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Dubai English Speaking School Academic City has 4,000 pupils, typical class sizes of 13, instruction in English.
Location
Dubai English Speaking School Academic City is located in Academic City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It sits in the Dubai education hub opposite DESS College, as part of the DESS family that also includes DESS Oud Metha. The Academic City campus is listed as Academic City, Dubai, UAE, with the Academic City contact number 00971 (0)4 614 6999.
Stages
Foundation Stage (FS1 ages 3-4 and FS2 ages 4-5). Key Stage 1 (Years 1-2). Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6).
Type
Private, not-for-profit, co-educational day school following the English National Curriculum.
Pupil Nationality Mix
There are 114 nationalities represented at the school. The most common nationality and the local-to-international student ratio are not disclosed.
Additional learning support
The school emphasises inclusion and wellbeing, with an inclusive ethos and wellbeing support; explicit SEN provisions are not detailed on the Academic City pages.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation: None; it follows the English National Curriculum.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation: None stated.
School day structure
Start and end times are not published on the DESS Academic City page; exact timings are available from the Admissions Team.
Bus service
Bus service: Not advertised on the school pages; for transport options, contact the Admissions Team at +971 4 360 4866 or admissions@dess.sch.ae.
Fees
Annual tuition at Dubai English Speaking School Academic City ranges from AED 55,250 to AED 63,750 for 2026/27.
Overview
Below are the fees and payment terms for Dubai English Speaking School — Academic City (covering the Primary campus at Academic City and the associated DESS College secondary fees shown for Academic City). All amounts are shown in AED and include the term-by-term breakdown and due dates provided by the school.
Application / Acceptance fee
- An Acceptance Fee is payable when you accept an offered place. This fee is non‑refundable and will be deducted from the child's first term fees. - Acceptance Fee amounts by new-starter category: - DESS Academic City (FS1 – Year 6): AED 4,000. - DESS College Year 7 – Year 10: AED 5,000. - DESS College Year 12 (Sixth Form): AED 7,500.
Tuition fees (full year and termly breakdown)
- DESS Academic City — Foundation Stage 1 (FS1): - Full academic year: AED 55,250 (this figure is shown including a 15% discount for the current discounted period). - Termly: Term 1 AED 22,100; Term 2 AED 16,575; Term 3 AED 16,575.
- DESS Academic City — Foundation Stage 2 & Years 1–6: - Full academic year: AED 63,750 (this figure is shown including a 15% discount for the current discounted period). - Termly: Term 1 AED 25,500; Term 2 AED 19,125; Term 3 AED 19,125.
- DESS College — Years 7–11 (secondary provision associated with Academic City): - Full academic year: AED 84,326. - Termly: Term 1 AED 33,730; Term 2 AED 25,298; Term 3 AED 25,298.
- DESS College — Sixth Form: - Full academic year: AED 90,633. - Termly: Term 1 AED 36,253; Term 2 AED 27,190; Term 3 AED 27,190.
- Note regarding the temporary discount shown for Academic City primary fees: the schedule shows a 15% discount for the current discounted period and states the Academic City primary fees will revert to higher full-fee levels in future years (explicit future full-fee figures are shown alongside the schedule).
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Term due dates shown in the fee schedule: - Term 1 due date: 1 September 2025. - Term 2 due date: 5 January 2026. - Term 3 due date: 6 April 2026. - The Acceptance Fee is non‑refundable and will be offset against the child's first term invoice. One term's notice in writing (by email to admissionsmanager@dess.sch.ae) is required if your child will be leaving the DESS family. - Examination and external assessment charges (GCSE, GCE, music, dance and other external exams) are not included in the tuition fees and will be invoiced separately. Information on examination fees is available from the Examinations Officer.
Sibling discount
- A sibling discount is available for the third and subsequent full-fee-paying siblings in the same family across DESS campuses. The schedule of discounts is shown (for example: 5% for the third child; escalating discounts for additional children). The sibling discount for the whole year is calculated and applied in the Term 2 tuition invoice; Term 1 and Term 3 invoices are issued as published.
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not listed in the fee schedule. No boarding fees are shown for DESS Academic City or DESS College in the published fee structure. If boarding were provided it would appear separately in the schedule; none is shown.
Other costs and compulsory purchases
- Examination fees (GCSE/GCE and other external exams) are charged separately and will appear as separate invoices. - Uniform: a school uniform is required and uniform items are supplied through the school's approved suppliers (Trutex / Zaks for Academic City). The fee schedule does not list uniform pricing; uniform items are purchased separately from the approved supplier. - Additional optional or extra-curricular costs (e.g., trips, clubs, external music/dance exams) are invoiced separately and are not included in the tuition figures shown.
