Edited by Aziza Francienne · B2C Marketing Manager
United Arab Emirates offers a range of international schools for expat families, with options spanning British, IB, American, and other curricula. Families relocating here will find schools at various price points, from affordable to premium institutions with world-class facilities.
Compare 150 international schools in United arab emirates. Filter by curriculum, fees (average AED 47,270), location, and more to find the right international school now.
Raffles International School is a British curriculum school in Umm Suqeim, Dubai, serving around 1,340 students from almost 100 nationalities. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.6:1, the school delivers IGCSEs, A-Levels and BTEC pathways from FS1 to Year 13. It achieves 42% of GCSE grades at A or above and 100% university acceptance for Year 13 students. The 315,000 sq ft campus overlooks the Burj Al Arab.
GEMS School of Research and Innovation (SRI) in Dubai Sports City offers the British Curriculum from Foundation Stage through Year 13. The 47,600-square-meter campus features specific zones designed for specialized learning, including artificial intelligence laboratories, a food technology lab equipped with 3D printers, and a dedicated Esports academy. Students also have access to an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a FIFA-standard football pitch, and a 600-seat auditorium for the performing arts. A distinctive feature of SRI is its integration of advanced technology into daily learning, alongside a strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental contribution. Early years classes are capped at 16 students, ensuring highly personalized attention. The school provides a structured progression from early years to Sixth Form, combining standard English National Curriculum subjects with unique offerings like robotics and martial arts to cater to a wide range of student interests and future career paths.
Brighton College Al Ain is a British independent school in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, led by Head Master Oliver Bromley-Hall. It serves students from Nursery/FS1 through Year 13, offering the UK curriculum enriched and adapted to the local context. The school has been rated Outstanding in every category by ADEK and Outstanding by British Schools Overseas. In 2025 it was named British International School of the Year, and 59% of A Level university offers came from Russell Group institutions. Over 80 college-provided co-curricular activities are included in the fees. Guiding values are curiosity, confidence, and kindness.
Queen Elizabeth's School Dubai Sports City is a British curriculum school within Dubai Sports City, drawing on a 450-year legacy from Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet. The school offers a nurturing environment from Nursery through Sixth Form, combining academic rigour with access to world-class sports infrastructure. Its QE programmes in flourishing, futures, house and connect underpin a commitment to developing confident, responsible and globally engaged young citizens.
Dubai British School Jumeira, located in Al Wasl adjacent to the Dubai Water Canal, delivers the British Curriculum from Early Years (Rising 3s) through Sixth Form (Year 13). The campus features specific zones for Foundation Stage, Primary, and Secondary students, alongside dedicated spaces for BTEC assignments and design technology. Secondary learning emphasizes disciplinary literacy and structured talk in every subject, requiring students to engage with complex academic texts across disciplines. The school’s co-curricular program partners with external providers for unique offerings like Cyber Hockey Academy and Surf House Dubai, alongside internal clubs such as the Sustainability Squad and Arabic Calligraphy Club. A distinctive feature of the curriculum is the deliberate cross-subject integration in Key Stage 3; for instance, students apply principles from English Literature directly into their Design Technology projects, supported by targeted vocabulary instruction and personalized literacy interventions to ensure comprehension across all disciplines.
Al Nahda National Schools is a private English-medium day school in Abu Dhabi with separate Boys' and Girls' campuses for ages 4–18. Established in 1983, ANNS offers British and American Curricula, including Cambridge IGCSE and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, plus Advanced Placement. The British Program and American Program cover languages, mathematics, sciences, humanities, information technology, Islamic studies, physical education, music, drama and art. The school is licensed by ADEK and the UAE Ministry of Education and accredited by NEASC, CIS, ECIS, Cambridge International Examinations, Pearson-Edexcel, and the SAT Center. Examinations include IGCSEs, GCSEs and A-levels, alongside the BTEC suite. The SAT Center supports university admissions testing. With nearly 5,800 students, the school focuses on high-quality learning and global citizenship, while maintaining its two-campus, gender-segregated model. Extracurriculars feature sports, robotics, and debating, and the school's arts program integrates music, drama and art alongside National Day and Cultural Evenings. National Day celebrations foster cultural awareness.
