assessments: MSB Private School (Dubai) is an inclusive school committed to placing each student in the most appropriate grade and providing tailored support based on their academic, social, emotional, and developmental needs. The admissions process follows grade-based assessment requirements: FS (Foundation Stage) has no written assessment, followed by a group school-readiness activity and parent and child interviews; Years 1–8 require written assessments in English and Mathematics; Year 9 requires written assessments in English, Mathematics, and Science; Years 10–13 require a meeting with the Supervisor to finalize subject selection based on availability. Admissions are confirmed based on assessment outcomes, with priority given to siblings of current MSB students who meet the entrance criteria. The Admissions Centre is currently closed for applications. 2. Students of Determination (SOD): Admissions include GL assessments, parent and child interviews, and submission of previous school records, report cards, and test results (in English). Certified translations may be required where applicable. Admission decisions are based on the latest assessments, level of need, recommendations, and required support. Full disclosure of medical history is mandatory. 3. Registration: Parents may register their interest by contacting the school administration. An acknowledgment email with further details will be sent upon registration. The Admissions Policy is available for reference. 4. Withdrawal: If you wish to withdraw your child from MSB Private School (Dubai), please submit the TC application form to the school administration office. Refer to the Parent School Contract for the refund/withdrawal guidelines applicable per term, depending on the date of withdrawal. The TC application form can be collected from the school office. 5. Book a School Tour: Join us any time from Monday to Thursday between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm. Visit us on campus or via a virtual tour to learn about our facilities and learning environment.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist Applicants are placed on the waiting list after registration and called for an assessment, depending on space availability.	Waitlist —
	View full profile →	View full profile →