Refund and notice information
- The Acceptance Fee is non‑refundable. It will be deducted from the child's first term invoice. One term's notice (by email to admissionsmanager@dess.sch.ae) is required if a child will be leaving the DESS family; failure to provide the required notice will affect fee liabilities as set out in the school's billing terms.
Fee payment options and banking details
- Accepted payment methods include credit card payments via the SKIPLY mobile app and bank transfer or bank cash deposit. Instructions require that you reference the child's full name or parent account code shown on the invoice and, where possible, the reason for payment. - Bank transfer details shown (use the exact invoice reference on any transfer and email evidence of the transfer to remittances@dess.sch.ae): - Account name: Dubai English Speaking Special Branch College. - Account number: 101-49485189-01. IBAN: AE50 0260 0010 1494 8518 901. Bank: Emirates NBD. Swift: EBILAEAD.
Summary of key points
- Tuition for Academic City primary (FS1, FS2–Year 6) is shown with full-year and term-by-term amounts and includes a temporary discount for the period published; DESS College secondary and sixth form fees are shown separately with term breakdowns. Acceptance fees are payable on acceptance, non‑refundable, and are deducted from the first term invoice. Term payment due dates are listed as specific calendar dates. Examination, uniform, and other optional items are charged separately. Payment may be made by SKIPLY (credit card) or bank transfer/cash deposit to the account specified.
Academics
Dubai English Speaking School Academic City teaches British Curriculum for students aged 3 to 11.
Curriculum
DESS Academic City follows the English National Curriculum with a focus on Mathematics, Literacy, and Science. The Foundation Stage (FS1–FS2) is aligned with the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Key Stage 1 (Years 1–2) uses the National Curriculum for England, with learning enriched by UN Global Goals. Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6) continues with the National Curriculum for England and introduces Invent, Explore, Inspire (IEI) experiences from Year 2. The learning journey is designed to be engaging, relevant and challenging, with outdoor learning, problem solving and creative thinking developing confident, compassionate and creative thinkers.
Higher Education Progression
Students complete Year 6 at DESS Primary Academic City and progress to DESS College for secondary and sixth form. DESS College offers secondary and sixth-form education for students aged 11-18 at its Academic City campus. The primary schools are designed to feed into DESS College at the end of Year 6 to ensure a seamless progression within the DESS community.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school follows the English National Curriculum with a clear emphasis on developing mathematical, literacy, and scientific understanding through engaging learning experiences that promote curiosity and resilience.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The curriculum is designed to be inclusive across key stages, with support for a range of learner needs within a single-campus environment.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Not specified on this page.
Mental Wellbeing
The wellbeing framework is integrated into the curriculum, with activities and approaches described to develop emotional and social skills as part of the learning journey.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding and child protection policies are in place as part of the school's governance and safeguarding practices.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Submit an online application using the appropriate form: Foundation Stage Application Form, Year 1 to 6 Application Form, Year 7 to 10 Application Form, or Sixth Form Application Form. Year 7 2025 is no longer accepting applications due to full capacity and a substantial waiting list; Year 6 2025 is likewise closed for the same reason; Year 7 2026 applications closed on Friday 5 December 2025. The DESS Admissions Office is located at DESS College, Academic City, Security Gate 2, Parent Services Reception.
Waitlist
2. Prepare soft copies of required documents for each child in PDF format: Birth Certificate (in English); Passport Copy; Recent Passport Style Photograph; Most recent End of Year Academic Report; Most recent Term/Mid-Year Academic Report; A CAT 4 assessment within the last 12 months (if available). CAT 4 results are only required for Primary School applications, if available. If your child has not completed a CAT 4 assessment within the last 12 months, they may be required to attend a Taster Session (for local applicants). Emirates Identity Card (if available); UAE Visa (if available); Reports from outside agencies (Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Educational Psychologist, etc., if applicable); If you are applying from overseas, a reference request may be required from a member of staff from your current school.
FAQs
What curriculum does DESS Academic City follow?
DESS Academic City follows the English National Curriculum as a British primary school serving young learners in Academic City, Dubai.
Is this school part of a larger group?
Yes, DESS Academic City is part of the Dubai English Speaking Schools family, sharing the same educational values and British curriculum approach.