Harrow International School Dubai brings four centuries of British educational heritage to the UAE, offering the National Curriculum for England enriched by a distinct Super-Curriculum. Opening in August 2026, the campus initially welcomes pupils from FS1 to Year 8, with a phased expansion up to Year 13. Central to the school’s daily life is its traditional House system, creating a close-knit, family-like community that fosters mentorship across age groups and spirited competition in sports, music, and drama. The academic framework extends beyond standard subjects through an Electives Programme of university-style seminars and scholarly research projects. Pupils work toward the Harrow Diploma, a unique credits-based qualification recognizing personal growth and active engagement. Additionally, dining is a compulsory, communal experience in partnership with Leela’s Lunches, reflecting the school’s core value of Fellowship. The curriculum is firmly rooted in building character, equipping students for entry into top-tier universities.
Raffles World Academy is an IB World School in Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai, offering the full IB continuum from Kindergarten to Grade 12. With over 1,900 students from more than 100 nationalities, it delivers PYP, MYP, DP and Career-Related Programmes with a 100% IB Diploma pass rate. Approximately 50 co-curricular activities are offered including Model UN and Duke of Edinburgh.
Noya British School, located in the Noya Community on Yas Island, offers the English National Curriculum for students from FS1 to Year 9. The campus accommodates up to 3,000 learners, featuring dedicated performing arts spaces and extensive sports grounds. Students follow a thematic learning approach that connects core subjects to real-world global issues. The school is deeply committed to environmental responsibility and operates as a sustainability-focused campus with initiatives tied to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, guided by a dedicated Sustainability coordinator. Families benefit from wrap-around care available from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm and an extra-curricular program delivered with Infinite Sports, featuring robotics, rugby, and ballet. High Performance Learning principles are integrated into daily lessons, developing cognitive characteristics like resilience. Core academics are complemented by specialist instruction in physical education, music, and drama, ensuring varied opportunities for student engagement and personal development.
Al Murooj English School is a day school in Sharjah that follows the British Curriculum, including the Early Years Foundation Stage (FS1–FS2). The UK National Curriculum pillars underpin learning in the Early Years: Communication and Language, Physical Development, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design. Primary Stage (Year 1–6) uses a holistic British curriculum. Established in 1994, the school emphasises a love of learning and a partnership with parents, with the founder highlighting students' successes as central. Facilities include classrooms with outdoor access to an engineered garden, a library with digital and print resources, an ICT Room and computer labs, plus indoor and outdoor playgrounds with safe flooring. Smart Boards and Activ Tables support creative thinking. The school hosts events such as Afforestation, Character Day, Math Week and National Day, and prepares students for further education worldwide while prioritising safeguarding and well-being.
RAK Academy is Ras Al Khaimah's leading international school system with three campuses (Khuzam, Al Hamra and Al Rams) serving over 2,300 students from Pre-K through Grade 12. Offering both British National Curriculum and International Baccalaureate pathways including PYP and IB Diploma, the school is rated Very Good in the 2025 UAE School Inspection Framework and Good in BSO inspection.
Al Rowad British Private School in Sharjah delivers the National Curriculum for England alongside the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Students progress through Cambridge Primary and Secondary pathways, culminating in external IGCSE examinations. The campus features physical infrastructure including science laboratories, an indoor sports hall, ICT suites, a library, and outdoor play areas. Classrooms are equipped with interactive smartboards to support daily lesson delivery. A core component of the school's schedule is its dedicated Arabic language and Islamic Studies program, paired with French lessons introduced during primary years. The school utilizes an integrated House System that organizes students into teams for internal competitions, sports days, and community initiatives to build peer collaboration. Faculty members provide structured preparation for formal British assessments, ensuring international families encounter a standardized educational progression operating within the local regulatory guidelines of the Sharjah Private Education Authority.
St. Mary Private High School Ras Al Khaimah, opened in 2019, provides a structured British curriculum from the Early Years Foundation Stage up to Year 13. Students prepare for Pearson Edexcel IGCSE and A-Level qualifications, alongside mandatory Ministry of Education subjects like Arabic and Moral Education. The modern campus features over 50 classrooms, a large library, spacious indoor play areas, and an electronic meal system via the Smart Canteen application. A signature element of the school is its ACE Approach, which centers on academic excellence, character development, and engagement. Under this framework, character growth is explicitly driven by the CARES principles: Compassion, Accountability, Responsibility, Excellence, and Stewardship. Additionally, the school collapses its regular timetable every six weeks for dedicated activity days. These days feature student house competitions and specialized clubs, including the Science Club, Chess Club, and Environment Club, alongside sports like football, volleyball, cricket, and basketball for student fitness.
Abu Dhabi International School (AIS) operates across two campuses, the Abu Dhabi Campus at 121 Hadfah St, Al Manhal, and the MBZ Campus in Mohamed Bin Zayed City. Catering to students aged 3 to 18, AIS delivers three curricula under one private, coeducational K-12 umbrella: the British Program (IGCSE and A Levels) at the Abu Dhabi Campus; the American Program with Advanced Placement (AP) at the MBZ Campus; and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) also at MBZ for grades 11–12. The American track aligns English and Math with the Common Core, Science with NGSS, and Arabic with UAE Ministry standards. The High School offers Engineering, Medicine & Health Sciences, Economics & Business, and Liberal Arts tracks. Facilities span two campuses with libraries, theatres, laboratories, and sports grounds, plus spaces for co-curricular activities. AIS fosters nationalities (about 60) and a spectrum of clubs in science, arts, sports, service, and sustainability.
Dubai British School Mira provides the English National Curriculum and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework for students aged 3 to 18. Located in the Mira Oasis community, the campus features specific facilities including a swimming pool for physical education and dedicated learning spaces for foundation, primary, and secondary students. A distinctive feature of the school is its "Enjoy, Aspire, Achieve" philosophy, which integrates personal wellbeing and academic goals into daily routines. The school implements a structured inclusion model, offering "Quality First Teaching" alongside push-in and pull-out interventions led by a specialized Inclusion Team to support diverse learning needs. Students participate in an enrichment program categorized into Active, Creative, and Academic tracks, ensuring a variety of extracurricular options. Furthermore, teachers utilize a specific verbal feedback and diagnostic marking system to track student understanding continuously.
Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD) is a co-educational day school located in the Tilal Al Ghaf community. Welcoming pupils from ages 3 to 18, the school delivers the British Curriculum through a structured progression from Early Years to Senior School, culminating in GCSEs and A-Levels. The campus is equipped with specific amenities, including a 25-meter indoor swimming pool, a dedicated learner pool, and a full-size football pitch to support physical education lessons. Technology is integrated throughout the school day; pupils utilize iPads and PC laptops starting in Key Stage 1, alongside dedicated weekly computing classes. A unique feature of RGSGD is the authentic House System, which is directly linked to its 500-year-old sister school in the UK. Pupils are sorted into six historic houses—such as Austen and Beckingham—allowing them to participate in inter-house competitions while benefiting from structured, multi-layered pastoral care.
GEMS Founders School - Masdar City (GFA) offers the National Curriculum for England for students from FS1 to Year 10. Located in Abu Dhabi’s eco-friendly urban community, the campus integrates environmental responsibility directly into the student experience. A standout feature is the "Sustainnovation" program, which blends sustainability and innovation, teaching students to apply eco-conscious practices through hands-on projects and cross-curricular learning. The school operates with renewable energy sources and incorporates green spaces throughout. Students benefit from dedicated science laboratories, music rooms, and expansive outdoor play areas. Beyond core subjects, GFA provides an extracurricular program featuring robotics, coding, design challenges, and philanthropic activities. Leadership development is actively encouraged through roles like House Captains and the student council. By combining British educational standards with a unique focus on environmental stewardship, the school prepares students to be informed, earth-conscious citizens.
St. Mary's Catholic High School is a secondary school in Dubai founded in 1968 by Fr. Eusebius Daveri. Following the British Cambridge curriculum with IGCSEs and A-Levels, the school serves Years 7-13. A cosmopolitan melting pot reflecting Dubai's diversity, it uses international benchmark assessments including CAT4, PIRLS, PISA and TIMSS.
GEMS Founders School Dubai South offers the National Curriculum for England, enriched with a distinctive focus on aviation, aerospace, logistics, and enterprise, reflecting its strategic location near Al Maktoum International Airport. The campus features an Innovation Hub equipped with a STEAM lab, encouraging students to engage in 3D printing, electronics, and design thinking. The curriculum places strong emphasis on practical application, bridging classroom learning with industry-relevant scenarios. Beyond core academics, students participate in programs like the Eco Club, Model United Nations, and robotics. Pastoral care is supported by the Establish-Maintain-Restore method, prioritising student wellbeing and strong family partnerships. Serving children from Foundation Stage through Secondary School, the campus includes specialized ICT labs, food tech spaces, and an indoor play area for early years. This environment ensures students gain both the technical knowledge and practical skills required for future careers.
GEMS Cambridge International School Dubai is a co-educational British/Cambridge curriculum school in Al Twar 1, Dubai. Rated 'Good' by KHDA and recipient of the Leading Parent Partnership Award, the school offers Foundation Stage through Key Stage 5 with Duke of Edinburgh's International Awards and school transport.
Founded in 1982, Fujairah Private Academy is a fee-paying, co-educational day school serving students aged 4 to 18. Owned by the Government of Fujairah under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, it is unique for its student body comprising 85% UAE nationals who receive a British education in a bilingual setting. The school follows the National Curriculum of England and Wales, preparing pupils for Cambridge and Edexcel GCSE, AS, and A2 level examinations, alongside the Thanawa Ama equivalency. For primary students, the school uses the specialized 'Read Write Inc.' literacy program. French is introduced as a mandatory subject from Year 4 onwards. Campus physical amenities include a swimming pool, a separate training pool, a multi-purpose sports hall, football pitches, and basketball courts. Instruction is delivered in English by qualified teachers, the majority of whom are British-trained, while Arabic staff conduct dedicated Arabic and Islamic Studies lessons.
Al Ain British Academy is a co-educational British curriculum school in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi. Serving students aged 3 to 18 (FS1 through Year 13), it offers the English National Curriculum leading to I/GCSE and A Level qualifications. Led by Principal Ian Pugh, the school has achieved outstanding academic results including 61.1% A*-A at A Level and 56.7% grades 8+ at GCSE in 2020. It holds an ADEK Very Good rating and has been rated Outstanding by the British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspection. The school features a house system with four houses: Falcons, Salukis, Foxes, and Camels. A scholarship programme is available.
Victory Heights Primary School - City of Arabia is a British curriculum school serving children from Foundation Stage 1 through Year 6. Situated in Dubailand, the campus provides specific amenities such as an indoor 25-metre swimming pool, astroturf sports pitches, a STEAM laboratory, and an expansive art studio. The curriculum delivers the English National Curriculum with a focus on giving children hands-on opportunities to design and experiment. A truly unique feature of the school is its "Small By Design" initiative. By deliberately maintaining low student-to-teacher ratios and capping class sizes at 25, the school ensures that every single learner is known by name and receives individualized attention. Students also participate in specialist Arabic and Islamic studies, taught by native speakers, to connect with UAE culture. This tight-knit structure creates a welcoming community for overseas and expatriate families seeking a supportive environment in Dubai.
Muna British Academy, located in the Saadiyat Lagoons district of Abu Dhabi, provides the English National Curriculum from Nursery through Year seven, eventually expanding to Year thirteen. The school operates as Abu Dhabi’s first Estidama Pearl 5 rated campus, demonstrating a measurable, documented commitment to environmental sustainability and eco-conscious daily operations. Students engage in inquiry-based learning centered on core subjects like English, Mathematics, and Science, supplemented by Ministry of Education requirements in Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Social Studies. The physical campus features specific facilities, including dedicated science and technology laboratories, drama and dance studios, an indoor sports hall, and multiple swimming pools. Outdoor physical education is supported by junior and senior football pitches alongside jogging tracks. Muna British Academy integrates regular teacher-led extracurricular activities into the standard tuition, allowing students to pursue interests in areas ranging from creative arts to swimming.
Abu Dhabi International School (AIS) operates across two campuses, the Abu Dhabi Campus at 121 Hadfah St, Al Manhal, and the MBZ Campus in Mohamed Bin Zayed City. Catering to students aged 3 to 18, AIS delivers three curricula under one private, coeducational K-12 umbrella: the British Program (IGCSE and A Levels) at the Abu Dhabi Campus; the American Program with Advanced Placement (AP) at the MBZ Campus; and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) also at MBZ for grades 11–12. The American track aligns English and Math with the Common Core, Science with NGSS, and Arabic with UAE Ministry standards. The High School offers Engineering, Medicine & Health Sciences, Economics & Business, and Liberal Arts tracks. Facilities span two campuses with libraries, theatres, laboratories, and sports grounds, plus spaces for co-curricular activities. AIS fosters nationalities (about 60) and a spectrum of clubs in science, arts, sports, service, and sustainability.
The International School of Choueifat Al Ain, established in 1980, operates within the international SABIS school network, teaching students from Kindergarten through Grade 12. The campus contains specialized physical facilities including science laboratories, a computer center, a large auditorium, an indoor swimming pool, and outdoor sports fields. Instruction is given in English, with mandatory Arabic and elective French language classes. The school implements the SABIS proprietary curriculum, which directly prepares pupils for international external examinations such as the British IGCSEs, A Levels, and American Advanced Placement (AP) tests. A distinctive program at the school is the SABIS Student Life Organization (SLO). Through the SLO, students voluntarily manage designated departments that run daily peer tutoring sessions, organize athletic competitions, and coordinate community service projects. This active structure gives pupils direct responsibility for managing aspects of campus life, helping them build practical leadership skills alongside their academic studies in Al Ain, UAE.
Al Nahda National Schools is a private English-medium day school in Abu Dhabi with separate Boys' and Girls' campuses for ages 4–18. Established in 1983, ANNS offers British and American Curricula, including Cambridge IGCSE and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, plus Advanced Placement. The British Program and American Program cover languages, mathematics, sciences, humanities, information technology, Islamic studies, physical education, music, drama and art. The school is licensed by ADEK and the UAE Ministry of Education and accredited by NEASC, CIS, ECIS, Cambridge International Examinations, Pearson-Edexcel, and the SAT Center. Examinations include IGCSEs, GCSEs and A-levels, alongside the BTEC suite. The SAT Center supports university admissions testing. With nearly 5,800 students, the school focuses on high-quality learning and global citizenship, while maintaining its two-campus, gender-segregated model. Extracurriculars feature sports, robotics, and debating, and the school's arts program integrates music, drama and art alongside National Day and Cultural Evenings. National Day celebrations foster cultural awareness.
The Cambridge High School in Abu Dhabi is a private international school for ages 4 to 18 and is part of the GEMS Education group. It follows the National Curriculum for England, offering EYFS, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels and BTEC qualifications. The Foundation Stage serves 4 to 5-year-olds, with a Primary and a Secondary programme up to Sixth Form. The campus in Mussafah provides a safe, nurturing environment with facilities, including an Early Years Playground, four ICT labs with high-speed Internet, dedicated science laboratories, a Music Studio, two Art Studios, a library, an air‑conditioned auditorium and a Multi‑purpose Court, plus a heated swimming pool. Arabic is compulsory for most students; Islamic Studies is offered; Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education is taught. ADEK has rated the school 'Very Good' since 2022. The school includes Sustainability and Innovative Initiatives as part of Education for Sustainable Development.
No schools match your filters. Try adjusting your criteria.
Why join for free?
Already have an account? Log In
